Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (6/3/20)

Can Drake Maverick shock the world?

Published

4 years ago

June 4, 2020

Steven Mitchell

The NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament finally finishes!

Drake Maverick has been fighting to stay in NXT, and now he might become Interim Cruiserweight Champion! Will he pull off one last miracle on the mat?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Candice LeRae VS Mia Yim; Double Count-Out.
Mixed Tag: Keith Lee & Mia Yim VS Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae; Gargano & LeRae win.
Tony Nese VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott; Swerve wins.
NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat: The Undisputed Era VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS ???; Breezango wins and will challenge Imperium for the titles at TakeOver: In Your House.
Aliyah VS Santana Garrett; Garrett wins.
Cameron Grimes VS Bronson Reed; Grimes wins.
Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals: Drake Maverick VS El Hijo del Fantasma; Fantasma wins and becomes the interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Candice LeRae VS Mia Yim!

Pint-Sized Poison wants to make the Head Baddie in Charge pay for mocking her and Johnny. But will she have to eat defeat along with her words?

But before the bell, Candice serves up knuckle sandwiches and has Mia in the corner! The ref backs Candice off and Mia keeps her cool. The bell rings and Mia runs Candice over! And BOOTS her down! Candice flounders, goes after a leg, but Mia pries her off to throw her aside. Candice gets to a corner but Mia runs in to BOOT again! Mia pulls on the hair and uses that to snapmare Candice down, for a Peanlty KICK! Candice writhes and rolls to the apron. Mia drags Candice up but Candice chokes Mia on the ropes! Mia powers up to drag Cnadice up and into the ring for a full nelson. Candice drops down to KICK Mia in the head! Mia staggers, Candice recovers and throws hands! The crowd boos as Candice hammers away on Mia. Candice grimaces as she gives Mia the step-up back senton! Cover, TWO!

Candice frowns while the crowd rallies up. Candice drops another senton, and then another! Cover, TWO! Mia survives the hat trick but Candice is after her right away. Candice pulls hair, but Mia powers up to carry Candice. Mia RAMS Candice into buckles out of the backpack, then runs corner to corner to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Candice shakes out the cobwebs while Mia looms over her. Mia toys with Candice and brings her up> Candice throws body shots and CHOPS, and even forearms. She backs Mia down with furious fists but the ref counts. Candice lets up at 4, to run corner to corner for a back body check! But Mia DECKS Candice out of the ring! Mia goes out to fetch Candice and clubs her on the back. Mia dead lifts Candice to swing her into barriers!

The ring count climbs but Mia clubs away on Candice at the ramp. The count passes 5 as the two brawl. Candice tackles Mia and throws hands, but the count hits 10!

Double Count-Out

The match is over but the fight has just begun! Mia scoops Candice up, but Candice huricanranas to send Mia into the titantron! The screen goes out but Candice keeps clubbing away! Tegan Nox appears to back Candice off, but Dakota Kai BOOTS Mia down! Raquel Gonzalez is not far behind, and she DECKS Tegan! But Shotzi returns to go after Dakota! Shotzi TOSSES Dakota and a brawl is on all over the stage! Referees rush out to break this up, but Mia runs and ROCKS Candice!

Mia backs off as the refs tell her and Johnny Gargano appears to check on his wife. Candice doesn’t want to be helped away, she goes back for more! She blindsides Mia on the ramp and beats her down at ringside! Gargano cheers Candice on, but here comes KEITH LEE! Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling run away into the ring as Keith helps Mia back up. And #Yimitless rushes the ring! The Garganos run away again, but GM William Regal sends word down to the ring. We’re getting a MIXED TAG MATCH! Will #TheJohnnyGarganoWay have no choice but to #BaskInTheirGlory?

Mixed Tag: Keith Lee & Mia Yim VS Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae!

NXT returns and Gargano is complaining because he is far from dressed to compete. The crowd boos as Gargano and Candice go to leave, but Keith grabs Gargano and trophy lifts him! Keith carries Gargano back to the ring but Candice jumps on! She doesn’t bother him at all as he TOSSES Gargano into the ring. Mia dropkicks Gargano to the corner! Keith pops Candice off and she ends up in the ring, and Mia shotgun dropkicks her! The bell rings to make this official as Mia CHOPS and TOSSES Candice! Mia CHOPS Candice again, and TOSSES her again! Gargano is panicking as Candice flounders into the #Yimitless corner. Candice is spooked when she realizes where she is, and she staggers into SOLE FOOD! Cover, TWO!

