Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (9/10/20)

NXT UK has big things in store!

Published

4 years ago

September 10, 2020

Steven Mitchell

Countdown to the in-ring return of NXT UK!

NXT UK is almost ready for its debut inside BT Sports Studio in London, and there’s a major announcement to go with it! Plus, the spotlight shines on the Women’s Division once more!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

2/27/20 – NXT UK Women’s Championship I Quit Match: Kay Lee Ray VS Toni Storm; KLR wins and retains the NXT UK Women’s Championship, Storm can no longer challenge for the title while KLR is champion.
7/24/19 – Walter VS Trent Seven; Walter wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Andy Shepherd welcomes us back to the show.

Just one week from the grand return and all new in-ring action! The superstars are primed and prepped for that return, but first, a huge announcement “that draws upon the rich history of British and European sports entertainment.” Davey Boy Smith, the Dynamite Kid, Lord Alfred Hayes and more paved the way for the current generation we see today to ascend to incredible heights. Now, history repeats itself as Assistant to the GM, Sid Scala, speaks!

“On behalf of myself and General Manager, Johnny Saint, I have a huge announcement for the future of our brand.” There will be an 8 man tournament, and the winner will be the first ever NXT UK Heritage Cup holder. Tonight, we learn seven of those names! And the entire tournament will be fought under British Round Rules!! Who will show they are truly masters of the British-Euro style? For more, we hear from William Regal!

“Hello. As we approach the in-ring return of NXT UK, a brand that showcases the absolute best talent that the UK and Europe has to offer,” and as one who wrestled in those styles, it is his honor to bring the two together in this Heritage Cup Tournament. We take the very best of the old and bring it into the new era.

The rules are as follows: every match will be conducted in six three-minute rounds, with 20 second breaks in between; all matches are two out of three falls, won by pin, submission or count-out; a fall ends the round, and two falls is an automatic victory. A disqualification or knockout is also an automatic end to the match. If the match goes all the way to the sixth and final round, whoever leads in falls wins. For years, Regal was proud to entertain and educate with the British style, and is excited to know this will continue with NXT UK. “This will be very special indeed.”

NXT UK announces the first three competitors!

The Modfather, Flash Morgan Webster, is excited to be in this tournament! He can’t wait to get in there and mix it up. No one flies higher or moves faster than him. And as one of the first Welsh champions in WWE’s history, adding the Heritage Cup would just be another part of his legacy.

The Scottish Supernova, Noam Dar, says he is the favorite because he’s been in the game 14 years though he’s only 25. And he’s just getting started, as he swaggers into the finals with flair, speed and agility. He’ll blast off into another atmosphere with the cup!

Imperium’s German Hatchet Man, Alexander Wolfe, is obviously excited. This isn’t just a game, this isn’t rock paper scissors, this is mat chess! The mat is sacred, and his prediction for the cup is Wolfe and Imperium standing victorious.

NXT UK hears from Sid Scala again.

Another huge announcement from Johnny Saint! In two weeks, Kay Lee Ray defends her NXT UK Women’s Championshipo against an old foe, Piper Niven!

NXT UK hears from Piper Niven and Kay Lee Ray.

“Me and Kay Lee Ray have known each other for must be, best part of a decade now.” It was ICW Fight Club, KLR’s first match ever. She and Piper were very different then. Piper had black gear and had an attitude while KLR was bright and sparkly. They traveled the world together. Joining WWE together, side-by-side, was incredible.

Piper admits that while she looks big and brave all the time, she really gets scared all the time. Always nervous and second-guessing. You hit that low point and aren’t sure if you can get back up. But to know she and KLR were going to be together in NXT UK, to know the person who always encouraged her, that encouraged Piper. But KLR says that’s not the person here with the title today. It wasn’t big fish in a little pond, it was competitive. KLR perhaps felt threatened by Piper building such momentum. Did you ever have a friend that wanted you to do well, but not better than them? That’s KLR to Piper.

KLR lost in the Mae Young Classic before Piper did, and that affected how she saw herself. KLR won her title shot at Toni Storm, took her shot, and won. But at the same time, was this attitude always in KLR? Becoming NXT UK Women’s Champion wasn’t a dream for KLR, it was the plan all along. And to be the longest reigning NXT UK Women’s Champion was inevitable. KLR wasn’t going to walk in and not be on top. And that is not changing, either.

NXT UK Women’s Championship I Quit Match: Kay Lee Ray VS Toni Storm!

Another two friends turned bitter enemies are now at a point of no return. KLR took this title from Toni in Cardiff, and kept it in Blackpool. But since the Storm won’t go away, KLR made her an offer she couldn’t refuse: this will be Toni’s last chance to get the title back. If Toni loses, she is done challenging for this title so long as KLR is champion. Will this be the Lightning’s last stand? Or is Toni Time done for good?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this final chapter begins!

Toni and KLR fire off fast and furious with the bell! KLR pushes Toni and bails out to then bait her into a kick. KLR whips but Toni reverses and sends KLR into barriers! Toni brings KLR up to whip into a post! Toni drags KLR back up to whip her into a barrier again! Fans fire up with Toni as she whips KLR into steel steps! KLR writhes but Toni drags her up and brings her around the way. They go back into the ring and Toni runs to BOOT KLR! KLR ends up in a corner and Toni waistlocks. KLR holds ropes and standing switches to club Toni on the back. Toni mule kicks back! KLR SUPERKICKS! KLR runs but Toni stops the springboard with a GERMAN SUPLEX!

Toni drags KLR up, underhooks, but KLR flops down to avoid Storm Zero. So Toni laces the legs and drops down to put KLR in a modified STF! KLR endures, drags herself and Toni towards ropes, not that ropebreaks or tap outs count in this match. Toni wants KLR to quit but KLR refuses. KLR claws at the apron skirt but Toni pulls her against the ropes! Toni wants KLR to suffer, but it won’t work if KLR faints so Toni lets up. Toni stomps KLR and fans rally behind her. She drags KLR up but KLR claws her face! KLR hits a tornado DDT! KLR drops knees on Toni and fans chant, “We Want Tables!” Toni ends up on ropes and now KLR bends her backwards against them. KLR kicks Toni down when she refuses to give up.

KLR drags Toni up but Toni fights out of the Gory Especial, so KLR clubs her and tries again. Toni is sent into the ropes! KLR brings Toni up again, for a DEEP Gory Especial stretch! Toni endures as she’s being bent backwards, so KLR throws her at ropse. Toni stops herself and gets KLR in a draping octopus! KLR refuses to quit so Toni uses this to throw KLR to the outside! Fans cheer as Toni looks under the ring, and brings out a TABLE! KLR stomps the table down and kicks Toni low! Toni ROCKS KLR back for that and then sets up the table! Toni positions the table by ringside and fans cheer as she fetches KLR. KLR yanks Toni into the apron!

KLR bumps Toni off the apron and goes up the steel steps. She brings Toni up to the top and fans anticipate what’s about to happen. Toni does, too, and she headbutts back! Toni gets around the corner and grabs KLR, but KLR holds onto ropes for dear life! KLR hits Toni down but Toni trips KLR up. KLR hits buckle on the way down, then Toni puts KLR on the table. Toni clubs KLR down then climbs up top! Fans anticipate what’s next, and Toni FROG SPLASHES THROUGH KLR AND THE TABLE!! Fans lose their minds as the referee checks on both women. Somehow they’re both okay and fans rally up. Toni stands first and drags KLR to the ring. They’re both on the apron and Toni throws forearms.

Toni brings KLR in as fans sing, and Toni underhooks! But KLR back drops Toni into the ring, so Toni ROCKS her! Toni runs, into a kick! KLR has Toni on the apron for a draping DDT! KLR is seething as she goes looking under the ring. Fans rally up as Toni stirs, and KLR brings out… TAPE! KLR drags Toni over to put her in the ring. Toni crawls but KLR stalks after her. KLR stomps Toni down then taunts her. KLR uses the tape to bind Toni’s hands behind her back! Fans boo as Toni literally has her hands tied behind her back in this match now! KLR makes sure there’s plenty of tape keeping those hands together as she brings Toni up for forearms! And kicks! Toni has no guard but fans still rally for her.

KLR SLAPS Toni, but grimaces as Toni refuses to quit. KLR goes out to fetch a chair! She brings it in as Toni tries to figure out the tape on her wrists. KLR brings the chair up, but Toni HEADBUTTS! Toni staggers while KLR goes to a corner. KLR kicks a leg out then SUPERKICKS Toni in the head. KLR brings the chair over, sets Toni’s head through it, to SUPERKICK! The chair is a neck brace but Toni refuses to give up. KLR pushes Toni around and grabs the chair again. Fans boo as KLR grinds the chair into Toni’s neck! Toni still refuses to quit despite the pain, but KLR sticks the chair around Toni’s head again! KLR stands on the chair to squeeze it shut! Fans boo and even NXT UK management comes out.

Sid Scala and Johnny Saint try to reason with KLR but she STOMPS the chair!! Toni doesn’t quit despite all this, so KLR wants to finish her. KLR climbs up, but here comes Piper Niven! Too late, KLR jumps and STOMPS the chair!! And then pushes it closed!! Toni still refuses to say the words, so Piper hurries in to plead with Toni. Piper wants Toni to forget about the title and think about her LIFE! KLR goes back up top, ready to jump again, but Toni shouts “I QUIT!” KLR wins!

Winner: Kay Lee Ray (still NXT UK Women’s Champion)

With tears in her eyes, Storm gives up the chase. Piper comforts her friend and shouts for medics to help. KLR only shouts for someone to give her her belt. KLR stands tall as the NXT UK Women’s Champion. Toni can no longer go after the title so long as KLR has it. And we know now that Piper is getting her shot with NXT UK’s return! Will Piper dethrone the Scary Queen of Scots and free Toni from her exile?

NXT UK shares exclusive footage from just after the I Quit Match.

Sid Scala and Johnny Saint cleared the way for Piper to carry Toni to the back and cleared the way to the trainer’s room. Toni walked part of it, with help from Piper and referees. They had her sit and rest against a wall, and gave her water. Piper held Toni while they waited for the medics.

NXT UK hears more from KLR and Piper Niven.

KLR says, “The predictable thing about Piper, is she’s always got her heart in the right place. And that is easy to take advantage of.” Piper says that winning the title would mean being seen. All of her life, she had different versions of people trying to make her feel less for being bigger. “To win would be validation. For me, and all the other people in their life that get told, ‘You can’t.'” But KLR wants us to know how this match will end. She walks away with her title, and Piper goes back to Scotland with her tail between her legs. Piper says if you let KLR get in your head, you’ve already lost. Piper’s prediction, the only thing she knows for sure, “It’s not gonna be pretty.” We have two weeks until this powder keg finally explodes! Who will be left standing as NXT UK Women’s Champion?

NXT UK hears from Gallus.

The NXT UK Tag Team Champions, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang, are buzzing for the return of NXT UK! They feel held back, and are choking to get their hands on someone! They want to show how great the NXT UK Tag Division really is! But is it? You can talk big as a keyboard gangster sitting at home with mommy and daddy’s wi-fi. But Wolfie and Marcus promise next week that they’ll be in the ring to see who wants it! #GallusBoysOnTop!

Andy Shepherd joins William Regal, Robbie Brookside and Drew McIntyre on a video call.

With the Heritage Cup Tournament coming, Shepherd is honored to join three UK legends who know exactly how important this tournament is. Regal looks around, pretending someone else must be there. But how important is it to be in such a format of match? For McIntyre, he grew up with wrestling after the British scene was Americanized. His dad showed him tapes of the old British style and he was excited to compete in that. He knows the other superstars will be excited to get back to what made their region different. For Regal, he’s overjoyed. He grew up watching the traditional style, the rounds and the two out of three falls, and that captivated him. And for Robbie, he’s been in hundreds of these, so he feels adopting this style will be a great challenge. You get one fall, then have to be on guard even more. There is a chess quality and a lot of different scenarios, so he is very excited, too.

Shepherd does speak to the tactics, and Regal says no amount of preparation is enough. You could be gaining momentum and then the bell rings and you have to stop. Or you could be behind and that break is a relief. It can mess with flow and styles. Robbie adds on, the thousands of their matches, the end of round five, you gotta go for the sixth but you have nothing left. Gotta get that next gear and power through. There’s so much to this that makes it different than American rules. Regal says the real superstars will shine through. McIntyre says you don’t need to be a hero if you’re in a submission, because it isn’t over with just one fall. Save your body and your strength for all the rounds to come.

What would it mean for McIntyre to one day hold this trophy? That’d be awesome! McIntyre can’t stress enough how he’s wanted to be there for a minute. But he’s WWE World Champion, he’ll have stroke, he can definitely pull off such a crossover. Now to wrap things up, what would be a piece of advice for these superstars? McIntyre says they need to think on your feet, study tape, and be as prepared as you can. Robbie says to have eyes on the back of your head. Regal goes with Carl Gotch’s saying that conditioning is your best move. Not only physically, but mentally.

NXT UK reveals the next four competitors!

The Spanish Ace, A-Kid, has always been a fan of British Rounds matches and this is a dream come true. He will strike, he will use submissions, he will take flight! Whatever it takes to win. Everything he’s worked for will go into this tournament.

The Bomber, Dave Mastiff, is excited for this. It is great that finally, they pay respect to those who set the foundation. He has his power and size, but there is also no one with experience like his in the British Rounds style. When that final bell rings, they will see the path of devastation he created “round by damned round.”

The Righteous Killer, Joseph Connors, is definitely excited, but he also wants to ruffle some feathers. While others slept, he’s been working to get physically and mentally worthy, because he will not be told he is not worthy!

And the Artful Dodger, Trent Seven, can’t help but be excited. This is part of their history. This gives NXT UK the chance to tap into where British wrestling started. Seven will give it all, he is going to step up and take pride in the Heritage Cup and bring it home to Moustache Mountain.

But we know only seven of the eight competitors. Who will round out the British Rounds tournament and make the Heritage Cup complete?

The Gallus open challenge has been accepted!

Mark Coffey and Wolfgang won’t have to wait until next week to know who they’re facing, because Kenny “The Lucky Yin” Williams and Amir “The Bhangra Badboy” Jordan step up! Will they get lucky and win big over the NXT UK Tag Team Champions?

Walter VS Trent Seven!

British Strong Style were founding pillars of the NXT UK brand, but that doesn’t seem to matter to the members of Imperium. They want to make this their brand, and to “keep the mat sacred.” But will the Imperium’s Ring General pay for showing both disrespect to NXT UK and disregard for Tyler Bate’s health?

Seven doesn’t even wait for the bell, he DIVES on Walter the moment he’s ringside! Seven rains down furious hands and haymakers! He CHOPS Walter against the apron while fans sing for “Trent Seven Army~!” Seven throws Walter into barriers then drags him into the ring for this match to truly start!

Walter swings on Seven but Seven ducks to CHOP away! Walter forearms Seven back then shoves him, only for Seven to dump Walter out! Seven runs to DIVE again! But it proves to be double-edged as he clutches his own knee. Seven powers through the pain to club and CHOP Walter more! Walter staggers away but Seven follows. Walter rams Seven into the apron, even as the ring count passes 5! Fans sing but Walter lifts Seven for a bomb! Seven fights back and back drops Walter! Then Seven and Walter scramble up to break the count at 9.5! Seven kicks at Walter from the apron, then drags him in to club away. Fans cheer as Seven rains down hands from all sides! Walter crawls but Seven hops on to wristlock! Seven reels Walter out, but Walter ducks to get a sleeper!

Seven grabs the ropes but Walter slaps his arms away, for a German Suplex! Walter returns those clubbing forearms, but the fans echo Seven’s sentiments from a week ago, “This is OUR Mat! This is OUR Mat!” Seven kicks at Walter more but Walter stomps him. Walter drags Seven up to club again the ropes and EuroUpper him to a corner. Seven still fights back but Walter grinds his foot into Seven’s chest. The ref backs Walter up and the fans sing again. Seven CHOPS Walter again and again, but Walter comes back to scoop slam Seven fast! Walter eggs Seven on, wanting to see more of that fight. Seven gets up with a grimace on his face. Seven CHOPS again, and again, but Walter BOOTS him down.

