Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (8/26/20)
Who took over at TakeOver?
There is a NEW NXT Champion, but at what cost?
TakeOver: XXX closed with an epic clash between Keith Lee and Karrion Kross, and in the end, The Limitless One was taken past his limit! Kross won and brought doomsday to NXT, but at what cost to his body?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Imperium VS Breezango; Breezango wins and becomes the new NXT Tag Team Champions.
- Jake Atlas VS Tommaso Ciampa; Ciampa wins.
- Mia Yim VS Mercedes Martinez w/ Robert Stone Brand; changed to…
- Mia Yim VS Shotzi Blackheart; Shotzi wins.
- NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott; Escobar wins and retains the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
- Drake Maverick VS Kyle O’Reilly; O’Reilly wins.
- Io Shirai & Rhea Ripley VS Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez; Kai & Gonzalez win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The NEW NXT Champion is here!
Karrion Kross, as well as Scarlett Bordeaux, head to the ring, having triumphed over the Limitless Keith Lee. However, it is clear Kross’ right arm is in a sling as Scarlett hands him a mic. Karrion says, “I told you again and again that I would become the NXT Champion. And I warned you that on the way there, everyone would suffer!” At TakeOver: 30, he kept his word when he ripped this title off Keith’s “carcass, like flesh from bone!” Everyone should now that when you go to war, there will be casualties on both sides. Kross’ shoulder was separated. He is in pain, but he loves it. However, he is a realist. He understands the reality of his situation. There is no way he can defend the title in this condition.
“On the path, there are obstacles. But for me, the obstacles are the path.” Kross lays down the NXT Championship, and Scarlett sets an hourglass beside it. “Let this be a warning. This changes absolutely nothing. Doomsday is coming.” In the end, everyone pays the toll. God help the “obstacles” that will be in his path. #Ticktock. The sands pour, counting down the days until the new champion now turned former champion can come back to truly take the throne.
Wade Barrett returns to join commentary!
The former WWE Intercontinental Champion is back and honored to be here in NXT. The wind has been taken out of his sails from Kross’ huge announcement just now! But as someone who had to relinquish a title for the very same reason as Kross, Barrett’s heart goes out to him.
NXT Tag Team Championships: Imperium VS Breezango!
Speaking of returns, Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner return to action to properly settle things with Tyler Breeze and Fandango! The fun-loving Prince Pretty and Lord of Dance are keeping it all business as they get one more shot at the Impeccable German and Pride of Italy! Will Breezango become the fun-loving tag team champions? Or will the mat forever be sacred?
But before introductions and belt raising, Breezango attacks Imperium! They fire off fast hands and kick Barthel and Aichner out! The champions get back in and are red hot but the referee keeps the peace. The teams sort out, Fandango and Aichner start, and they tie up. Aichner waistlocks, Fandango standing switches, Aichner pries free, rolls back and arm-drags Fandango down. Fandango gets up, Barthel tags in and Aichner whips. Barthel arm-drags Fandango down and cranks on the bad arm with an armlock. Fandango gets up, Barthel headlocks but Fandango powers out. Barthel runs Fandango over, speeds things up, but Fandango hurdles and dropkicks Barthel down! Barthel staggers up as NXT goes picture in picture.
Barthel facelocks Fandango and drags her to the other corner. Aichner tags in, Imperium mugs Fandango, then Aichner clubs him down. Aichner drags Fandango up and CHOPS him back to the corner. Aichner stomps a mudhole, digs his boot in, but lets up at the ref’s count. Tag to Barthel and Barthel talks trash as he stomps Fandango. Barthel stomps a mudhole of his own, lets off to taunt Breeze, but Fandango fights up! Fandango CHOPS Barthel, Barthel kicks low and throat chops! The ref reprimands but Barthel has Fandango on the apron. Barthel DECKS him, and Fandango staggers about on the floor. Barthel drags Fandango back up to clobber him in the ring!
Barthel kicks Fandango to the open corner and stomps away. The ref counts, Barthel argues, but he whips Fandango back to the Imperium corner. Fandango reaches for Breeze but Barthel brings him around, shoves and throws a body shot. Barthel elbows Fandango at the ropes, tags Aichner, and they mug Fandango more. Aichner scoops Fandango for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Aichner keeps Fandango from Breeze with a facelock, tags Barthel back in, and they mug Fandango more. The ref reprimands, Aichner exits but Barthel toys with Fandango. Barthel drags Fandango up to throw European Uppercuts! He whips Fandango and elbows him down, covers, ONE!
