Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/27/20)
Time to sign on the dotted line!
Raw makes the WWE World Championship match official!
Seth Rollins says he needs the WWE World Championship back, but he first needs to sign the contract! Will this face-to-face with Drew McIntyre stay civil?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Aleister Black, Rey Mysterio & Apollo Crews VS Andrade Almas, Angel Garza & Austin Theory w/ Zelina Vega; Aleister, Mysterio & Crews win.
- Triple Threat: Asuka VS Nia Jax VS Shayna Baszler; No Contest.
- Bobby Lashley VS Denzel Dejournette; Lashley wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Ruby Riott; Morgan wins.
- Jinder Mahal VS Akira Tozawa; Mahal wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Apollo Crews; Almas wins by referee stoppage, and retains the WWE United States Championship.
- Ricochet & Cedric Alexander VS Ever-Rise; Ricochet & Alexander win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Samoa Joe rejoins Raw Commentary!
“The Rawest Man in the Room” is glad to be back, and he gives Jerry “The King” Lawler a much needed vacation.
Raw presents the VIP Lounge!
MVP welcomes us to the show, and “the only nightclub in America still open,” his VIP Lounge. He has three WWE superstars as guests that will be competing in the most unique Money in the Bank Match in history! Because all six men and all six women will start at the WWE corporate headquarters’ ground floor, and fight their way to the roof to obtain the MITB contracts. A dozen athletes will lay it all on the line for a prize worth the risk. But to those guests, the legendary luchador, Rey Mysterio! The King of Lucha wants to finally be on the other side of the cash-in and MVP says it’s great to have Rey back in the lounge. Then the next guest, the enigmatic and dark Aleister Black! This will be the first time the Embodiment of the End has competed in any MITB, and how fitting that such a unique superstar is in this unique situation.
Aleister joins MVP and Mysterio in the ring. MVP feels Aleister isn’t the kind to frequent clubs, so just don’t break anything. Lastly, MVP says this man is his pick. It’s Apollo Crews! Crews did beat MVP for his spot, so perhaps MVP’s endorsement is from Crews also having won his respect. And now that everyone is here, what would it mean to become Mr. MITB? Mysterio wants to speak but MVP knows what he’ll say. This will cement Mysterio’s legacy and add to his already historic career. Now, for Aleister, that would catapult him to an even higher stratosphere. And for “Mr. Crews,” as much as MVP doesn’t want to admit it, he lost. What does it mean to Crews becoming Mr. MITB? Or more importantly, does he have what it takes to do it? Crews says that this year’s match-
Wait, Zelina Vega, Andrade Almas, Austin Theory and Angel Garza interrupt! Vega says that no one wants to hear Crews’ opinion. But do they know what the WWE Universe can’t get enough of? Not those three in the ring. They’re no fun. The Universe can’t get enough of the United States Champion, ANDRADE~! Not to mention the Lethal Lothario, Angel Garza, and the fastest rising star, Austin Theory! These three are the future of Raw. At one point or another, so was Mysterio, Aleister and Crews. But they don’t measure up to Vega’s trio. The future Mysterio, Aleister and Crews represent is “a bleak one.” One where the MITB contract resides somewhere other than Raw. Oh, let’s get these velvet ropes out of the way, shall we? Vega and her boys get in the ring. The future doesn’t have to be bleak. They just have to do what’s right. They just have to do what’s best for Raw. And that is to allow Vega’s three to take their place.
MVP says La Muneca has spoken. And this sounds like a challenge. Mysterio takes the mic to counter Vega. She thought they’d just go and give up their spots? Tu loca. She came out here to pick ,a fight, with them. And the brawl is on! Aleister throws out Theory, Crews stomps Garza and Mysterio runs Almas off! The MITB entrants are standing tall, but is the fighting far from over?
Six Man Tag: Aleister Black, Rey Mysterio & Apollo Crews VS Andrade Almas, Angel Garza & Austin Theory w/ Zelina Vega!
It’s not! The trios go against each other with honor on the line! Will the MITB entrants maintain momentum? Or does La Muneca’s three amigos prove her point?
Garza and Aleister start the match, but Garza takes his time taking off his jacket. Garza offers a handshake but Aleister knows better. He uses it to reel Garza in! He gets Garza down and digs a knee into Garza’s knee. Garza gets a ropebreak and Aleister lets off fast to reset. They tie up, Garza wrenches to a hammerlock but Aleister moves around to drop down. Aleister gets another trip and a toehold. Garza endures as Aleister cranks the leg. Garza kicks with his free leg but Aleister just floats to a facelock. But Garza gets out for another hammerlock, only for Aleister to trip him. Aleister keeps on the leg but Garza drags Aleister down for an armbar. Aleister fights up, floats to a waistlock, but Garza picks the leg. Garza kicks away on the leg and then rains down hands! Aleister gets a leg guard and BOOTS Garza in the head! The two reset again, but Aleister hip tosses Garza down!