Mia keeps her cool while Gargano finally gets on the corner. Mia drags Candice up and suplexes, but Candice resists. Gargano talks trash so Mia pushes Candice down to swipe at him. But Candice chop blocks in the distraction! Candice has the leg for a foot DDT! Gargano is all cocky now as Candice covers, but Mia keeps her shoulders up. Candice kicks Mia around but Mia hits back. Candice clubs Mia then pushes her to a corner. Candice drags Mia around but Mia pushes Candice away. Mia runs into the corner to BOOT, and then sit Candice down. Mia gives Candice some face washing while Gargano talks trash. Mia smirks at Gargano and dares him to do something. Gargano says he’s not in wrestling gear, how is he supposed to do anything?

Mia heads for Keith to force Gargano’s hand, but Candice anchors her feet. So Mia just dead lifts Candice for a DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, but Gargano sweeps her legs! Keith steps to Gargano and TOSSES him into the ring! Mia goes after Candice on the outside while Keith throws hands on Gargano. Keith tosses Gargano back to his corner then brings him back up to whip corner to corner. Keith hits a big corner splash, and keeps Gargano up with his body. He drags Gargano right up, but Gargano digs something into Keith’s eye!?! His car keys!! Mia checks on Keith but Candice rolls her up! The Garganos wins!!

Winners: Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano, by pinfall

#TJGW wins but Keith wants revenge already! Candice saves Johnny from Keith’s wrath, but Keith still shouts warnings to him. But then Keith’s hand slips in between steel steps and ring post, and Gargano KICKS the steps!! Keith’s hand may have just been crushed!! Will Gargano use every trick in the book to once again become NXT North American Champion?

Tommaso Ciampa responds to Karrion Kross.

“The word ‘special’ has been thrown around a lot lately.” But this is Ciampa’s 13th TakeOver. While each TakeOver is special in its own way, Kross and Ciampa make this one very different. There are still a lot of questions circling around Kross, “so let’s throw the damn questions out the window!” This Sunday, June 7th, “under those bright TakeOver lights, with the pressure on and the entire world watching,” Kross needs to bring his A Game. Because Ciampa’s hunch is that Ciampa’s A Game is that much better. Kross chose Ciampa as his first real target. But Ciampa promises that he will be the one Kross remembers. Kross finds out that there’s special, and then there’s Tommaso Ciampa.

Backstage interview with Dexter Lumis.

The eeriest superstar in NXT today, perhaps ever, is asked about the odds of Velveteen Dream finally becoming NXT Champion against Adam Cole at TakeOver: In Your House. Lumis doesn’t say a word, but he does bring out an easel and some markers. He draws on the paper to express his opinion. What will Lumis show us when NXT returns from break?

NXT Media catches up with Drake Maverick.

As seen on WWE’s YouTube, Rockstar Spud arrives, ready for his NXT Cruiserweight Championship match. How is he feeling? Well, he and Mackenzie Mitchell have known each other for a long time, how about he interviews her? He asks her how she thinks he feels. Because he is feeling NO PRESSURE! Why? Because today is the day! It could be the best day or the worst day, but Maverick is feeling amazing right now! He could become THE NXT Cruiserweight Champion! This is the first time he’s not felt pressure in so long. He’ll have cookies in catering that he keeps ignoring because of all the training, and maybe even some chocolate cake. Because that’s the thing about today! He doesn’t know what is going to happen, and he’s excited. The chips are down, he rolls the dice! Who knows what happens! He even looks right into the camera as he says this could go either way, but that’s the beauty of it. We find out what the future holds for Drake Maverick tonight!

The NXT Championship match will be a BACKLOT BRAWL!

Per Adam Cole’s negotiations with William Regal, this will be Velveteen Dream’s last shot at the title, so long as Cole is champion. And Regal has found the perfect stipulation and location for the two lovers of attention in this unique match-up.

NXT Prime Target: In Your House.

Monday, 6/1/20, in Orlando, Florida. NXT Champion Adam Cole knows the Undisputed Era has a special day planned for him. But every day is special for the champion. We start off with Kyle O’Reilly returning, and the Era picking Cole up in a limousine! They get ready to party, but what’s the occasion? As if he doesn’t know. But June 1st marks the ONE YEAR MARK of Cole as champion! A great day for the greatest NXT Champion EVER.