Barthel keeps close to Fandango and facelocks again. Fandango endures but Barthel shifts to a chinlock and grinds Fandango down more. Fandango fights as the crowd rallies up. NXT returns to single picture, Fandango fights back with body shots but Barthel throat chops again! Tag to Aichner, Barthel fires off hands then Aichner throws some of his own. Fandango hits back, but Aichner picks him up to feed to Barthel’s EuroUpper! Fandango staggers into Aichner’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fandango crawls to the ropes but Aichner is on him with a butterfly suplex! Cover, TWO! Aichner drags Fandango up, bumps him off buckles, tag to Barthel. Imperium double whips, Fandango kicks back and throws Aichner out! Hot tag to Breeze!
Prince Pretty runs into Barthel’s kick, Barthel DECKS Fandango, and Barthel sends Breeze at the Imperium corner. Breeze SUPER MODEL KICKS Aichner off the apron! Breeze mule kicks Barthel, runs and hits a forearm in the corner! Breeze whips corner to corner for another big forearm! Breeze keeps moving but Barthel EuroUppers him at the ropes! Barthel runs, Breeze KNEES back! Barthel staggers to a corner, Breeze whips corner to corner, but Barthel reverses and redirects Breeze at the ref! Breeze stops himself by going up and over, but Barthel EuroUppers him again! Then Half Hatch suplexes Breeze to center! Barthel hops up, leaps, but into Breeze’s BEAUTY SHOT! Cover, TWO!!
Breeze is surprised but he refocuses. The crowd rallies as Breeze drags Barthel around. Barthel resists as Breeze brings him up with the double chicken wings. Barthel bumps Breeze into buckles but Breeze holds on. Barthel rams back in again, throws elbow after elbow, then enziguris Breeze down! The ref reprimands all the corner action but Barthel talks trash while dragging Breeze around by his hair. Breeze trips Barthel up and drags him around! Barthel kicks away, hot tags Aichner, and Aichner runs into an ENZIGURI! Breeze shakes out the cobwebs and drags Aichner over. Fandango tags in, Breeze catapults Aichner into Fandango’s forearm! Fandango climbs up, FASHION FAUX PAS!! But Barthel bails Aichner out!
Fandango FLIES! Down goes Aichner, but Barthel EuroUppers Fandango off his feet! Aichner dead lift GERMAN SUPLEXES Fandango to the floor! Imperium immediately takes control back and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns as Aichner grinds Fandango down with a keylock arm triangle. Fandango fights up, fights free, and rocks Aichner. Fandango DECKS Barthel, BOOTS Aichner, but leaps into Aichner’s arms! Aichner pops Fandango up to a rolling senton! And moonsault! Cover but Breeze breaks it! Barthel BLASTS Breeze with another EUroUpper! Barthel throws Breeze into the boards, then tilt-o-whirl SLAMS him down! The ref reprimands and Barthel returns to his corner. Aichner drags Barthel up and suplexes for a toss! But Fandango lands on his feet! JAWBREAKER! Barthel tags in but Fandango dodges, only to run into a SPINE BUSTER! PENALTY KICK! AIR RAID CRASH!! Cover, TWO!! Fandango survives and Imperium can’t believe it!
The crowd is thunderous for Fandango but Barthel drags him back up. Barthel puts Fandango in the corner and stick shim between the ropes. Tag to Aichner, Imperium goes side to side, but Fandango moves and the dropkick sandwich ends up double-edged! Barthel dropkicks Aichner down and is in shock! Fandango crawls, Breeze is back on the corner, Barthel gets Aichner back in, but Breeze tags in! Aichner LARIATS Breeze!! Tag to Barthel, but Breeze escapes the bomb to SUPER MODEL KICK Barthel out of the sky! Aichner swings but misses, SUPER MODEL KICK! Hot tag back to Fandango, and he climbs up! Fandango leaps to DOUBLE LEG DROP!! Cover on Aichner, Breezango wins!!
Winners: Breezango, by pinfall (NEW NXT Tag Team Champions)
Simply stunning! Breeze and Fandango finally have championships in their WWE careers! An incredible journey finally strikes gold, and now the former Fashion Police have the greatest accessories added to their wardrobes! And they celebrate with commentary! Will Barthel and Aichner have to answer to Walter the Ring General for this?
The NEW North American Champion, Damian Priest, arrives.
Mackenzie is there to ask him questions, and he knows she has many, but he will answer them all in due time. But the after party is still rolling from TakeOver. But Timothy Thatcher walks by and says it’s EMBARRASSING to see how Priest behaves. Priest doesn’t even know who Thatcher is. Well Thatcher is a guy who can show that title the respect it deserves, and should be the guy who gets the first shot. Oh? Yeah! Because if Priest steps in the ring with Thatcher without a bunch of ladders to hide behind, Thatcher will show how “unequipped” Priest is. Priest takes a chug of champagne and tells Thatcher he’s plenty well equipped. Priest laughs now, but will Thatcher make him eat those words?
NXT Media peeks in on a very important meeting.