Aleister drags Garza into a hammerlock of his own, but Garza endures. Vega coaches him up and he fights to his feet. Garza throws body shots and throws Aleister by his hair! Cover, ONE, but Garza is still on Aleister. He whips but Aleister reverses to sweep the legs! La Magistrol, TWO! Aleister arm-drags Garza and has the armlock. Garza endures but Crews tags in. Crews takes the hand off but Garza fires off hands! Tag to Theory but Theory gets run over! Crews brings Theory up to a stalling suplex! And he holds Theory for a count of ten before slamming him down! Cover, ONE, but Crews keeps on Theory’s arm. Theory fights his way up and puts Crews in a corner. Theory stomps low then whips corner to corner. Crews goes up and over and handsprings to dropkick! And arm-drag! And again! Crews has the arm again and Theory flails!
Theory gets up again but Mysterio tags in. Mysterio kicks Theory then rams him into a corner. The ref counts but Mysterio lets off. Mysterio whips but Theory reverses, only for Mysterio to headscissor him into buckles! Cover, TWO! Mysterio drags Theory up and wrenches, but Theory knees low. Tag to Garza and they double whip. Mysterio ducks and wheelbarrows, to throw both Theory and Garza Dial it up but Almas intercepts! Almas eggs Crews and Aleister on but Mysterio pops up to huricanrana! Now Almas i son the ropes, dial it up, but Garza saves Almas. But Mysterio helps Crews and Aleister FLY! They wipe out Vega’s men and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and the ref backs Almas off of Aleister. Almas comes back for more as he mugs Aleister in the corner. Tag to Theory and the mugging continues. Theory snapmares to a chinlock and he thrashes Aleister around. Aleister endures and fights his way up. Theory pulls hair but Aleister has a leg. Theory clubs Aleister down then puts on another chinlock. Aleister fights but Theory throws knees and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO, but the chinlock is back. Aleister resists but Theory turns him over for a double knee cover. TWO and Theory KICKS Aleister in the back. Theory digs a knee in Aleister’s back for the chinlock clutch. Aleister fights his way up and pries at the hold, but Theory throws forearms into his back. Theory torture racks and throws Aleister into buckles! Almas talks trash while Theory back suplexes Aleister down. Cover, TWO!
Theory drags Aleister over and tags in Garza. The mugging returns, and Garza KNEES Aleister hard! Tag to ALmas for the cover, TWO! Almas drags Aleister back and Theory tags in. They mug Aleister more but Aleister kicks back! Theory staggers but comes back to facelock Aleister. He grinds Aleister down but Aleister fights up. Aleister powers his way towards his corner but Theory trips him up. The two scrap on the mat and Theory gets the toehold! Aleister chinlocks but Theory cranks and stomps the leg! Theory stomps Aleister down then throws more forearms into the back. Theory torture rack lifts, and throws Aleister into buckles again. But Aleister catches himself ot elbow and BOOT Theory away! Wheelbarrow takedown, TWO! Theory keeps Aleister from the corner but Aleister boots him away. Theory comes back to get a ROUNDHOUSE! Hot tags to Almas and Mysterio!
Mysterio dodges and rallies on Almas! Almas reverses the whip but gets a headscissors! Mysterio runs but is put on the apron. Mysterio shoulders back in then springboards for the seated senton! Things keep moving, but Almas sunset flips. Mysterio rolls through to BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! El Idolo still lives but Mysterio runs to wheelbarrow. But Almas makes it a facebuster! Tag to Garza and they double whip now. Mysterio pops up to huricanrana Almas out! Then he springboard crossbodies Garza! Cover, TWO! Mysterio kicks then runs but into a pop-up kick! Off come the pants! Garza slides Mysterio out and he hits the floor hard! Now Vega’s trio has control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Garza taunts Crews while holding Mysterio in the cobra twist. But Mysterio fights against the hold, only for Garza to push him down and sucker punch Crews! Tag to Theory and the mugging continues on Mysterio. Theory trophy lifts Mysterio and throws him down! Theory standing moonsaults and covers, TWO! Vega is still smiling as Theory drags Mysteiro back over. Tag to Almas and Almas stomps Mysterio down. Almas pushes Mysterio around then drags him around to stomp. Mysterio staggers to a corner but Almas stomps a mudhole in. The ref backs Almas off but he comes back to drag Mysterio up by his mask. Almas knees low then goes for a hammerlock. Mysterio spins and enziguris free! Both men are down but Mysterio’s corner is empty. Almas stomps Mysterio then drags him up for forearms. Almas shoves but Mysterio kicks back! Mysterio Quebrada, to a tornado DDT!