Meanwhile, Dream skates as he reflects on his long road to this opportunity. “Let’s take a little trip down memory lane.” This road all started when Cole screwed Dream out of the North American Championship. And then the Era threw him off the top of a production truck, nearly breaking Dream’s back. But Dream came back, and hopes Cole likes pain. Because there’s going to be a lot of it. Dream admires the beauty all around him. A beautiful NXT is the Dream’s NXT.

The Undisputed Era arrives at Fresco and has a feast. Cole has a toast. “The Undisputed Era is the greatest thing that I have ever done in my entire love.” He loves Kyle, Bobby and Roddy, and is so proud of them all. But this toast is for the ONE YEAR MARK, the longest reigning and certainly greatest NXT Champion of all time. This is also a toast to the beautiful victory at TakeOver: In Your House. And that is Undisputed. Cheers!

“The Dream’s been doing a lot of thinking, and The Dream’s got a lot on his mind, Adam Cole.” You don’t think Dream can handle 4v1? If Cole wants to talk numbers, Dream has some numbers for Cole. 24: that’s how old Dream is, and he’s already a superstar. Then there’s the 1-2-3, when Dream pinned Cole. That’s why Dream is Cole’s new reality. Cole needs to wake up. Ladies, bring the mirror. Dream needs a private conversation. “Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who will be the greatest NXT Champion of them all?” The mirror, whose spirit is very much like Prince, says Dream will be the one.

Cole wants Regal to say that Dream never gets another shot at his title, so long as it is on his shoulder. Regal agreed to the terms, and Sunday will either solidify Cole’s legacy, or finally crown Dream the champion. Sam Roberts has said it will not be about Dream’s tights or entrance. It will be about one thing and only one thing only: being unbeatable. Peter Rosenberg says this is the ultimate “traditional” pro-wrestler against the ultimate “charismatic personality.” Not even WWE World Champion, Drew McIntyre, knows what to expect in this. All he knows he will be watching. No one knows what Dream is truly capable of, because he is so unpredictable. Pat McAfee says that Dream has a lot in common with Dennis Rodman. Flamboyant, draws a lot of attention outside of “his craft,” but when he gets in the game, in the ring, on the court, they both deliver.

Regal has found a location to shine a lot on their talent, and that is the #BacklotBrawl! But who shines brightest in this already historic night for NXT?

NXT checks in on Dexter Lumis.

Lumis’ artwork is complete, and it’s a caricature of himself driving a truck, with who appear to be the Undisputed Era in the back. Mackenzie says that’s quite… good? What does this mean for Lumis’ plans at TakeOver?

Tony Nese VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott!

The Premier Athlete still hasn’t lived down going 0-3 in the NXT Cruiserweight Championship round robin, but he has since rebounded thanks to 205 Live. Will he keep things going now that he gets to confront Swerve over his harsh criticism?

Before the bell, the crowd chants, “Whose House?” “Swerve’s House!” Nese keeps flexing on Swerve, but as soon as the bell rings, Swerve TACKLES Nese down! Swerve rains hands down on Nese but Nese gets away. Swerve pursues and CLUBS Nese down, then throws him into barriers! The ring count climbs as Swerve clubs and kicks Nese around the way. Swerve ROCKS Nese with a right then whips him at steps. Nese chinbars to stop that then pushes Swerve away. Nese gets in the ring, Swerve follows at 9, only to get CLOBBERED by that back elbow! Nese throws furious crossface forearms but the crowd boos. Nese soaks up the heat and kicks Swerve while he’s down. He drags Swerve up to club him but Swerve shoves. Nese BOOTS Swerve down then covers, ONE!

Nese stalks Swerve and BOOTS him down again! Swerve gets under the bottom rope but Nese stomps him more. The ref backs Nese off and Nese soaks up more heat. Nese drags Swerve up and whips him corner to corner hard! Swerve hits buckles then mat, and Nese flexes on him again. Cover, TWO! Nese puts on the squeeze with the body scissors! Swerve endures but the crowd rallies up. Swerve grabs at Nese but Nese CHOPS him down! Swerve CHOPS back, and we have a CHOP fight while Nese still has the squeeze! Swerve gets the edge, gets the ground ‘n’ pound, but Nese guillotines! Swerve fights his way around and the crowd rallies up again. Swerve powers up, elbows back, and pops Nese for a BRAIN BUSTER!