NXT General Manager, William Regal, as well as top executives Matt “A-Train” Bloom, HBK Shawn Michaels and HHH himself sit at a table. We cannot hear them, but we can only assume it has to do with the suddenly vacated NXT Championship. With former champion, Keith Lee, now part of Monday Night Raw, the possibilities are limitless.
Jake Atlas VS Tommaso Ciampa!
The bright and rising star has a style and presentation quite the opposite of the returning Psycho Killer! The song still says #NoOneWillSurvive, will that still hold true?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Ciampa powers Atlas to a corner, the ref counts and Ciampa lets up, to then stomp low and CHOP hard! Atlas shoves back and gets in Ciampa’s face, to get a HEADBUTT! Ciampa stomps a mudhole into Atlas but lets off at the ref’s count. But then he goes after Atlas with even more fire! The ref counts, CIampa lets off at 4, to drag Atlas through the ropes for WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, Ciampa wins!!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Welcome back, Blackheart Ciampa! Perhaps Ciampa’s fastest and most furious win, and thereby Atlas’ most brutal defeat. And Ciampa isn’t done as he drags Atlas out to throw into steel steps! And into Plexiglas! And back into steps! Atlas goes up and over and the crowd is divided between die hards who like this Ciampa and those who are upset seeing him brutally attack Atlas even more! Ciampa stops when extra referees appear, only to PSYCHO KNEE Atlas!! Ciampa drags Atlas to the ring, puts him under the frame, but thinks better of the guillotine catapult. Until he does it anyway!! Ciampa sits on the apron while a stretcher is brought out for Atlas.
Referees shout “What the hell are you thinking?!” What did Atlas do to deserve this? Ciampa doesn’t speak, but perhaps it was just getting the short straw on the match draw. Ciampa doesn’t even stop here, he drags Atlas off the stretcher for ANOTHER WILLOW’S BELL! The crowd turns on Ciampa, but that never bothered Ciampa in the first place. Will Ciampa do this to everyone on his path back to “Goldie,” the NXT Championship?
Candice LeRae speaks on her “friendship” with Tegan Nox.
They met as Candice was coming up on 10 years in the indies, and was fortunate to find her. There was obviously something special about Tegan, and it reminded Candice of herself. Tegan is amazingly talented, has a great attitude and a passion for wrestling. Candice roomed with Tegan in Wales, Tegan showed Candice a castle, and that’s basically a great way to win Candice over. It was an amazing time, going all over and shared stories, and even did some cooking. It was like peanut butter and jelly, but Candice thinks Tegan is the one who doesn’t get it. Candice would help Tegan, but where was Tegan to help her?
Candice says she’s on the right path. Tegan can join that path, but she just needs to open her mind. If Tegan doesn’t want to follow Candice, then stay out of Candice’s way. “Sometimes, you just gotta be selfish.” If Tegan doesn’t get that, that’s life.
NXT returns with a backstage interview with Bronson Reed.
Auszilla knows Thatcher called his shot at Priest for the North American Championship, but Reed has been in that title picture longer. How does Reed feel about Thatcher’s comments? Reed “appreciates” Thatcher’s ambition, but Reed’s the one who actually has a win over Priest. Therefore, Reed should have that opportunity. But Austin Theory walks in! For one, quite the surprise to see Theory back and on NXT instead of Raw. But Theory congrats Reed on that long, long climb to TakeOver: XXX. Of course, it only took Theory a couple steps to be part of WrestleMania at just 22, but hey! Here’s some advice. If Reed keeps chasing the stars, maybe when he’s 55, he’ll be champion. Funny. SLAP! Theory laughs off that “warm welcome,” but will he have a response for Reed waiting next time?
Mia Yim VS Mercedes Martinez w/ Robert Stone Brand!
The Head Baddie in Charge is proud of Keith Lee for his debut on Monday Night Raw, but that means she’s truly solo in NXT. And right away, Robert Stone says, “C’mon, Mia! Your lack of intelligence is astounding to me!” Did anyone really think he’d let Mercedes Martinez get in the ring after what Rhea Ripley did to her? Yes, Mia is the HBIC of NXT, but this is #SuitManStone, and he- is getting run over by Shotzi Blackheart’s tank! Again! Aliyah can’t move it off him and Shotzi hurries to the ring! She’ll take on Mia in Mercedes’ place! Will this change of plans throw Mia for a loop? Or will she show Shotzi how to really #TCB, Take Care o’ Business?
Mia Yim VS Shotzi Blackheart!
The bell rings and Shotzi and Mia fist bump with respect, completely ignoring the fact referees dragged the tank off Stone’s legs and now carry him to the back. Shotzi and Mia tie up, Shotzi waistlocks but Mia standing switches to slam Shotzi down. Mia facelocks, Shotzi gets up, Mia slips around to hammerlock. Shotzi works on a reversal and trips Mia up. Shotzi wants the legs, Mia resists, “WELCOME TO THE BALL PIT!” Jeff Hardy style leg splitting leg drop! Mia hobbles up, Shotzi whips but Mia reverses. Mia follows, redirects Shotzi and huricanranas! Shotzi gets up, counter punches, bobs ‘n’ weaves but the monkey flip is blocked! Mia swings a kick but Shotzi slides under it, to come back and pop up for a huricanrana takedown! Cover, TWO!