Both men are down again but Mysterio’s corner has partners again! Hot tags to Theory and Crews! Crews rallies on Theory and then powers him into a corner! Apollo hits Garza then corner sparkles Theory! He tags Theory corner to corner for more shoulder rams! Crews fires up, and gives Garza a SPINE BUSTER! He scoops Theory for a POWERSLAM! Cover, but Almas breaks it! Almas decks Aleister then returns to his corner. Crews gets to his feet first and drags Theory up. Theory swings and ELBOWS! Then he fisherman lifts for the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Crews survives and Vega is furious! Theory sits up but Crews kicks first. Crews suplexes but Theory slips out ot kick low. Almas tags in but Crews dodges Theory to run. Almas dumps Crews out! Aleister KNEES Theory, Garza SUPERKICKS Aleister! Mysterio seated sentons Garza but Almas dropkicks Mysterio!
Almas hurries to get Crews in, and runs to boot and ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Vega is losing her cool but Almas keeps going. Hammerlock but pop-up to CREWS MISSILE! Cover, Crews and team win!!
Winners: Aleister Black, Rey Mysterio & Apollo Crews, by pinfall
The MITB entrants win, and Crews pins the United States Champion! Will Crews be able to use momentum to become Mr. MITB and possibly WWE United States Champion?
Raw celebrates HHH XXV!
To celebrate 25 years of The Game, Raw has the Top Ten Moments that Define Triple H! Coming in at #10, the second wave of Degeneration X! March 1998 brought X-Pac, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn into the fold, so that they and HHH could “take care of business that should’ve been taken care of right from the start.” The Game moving up into leadership position was a big moment, but what moments are bigger?
Raw returns with moment #9! March 2015, WrestleMania 31, HHH VS Sting! And by extension, DX VS nWo! A crazy brawl, and a showdown of bate and hammer! But in the end, HHH and DX won! And the rivalry of WWE and WCW was finally put to bed. The other eight moments will be later on tonight.
Almas and Vega argue backstage.
Charly Caruso comes by to ask what went wrong. What happened? Almas would like to know that, too. His amigos let him down. Aleister, Mysterio and Crews can’t beat Almas in a championship match 1v1. But Crews comes over to laugh at the “sore losers” for complaining. Crews vows he can beat Almas twice in one night! Almas gets mad and says that he’ll put the title up any time, just to prove Crews isn’t worthy. Then how about tonight? And then Crew SLAPS Almas! Vega gets in the way and says Crews thinks he’s so big after just one win. But if he wants it so badly, then he’ll get that shot, tonight! Crews is all smiles as he tells Almas to take care of his face. But will Almas slap that smile off his face by the end of tonight?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
At #8, it was August of 1999. It was the very first episode of SmackDown, and it was the main event for the WWE World Championship! HHH defended against The Rock, with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee! In a truly historic showdown, The Rock was about to win, before getting SWEET CHIN MUSIC! HHH hit the Pedigree, HBK made the count, and The Game was still the champion! But surely, there were be many more title moments, and many more moments with HBK, to come.
Raw returns with moment #7, and in July 2000, HHH was forced to team with Trish Stratus in a mixed tag match. Trish asked if HHH could give her some training. They went through the basic hammerlock, and he taught her one of the counts. Just reach between your legs to grab his leg, and pull. She reaches down, but then Stephanie McMahon walked in and misunderstood. Steph threw a tantrum while throwing things at HHH and then ran away. That was a slightly more embarrassing moment, but still a rather memorable one.
Triple Threat: Asuka VS Nia Jax VS Shayna Baszler!
All of Raw’s three women for the MITB match compete in a first-time-ever! All three are dangerous, but who comes out with the most momentum on the road to WWE HQ?
Before the match, Asuka has a mic to shout, “OI! OI! OI!” Nia, what the hell were you doing? Poor little Kairi is in no shape to be here tonight. Two years ago, Asuka beat Nia, and made her tap! HA! And that won’t change tonight just because someone else is here. MITB will- Nia interrupts by making her entrance. Shayna makes her entrance, and doesn’t even wait to get in the ring before dragging Asuka out! She clubs Asuka on the back but keeps her eyes on Nia. Nia just lets Shayna do what she wants to Asuka, which includes throwing her into a ladder. Then Nia goes out to throw Shayna into barriers! Nia drags Asuka up but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES back! Shayna adds a BOOT, then she ducks Asuka to LARIAT her down! Shayna grabs a ladder as a flashback to last week. She drags Asuka up and throws her, but Asuka sends Shayna into ladder instead!