Fans chant for the “Big Strong Boy!” and it gives Seven the power to move. But Walter grabs Seven through the ropes to club away! Seven falls but fans sing, “Walter is a wanker!” Seven kicks Walter’s leg but Walter grabs Seven’s other leg for a Half Crab! Walter sits down on Seven, and shifts to an STF! Fans rally for Seven and Seven claws his way forward. Walter pulls hair and ears, whatever he can, but Seven still crawls forward. Seven gets the ropebreak! Walter lets go without being asked, but he is frustrated with Seven. Walter kicks Seven while he’s down but Seven gets up with another grimace. Seven CHOPS Walter from legs to chest! Walter shoves Seven back again, to BOOT him in the corner! Seven sits down and Walter eggs him on again.

Fans rally up again and Seven still finds the will to stand. Seven dodges Walter to CHOP him on the back, and hit a Dragon Suplex! Seven roars back to life, and CHOPS Walter hard as he ever has! He reels Walter in, but the lariat doesn’t make him fall. The second one still doesn’t, but the third one shows some promise. But Walter breaks free to uppercut back! Walter runs in, but gets a fourth lariat, and Walter falls!! Walter crawls to a corner and Seven goes to the opposite. Fans chant for “British Strong Style!” as Seven runs corner to corner to CHOP! Seven unloads rapid chops! The ref backs him off, and Walter kicks back.

Walter swings, but Seven dodges that chop to give back more of his chops! Again, the ref backs Seven off, Walter CHOPS Seven off his feet! Cover, TWO!! Seven survives and Walter is furious! The fans have not stopped singing for Seven as he sits up again. Walter kicks Seven and dares him to fight. Seven chops the legs again, but Walter kicks him. Seven throws more hands, but Walter knees him down. Walter still wants to see what Seven has left to give, and Seven does sit up again. Walter kicks but Seven blocks it! Seven stands to club the knee and CHOP Walter again! And again! And again! Seven reels Walter in but Walter boots the lariat away, and SLAPS Seven down! Walter drags Seven around, despite Seven being dead weight.

Walter stands Seven up, but Seven back hands Walter out of the ring! Fans rally up again as Seven rises! Seven storms his way to the corner and climbs up top!? Fans stand up, anticipating what’s coming. Seven reaches the top but Walter is there to club him down! Walter climbs up now, but Seven CHOPS him down! Seven clubs and chops more, but Walter fights back. They brawl as Seven climbs up to join Walter! Walter fights Seven back and adjusts, but Seven holds on for dear life! Walter clubs Seven over and over but Seven SLAPS Walter back! Seven stands Walter up, and hits the SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Seven was so close to finishing Walter! The fans know “This is Awesome!” but it’s not over yet. Seven crawls after Walter to the outside.

Seven roars and drags Walter up in the torture rack! But Walter’s too much, he slips out and CHOPS, then BOOTS Seven down! Walter has Seven in position, APRON BOMB! Just like he did to Tyler Bate! Fans call Walter an “A**hole!” for that one, but Walter ignores them to put Seven back in. Walter drags Seven up again, another lift, and a proper WALTER BOMB! But Walter doesn’t cover? Walter wants to punish Seven, with a SECOND Walter Bomb! But not even that is enough, because here comes the rest of Imperium. Alexander Wolfe, Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner, or as fans call them, “Walter’s b*tches!”, keep guard of the ramp. Walter drags Seven up again, for a THIRD Walter Bomb! And yet, Walter isn’t done with Seven?!

The Ring General shows his sadistic side and fans want Peter Dunne to return. But no such luck, as Walter gives Seven a FOURTH Walter Bomb! And then a FIFTH! The ref calls it, this is over!

Winner: WALTER, by referee stoppage

Imperium may have very well broken British Strong Style once and for all. Walter holds up the WWE United Kingdom Championship over the vanquished Trent Seven. Is Imperium going to reign over all of NXT UK now and forever? Or will the Moscow Madman, Ilja Dragunov, have what it takes to end the tyranny?

My Thoughts:

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

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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

15 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

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

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

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

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

Corey Graves is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple H is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

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

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

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

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

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

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

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

Nick Aldis heads out.

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

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

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

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

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

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

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

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

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

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

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

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

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

The Dudley Boyz are here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

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

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

The Final Testament speaks.

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

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

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

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

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

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

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

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

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.8/10

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

Coverage

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

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

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6/10

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

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

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