The two get up, Mia body scissors and rolls Shotzi to a cover, TWO! Shotzi and Mia both boot but they both block, too. They talk it out and agree to put the legs down at the same time. A nod of respect and another fist bump, and Shotzi howls, only for Mia to throat chop her! Mia shrugs then throws forearms in the corner. Mia whips corner to corner, Shotzi boots but Mia blocks! Mia has both legs for a DOUBLE DRAGON SCREW! Shotzi hobbles away, Mia gets her legs again and matchbook covers, TWO! Mia stalks Shotzi to a corner, drags her up to snapmare her back down and KICK her! Mia digs her knees into Shotzi’s back and laces up the legs for a Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Shotzi endures being bent back, but pops free to cover! TWO, and Mia shotgun dropkicks Shotzi to a corner!
Mia runs, Shotzi boots back! Shotzi goes up and over, rolls and runs back, to corner splash and whip! Mia rolls, Shotzi SLING DOGS her! Shotzi fires up as the crowd does, and she KNEES Mia, then rolling elbows! QUESTION MARK KICK! SNAP SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Shotzi grows frustrated, drags Mia up and runs again, but into Mia’s full nelson, for a DRAGON SUPLEX! Shotzi ends up in a corner, Mia runs in to give her a helluva BOOT! Mia rolls Shotzi out, climbs up and missile dropkicks, only for Shotzi to deflect! Shotzi back sentons then climbs up top! Shotzi aims, for the SUPER SENTON! Cover, Shotzi wins!!
Winner: Shotzi Blackheart, by pinfall
A huge win for Shotzi for coming out of nowhere! Will Shotzi ride that tank all the way to an NXT Women’s Championship match? Will Mia be able to rebound on her own road back to a title opportunity?
NXT Media finds William Regal exiting his office.
They ask the NXT GM about the meeting we saw earlier. Was a decision made? Yes, and Regal is going to take this news to the ring. What decision has been reached for the uncertain future of the NXT Championship?
NXT returns with a backstage interview with Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez.
What are their thoughts on tonight’s tag team match with Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley? Dakota says Rhea should’ve minded her business at TakeOver. But if you’re wondering how they feel about the match, they’re not bothered! It’ll be easy because they’re an actual team. Rhea and Io are not, because they barely get along. But Rhea wants what Io has, and Io wants to keep it. Dakota still deserves to be champion and will prove that tonight. Raquel tells Rhea she messed up getting in her face. These two head out, will #BigMamaCool and #CobraKai show both the Mosh Pit Kid and NXT Women’s Champion who the real nightmares and evil geniuses are?
William Regal is in the ring.
He stands with the NXT Championship and mentions TakeOver: XXX’s incredible main event of Keith Lee and Karrion Kross. Even after suffering a shoulder injury halfway through, Kross overcame that and Keith to become the new champion. But as we know, the injury was too severe and the title was relinquished. As hard as that is, Kross has handled that the same as every situation since coming to NXT: “With conviction and ferocity.” So Regal feels it is his duty to wish Kross well on his recovery.
But the show must go on, and we need a new NXT Champion. And after conferring with the “NXT Advisory Board,” they have an “incredible solution.” Next week’s special Tuesday Night NXT, FOUR of the greatest superstars in NXT history, all former champions, four who can claim to be the greatest ever in this industry, will compete in a Fatal 4 Way! All four have numerous accolades and any one of them could be considered the face of NXT, title or no. Those four are: the historic first Triple Crown winner, Johnny Gargano; one of the most ferocious competitors Regal has ever seen, and who never truly lost the title, Tommaso Ciampa; a man who reigned for 292 days, the first WWE Universal Champion, Finn Balor; and finally, the other Triple Crown winner and the number one longest reigning NXT Champion in history, Adam Cole!
NXT’s Super Tuesday will see one of those men become THE NXT Champion! But it won’t be so easy. For the first time in history, it will be decided in a Fatal 4 Way, 60 Minute IRONMAN MATCH! A what?! That match is unheard of, but it will truly prove who is the rightful next champion! Will you be ready for #NXTuesday?!
NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar VS Isaiah “Swerve” Scott!
Speaking of championships, the Leader of Leaders has been trying to lead the Cruiserweight Division but it’s hard to say “by example.” But he’s finally entering Swerve’s House, unable to deny that Swerve is the only man to beat him in the WWE! Will Swerve soon have gold to justify all his confidence? Or will the legacy of Fantasma grow stronger still?