Asuka stomps Shayna and talks trash in Japanese. She puts Shayna in but Nia bulldozes Asuka down! Nia puts Asuka in and then picks up that ladder Shayna set. Nia tosses it into the ring to show off her strength, then fetches it to RAM both Shayna and Asuka down! Asuka and Shayna flop out the other way, and Nia gets ready to throw the ladder again! Her targets move, and she drops the ladder in the ring. This match ended before it started, and it ended with the Irresistible Force standing tall. Will that be the same when the ladders stand atop Titan Towers?
No Contest
Lana gives Bobby Lashley a pep talk backstage.
He’s the amazing, almighty and just so good. Lashley knows Lana wants to help him out ringside, but maybe it’s better she stay back here. He doesn’t want her in his corner? No, it’s not that! He just says having her out there… She’s a distraction. She’s a distraction? How? What is she doing? It’s because she’s so… beautiful! He tries to focus but he sees her eyes and legs and just loses that focus. So she understands, right? Yes, she does. Lashley heads out without Lana to have his match.
Bobby Lashley VS Denzel Dejournette!
The bell rings and Dejournette dodges Lashley’s lunge. Lashley tries again, Dejournette gets the waistlock instead, and ducks the elbow. Lashley denies the suplex to give a suplex! Dejournette staggers up but Lashley trips him up to SLAP him down! Lashley drags Denjournette up and goes for a corner. Dejournette blocks the buckle bump but not the knee! Lashley then throws hands on Dejournette over and over. The ref counts but Lashley lets up at 4. Lashley runs but Dejournette drops down then hurdles to SLAP back! Lashley seethes but Dejournette runs. Lashley hurdles to kick low and CLUB Dejournette down! Then he suplexes and SLAMS Dejournette, before scooping him for another slam! Dejournette gets up, Lashley SPEARS him down! Cover, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
And the Rocky Mountain Machine had no problems with his focus. Will Lashley be able to head for a title without his trophy wife “distracting” him?
Liv Morgan VS Ruby Riott!
Last week went Liv’s way but she doesn’t want Ruby to think it was a fluke. These two friends turned enemies have a rematch already, who comes out proving their point?
The bell rings and they tie up. Ruby pulls hair but the ref reprimands her. Ruby hits an STO and then looms over Liv. She drags Liv up and into a corner to stomp away. Ruby pushes Liv around then runs corner to corner, only for Liv to drop toehold her into buckles! Liv runs back in, but her stomps miss! Ruby shoves Liv inot buckles then drags her in, only for Deadly Nightshade to be thrown down! Both women get up and Liv blocks a boot. Liv ROCKS Ruby then brings her out for a whip. Ruby hits buckles hard and Liv back body blocks! Liv runs in again but misses. Ruby spins her out for the RIOTT KICK! Cover, TWO!?! Ruby’s best move fails?! She is speechless for a moment before she stalks up behind Liv. Ruby says Liv needs to learn her place but Liv refuses. Liv swings wild but misses. Ruby stomps the hand!
Ruby drags Liv up and says she doesn’t want to do this. But Liv is making her do this. She pulls hair and has Liv against the ropes but the ref counts. Ruby lets up, whips, but Liv reverses to COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, Liv wins!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall
Liv wins again! She leaves Ruby in #obLIVion with that one, is she finally moving on with her life?
Byron Saxton interviews Liv in the ring and asks if this is the start of a new chapter. Liv feels like she’s had so many chapters already. But right now, Liv feels like a lot of people in her generation, in that she’s trying to find herself. She’s confident she’ll figure herself out soon enough. Will she figure that and a path to the title out at the same time?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #6 is 1997, the King of the Ring tournament finals! Hunter Hearst Hemsley and “Mankind” Mick Foley faced off and fought all over ringside, but it took two Pedigrees (one through an announce desk) to finish Foley off. And in the end, The Blue Blood was crowned King of the Ring! That was just the beginning of the King of Kings, but what five moments are even bigger?
Backstage interview with Nia Jax.
She has a lot of people talking about her actions tonight. Her actions? What can Charly do about those actions? Nothing. What can Asuka do about Nia’s actions? Nothing. What can Shayna do about Nia’s actions? Nothing. What can anyone do about her actions? Again, NOTHING! Is there really nothing that can be done when the Irresistible Force heads for the Money in the Bank contract?
The Viking Raiders speak.