Both men are down and the crowd is loving this. Swerve grits his teeth while Nese flounders to a corner. Nese runs but Swerve counter punches and CHOPS! Swerve fires off on Nese then ROUNDHOUSES! Swerve whips but Nese reverses, and Nese table tops Swerve down! Nese PREMIER TRIANGLES, but Swerve dodges! Swerve tosses Nese out then goes to the apron to BOOT! Nese is down but Swerve fetches him up and… He still wants the steel steps, so Swerve RAMS Nese in! The count is past 7 but Swerve puts Nese in at 8. Swerve goes after Nese at the corner but Nese uses the ropes as defense. The ref backs Swerve off, and Nese throat chops! Nese brings Swerve around but Swerve pries free with a foot and ROCKS Nese with a right!

Nese staggers to a corner, Swerve runs in to uppercut! He rolls Nese, hops up, but here comes Jack Gallagher! Gentleman turned Jackal Gallagher has beef with both these boys, but he’s distracting Swerve right now! Nese SHORYUKENS Swerve down! And then brings him into the Alabama, only for Swerve to sunset flip! Cover, Swerve wins!!

Winner: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, by pinfall

Swerve gets out of the ring before Gallagher can pounce, and Nese is just back on the losing end of things! Swerve gets his payback, but will Nese and Gallagher get theirs?

Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch fire each other up backstage.

“We’ve got this! We can do this!” The One Two wants that second chance at the NXT Tag Team Championships, but they’re not the only ones. The Undisputed Era’s Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong prepare, as well, but there’s still a wild card third team yet to be introduced. Who punches their tickets to TakeOver to take on Imperium’s Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner?

NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Triple Threat: The Undisputed Era VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS ???

We know all about the Savior of the Backbreaker and the Infamous, as well as the Boston Fury and The Govenah. But none of them know who is being added to the mix! It’s… BREEZANGO~ IIIN~ SPAAACE~! That’s right! Prince Pretty and the Lord of the Dance are back! Will this triple threat now be out of this world?

To start, this variation of a Triple Threat Tag has a member from each team active! Tyler Breeze steps to Fish and Burch and the bell rings. Fish kicks Burch low almost immediately, then goes after Breeze with hands! Burch and Fish brawl but Breeze joins in where he can. Burch and Breeze punch Fish over and over until he falls. They both bring Fish up to double whip, then SPINE BUSTER and a roll to a HEADBUTT! Burch covers but Breeze pushes him aside. Breeze covers but Burch returns the favor. They stare down and talk trash, but Strong runs at Breeze, only to get a POP-UP SPINE BUSTER! Burch clotheslines Strong out but Fish rolls Burch up! TWO, and Breeze enziguris Fish down! Breeze rolls Burch, TWO! Burch is up and shoves Breeze, and then again. Fandango and Oney jump in and the crowd is going nuts as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Burch stomps away on Strong in a corner. Breeze gets his stomps in but Burch stomps more. They dig their boots into Strong and scrape him to the apron. Burch brings Strong up and throws European Uppercuts. Strong knees Breeze, CHOPS Burch, and fires off forearms. Strong throws hands on Burch and whips, but Burch reverses to corner clothesline and gamangiri! Burch rolls Strong, hops up, and Breeze SUPER MODEL KICKS Strong! Burch gives Breeze the missile dropkick! Breeze and Strong flounder but Burch is after Strong at the ropes. Fish protests but Burch ROCKS him just because. Strong ROCKS Burch, but Breeze grabs Strong. Strong fights off the Complete Shot and shoves Breeze into Burch! They collide head to head and Burch falls out. Breeze staggers into Strong’s BACKBREAKER! And Fish BLASTS Burch with an elbow!

Strong calls to Fish and Fish returns. Fish tags in and the Era stomp away on Breeze. Fish drags Breeze up to kick into the corner then fire off shots. Burch climbs up but Fish KNEES him out. Fish brings Breeze around for knees then bumps him off buckles. Tag to Strong and Strong CHOPS Breeze! Breeze reaches for Fandango but Strong mocks the dance moves. Strong stomps Breeze down then covers, TWO! Strong grabs the arm for a keylock but Breeze endures. Breeze gets up but Strong clamps on with a chinlock. The crowd rallies for Breeze as Fandango reaches out. Breeze fights his way up and Burch returns to clobber Strong. Fish gets in but he gets fists! Burch haymakers and CHOPS but the Era get him 2v1! Breeze heads for his corner and tags in Fandango!

Fandango BOOTS Strong, then leaps to knee him down! Fish runs into a spinning powerslam! So does Strong! The crowd fires up as Fandango uses Fish to give Strong a TORNADO DDT! Then he hits a FALCON ARROW! Cover but Fish stomps it up. Oney tags in and CHOPS away on Fish! And then CHOPS away on Fandango! Oney runs with clotheslines and elbows for everyone! Oney gives the Era a DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTER! Burch returns but Fandango decks him! Oney BLASTS Fandango with a EuroUpper! Oney runs but Fandango catches him for a back suplex out onto everyone! The crowd loves “NXT! NXT!” as Fandango builds speed, for Burch to BACK DROP out onto the rest!

The crowd chants “This is Awesome!” as the pile sorts out. Breeze gets in the ring but Burch dodges the Super Model Kick to throw forearms. Burch throws EuroUppers, runs, but into the SUPER MODEL KICK! Strong CLOBBERS Breeze and Fish adds on. The ref tries to restore order but the Era see Dexter Lumis in the crowd! Lumis’ stare scares them, but Oney’s uppercut BLASTS them! Oney goes after Strong and Breeze gives Fish the BEAUTY SHOT! Fandango DROPS THE LEG! Cover, Breezango wins!!

Winners: Breezango, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships)

An incredible reunion brings the Fashion Astronauts to TakeOver! But Imperium appears, wearing the tag titles around their waists. Aichner & Barthel glare at the jokers, but here come some tigers! It’s Indus Sher and Malcolm Bivens! Rinku, Saurav and Bivens seem to be putting Aichner & Barthel on notice that TakeOver will only be the beginning. Who survives In Your House to then become the hunted?

NXT shares the Robert Stone Brand fallout from last week.

Also found on WWE’s YouTube, Chelsea Green and Robert Stone himself were feeling great after the victory alongside Charlotte Flair. Did the brand come through or did it come through? The Queen of All Eras and “Princess of NXT” were a good combo, and only Stone could pull that off. The Robert Stone Brand has worked! Green and Stone have worked! Green is the hottest she’s ever been. Which is why he’s fired. Ha, funny joke. Wait, she’s serious. Is she serious? There’s no way she’s serious! Stone hurried after his number one, and only, client but we have yet to get a clear answer.

Aliyah VS Santana Garrett!

The Bougie thought she was on her way to the Robert Stone Brand signing her, but he didn’t exactly give her his card. Will she prove herself worthy this week, though she goes up against the Wonder Woman of Wrestling?

The bell rings and Aliyah rushes Garrett but runs into a waistlock. Aliyah elbows out and spins Garrett to a neckbreaker! Aliyah rains down furious rights, and out comes a disheveled Robert Stone. He applauds as Aliyah covers, TWO! Aliyah grows frustrated but she drags Garrett up and bumps her off buckles. Stone cheers as Aliyah THROWS Garrett across the ring. Aliyah runs corner to corner at Garrett for a LEAPING BOOT! “THAT’S RIGHT!!” Cover, TWO! Garrett survives but Aliyah is on her with a double chicken wing. Garrett endures and the crowd rallies up while Stone coaches Aliyah.

Garrett powers her way up and backs Aliyah into the corner. Aliyah holds on but Garrett rams her again. Garrett is free but Aliyah grabs hair! Garrett breaks free but Aliyah SLAPS her! Aliyah hops up, but Garrett SLAPS back! Garrett hits the STRATUSPHERE! Garrett keeps moving, and she handspring moonsaults! Cover, Garrett wins!

Winner: Santana Garrett, by pinfall

Stone is in even more disarray after his desperate plan B turned out to be a bust. Aliyah pleads with him to still sign her, but Stone leaves without a word. Will Stone be able to pull himself together and resurrect the brand?

NXT Prime Target: In Your House 2, The NXT Women’s Championship.

“I don’t need anyone. Infinity, void, seeking me. Alone, isolated, darkness, emptiness. I love being alone. Being alone makes me stronger.” Io Shirai says that Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley should be afraid of her, because she will be the next NXT Women’s Champion.

5:30 AM on Monday, 6/1/20, Rhea Ripley wakes up. She doesn’t have to get up this early, she just chooses to because she doesn’t have anything else to do but become the best her she can. That’s why she gets up this early, goes to the gym this early, and works on getting better and better all day. Rhea finished 2019 at the highest point her career has ever seen. “And then 2020 hit, and it’s pretty much been all downhill from there.” Sam Roberts says that Rhea is already the future of women’s wrestling. Look at all she accomplished in such a short amount of time. That’s hard to argue against, until WrestleMania came. Charlotte Flair beat her. What happened happened. 2020 got the better of Rhea.

Charlotte Flair is already at the Performance Center, preparing for In Your House. She’s nervous. It’s been a long time since she’s been on a TakeOver. People don’t realize this about Charlotte, but she is NXT homegrown. She changed her life here. When the crowd chanted, “You Don’t Go Here!” as they approached WrestleMania, she said, “Excuse me? I made here.” The original class of NXT had to fight to get TakeOver to happen. The original, Fatal 4 Way, [R]EVOLUTION, aRival, Unstoppable, Brooklyn, Respect, London, Dallas, The End, and beyond! “Just people accepting NXT for what it is.” Had Charlotte not had her match against Natalya to become NXT Women’s Champion, Charlotte would never have been taken serious. Natty speaks to that match, Charlotte’s first ever title match. Going back where she started from, this is full circle.

Peter Rosenberg says “It wasn’t enough for her to be the Queen of WWE. She had to go back to NXT to show everyone that she is still as hungry as she ever was.” Because TakeOver is that extremely important to her and the history of where she is today. An outside? No, when she walks inside the building, she’s home. As for Rhea, when she works out, she thinks about a lot of things. She’s just focused on Sunday, Charlotte and Shirai. That motivates her to work harder and harder to get that title back. Charlotte won the Women’s Rumble, and Rhea dared to take a shot. She wanted Charlotte to pick her, because then that’d get Rhea on WrestleMania. The dream match happened, and Rosenberg even said Rhea is going to be the greatest of all time. Then she ran into the mountain that is Charlotte. Rhea knows she merely scratched the surface of being a champion. This is a need for her. The NXT Women’s Championship is being showcased on all three brands thanks to Charlotte, which will make this win even sweeter.

“As the entire world talks about what Charlotte did five years ago, and what Rhea did five months ago, let’s talk about what Io Shirai is doing today.” Sam Roberts says that every time Shirai walks into an NXT ring, every set of eyes are locked on every move she makes. Beth Phoenix shares that growing up in Japan, Shirai began training in high school. She transitioned from martial arts to pro-wrestling at just 16 years old. Shirai won every award, every title, and Rosenberg relates Shirai’s story to AJ Styles. An incredible talent that wrestled around the world, 10 years in Japan, and now she’s here. Natty says Shirai is one of the best, period. She has this mystique and you want to know about her. When she’s on TV, you watch what she does because she is innovative, groundbreaking, beautiful, mysterious and talented.

Pat McAfee says Shirai is a wolverine. She’s a spider! She will rip your face off, and will take that title to become NEW Women’s Champion! Lock it in! The three most unique and dominant women in wrestling today will prove to themselves and the world who is the best! Who takes over In Your House?

Cameron Grimes VS Bronson Reed!

The Carolina Caveman is bragging that it’s #GrimeTime all because Damian Priest softened Finn Balor up for him. But will he make good on all that bragging when he goes up against Auszilla?

The bell rings and Grimes circles with Reed. Grimes goes after a leg but can’t lift Reed. Reed gut wrenches Grimes up to the Canadian rack but Grimes gets free. Grimes CHOPS but Reed doesn’t even flinch! Reed clubs and haymakers away on Grimes! Reed whips then atomic drops Grimes to then CLUB Grimes down! Grimes flounders into Reed’s arms for the military press and SLAM! Reed drops the back senton! Grimes crawls but Reed drags him back in. Grimes hold ropes but Reed gets him to let go. Grimes BOOTS from the mat but Reed stays on his feet. Reed walks into an elbow, and Grimes runs, into Reed’s arms again! But Grimes slips out to SUPER FOREARM! Grimes waistlocks but Reed bucks him off the roll, to THESZ PRESS!

Reed stomps around as Grimes goes to a corner. The crowd rallies and Reed runs in, THICC HIP ATTACK! Grimes flops out of the ring but Reed fetches him into it. Reed hurries to the corner and goes up top!? Reed MONSTER SPLASHES but FLOPS! Grimes gets to his feet, and hits the CAVE-IN!! Cover, Grimes wins!!

Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall

Now Grimes can brag about the literally biggest win in his career. “That’s how I beat Finn Balor, and that’s how I beat them all!” But Karrion Kross is here?! Grimes runs away, but Kross wants after Reed! DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! Kross tells Ciampa, “This Sunday… ‘Special.’ Ticktock.” Is time almost up on the Blackheart?

NXT TakeOver: In Your House gets even bigger!

After the huge confrontation at the start of the night, Mia Yim joins forces with Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox to take on their mutual enemies in Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez! Which side of this women’s division war will take over at TakeOver?

Interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals: Drake Maverick VS El Hijo del Fantasma!

Rockstar Spud pulled of a #MiracleontheMat in Group A, but the Son of the Phantom handled his business in Group B. While Maverick feels absolutely no pressure tonight, will that help or hurt him here against the second generation luchador?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this last step to the title finally begins! The crowd duels as Maverick and Fantasma shake hands. But then Fantasma spins and rolls Maverick up, TWO! Maverick scrambles away, shocked he got away. Maverick cools off and circles with Fantasma. They tie up, go around, Fantasma waistlocks and slams then floats on Maverick. Maverick slips out to get the armlock and hammerlock. Maverick goes after the other arm but Fantasma fights his way up. Fantasma trips, covers, TWO, and Maverick backs away again. Maverick resets and ties up with Fantasma again. Fantasma puts Maverick in a corner but gives him a clean break. They go again, Fantasma hooks Maverick and drives him into the mat for the armlock.

Maverick endures and gets up, but gets a jamming monkey flip for it. Ghost pin, TWO but barely! Fantasma says it was that close and Maverick grows frustrated. Maverick backs off to cool down and come back. They tie up, Fantasma powers Maverick back then wrenches to whip. Maverick ducks, tilt-o-whirls, and headscissors Fantasma out of the ring! Fantasma staggers up, perhaps a bit surprised. Fantasma sees the slide coming and ducks under. He kick slow and powerbomb lifts but Maverick gets to the apron and fights free. Maverick leaps and CANNONBALLS Fantasma down! Maverick has control as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Maverick fires off body shots and forearms in the corner! The ref counts but Maverick lets up at 4 to whip Fantasma corner to corner. Fantasma reverses but Maverick goes up and over to then bait him into a dropkick that sends him into buckles! Maverick kicks the rope to jam Fantasma, then hops up top to missile dropkick Fantasma down! Fantasma bails out while Maverick checks his legs. Maverick hurries to pursue but Fantasma pops him up for a SIT-OUT BOMB on the floor! Maverick writhes and screams in pain but Fantasma puts him in the ring. Cover, TWO!! Maverick survives and Fantasma can’t believe it! Fantasma stalks up behind Maverick and then drags him up for a shove and forearm to the back!

Maverick screams in pain but Fantasma shoves and forearms him again! Fantasma hooks up the legs and goes after the arms. Maverick can’t fight off the Romero Special! The floating surfboard pulls at all his limbs but Maverick refuses to quit, even as Fantasma move shim up and down! And then back for a cover, ROPEBREAK! Fantasma drops an elbow right on the back, not giving Maverick time to rest. Fantasma drags Maverick up and back suplexes for a back drop driver! Cover, TWO! Maverick continues to tough it out and the crowd is rallying behind him. Fantasma drags Maverick back up to throw forearms and then back suplex again. Maverick fights out and hurries to a corner, to then boot Fantasma, and again send him into buckles! Another kick to the ropes and Maverick goes up again. Maverick leaps, but Fantasma catches him for a takedown! BOSTON CRAB!

Maverick screams as Fantasma sits deep! But Maverick refuses to let the ref talk him out of this, and he claws to the ROPEBREAK! Fantasma lets go fast and is shocked Maverick isn’t done. Maverick manages to say, “I’m not gonna quit!” and he crawls back towards Fantasma. Fantasma asks if Maverick wants more, and Maverick pushes him. So Fantasma SIT-OUT POWERBOMBS him again!! Cover, TWO!?! Maverick doesn’t know how to give up and the crowd hasn’t given up on him, either! Fantasma watches Maverick stagger and hobble to the corner. Maverick SLAPS Fantasma, so Fantasma turns him around for forearm after forearm to that lower back! Fantasma brings Maverick up and whips him to the corner. Maverick comes back to LARIAT!