Somewhat surprisingly, Escobar walks out with El Legado’s Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde, but has them return to the back. We’ve also seen him do this before and they only returned later on to be an ace in the hole. Will Swerve be ready for that?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this battle for the top spot in the division begins!
Swerve and Escobar circle, tie up, and Escobar gets the arm for a wristlock and whip. Swerve goes up the ropes, hops to the apron, and reels Escobar in for a boot! Swerve then hops up, flips and arm-drags Escobar out of the ring! Escobar staggers around but Swerve goes up and out to the apron again. Escobar gets away and wags his finger but Swerve says it was that close. The two are in a stand-off as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns, Escobar has a headlock and grinds Swerve, and holds on as Swerve tries to power out. Swerve tries again, and hits a back suplex! Cover, ONE, but Escobar still has the headlock. Swerve pushes Escobar to the ropes, powers out but Escobar runs him over. Escobar snapmares but Swerve rolls away to avoid the cover, then goes Eddy Gordo to headscissor Escobar! Swerve dodges Escobar’s boot, throws Escobar down then gets the arm and rolls to a DEAD LIFT SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The crowd fires up for Swerve but Swerve grits his teeth as he watches Escobar. Swerve drags Escobar up to the Gory Especial, and bends Escobar back! Backslide out of it, TWO!
Swerve keeps his cool as he stalks Escobar to a corner. Escobar mule kicks, throws haymakers and whips Swerve to ropes. Swerve reverses, goes Gordo again to throw Escobar with an arm scissor! Escobar bails out again but Swerve follows on the apron. Swerve drags Escobar up but Escobar LAUNCHES Swerve into the boards! Escobar grins as he drags Swerve up to fireman’s carry and snake eyes off the steps! Swerve clutches a wrist that hit the steps, too, but Escobar kicks him around. Escobar puts Swerve back in, stalks him and kicks him down! Cover, TWO! Escobar grins, perhaps amused. Escobar drags Swerve up, CHOPS and stomps him down, then stomps the bad arm. Escobar stomps and stomps, drags Swerve up and rams him into a corner.
Escobar rolls back to run corner to corner for DOUBLE KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Escobar still grins and he stomps Swerve more. Escobar drags Swerve up by his hair, puts him in the corner with double knuckle locks and a headbutt! Swerve pushes back but Escobar knees low. Escobar trips Swerve up but Swerve keeps Escobar away with his feet. They both hop up to the ropes and start brawling! Swerve jumps but the steiner is turned into a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and that shocks Escobar, and NXT goes to another break!
NXT returns again, and Escobar CHOPS Swerve on the ropes! Escobar taunts Swerve, whips him and pop-up atomic drops Swerve for a basement KNEE! Escobar keeps talking smack and SPITS on Swerve! Swerve grits his teeth as Escobar kicks him, and he catches the boot to grab Escobar by the jaw! Swerve pushes Escobar to the opposite ropes and fires off fast hands! Swerve has Escobar in the corner, fires off until the ref counts 4 and pushes Escobar out. He climbs up to leap and hit the flying uppercut on Escobar’s back! Escobar bails out, Swerve follows and BOOTS Escobar down! The crowd fires up as Swerve builds speed to FLY! The Fosbury Flop takes Escobar out at the ramp!
Swerve drags Escobar up and puts him in to slingshot, somersault and LEAPING COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!! Escobar survives and here comes El Legado! Wilde distracts from one end but Swerve swipes at Mendoza on the other. Escobar enziguris! Cover, TWO!?! Breezango even things with El Legado and they brawl up the ramp! Swerve and Escobar are in opposite corners now that they’re all alone. Escobar runs into a KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Escobar is on Swerve first but Swerve trips Escobar to roll and DEAD LIFT GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Swerve grits his teeth as he and Escobar rise. Swerve focuses, demands Escobar sit up, and then hits the HOUSE CALL!! Cover, TWO!?!? Escobar survives and Swerve can’t believe it!
Swerve drags Escobar back up, fireman’s carries but Escobar slips out to shove Swerve away. Swerve is in the corner, Escobar runs in, but Swerve pops him up for the CONFIDENCE BOOST!! Cover, ROPEBREAKS! Swerve can’t believe it. Wait, there’s a mask? There’s something attached to the inside, too. Escobar puts it on, Swerve comes over, and Escobar HEADBUTTS him! That loaded mask takes Swerve down! Cover, Escobar wins!!
Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall (still NXT Cruiserweight Champion)
Someone check that mask! What was it in that mask’s forehead that made Escobar’s headbutt a lethal weapon? Will anyone be able to dethrone Escobar when he has tricks both up his sleeve and in his masks?
NXT hears from Johnny Gargano.
“I know better than anyone that life can change in a moment.” Just last Wednesday, he was inches away from breaking his neck and having his career ended! It made Gargano sit back and think on what he would be leaving as a legacy. “An unfulfilled promise.” Gargano said he was going to fix NXT and rule it. Slow and steady, brick by brick, Gargano has been building his kingdom, but it would seem as if by fate that he has a golden opportunity. #NXTuesday, a Fatal 4 Ironman Match will help Gargano remind us who he is! He’s been NXT’s Ironman for years, and will once again have the title to prove it. But will the Wednesday Night be able to triumph on Super Tuesday?
NXT hears from Finn Balor.
“Life comes full circle in this business. And while some fall and pray, The Prince rises to the occasion. All the pieces are set. The four cornerstones of NXT.” Balor is going to enjoy every second of that one hour proving that he isn’t just a cornerstone, but the centerpiece! And next Tuesday, “everyone from the marketing department to the TV networks to Joey at home trolling on the internet,” are going to get Finn Balor as NXT Champion again.
Drake Maverick VS Kyle O’Reilly w/ The Undisputed Era!
Rockstar Spud is not at all okay with the Undisputed Era wrecking his match with Killian Dain, and so he dared a member of the UE to take him on 1v1! O’Reilly returns to singles action to step up, will NXT’s #1 underdog put him in his place?
The bell rings, and Maverick fires off fast hands and feet! Kyle pushes Maverick away, Maverick ducks the roundhouse to come back with more fast hands! Maverick kicks, haymakers, but Kyle knees. Kyle goes to boot but Maverick dodges again! Maverick fires off more fast hands and he whips. Kyle reverses, Maverick dodges and dropkicks a foot out! Kyle falls out of the ring but the UE regroups with him. Maverick climbs up top to LEAP onto them! Kyle gets clear and back into the ring, but Maverick hurries up and in. Kyle kicks away, SLAPS Maverick, fires knees and KICKS Maverick down! Kyle grounds ‘n’ pounds, moves around and throws down heavy fists!
Kyle kicks Maverick around, paces around and taunting him. Maverick sits up as the fans rally, Kyle kicks him and knees away. Kyle snapmares, KICKS Maverick in the back, but Maverick gets right up! “C’MERE!” Maverick snampares Kyle to KICK him in return! Kyle gets to a corner, stinging from that one! Maverick runs corner to corner, forearms and bulldogs! Then back sentons! Kyle flounders while Maverick grins and runs corner to corner. Kyle kitchen sink KNEES Maverick down! Maverick clutches his stomach, Kyle brings him up to wrench the arm to a shoulder breaker! Maverick throws a forearm, Kyle gives it back, and the two brawl! Kyle kicks the legs, bobs ‘n weaves then fires off a flurry! Kyle KICKS that leg out from under Maverick!
Kyle paces again as Maverick crawls. Kyle grabs the leg, brings Maverick up with a heel hook, but Maverick enziguris! Maverick has a cravat, Kyle powers out of Sliced Bread and gets the KNEEBAR! Maverick fights, rolls but now Kyle has the other foot for a heel hook! Maverick grabs Kyle’s head to punch away! Kyle cranks on the legs even harder, Maverick taps!! Kyle wins!
Winner: Kyle O’Reilly, by submission
The UE celebrates by stomping Maverick down! Kyle wants them to let off a bit but Strong is just mad. Fish fetches a chair for Strong, but here comes KILLIAN DAIN! The Beast of Belfast was the other half of that ruined match and he WRECKS Strong and Fish! Kyle gets clear as Dain gets the chair and SMACKS Strong! Kyle distracts long enough so Fish and Strong can bail out! The UE regroups and retreats, but what of Dain and Maverick? Maverick isn’t sure, but he does thank Dain. Dain CLOBBERS him! Dain didn’t do it for Maverick, he’s fighting the UE for himself! Will the Undisputed Era watch out for the Belfast behemoth from now on?
Backstage interview with Rhea Ripley.
Dakota and Raquel said Rhea and Io don’t even like each other, and that Rhea just wants the NXT Women’s Championship. What is her response? Rhea says it’s no surprise that she wants the title, but she won’t let that get in the way tonight. And Rhea didn’t show up at TakeOver to save Io, but to send a message to Dakota and Raquel that Io is Rhea’s now. And if Raquel wants Rhea to get out of her face, then she’ll have to make her! That fierce 2v2 is happening after the break!
NXT returns and hears from Adam Cole.
“Next Tuesday, I have the chance once again to make history. Because the Mount Rushmore of NXT, Gargano, Ciampa, Balor and Cole, we are in a Four Way match, a 60 minute Ironman match, to determine the new NXT Champion.” And now that Cole has gotten past Pat McAfee, he’ll focus on the important stuff, and that’s getting back his NXT Championship. When he held it for the record breaking 400+ days, he was called many things. One of those was the Ironman of NXT, so a match like this is right up his alley. It’s one thing to be NXT Champion once, it’s another ball game to be it twice. And that is exactly what Cole vows to do, and #ThatIsUndisputed.
NXT has another big match for Super Tuesday!
After the brawling and controversy in the Cruiserweight Championship, Swerve and Breezango again take on El Legado del Fantasma, but now in a Six Man STREET FIGHT! Will Swerve and the new NXT Tag Team Champions finally put Escobar, Mendoza and Wilde in their place? Or will El Legado cement their legacy as the leaders of Cruiserweight and Lucha Libre wrestling?
Io Shirai & Rhea Ripley VS Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez!
The Evil Genius overcame Dakota trying to stack the deck with help from Big Mama Cool, but now things are much more even. Will the Aussie Nightmare make sure she and Shirai win so we can get flashbacks to In Your House? Or will the Daughter of the Desperado help Dakota establish she deserves a rematch?
The teams sort out, Rhea tells Shirai to go so she and Dakota can start. They tie up, Rhea throws Dakota down then whips her to a corner. Rhea runs in, Dakota goes up and over but Rhea won’t budge as Dakota tries to roll her up. Rhea stomps Dakota, drags her up and throws her to the corner. Rhea wants Raquel to tag in, so she does! They tie up, they’re in a deadlock so Raquel breaks it. They try again, Rhea breaks it. Raquel gets in Rhea’s face but gets a headbutt for it! Raquel still comes back to shove Rhea! Shirai tags in, goes after Raquel and Rhea is beside herself. Raquel whips Shirai, Shirai goes up and leaps to huricanrana Raquel out! Dakota gets in Shirai’s way but Shirai kicks her down! Raquel catches Dakota and tensions are high as NXT goes picture in picture.
Shirai waits for Raquel to come back but Dakota gets in to distract her. Raquel sneaks up on Shirai, Shirai dodges one clothesline but not the blindside! Raquel drags Shirai up to whip to a corner! Then she wrenches, shoulder breakers and clamps onto the arm. Dakota tags in, takes the hand-off and wrenches Shirai’s arm to a whip. Shirai stops herself but Dakota is there to club her down. Dakota puts Shirai’s arm through ropes to pull on it! The ref counts, Dakota stops but she keeps Shirai from Rhea. Dakota bumps Shirai off buckles, tags in Raquel and Raquel digs her boot into Shirai’s chin. The ref counts, Raquel stops, but Dakota gets in a cheap shot almost literally behind the ref’s back!
Raquel wrenches a wristlock, lifts Shirai up with one arm, then sets her down to LARIAT! Raquel drags Shirai back up, lifts her again, holds her for even longer then lets her down to RAM her with a shoulder! Raquel drags Shirai up again to clamp on a choke grip, for a CHOKE- NO! Shirai huricanranas to a cover, TWO! Shirai staggers forward, avoids Dakota’s cheap shot, but turns around into Raquel’s tackle! Dakota tags in, she taunts Rhea then runs at Shirai, to get a BOOT! Shirai fights out of the corner, ducks Dakota but Dakota reels her in by her hair! Shirai resists the whip, reaches for Rhea, but so does Dakota for Raquel. NXT returns to single picture as Shirai wheelbarrows and STOMPS Dakota down!
Tag to Rhea and she side steps Dakota’s boot to DECK Raquel! Rhea dropkicks Dakota, fires up to cravat knee over and over! Rhea hook kicks then fireman’s carries Dakota, but Raquel saves Dakota! Raquel grabs Rhea’s hair but Rhea swings a big haymaker! Both Raquel and Dakota manage to avoid it, and they drag Rhea up and out to the floor! The ref reprimands and the crowd boos as Raquel bounces Rhea off the apron. Raquel puts Rhea in, covers, TWO! Raquel grows frustrated as she drags Rhea up. Raquel whips Rhea hard to a corner and Rhea bounces of buckles to hit the mat! Raquel drags Rhea back up, Rhea throws body shots but Raquel CLUBS her down! Raquel drags Rhea away, covers, TWO!
Raquel drags Rhea over to tag in Dakota. They mug Rhea in the corner, Dakota brings Rhea around for a roll up, TWO! Dakota clubs Rhea down, digs her knee brace in, and pulls back on an armlock. Rhea endures, the crowd rallies up and Rhea pulls hair. Dakota stomps Rhea down, keeps her from Shirai, and Raquel tags back in. They mug Rhea more, Raquel whips her to a corner, and runs in but blocks the boot. Rhea boots with the other foot, but Raquel still keeps her from Shirai. Rhea ROUNDHOUSES Raquel away! Tags to Dakota and Shirai! Shirai rallies on Dakota, and hits a FLAPJACK! Raquel rushes in but Shirai SHOTEIS! Dakota waitlocks Shirai, Shirai elbows free, blocks Dakota’s boot and sends it into Raquel!
Shirai baits Dakota into a drop toehold then runs to SHINKANSEN Raquel! TIGER FEINT for Dakota! Shirai springboards and missile dropkicks Dakota down! Cover, TWO!! Shirai drags Dakota back up, underhooks, but no Tiger Driver. Dakota SCORPION KICKS, then KAI-RO- NO! Shirai powers out of that to KAMI-GOYE!! Shirai drags Dakota up in a waistlock for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, but Raquel barrels in to break it! Rhea gets in, Raquel boots but it’s blocked! But Dakota BOOTS Rhea! Shirai SHOTEIS Dakota! Raquel LARIATS Shirai! Raquel helps Dakota to the corner, Raquel tags in, and Raquel drags Shirai up. Raquel scoops, Dakota runs to BOOT for the POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!?!
Raquel is seething while Shirai is crawling. Raquel drags Shirai up, Shirai rolls and enziguris from the mat! Dakota gets in to distract from the tag to Rhea! The ref doesn’t see it, it doesn’t count! Raquel takes Shirai to the corner to stomp away! Raquel stomps away on Dakota, and MERCEDES MARTINEZ attacks Rhea!! Robert Stone he wouldn’t let Mercedes in a match, not that she wasn’t here! Mercedes gets payback on Rhea and slips away into the shadows while Raquel scoops Shirai for a SWINGING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!?!? Raquel is furious! Raquel drags Shirai up and tags Dakota back in. Raquel whips Shirai corner to corner, but Rhea rises! Rhea pushes Shirai out of the way as Dakota comes in Around the World! Dakota only boots buckles!
Dakota hobbles away, Rhea tags in, but so does Raquel. Rhea runs right into a BOOT!! Raquel drags Rhea up, scoops for the MEGA CHOKE SLAM! Cover, Raquel and Dakota win!!
Winners: Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez, by pinfall
Give an assist to Mercedes Martinez! It seems Rhea’s far from through with the Robert Stone Brand, will Rhea find a way to shut them down once and for all? As for Dakota and Raquel, will Dakota be the one getting the nod when it was Raquel doing the literal heavy lifting?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT to follow TakeOver! And in an interesting way, it was part aftermath and part go-home to #NXTuesday, aka Super Tuesday! Kross relinquishes the title because of the shoulder separation, which is a definite misfortune, but NXT knows how to improvise and give us something incredible. A Fatal 4 Way Ironman match?! That’s an amazing idea. Ciampa returns to up the old “Psycho Killer” side as he destroys Jake Atlas. Is Atlas needing time off and this is how they write him off? Because how is he NOT written off NXT for about six weeks? The promos from the other three were good, too, but I feel like Finn Balor needs to get this win for at least his character’s sake. It’s been great seeing him bring up others, but Balor should become the next two-time NXT Champion.
There’s also a lot of action setting up around the North American Championship. Thatcher is practically following Priest’s example of losing to Balor yet moving up to something, and I wouldn’t mind seeing those two fight for the title. Reed does have a point, too, as someone who has beaten Priest, but it seems like he’ll have to deal with the returning Austin Theory first, which isn’t so bad either. Maybe something big on NXTuesday sets up for another big title match for the North American Championship. Candice had a good promo about Tegan but I was hoping to have Tegan’s response tonight. Maybe that’s for Tuesday, leading to a grudge match between those two.
I really liked that Imperium VS Breezango happened tonight, if only because it gets things moving. NXT UK is set to make their return to new action with September 17th so I’d imagine Imperium does have to regroup so they can tape episodes together. Plus things move right to Breezango VS El Legado as they still fight it out during the Cruiserweight Championship match. Another sneaky way to win only mildly ruins the great match between Swerve and Escobar, but I give credit to him using a “loaded” mask instead of a glove. I wonder if that trick comes up again in the Six Man Street Fight. And I have a feeling El Legado wins to make a point that they’re up next for the tag title opportunity.
Maverick and O’Reilly had a really good match, and I’m intrigued as to how O’Reilly was trying to keep Fish and Strong from going Heel on Maverick afterward. Dain shows up and I thought he and Maverick were going to be a duo, but it seems not. It could still circle back that way, but it definitely works with both characters that Maverick reached out and Dain turned him down the hard way.
There was some great stuff with the Robert Stone Brand, Stone himself is again great as the comedy relief just shrieking when he got “crushed” by the tank. Shotzi and Mia have a great match and it was quite the surprise for Shotzi to win. Mercedes showing up to basically screw over Rhea and Shirai in their great tag main event was also a nice touch. I feel like there could be a Six or Eight Woman Tag, with Dakota and Raquel joining Robert Stone Brand to face Mia, Shotzi, Rhea and Shirai. Mia turns on Shotzi for that feud, Raquel finishes it off just like tonight, and it’s Raquel who gets a shot, to Dakota’s chagrin.
My Score: 9.3/10
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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.
.@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.
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