“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it!” “So Street Profits, what does that tell you about your Raw Tag Team title reign?” Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins are a great tag team among some of the best. But their history with Erik & Ivar “tells the truth.” The Profits won the NXT Tag Team Championships after the Raiders let them go. The Profits won the Raw Tag Team Championships after Erik & Ivar couldn’t compete. And the truth is, the Profits have never beaten the Raiders! Every time the Profits were up, it was because the Raiders weren’t around. So the Profits may have the titles now, but the Raiders know the truth. The truth is that as long as the Raiders are around, the Profits will only ever be second best. The Raiders dare the Profits to prove them wrong. Because #WeWantTheSmoke. Erik & Ivar took the catchphrase, but will they take those titles?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #5 was back in November of 2019. It was the night SmackDown was taken over by NXT! Survivor Series was now Raw VS SmackDown VS NXT, and NXT took the fight to the blue brand! HHH is the leader of the black ‘n’ yellow army, and #WeAreNXT!
Jinder Mahal VS Akira Tozawa!
The Modern Day Maharaja returns to Raw! Will he pick up where he left off? Or will the Stamina Monster be a stronger challenge than this former WWE World Champion expected?
The bell rings and Mahal ties up with Tozawa. He throws Tozawa down, then hauls him up for a BIG back suplex! Mahal grins as he drags Tozawa up to throw out of the ring. Mahal pursues and stomps Tozawa at the barrier! The ref counts as he digs his knee in, so he brings Tozawa up to ram into the LED apron! And then into the barriers! Mahal drags Tozawa up to put in the ring and stomp around. He drags Tozawa up to a fireman’s carry, for a BIG Samoan Drop! But Mahal isn’t done there, he demands Tozawa to stand. Tozawa barely sits up before Mahal drags him up. KALLAS! Cover, Mahal wins!
Winner: Jinder Mahal, by pinfall
The iron ring dismantles the Stamina Monster and Mahal is back! Will he head for a title now that things are heating up?
Almas and Vega talk backstage again.
They both know he is El Campeon, but Charly comes by to talk with them again. Vega won’t let there be any questions asked. Charly needs to talk to Vega first. Almas agrees, and heads out with Vega. But Garza comes by and says Charly is very professional. He has a great admiration for that. But maybe in the near future, they could get better acquainted? Garza gives her a rose and Charly gives him a big smile as Raw goes to break.
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #4 is June of 2006, when DX mocked the McMahons! HHH was Vince, HBK was Shane O’Mac, and it was just incredible.
WWE United States Championship: Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Apollo Crews!
El Idolo took the pin in the loss earlier tonight, but says that it was not the same as 1v1. Crews says he can strike twice, but is tonight the night Crews finally holds WWE gold? Or will he have to fall back on his MITB opportunity?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this double header begins!
Crews and Almas circle and tie up. They go around, Almas puts Crews in a corner but Crews turns it around. The ref counts and Crews lets up. Vega protests but Almas and Crews tie up again. Almas wrenches and shoulder breakers fast to get the wristlock. Crews fights up, wrenches around and has the wristlock himself. Crews yanks on the arm but Almas endures the armlock. Almas fights up, rolls and trips Crews to the mat for a toehold. Crews fights back and has a forearm in Almas’ face. Crews manages to get the facelock, but Almas fights his way up. Almas powers Crews to ropes but they almost fall out of the ring! Crews lets go and Almas sucker punches! Almas backs off and taunts Crews, but Crews comes back to circle again.
Almas kicks low and headlocks, but Crews tries to power out. He can’t get free as Almas holds tight. Almas cranks on the headlock but Crews powers up. Crews elbows but Almas cranks harder. Crews powers out and is free this time, but the two collide and neither falls. They start shoving, then things speed up. Crews hurdles and dropkicks! Almas bails out and Vega hurries over. Crews goes out and throws hands on Almas, then lifts him to ram into the apron! Almas CHOPS back, but the ring count climbs. Crews throws hands and puts Almas in. Almas is right on Crews right away! Almas stomps and stomps but the ref backs him off. Vega likes what she sees as Almas drags Crews up. Almas CHOPS but Crews forearms back. Almas knees low and throws more forearms. He starts stomping but the ref counts. Vega says Almas is the champ, and Almas digs his knee in. The ref backs Almas off again, but Almas stands Crews up to CHOP!
Almas whips corner to corner, Crews goes up and over but Almas dropkicks him down! Vega applauds while Crews goes to a corner. Almas runs in but Crews dodges! The knee hits buckles and Almas tumbles to the floor outside! Crews gets to the apron, moonsaults, but Almas gets clear! Almas LARIATS Crews down and Vega applauds while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and the ref has to back Almas off again. Almas goes right after Crews’ leg in the ropes, then basement dropkicks Crews to the floor! Almas takes a moment to catch his breath before going out after Crews. He stomps Crews around as the ring count climbs. Almas knees and forearms Crews down then leaves him behind. Crews stands at 7 and manages to get in the ring at 8, but Almas is all over him again! Almas has the leg and turns Crews for a modified Half Crab. Crews endures and drags himself towards ropes, but Almas stomps the leg down! Almas keeps on Crews but Crews kicks him away, only for Almas to come back with a basement dropkick! Almas drags Crews to the apron to throw forearm after forearm! He then goes back in the ring to stomp Crews more. Almas stomps Crews in the corner but the ref reprimands. Vega chants, “Si! Si! Si!” and Almas goes corner to corner, but only gets corners! Crews hits an OLYMPIC SLAM!
