Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (10/15/20)

Is Joseph Conners worthy?

Published

4 years ago

October 15, 2020

Steven Mitchell

NXT UK’s champion and challenger are in action!

Before their epic battle for the title, Walter and Ilja Dragunov do battle in a tag team match, with Wolfe and Pete Dunne by their sides! Plus, the Proper British Heavyweight and the Righteous Killer battle it out in the British Rounds Heritage Cup!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT UK Heritage Cup Tournament Opening Round: Dave Mastiff VS Joseph Conners; Mastiff wins and advances to the next round.
Isla Dawn VS Piper Niven; Niven wins.
Imperium VS Ilja Dragunov & Pete Dunne; Dragunov & Dunne win.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT UK Heritage Cup Tournament Opening Round: Dave Mastiff VS Joseph Conners!

That’s right, the Bomber and the Righteous open things with this British Rounds battle! Who proves they are worthy of the semifinals?

The bell rings and the first of six three-minute rounds begins! Conners and Mastiff circle and Mastiff wants a handshake. Conners is not a good sport so he refuses. They tie up, Mastiff puts Conners in a corner but gives a break at the count of 3. They go again, go around and Conners puts Mastiff on the ropes. The ref calls for another break, Conners pushes Mastiff as he backs off. Mastiff and Conners go again, tie up and Conners waistlocks. Mastiff pries free, wrenches the arm to a wristlock, but Conners rolls and rolls and rolls, only for Mastiff to wrench him again. Conners grabs at hair but Mastiff twists the wrist. Conners wrenches, elbow breakers and wristlocks. Conners shifts to get a different angle but Mastiff arm-drags free hard! Conners backs away to a corner as the studio audience cheers.

Conners and Mastiff tie up again, go around, and Conners gets the wrench to a hammerlock. Mastiff slaps at Conners but Conners twists harder. Mastiff turns around, back drops Conners up and over but Conners holds onto the arm! Conners wants a sunset flip, Mastiff stays up to drop down! Conners avoids being squashed and manages to ghost pin Mastiff, TWO! Less than a minute and Conners wrenches to a lariat! Mastiff stays up so Conners lariats again! Conners wrenches, Mastiff reels him in for a proper back drop! And then a toss, to a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Thirty seconds left and Mastiff has Conners in a corner. Mastiff whips Conners corner to corner hard and Conners drops!

Mastiff brings him up but Conners throws body shots. Mastiff ROCKS Conners with a European Uppercut but 10 seconds left! Conners stays away and is saved by the bell!

Mastiff: 0; Conners: 0

The ref keeps the peace during the 20 second break. Conners is seething but the second round begins! The two circle with the new three minutes, then tie up. Mastiff headlocks, Conners throws body shots and powers out but Mastiff runs him over! Conners backs away to a corner as Mastiff eggs him on. Conners gets up, circles with Mastiff and gets the arm. Mastiff waistlocks against it but Conners pries free. Mastiff shifts to a headlock but Conners tries to power out. Mastiff holds on to snapmare Conners down, then speeds things up. Conners drops, comes up and RAMS into Mastiff! Conners runs but Mastiff runs him over! Cover, TWO! Mastiff keeps on Conners with a cording hold and some body shots. Conners tries to facelock in return but Mastiff cranks on the arm.

They fight for control, Mastiff arm-drags Conners down and still has the cording. Conners endures, kicks at Mastiff, but Mastiff cranks the arm and slaps Conners down. Conners is up with a minute left and he gets around to spin and whip Mastiff. Mastiff reverses, Conners goes up and over and then slides under, shove and Thesz Press, that Mastiff makes a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Conners survives but Mastiff keeps on him! Mastiff CLUBS Conners on the back, brings him around for EuroUppers, but we’re under 20 seconds now! They’re on the ropes, the ref calls for the break but Conners SLAPS Mastiff! And SLAPS him again! Mastiff SLAPS Conners out of the ring! Less than 10 seconds, and Conners stays out until the end. Again, he is saved by the bell.

Mastiff: 0; Conners: 0

Another 20 second rest, and we begin again! Conners rushes Mastiff with haymakers so Mastiff gives back forearms! Mastiff ROCKS Conners, Conners is in the ropes but the ref wants Mastiff to stay back. Mastiff grabs at Conners but he finally lets off. The ref calls for a KNOCKOUT!?

Winner: Dave Mastiff, by Knockout; advances to the semifinals

Mastiff still wants to show respect but the ref has the medic check on Conners first. Conners tried to throw hands with the Bomber and he couldn’t keep up. Will the Proper British Heavyweight steamroll his way to the Heritage Cup?

NXT UK hears from Jordan Devlin.

“So I’ve been a pro-wrestler now for 18 years. That’s two-thirds of my life I dedicated to this sport. That’s 18 years of grafting, struggling and sacrificing to prove that I’m the best in the world at what I do. That’s exactly what I did this year at Worlds Collide in Houston.” The Irish Ace won the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, and still holds his copy of the belt. Every sacrifice he had made was all worth it. Just put it down to bad luck for things to turn out how they have, with the world freezing.

But it was on WWE’s The Bump that Devlin saw William Regal’s announcement to “have a glorified #1 contender’s tournament for MY championship. But it gets worse. Because I started to notice there was a change in the branding.” It became “Interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion,” then just, “THE NXT Cruiserweight Champion.” Devlin started to wonder if they thought he wouldn’t notice. Devlin makes it clear he is “not one of these little stooges you see running in ‘Property of Performance Center’ T-shirts. Jordan Devlin is the property of absolutely no one!” He is the self-made, pound-for-pound, absolutely best pro-wrestler on this PLANET!

“This goes out to every man under 205 on the roster! See this here? This belongs to me! Until you tap me out, until you pin my shoulders to the mat, that little replica title over there doesn’t mean a thing!” He has the REAL Cruiserweight Championship of the world, and if you want it back, send someone to come take it from him! The Irish Ace is ready to fight and prove who is the real champion of Cruiserweight wrestling! Will Santos Escobar have something to say about that?

NXT UK Media catches up with Oliver Carter.

How is he doing being back? But Ashton Smith is there, too! Why is he wearing the NXT UK shirt? Looking a little too tasty. Says the guy who’s dressed more like Pretty Deadly. Hey, now! Don’t insult him. You know how he feels about them. Speaking of, they were talking to Eddie Dennis. The best part, Carter is facing Dennis next week! And he’s always wanted to hit a headmaster in the head. #ReadyAndForward! #AlwaysForward! But will Carter really be ready for the Welsh Dragon’s own return to the ring?

Isla Dawn VS Piper Niven!

It was pretty clear last week, that while Kay Lee Ray is NXT UK Women’s Division Enemy #1, there’s not a lot of love in the locker room. The Witch Witch of Scotland and Piper the Viper brawled within the giant brawl that closed the show, who finishes the fight here tonight?

The bell rings and Isla circles with Piper. They tie up, go around, and Piper gets the arm to pull on the wrist and elbow. Isla stays up, Piper wrenches to the wristlock but Isla rolls and spins to get the wrench. Piper powers through to get the knuckle lock and she twists the wrist. