Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 30 Results & Report! (10/17/20)

The B Block winner is…!

Published

4 years ago

October 17, 2020

Steven Mitchell

Who will win the block and reach the Climax?

Naito and EVIL are 6-2, SANADA is 5-3, and the finals are tomorrow! How does B Block turn out as the saga of Evil’s betrayal continues?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

B Block – Toru Yano VS YOSHI-HASHI; Hashi wins.
B Block – Juice Robinson VS Hirooki Goto; Juice wins.
B Block – Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr; Tanahashi wins.
B Block – Tetsuya Naito VS KENTA; KENTA wins.
B Block – EVIL VS SANADA; SANADA wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings!

EVIL: 6-2, 12 points
Tetsuya Naito: 6-2, 12 points
SANADA: 5-3, 10 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 5-3, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
KENTA: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Hirooki Goto: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Juice Robinson: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
YOSHI-HASHI: 1-7, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

B Block – Toru Yano VS YOSHI-HASHI!

The Producer had a strong start and a harsh fall in the block, but can only defend his status as Mr. KOPW 2020 at this point. Will the Head Hunter #GetBackUp and get in line for Yano’s prize?

The ref checks Yano for all his tricks, and Hashi wants it to be thorough. Yano barely holds still but there’s at least one roll that’s obvious. Hashi takes them out of the knees on Yano’s tights. But what about the waistband? Yano takes out one roll, then another! Now it’s clean! Hashi and Yano are in agreement, but surprise! A fifth! Yano says it’s okay now, and the bell rings! Fans rally as the two tie up. Yano pushes Hashi back to ropes, the ref calls for the break and Yano gives it. Fans cheer as the two circle again. They tie up, Yano headlocks but Hashi powers out. Yano runs Hashi over and fans cheer again. Yano eggs Hashi on and then tells the ref to back off. Hashi CHOPS Yano! Yano throws forearms, Hashi CHOPS! Yano says that one hurt! And to the corner he goes!

Hashi stops Yano from untying the pad, whips but Yano reverses. Yano goes after the pad and gets it off the corner! Hashi ducks the pad attack, kicks low and grabs the pad for himself! The ref grabs the pad, Yano CLUBS Hashi into the ref! Yano runs but Hashi PAD SMACKS him! Yano gets to a corner, Hashi runs in and CHOPS! Hashi whips, Yano stops so Hashi CHOPS and mule kicks! Hashi turns Yano, for the neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer and Hashi rises. Hashi drags Yano up, Yano rakes Hashi’s eyes! Yano apologizes and runs, but Hashi trips him up! Hashi drags Yano out, whips but Yano reverses! Hashi hits railing and Yano gets the disinfectant! The ref reprimands but Yano threatens him with the spray! The ref falls, Yano goes after Hashi but Hashi blocks!

The spray flies into the air, Hashi kicks Yano and Yano drops the bottle! Hashi grabs the bottle and sprays Yano! Fans cheer as Hashi brings Yano around to whip into railing! Yano goes down in a heap and Hashi has his bo staff! Hashi puts his staff on the other side of the railing, and then digs deep into his own tights…? HASHI HAD TAPE! Hashi was being just as tricky as Yano, but he was able to keep it secret! Hashi tapes Yano to the staff through the railing! Hashi is using Yano’s tricks against him masterfully! Fans rally as Hashi leaves Yano behind and Yano struggles with the staff! The staff is also hooked into the timekeeper’s table! The count is up to 10 of 20, so Yano wiggles HIMSELF through the railing! He gets through! But we’re at 16! And now 18! Yano and staff are in at 19!

Fans cheer but the ref tells Yano to stop, he has a weapon attached to his arm! The ref helps Yano undo the tape and he puts the staff aside. Hashi kicks and whips! Yano holds ropes and taunts Hashi, then dodges his clothesline to rake eyes! Yano whips Hashi but Hashi reverses, Yano stops himself from hitting bare buckles! Yano dodges, Hashi stops himself, but Yano rolls Hashi up, TWO! Yano dodges Hashi, drags him down to a cover, TWO! Hashi avoids the clothesline to waistlock, Yano grabs at the ref but Hashi avoids the low blow! Hashi stalks behind Yano, brings him in but the ref stops Hashi from giving a low blow! Yano grabs hair, the ref reprimands but Yano shoves the ref down! Yano shoves Hashi into bare buckles, AND low blows, but Hashi blocks it! Hashi rolls Yano to a school boy! Is he holding tights?! Hashi wins!!

Winner: Yoshi-Hashi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Yano earns 0

The trickster got tricked and the Head Hunter #GotBackUp! Will Hashi want his shot at the KOPW 2020 trophy before the end of the year? Or will he have to get in line behind the other five that beat Yano?

B Block – Juice Robinson VS Hirooki Goto!

The Flamboyant One and the Fierce Warrior couldn’t derail the G1 runs of the IWGP Double Champion of the King of Darkness. But who between these two will at least end their run on an upside?

The bell rings and the two start ramming shoulders! And throwing forearms! Fans rally as they go back and forth, Juice rocks Goto and kicks low! Juice headlocks, Goto pries against the hold but Juice grinds harder. Goto powers out to get a headlock back and he grinds Juice down. Juice endures, fights up, pries at the hold but Goto cranks harder. Juice throws body shots and powers out, Goto rams him but Juice comes back to run Goto over! Fans fire up as things speed up, and Juice counters the hip toss but so does Goto, and Goto gets the hip toss! Goto runs to run Juice over and shows his bad arm isn’t bothering him! Goto kicks Juice in the corner, throws forearms, then whips Juice corner to corner. Goto runs in but Juice boots him away.

Juice puts Goto on the apron but Goto blocks a punch. Juice blocks Goto’s counter punch and wrenches the arm for a hotshot! Goto tumbles down, now the arm might be bothering him. Fans cheer as Juice aims and slingshots, PLANCHA! Direct hit but Juice crashes into railing, too. Juice stands up and fans rally up, he gets them to stomp-stomp-clap. Juice drags Goto up, We Will, We Will POST you! Goto hits steel and falls to the ground! Juice gets back in the ring and the ring count begins. Goto slowly gets up, stands at 12 of 20, and he gets inside. Juice is on Goto and that bad arm to wrench and hammerlock. Juice RAMS Goto into a corner arm first! Juice drags Goto up, wrenches and hammerlocks again, to ram into another corner!

Fans cheer and rally as Juice wrenches Goto to a cording hold. Goto endures as Juice cranks on the arm. Fans rally up as Goto fights up and throws body shots! Juice wrenches and RAMS shoulders with Goto! Juice brings Goto back up to RAM him again! And again! Juice gets fans to stomp-stomp-clap again and Juice fireman’s carries. Goto fights out, gets to a corner and dodges Juice, to SAIDO! Both men are down and fans fire up! Juice and Goto go to opposite corners, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! And then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Juice survives but Goto keeps close. Goto drags Juice up, fireman’s carries, but Juice fights out! Juice wrenches the bad arm, Goto flips but Juice blocks the boots to drop a back senton! Fans cheer as Juice aims from a corner.

Goto goes to the other corner, Juice runs in to corner clothesline! Juice fires up and goes corner to corner again, to CANNONBALL! Fans fire up with Juice and stomp-stomp-clap again. Juice drags Goto up, puts him on the top rope, and CHOPS! Juice keeps the fans going as he climbs up top. Goto fights back with body shots then forearms! Juice wobbles, Goto keeps hitting him but Juice headbutts back, and again, and again! Fans cheer as Juice brings Goto up, to SUPERPLEX! But Juice holds and gets back up, but Goto blocks the suplex! Juice breaks free, but Goto brings him around for the HEAD SHOT! Both men are down but fans rally up. Juice crawls away and Goto drags himself to the corner. Juice runs at Goto but Goto meets him halfway for clotheslines! They stay up, try again but again just collide!

Both men fire up, run, and DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES hit again! Juice brings down the straps, runs again but Goto follows! Juice dodges, but runs into a fireman’s carry and USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Goto sits up first, fires himself up and drags Juice back up. Goto dragon sleepers, Juice spins out to suplex! Goto slips out, tries again, but Juice snapmares to the chicken wings! Juice turns Goto, but NO Pulp! Fans rally with Goto as he aims, but Juice blocks the kick! Juice swings the left but misses, RIGHT HAND O’ GOD! Juice drags Goto back up, chicken wings, but Goto sleeper holds in return! Juice flails but fades fast! Juice sits down, Goto Oklahoma Rolls him, TWO!

Juice survives but Goto stomps him and whips him. Juice reverses, swings, but into the dragon sleeper! Juice drops down,. Goto drops on him to cover, TWO!! Juice gets up, dodges but so does Goto! Goto gets the arm, Juice breaks free, LEFT HAND O’ GOD! Fans fire up with Juice as he pumps up! Goto stands, Juice gives him ANOTHER LEFT HAND! But Juice isn’t done there, chicken wings and PULP FRICTION! Cover, Juice wins!

Winner: Juice Robinson, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Goto earns 0

And it’s the Flamboyant One’s G1 that ends with a positive! Will Juice’s momentum and determination help him blaze a trail to something big in the near future?

B Block – Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr!

Much like yesterday’s match of Ibushi VS Taichi, there is a lot of history between The Ace and the Submission Master over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. The Dangerous Tekkers denied the Golden Aces the gold in the Summer Struggle, but can Tanahashi use this final round to turn things around?

Speaking of that history, ZSJ taunts Tanahashi with the tag title belt. The two back down and Tanahashi takes off the jacket to show off the muscles. Fans cheer and the checks are finished, and fans rally with the bell! Tanahashi drops down as he circles with ZSJ but ZSJ matches. They both stand, feel out the grapple, and tie up. ZSJ gets around, rolls Tanahashi, TWO! Tanahashi is on guard again and the two circle. They feel out a new grapple, ZSJ gets around to waistlock and roll Tanahashi to a ghost pin, TWO! Fans cheer as the two stand off again. ZSJ and Tanahashi circle, Tanahashi goes for a leg but ZSJ counters to a backslide and even jackknifes! TWO and Tanahashi backs off. Fans rally as the two circle again.

Tanahashi and ZSJ feel out this third grapple with knuckle locks, they’re in a deadlock but Tanahashi wrenches, hammerlocks and headlocks! ZSJ fights up but Tanahashi throws ZSJ down! ZSJ keeps his shoulders up, gets up to his feet and wrenches out to go for a high wristlock. Tanahashi keeps that at a deadlock to then arm-drag back to a headlock on the mat! Fans cheer the technical exchange, and ZSJ goes for headscissors. Tanahashi fights those off once, twice, but ZSJ tries a third time! Tanahashi shakes those off, grinds on the headlock, but ZSJ gets up to his feet. Tanahashi hits another headlock takeover, ZSJ headscissors fast and gets free to CRANK Tanahashi’s neck! ZSJ goes back to headscissor Tanahashi’s head and squeeze tight! Tanahashi endures as ZSJ pushes up to add leverage, and as ZSJ digs in knuckles into Tanahashi’s ribs!

Fans rally as Tanahashi moves around. ZSJ digs his elbows in but Tanahashi digs his knee into ZSJ’s ankle. Tanahashi pops out of the headscissors and gets the headlock back, but ZSJ gets the headscissors back right away! ZSJ pushes up to wrench the neck but Tanahashi again moves around. Fans rally as Tanahashi works on another escape. Tanahash headstands, ZSJ pushes him over and CRANKS the neck again! ZSJ sits Tanahashi up just to put the headscissor back on! Fans rally as Tanahashi continues to endure. Tanahashi pries at the headscissors, turns ZSJ over and pops out to have the legs! Tanahashi floats to a headlock, throws ZSJ down, but ZSJ again gets the headscissors! ZSJ squeezes tight, Tanahashi moves around again, but ZSJ digs his elbows into Tanahashi’s shoulders.

Tanahashi powers out, keeps the legs together for a butterfly of sorts, but ZSJ cravats! They stand up, Tanahashi tries to throw ZSJ off but ZSJ holds onto the cravat! ZSJ drags Tanahashi down, fans rally up as Tanahashi endures, and Tanahashi stands. ZSJ shifts to go for the cobra twist! Tanahashi spins around to put the cobra twist on ZSJ! Fans cheer, but ZSJ pops free to go after Tanahashi. They go around and around, Tanahashi drags ZSJ down to a cover, TWO! ZSJ has Tanahashi in a triangle hold but the fans rally up! Tanahashi powers up, stomps ZSJ and gets the legs for a CLOVERLEAF! ZSJ endures and moves around, he drags Tanahashi back down into the triangle! Tanahashi stays on his feet as ZSJ squeezes, and Tanahashi forces ZSJ through for a stretch! It’s a partial Boston Crab but ZSJ gets to ropes!

Tanahashi and ZSJ let each other go and fans rally up! Tanahashi stands, drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ throws European Uppercuts! Tanahashi ROCKS ZSJ with the palm strike, but ZSJ clamps right on him for an OCTOPUS! Fans rally as Tanahashi endures! ZSJ twists the wrist, bends fingers, but Tanahashi powers up and turns things around! Tanahashi gets the OCTOPUS! ZSJ manages to stay on his feet, get around, and again hook Tanahashi up! Tanahashi resists the Octopus to get a leg, DRAGON SCREW, but ZSJ counters to a body scissors! ZSJ turns Tanahashi over, EUROCLUTCH, ONE!! Tanahashi has ZSJ, body scissors, JAPAN CLUTCH! TWO, ZSJ has Tanahashi in a sleeper! Tanahashi rolls up and over to dropkick the legs out! Fans fire up as both men are down!

Tanahashi gets up, drags ZSJ up but ZSJ fights out of the Dragon Screw to get the arm! Tanahashi counters the wrench and Pele to get the leg, REAR DRAGON SCREW! The bad leg suffers damage! Tanahashi has both legs, ZSJ cradle counters, TWO!! Tanahashi escapes, both men stand again, and Tanahashi counters to a backslide. ZSJ spins out and leaps on for a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! ZSJ also has body scissors, but Tanahashi gets free to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans cheer and rally as both men rise. Tanahashi runs, ZSJ gets around Sling Blade to double pump handle! ZSJ flips Tanahashi over for EUROCLUTCH! TWO!! ZSJ dodges the dropkick but Tanahashi blocks the Penalty Kick! SLING BLADE! Fans fire up as Tanahashi goes to a corner!

Tanahashi climbs up top, ZSJ stands, HIGH FLY CROSSBODY! But ZSJ rolls through to get the arm! Tanahashi rolls ZSJ up, Tanahashi wins!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall; gains 2 points, ZSJ earns 0

Tanahashi holds on longer and that angers ZSJ! They keep scrapping and Young Lions have to get in there to stop it! The Golden Aces each pinned the tag team champions, will Tanahashi and Ibushi be able to reclaim those titles?

B Block – Tetsuya Naito VS KENTA!

The IWGP Double Champion already lost to the Cold Skull and the King of Darkness. The only chance he has of staying in this is to win! But can he when Fang Revived is desperate to defend his IWGP United States Championship contract?

Kenta grows impatient watching Naito take off the elaborate entrance attire but the fans rally and cheer as Naito takes his time. Naito finally finishes but does some last stretches. The check is finished, the bell rings and fans rally and clap for “NA-I-TO!” Kenta shrugs that off as he and Naito slowly circle. Kenta backs off to a corner to keep Naito back. Naito waits, Kenta comes out of the ropes, but then Kenta goes out to the apron. Red Shoes has Naito stay back and Kenta teases going in and getting out. He and Naito keep going back and forth like that, but the fans cheer as both men are finally in. They tie up, Kenta drags Naito down to a cradle, TWO!! Naito gets away and fans rally up again. Naito takes his time returning now and now Red Shoes has Kenta stay back.

Naito slowly gets in, and fans cheer as he and Kenta circle again. They tie up, Kenta gets the arm, wrenches to a wristlock, but Naito steps through to get a hammerlock, a wrench and a wristlock. Kenta spins and gets around to hammerlock back. Naito reaches back to wrench and get a leg to a takedown. Naito has the toehold but Kenta uses a chinlock to fight back. Kenta gets around to go after an arm but Naito rolls to a cover, ONE! Naito gets the leg but Kenta sits up to keep the pressure off. Kenta gets an arm again but Naito gets the ropebreak. Fans cheer the technical exchange as Kenta lets off. Kenta eggs Naito on but Naito keeps his cool. Fans rally up again as the two circle. Naito and Kenta approach, tie up with knuckle locks, and Naito gets in to wrench to a hammerlock then headlock!

Naito grinds Kenta down but Kenta rolls to a cover, ONE! Kenta fights up, Naito grinds harder on the headlock but Kenta pulls hair. Red Shoes reprimands but Kenta powers out. Naito holds ropes, boots back and throws elbows! Naito runs to huricanrana Kenta out of the ring! Fans cheer as Naito watches Kenta rise. Naito tells Kenta to hurry, time’s running out. Kenta doesn’t accept Naito’s invite, he gets in at his own pace. Naito stomps Kenta at the apron! Naito drags Kenta up to choke him on the ropes with a cravat! Red Shoes counts, Naito stops and drags Kenta back up. Naito cravats, Kenta endures but Naito throws elbows. Naito whips, Kenta holds ropes and bails out again. Fans cheer the savvy as Kenta goes around the way.

Naito hurries out but Kenta gets in. Naito gets in but Kenta bails out. Kenta grabs his briefcase and hides it. Red Shoes keeps Naito back but Naito goes after Kenta at the apron! Red Shoes tries to bring Naito away but Naito shoves him aside, Kenta CASE SHOTS! Naito falls down and Kenta puts the briefcase back on the timekeeper’s table. Kenta gets in and rains down right hands! Fans rally, Kenta mocks their clapping and Naito bails out. Kenta heads out after Naito and POSTS him! Kenta drags Naito up and whips him into railing HARD! Kenta mocks the fans more as he drags Naito up. Kenta puts Naito in, coves, ONE! Kenta sits Naito up with a chinlock but fans rally as Naito endures. Naito moves around, reaches for ropes, but Kenta lets go to KICK him down!

Kenta drags Naito back up, snapmares and KICKS him again! Kenta mocks the applause again as he paces around Naito. Naito sits up as fans rally up. Kenta does his weird clapping before he stomps Naito. Kenta whips and elbows Naito down! Cover, TWO! Kenta keeps on Naito with a headscissor hold. Fans rally and Naito endures and rolls around. Kenta keeps Naito from ropes and pushes up to add leverage. Naito kicks his legs as Kenta squeezes his head, but Naito turns and gets a ropebreak! Red Shoes counts and Kenta lets go at 3 to bring Naito back up. Kenta turns Naito for a neckbreaker! Cover, ONE! Kenta keeps on Naito with a chinlock and he grinds Naito down. Kenta cranks back but Naito still endures. Naito fights up, throws elbows to get free, but Kenta knees low!

Kenta runs and boots, but Naito blocks to atomic drop and neckbreaker! Both men are down and fans rally up. Naito is up first and he forearms, kicks, clubs and whips Kenta, to elbow him down and basement dropkick! Naito drags Kenta up, whips him to a corner and runs in for the rocket kick! Naito sweeps the legs, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito strikes a pose! Cover, TWO, but Naito keeps his cool. Fans rally up again and Naito drags Kenta up. Naito turns Kenta for the backbreaker to the leg hook full nelson! Kenta endures, moves around, Naito pulls hair but Red Shoes reprimands. Naito drags Kenta from the ropes, Kenta endures and reaches, but Naito drags him away again! Kenta turns the other way to get the ropebreak! Naito needs help so Red Shoes undoes the hold.

Fans rally as Naito drags Kenta back up. Naito hammerlocks and half nelsons but Kenta fights off Gloria. Naito CLUBS Kenta, runs in but Kenta boots back! Kenta boots Naito again, hops up top, and reels Naito in for the tornado hotshot! Naito flounders, Kenta goes up top, FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer and rally for “NA-I-TO!” as Kenta gets up. Kenta drags Naito up, KICKS and fires off a strike fest, to then fisherman suplex! Cover, TWO! Kenta grows annoyed but he starts toying with Naito. Kenta kicks Naito, Naito gets up but swings into a DDT! Cover, TWO! Naito survives but Kenta goes corner to corner as fans rally. Kenta runs in to BOOT Naito down, then keeps going to HESITATION DROPKICK! Naito is down, Kenta heads up top! Kenta leaps, DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives the coup de grace but Kenta keeps his focus.

Kenta hears the fans rally up but he slashes the throat. Kenta drags Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Naito fights out! Naitoi spins Kenta, uses the ropes for the tornado but Kenta stops that, to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Naito survives but Kenta just drags him back up. Fans rally, Kenta gets Naito up for toying slaps but a stiff back kick! Kenta KNEES Naito point blank! Fans rally as Kenta drags Naito up and fireman’s carries again, but Naito pops up to POISON RANA! Kenta gets up, runs in but Naito counters with back elbows! Kenta drops to a knee but fans rally as Naito throws more back elbows. Naito brings Kenta up again for another round of elbows! Kenta wobbles, Naito gives one last BIG back elbow! Naito drags Kenta up to the top rope. Naito climbs to join Kenta, SUPER STEINER!

Fans fire up as Naito drags Kenta back up, hammerlocks and half nelsons, GLORIA! Cover, TWO! Kenta survives but Naito keeps his focus. Fans rally as Kenta sits up in a daze. Naito drags Kenta back up, wrenches but Kenta elbows back! Naito runs in but Kenta puts him through ropes! DRAPING DDT! Kenta SPIKES Naito with that Brain Killer! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and fans fire up again! Kenta aims from a corner as Naito slowly sits up. Kenta runs out, PSYCHO KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives again and Kenta is furious! Kenta drags Naito back up, fireman’s carries, but Naito fights out! Naito throws elbows but misses! Kenta fires off painting palm strikes, and he DECKS Naito!

Kenta drags Naito up, fireman’s carries, GO TO- REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives that sudden counter and time is ticking! Fans are fired up as Naito slowly gets up. Naito brings Kenta up and wrenches, but Kenta again elbows Naito away. URAKEN! URAKEN! Right hand! Naito elbows and ENZIGURIS! Scoop for VALENTIA! Naito fires up as he drags Kenta back up! Wrench and- CRADLE COUNTER! Kenta wins?!?!

Winner: KENTA, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Naito earns 0

The IWGP Double Champion loses at the last second!! Naito can’t believe it! Will Kenta get his shot at the heavyweight title to add to his IWGP United States Championship opportunity?

B Block – EVIL w/ Dick Togo VS SANADA!

It all comes down to this! Naito lost, he’s 6-3, and because he’s lost to both men, he is ELIMINATED either way! But then, will it be the King of Darkness or the Cold Skull that meets the Golden Star in the finals?

Evil and Dick Low Sweet and the bell rings, and fans rally for “SA-NA-DA!” Evil ignores that as he and Sanada circle. Evil bails out and Sanada waits for him. Evil wants Sanada to stay back, but he takes his time returning. Evil mocks Hiromu on commentary with the Too Sweet, and Hiromu just gives a thumbs up and fake smile. The ring count climbs, it reaches 10 then 13 before Evil rolls in, only to roll back out. Sanada tries to egg Evil on but Evil grabs at the timekeeper’s stuff. Red Shoes reprimands, Evil wants Sanada to stay back. Evil finally gets in, Sanada runs in but narrowly avoids the STO! Sanada gets a dragon sleeper, Evil spins out but Sanada whips Evil out! Sanada runs, fakes Evil out to tumble and slingshot into the ring! Fans cheer as Sanada tricks Evil and then waits in the corner.

Dick keeps Evil calm, Red Shoes tells Evil to get back in. Evil still takes his time, telling Sanada to stay back. Evil is in, Sanada blocks a kick and has the legs! Evil kicks Sanada away before the Paradise Lock can be put in! Sanada knees low, clubs Evil then runs, but Dick swipes at him! Red Shoes reprimands but Evil clotheslines Sanada out! Evil goes out after Sanada, bringing him up and whipping him into railing! Sanada grits his teeth and Evil brings out chairs! Evil piles the chairs up, drags Sanada over and Dick distracts Red Shoes. Evil snap suplexes Sanada onto the chairs! Evil thrwows up the Too Sweet and gets in Hiromu’s face again. Fans rally for Sanada as Evil leaves him behind. Red Shoes checks on Sanada but he’s okay to continue.

Evil undoes the blue corner buckle pad, the Bullet Club classic. Red Shoes has Evil stop and Sanada slowly rises. Fans rally again and Sanada gets in. Evil drags Sanada up to scoop and slam! Evil has a cocky pin but Red Shoes won’t count, he knows what Evil was doing earlier. Evil stomps Sanada then drags him up. Fans build to a rally as Sanada throws forearms back on Evil! Evil knees low, whips but Sanada reverses. Evil holds ropes to deny the dropkick, then he drags Sanada back up. Evil throws Sanada out, gets in Red Shoes’ face and Dick stomps away on Sanada! Dick RAMS Sanada into railing! Dick puts Sanada in the ring and Evil drags him around. Evil has a leg and turns Sanada for a Half Crab! Sanada endures as Evil sits deep!

Fans rally up, Sanada powers up and heads for ropes, but Evil leans back harder! Sanada still endures and gets the ropebreak! Evil lets go at Red Shoes’ count, and paces about, not even frustrated. Evil stands on Sanada’s head, fans rally for Sanada but Evil drags Sanada up. Evil reels Sanada in, Sanada fights off the suplex, and then Sanada suplexes Evil! Evil fights that off, knees low but runs into Sanada’s basement dropkick! Evil swings into Sanada’s BIG back suplex! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Sanada is up first and drags Evil up. Evil knees low, runs, but Sanada hurdles, hurdles and dropkicks Evil down! Evil bails out but Sanada slingshots to PLANCHA! Direct hit in front of commentary and the fans are fired up! Sanada encourages fans to get loud and Hiromu claps along.

Dick creeps up but Sanada spots him! Sanada puts Dick in the ring, Dick begs for mercy but Sanada trips him up! Sanada ties Dick up in Paradise! Fans cheer as Sanada stands on Dick and eggs Evil on. Evil stays back, daring Sanada to come out after him. Sanada goes to the apron but fakes Evil out! Evil is in, Sanada kicks him down and ties Evil up! DOUBLE PARADISE! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get even louder. The fans do get louder, and Sanada is satisfied with the volume. Sanada runs corner to corner, DOUBLE PARADISE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Evil survives but Sanada keeps his cool. Fans rally again as Sanada drags Evil up to a fireman’s carry. Evil kicks and rakes eyes, pulls hair and blocks a kick! Evil gives it to Red Shoes to mule kick Sanada down!

Fans rally for Sanada but Evil drags Sanada back up. Evil fisherman BUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Evil argues the count but two is two! Fans rally again as Sanada stirs. Evil drags Sanada up again, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights and waistlocks. Evil elbows free, runs, but Sanada dodges and runs. Sanada knows Evil goes to the corner and he dodges, to go up and out and springboard in to missile dropkick! Fans fire up as Sanada drags Evil back up to a fireman’s carry. Evil fights, so Sanada tosses him into a dragon sleeper! Evil clubs free, but Sanada shifts sides to dragon sleeper again! Evil powers through, suplexes but Sanada suplexes him to ropes! MAGIC SCREW! Sanada drags Evil back up, chicken wings the arms, TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Evil survives that textbook form from Sanada but the fans rally up! Sanada says he’ll finish it now! Sanada drags Evil back up, back into the dragon sleeper, and he cranks back on Evil’s head! Evil endures, pulls hair, but Sanada gives him a SKULL SWING! Then he goes to the corner, goes up top, MOONSAULT but it FLOPS! Evil avoids disaster and both men are down! Fans rally and Red Shoes checks on both me. Sanada stirs while Dick coaches Evil up. Fans rally harder as Sanada and Evil slowly sit up. Sanada goes to the opposite side, runs in, but Evil dodges and sends him into bare buckles! Evil whips Sanada back into those bare buckles! And then scoops for the BACKBREAKER! Fans rally for Sanada as Evil has to catch his breath. Evil hobbles over, drags Sanada up, and hoists him up top!

Evil climbs, fans rally as Sanada resists, but Evil is on the very top! Evil brings Sanada up, and hits the SUPERPLEX!! Evil gets the legs, steps through, SHARPSHOOTER! Evil sits DEEP on the Scorpion Deathlock but fans rally as Sanada endures! Sanada powers up but Evil sits deeper! Sanada keeps fighting forward, Red Shoes tells Dick to back off, and Sanada gets the ropebreak! Evil lets go at 4 but fans keep rallying! Evil drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but barely! Evil grows frustrated but he slashes the throat as he vows to end this. Evil drags Sanada up again, spins him around, but Sanada fights out of the STO! Sanada tries to steal Everything but Evil spins out! Sanada fireman’s carries, T K O! Fans fire up but both men are down!

Sanada and Evil stir as fans rally up again. Evil and Sanada roll to opposite corners but Sanada sits up first. The fans still rally as Sanada runs corner to corner, but Evil boots back! Sanada tries again, Evil boots him again. Evil dodges the third time, Sanada stops himself to elbow Evil! QUEBRADA to dragon sleeper! SKULL END! But Evil rolls back, drags Sanada up and reels him in! Sanada spins out, SHIRANUI to dragon sleeper! SKULL END!! Sanada has the body scissors, Evil kicks and reaches but endures. Evil pulls on Sanada’s EAR! Red Shoes reprimands, Evil gets free but not for long! Sanada drags Evil back down into the dragon sleeper and Evil endures again! Fans rally but Evil again pulls on an ear! Red Shoes reprimands, Evil stops and works on the body scissors instead now.