Maverick fires up and fires off on Fantasma in a corner! The ref counts and has to pull Maverick off. Maverick is reaching a boiling point, and he runs to wheelbarrow, for a BULLDOG! He keeps going and gets to the corner. Maverick climbs up and leaps, for the MACHO ELBOW! Cover, ONE?! So close and yet so far, but “This is Awesome!” all the same. Maverick drags Fantasma up but gets a jawbreaker, to a SPINE BUSTER! Fantasma flounders to a corner and climbs up top. Maverick trips Fantasma up and heads to the apron! The crowd hopes they “Fight Forever!” at this point, but it has to end somehow. Maverick climbs to join Fantasma but Fantasma headbutts! Maverick headbutts back! They headbutt each other and they both fall down! But Fantasma ends up on the outside and Maverick is inside!

The ring count climbs, but the gold masked luchadors appear?! Are they finally going to capture Fantasma?! But Maverick DIVES onto them first!! He won’t let them ruin his match! He boots and punches and chops them down, but then turns around into Fantasma’s SUPERKICK! Fantasma fireman’s carries, for the PHANTOM DRIVER! Fantasma wins!!

Winner: El Hijo del Fantasma, by pinfall (NEW NXT Cruiserweight Champion)

One dream comes true as another ends! Fantasma is the winner and has the title, but must oddly thank the wrestler-abducting men that appeared. Will Fantasma be able to hold onto this title and his freedom? And what is the fate of Drake Maverick? Is this loss the last one he suffers in the WWE? Or has he at least won a place on the roster? At the very least, he has won the respect and admiration of his peers here at Full Sail. Maverick thanks the WWE Universe while the crowd chants, “Thank You, Drake!”

But wait! As Maverick makes his way up the ramp, Triple H appears! And as he shakes Maverick’s hand, he presents him with an NXT contract! Maverick signs on the dotted line, and is officially back! Is this just the beginning of a new chapter for Rockstar Spud?

My Thoughts:

A great go-home, and another great episode all around! Though, maybe with more than we needed in the opening segment than we needed. Mia VS Candice leading to a Mixed Tag Match that still ended in Candice getting the win off Mia was a bit odd for NXT. That’s usually more of a Raw/SmackDown move. But I suppose there was only one way for Gargano and Candice to win without making Keith Lee look weak this close to the North American Championship match. I can’t be sure who wins but it is a bit of a shame for both Keith and Gargano. Maybe something happens to have a finish where Champion’s Advantage kicks in. I am glad they at least gave us the Mixed Tag, and I am very glad to see we’re getting that Six Woman Tag. The brawl was great and that Six Woman Tag will be great, and it could go either way to great effect.

Swerve gets another win in a pretty good match with Nese. I’m mostly surprised that Gallagher didn’t just go after Nese when he couldn’t get Swerve. Maybe this prompts Swerve to get a tag team partner, but I’m not sure who it’d be. I’d prefer a Triple Threat that wraps all the stories up nicely, and gives us a challenger to the Cruiserweight Championship. The Cruiserweight Championship match tonight was the best stuff of the night, with so much story coming from Maverick’s side of things. I thought the gold masked luchadors were going to cost Fantasma, but that turned out to be the exact opposite. Maverick loses but gets the HHH handshake and contract, because clearly he’d been doing this as a WWE talent the entire time.

The tag team triple threat was great just on how we had the surprise of Breezango, and how it was a Triple Threat Tag, not two at a time like usual. A shame that Oney and Burch have to again wait for their time, but there is a lot of story already going into Imperium VS Breezango, given how Imperium takes things very seriously and Breezango takes it pretty easy. And I liked that Indus Sher reminded everyone that they’re just waiting their turn. Grimes gets a good win in a mostly filler match, but Kross and Ciampa sending each other messages tonight was good. The Prime Target specials being part of the show was alright. I thought they were supposed to be aired after the show on the Network, but I probably wouldn’t have watched them if they were. The content itself was all great, and I like the idea of this “Backlot Brawl,” where it isn’t so much a parking lot brawl as perhaps just a normal match with a lot of car headlights around. I can’t be sure who wins the NXT Championship, but I’m still hoping Shirai wins the Women’s Championship because it’s what she needs and it’s what NXT needs to keep Shirai around.

My Score: 9.2/10

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

24 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

2 days 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!