Crews can’t cover, his bad knee and overall exhaustion keep him down. But Crews and Almas slowly get to their feet, and start throwing hands! Crews counter punches and then throws haymakers! Crews pop, lock and ROCKS Almas to then LARIAT! He rams Almas into the corner then drives his shoulders! Crews backs off to then run in for a BIG splash, and OVERHEAD suplex! Adrenaline helps Crews rise up and run corner to corner! But into Almas’ BOOT! Almas hops up but Crews enziguris back! Crews trophy lifts Almas and drops Almas down! Standing moonsault hits! Cover, TWO!! Almas barely survives and Vega is panicking! Crews manages to stand but he hobbles over to Almas. Almas escapes a suplex and drop toeholds Crews into buckles! CIEN KNEES!! Cover, TWO!! Crews survives and Vega protests!
Almas stands and looms over Crews. He drags Crews up but dodges a boot. Crews dodges the boot, the elbow, and now they brawl again. Almas kicks the bad leg! Crews ROCKS Almas with a right and trophy lifts, but Almas DDT’s back! Vega applauds as Almas covers, TWO!! Now Vega is beside herself as Crews still lives. Almas drags Crews up once more, hammerlocks, but Crews resists and pop-ups, but into a sunset flip! Cover, TWO!! ENZIGURI! Crews fires up, scoops Almas, and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Almas survives and Vega is out of breath! Crews stands back up and drags Almas to a drop zone. He climbs up but Almas hurries to stop him! Almas climbs up, throws uppercuts, but Crews forearms back. They brawl up top but Almas wants the suplex. Crews resists, throws body shots and then headbutts Almas down. Crews adjusts and leaps, but Almas moves! The knee takes a bad hit, but the ref keeps Almas back. Crews is under the bottom rope and refuses to let this end, but the ref makes the decision! Almas wins!
Winner: Andrade Almas, by referee stoppage (still WWE United States Champion)
Crews’ body gave out before his spirit did, and Almas gets away with the title. Will Crews get another chance to prove he has what it takes? What about his run for the MITB briefcase?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #3 is February 2003, the debut of Evolution! HHH, Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Dave Batista were “the greatest example of evolution you will ever see.” Another faction that changed the WWE forever, also led by HHH.
The Street Profits speak.
“The Viking… Raiders… say we second best, bruh.” Nah, fam, they’re the ones putting in work while the cosplayers were driving Carpool Karaoke style while eating turkey legs. They weren’t even singing! This is 2020, get on Spotify. So what else is there to say but to say that… Erik & Ivar are right. The Profits could make jokes, or they could make the Raiders wrong. Well Montez and Dawkins are free, so how about the Raiders bring the helmets and the ponytails, because they’re going to get that smoke. But who will have the titles after this intense showdown?
Raw shares part of WWE 24: Becky Lynch, The Man.
“I just wanted people to be invested in the main event.” And they were. But they were also strongly behind Becky in WrestleMania 35’s Winner Takes All. Charlotte had Ronda in the Figure Eight, but then The Man came around with that leg drop. The WrestleMania crowd was fired up as Becky and Ronda worked together to hip toss Charlotte into a table! And then Ronda and Becky fired off! Becky turned Piper’s Pit into a pin! And in the end, the world witnessed #BeckyTwoBelts become reality! Making history with family in attendance and the fans behind her, “it was overwhelming.” Charlotte says that WM35 is what they’ll be playing back for years to come. Her father says Becky has passion in spades, it’s why she succeeds. Everyone wants to main event Mania, and now anyone can because The Man, The Queen and the Baddest Woman on the Planet made it happen. Becky loves the fans, and hopes they’ll still support her. What happens when your dreams come true? You make new ones.
Ricochet & Cedric Alexander VS Ever-Rise!
It’s time to get fast and furious again! Will they get back on track using Matt Martel and Chase Parker as the starting line?
The teams sort out and Ricochet starts against Martel. Ricochet dodges and arm-drags Martel down, then brings him over to tag Alexander. Alexander knees low then sets Martel up for the neckbreaker backbreaker! Cover, ONE, but Alexander keeps close. Alexander drags Martel up with a facelock and Ricochet tags in. They mug Martel and then Ricochet dodges a clothesline. Ricochet gets distracted by Parker and Martel clobbers him from behind! Tag to Parker and Martel feeds Ricochet to a knee. Parker whips Martel for Martel to whip Parker, and Parker forearm smashes Ricochet! Parker feeds Ricochet to Martel’s drop toehold, then Martel is the step stool for Parker’s elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Parker keeps on Ricochet with a chinlock and fingers to the face. Parker drops knees then drags Ricochet up and over. Tag to Martel and Ever-Rise mug Ricochet.