Sanada still holds onto Evil’s head but Evil moves around and is free! Sanada hurries to get up top, MOONSAULT to Evil’s back! Sanada turns Evil over and wants another, MOONSAULT to the chest!! Cover, Dick drags Red Shoes out!! The Spoiler gets a chair and he aims at Sanada! CHAIR SHOT to the chest! Dick takes off the jacket and uses that to blind Sanada while he punches away! Fans rally for Sanada as Dick drags him back up. Dick feeds Sanada to Evil, they work together, MAGIC KILLER!! But Hiromu gets in to go after Dick! SUPERKICK! Fans are thunderous as the Ticking Time Bomb drags Dick up, but Evil LOW BLOWS Hiromu! Hiromu writhes but fans rally up for LIJ! Evil drags Hiromu up, Dick recovers, they combine again, MAGIC KILLER for Hiromu!

Evil drags Hiromu up to throw him out and gets the chair out of the ring. Dick gets Red Shoes back in and Evil goes after Sanada. Sanada cradle counters, TWO!! Evil LARIATS Sanada down! Fans still rally for Sanada as Evil drags him back up. Evil runs, and LARIATS again! Evil vows to end it! Evil drags Sanada back up, reels him in, but NO STO! Dragon sleeper, waistlock, btu Evil grabs Red Shoes! DICK HAS THE SPOILER CHOKER!! Hiromu returns to SUPERKICK Dick! Sanada throws Evil into Dick, JAPAN CLUTCH! SANADA WINS!!!

Winner: SANADA, by pinfall; gains 2 points, Evil earns 0

Evil is OUT, Sanada is IN! And Evil is furious about it! But it’s what he gets for betraying his friends and then trying to cheat his way to the top! The G1 Climax 30 finals are set, it will be Ibushi VS Sanada! As such, the B Block winner gets the mic! Sanada says, “I’m in the G1 Climax finals, shall we do it again?” Fans have the phones out to be the stars as the lights go down. “Everyone, thanks for your support. This is my gift to you.” So then tomorrow, Ibushi VS Sanada, Sanada vows to etch his name in history! “Oi, Ryogoku! See you tomorrow!” The Cold Skull has beaten the IWGP Double Champion and the King of Darkness, but can he bring Ibushi’s ascension to a Skull End?

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

SANADA: 6-3, 12 points
EVIL: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Tetsuya Naito: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Zack Sabre Jr: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
KENTA: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Juice Robinson: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Hirooki Goto: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-7, 4 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great B Block finale because obviously it was going to be! Hashi and Yano had a great match with just enough comedy, and it was a great surprise for Hashi to win. I’m starting to think that, while many great choices have beaten Yano in the G1, Hashi might be the guy to take that KOPW 2020 trophy from him. Hashi has fought for so long, he finally has a title belt as part of the Six Man Tag Champions, and it’d be wild if he became the one to have that trophy at the end of the year. Juice VS Goto was solid stuff, Juice gets that last win and I’m sure he’ll be poised for a title at some point. Of course, he and David Finlay are surely going to get in the 2020 World Tag League to defend their honor from last year, so winning that and going for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles could be exactly what he’s after.

And speaking of those titles. between Ibushi VS Taichi yesterday and Tanahashi VS ZSJ today, the Golden Aces are up and could be fighting for those titles at Power Struggle. That’s not to get ahead of Ibushi VS Sanada at the G1 Climax Finals, but the G1 Climax winner doesn’t get his title shot until WrestleKingdom. Ibushi could easily go after the tag titles with Tanahashi by his side on the road to WK15 and try to become a different kind of double champion. But speaking of all that, Naito VS Kenta had a slow start on purpose, but it really picked up at the end, and Kenta getting that quick win was great stuff. Kenta might want his shot at Power Struggle, but so would Evil as he lost the G1 here.

Evil VS Sanada was really good, even with the overbooking, because that overbooking fit in. Dick interfering but Hiromu countering was great for the story, and in the end, Sanada wins! What a great turn around for Sanada, going 0-3 to start but then blazing his way to the finals! I can’t be sure who wins between Ibushi and Sanada, but it’d be great for Sanada since that’s who Naito wanted anyway. And as just stated, Ibushi can fall back to the tag titles. But on the flipside, being THREEPEAT finalist and BACK-TO-BACK winner, Ibushi making the most history in the historic 30th G1, that’s hard to resist. Either way, the G1 Climax 30 is going to finally give us all something to love 2020 for.

My Score: 9.4/10

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

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

23 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

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

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

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

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

Corey Graves is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple H is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

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

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

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

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

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

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

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

Nick Aldis heads out.

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

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

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

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

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

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

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

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

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

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

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

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

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

The Dudley Boyz are here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

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

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

The Final Testament speaks.

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

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

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

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

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

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

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

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

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.8/10

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

Coverage

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

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

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6/10

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

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

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