Martel keeps on Ricochet with a wrench and tags Parker back in. Martel feeds Ricochet to Parker’s boot, and then Parker stomps Ricochet down. Parker wraps on a half straitjacket and leans on Ricochet. Tag to Martel, and now Ricochet is fed to Martel’s boot. Cover, TWO! Martel drags Ricochet up for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO, but Martel drags Ricochet up. Ricochet reverses the whip to feed Martel to Parker’s boot! Martel flounders to anchor Ricochet, but Ricochet keeps heading for Alexander. Both men make tags to Parker and Alexander! Alexander rallies, bobs ‘n’ weaves and fires off strikes! He dropkicks Martel’s leg out, then drags Parker over. Martel is the support for the one-man magic killer! Alexander dropkicks Martel out then runs to forearm Parker. Ricochet tags in, Alexander gives Parker a tornado DDT! Ricochet hits a standing shooting star! Cover but Martel breaks it!
Alexander throws Martel out but Martel drags Alexander out. Martel slams Alexander on the apron, but Ricochet triangle dropkicks! Parker rolls Ricochet with the tights, TWO! SUPERKICK! Tag to Alexander and he drags Parker up. Hammerlock, missile dropkick complete shot!! Cover, Alexander & Ricochet win!
Winners: Cedric Alexander & Ricochet, by pinfall
“Bravo! Bravo!” MVP is on the titantron, and congratulates these men in their excellent execution. MVP has a keen eye for talent, and he thought, “Who better to reintroduce to Raw than these two?” Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink are now on Team MVP! Alexander and Ricochet beating Thorne & Vink was a fluke. But the rematch could be box office gold. No, box office platinum! Straight up BALLIN~! Ricochet and Alexander are ready for the challenge! Will this fast and furious team prove The Worst & The Smug are box office busts?
Raw has more HHH XXV Top Ten Moments!
Moment #2 is April 1998, DX invading WCW! Well, they would have if the garage door didn’t close. But it was the first shot fired in the Monday Night Wars!
Raw follows Apollo Crews in the Performance Center medical room.
Crews has his knee heavily iced and walks on crutches after the damage done during the match. Charly says it seemed like he was so close to the title. This surely hinders his progress. Crews is too emotional to speak. Will Crews be able to even compete at MITB now?
Finally, the NUMBER ONE Moment that Defines HHH!
May 2001, HHH attacked Shawn Michaels, only to blow out his own knee. But eight months later, The Game was back and stronger than ever!
Raw returns to Jerry “The King” Lawler in the ring.
The King notes this year’s MITB having the most unique MITB match ever. Six men and six women start in the lobby of the WWE corporate HQ, and could fight anywhere from the gym to the elevators to even Mr. McMahon’s office. But they’ll all work to fight their way up to the roof, where the MITB briefcases will be waiting. Those briefcases will have the contracts for a title match at any time, any place. The risk is usually worth the reward, but maybe not this year. But the PPV will also feature one of the most intriguing title matches in history. Drew McIntyre defends against Seth Rollins, but the contract must be signed first. King introduces first the challenger, the Monday Night Messiah, Seth Rollins! Rollins makes his way to the ring and takes his seat. King then introduces the champion, Drew McIntyre! The Scottish Stud struts down to the ring, and Rollins stands up to stare him down.
McIntyre joins King and Rollins in the ring, and he says King that the way this usually goes is about to go that way. King gets out of the way, and now McIntyre sits with Rollins alone. For that matter, McIntyre signs right away, and leaves it to Rollins. He tells Rollins that they can get this done in 20 seconds. Rollins takes his time picking up the pen and going to the contract. But then he asks McIntyre, “Do you think I want this?” No, Rollins doesn’t want this. He has to do this. Yes, he started it with the Curb Stomp, to get McIntyre’s attention and to get this match, so that he can get the WWE World Championship “where it needs to be.” But this isn’t about Rollins or about McIntyre. This is bigger than all of us! McIntyre will be a great champion, some day. McIntyre is a fighter, a warrior, and a great man. But he’s not a leader. Rollins is a leader. Everywhere Rollins has gone, he has led and people have followed.
Now more than ever, the WWE needs someone they can turn to and guide them. Rollins can be the light in the darkness. He suffered for that title. McIntyre doesn’t have to. Rollins doesn’t want anyone else to suffer the way he did. That title is his burden to carry, not McIntyre’s. “Trust me when I tell you, I don’t want to be the one to crush your dream.” But that is a sacrifice Rollins is willing to make for the greater good. McIntyre is smart. He will understand in time. And when that time comes, he can find Rollins, and Rollins will not turn him away. McIntyre thanks Rollins for that passionate speech. Really enlightening. Things are clear to McIntyre and the fans now. It is clear that Rollins is “completely full of sh*t.” Where are Rollins’ followers? His charming personality surely didn’t scare them off, right? It’s not Rollins’ fault. No, it’s never Rollins’ fault.
But McIntyre cuts to the chase: He doesn’t know what’s going on in that warped brain of Rollins’, but McIntyre will not let Rollins win. McIntyre gives Rollins some advice. First: shut up and stop talking, forever. No one wants to hear Rollins talk now, backstage, online or even in private. Rollins has this talent that he gets his foot stuck in his mouth, while also having his head up his arse. It’s impressive, actually. Second: Finish the job. He didn’t do that when he attacked McIntyre a few weeks ago. This time, he better go for the throat, because McIntyre will do the same. Both men stand up, and Rollins says that at MITB, the big picture becomes clear. So trust Rollins when he says that McIntyre will be better off for it. Rollins signs his part, and says McIntyre needs to have faith in- BAM! McIntyre bounces Rollins’ head off the table! And then he tosses the table out! And the armchairs! GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!
Rollins seethes as McIntyre throws off his jacket and shirt. There’s no backing out now! The countdown begins and… Buddy Murphy attacks! The Disciple appears outta nowhere to stop McIntyre with a chop block! Murphy throws hands and stomps away in the corner! Murphy helps Rollins up but Rollins doesn’t realize who it is at first. Rollins sees it is Murphy, and calms down. They hug, but then McIntyre runs in! Rollins gets clear and the CLAYMORE takes out Murphy! McIntyre says Murphy is Rollins’ “sacrificial lamb,” and he won’t have him at MITB. Will Rollins be able to survive when he’s stranded in Claymore Country?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good Raw, but something about it was very indicative of how they’re recording another episode for next week’s go-home. That go-home is going to be a lot of fun with the Raw Tag Team Championships on the line. I can’t be sure who wins, but I do hope WWE brings Sarah Logan back for a really big feud that also includes Bianca Belair. Lashley gets a win without Lana around so that’s some decent progress for their story. Jinder Mahal is back so of course he wins. I wonder if he comes around to try and start a feud with McIntyre over the old 3MB days. Liv gets another win over Ruby so I think that story is done, but I have no idea where she goes next. Ricochet & Alexander get a solid win over Ever-Rise, but I am disappointed MVP is with Thorne & Vink instead of trying to recruit the fast and furious. That is the team he should be with and he is the manager they should have. Maybe Vink & Thorne get tossed aside when they lose again.
But speaking of MVP, I had a great sense that Vega’s team would show up to interrupt the VIP Lounge wanting after the MITB spots. The spots were never actually on the line, but the Six Man Tag we got was still great. Crews’ own story tonight was incredibly well done. That SLAP to Almas and then his performance in the United States Championship match were incredible. But what a twist for him to lose because of the knee giving out. It garners great Face sympathy with this, because now he might not even be in the MITB. If so, I hope that means they’re saving him for something big with Extreme Rules or even SummerSlam. The Women’s Triple Threat tonight was great on paper, but then it became clear there couldn’t be a real loser or winner since all three are such strong contenders. Therefore, it was actually brilliant to have it be a No Contest. And with Nia standing tall tonight, I don’t think she wins MITB. It really should be Asuka to bring back some danger to her character.
The HHH countdown was a pretty good second part to the tribute, but also mostly just to fill for time. It was good to see some moments SmackDown didn’t have time to bring up, like HHH becoming KOTR, and later becoming leader of DX. SmackDown was the roast but Raw was the celebration. The ending segment was really good for a contract signing. I like that McIntyre gave King a heads up to get out. Both guys gave great promos, and the brawl was great, too. McIntyre made that table fly like it was a pillow! And having the camera behind Murphy was great for the incoming Claymore. McIntyre stands tall now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t win at MITB. At the same time, with it being MITB, a cash-in could happen the same night. It’d be fitting karma if someone cashed in on Rollins to ruin his “vision” for Raw again.
My Score: 8.1/10
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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.
Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.
.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Ratings:
- Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
- #1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
- ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
- Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
- Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.Â
.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz
Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.Â
Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.
Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.
OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.Â
Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.Â
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander
Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.
Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!
Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.
Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside
Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.
Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.
Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands
So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.
.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth
A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.
Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!
Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!
Overall Score: 6/10
A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.
But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.
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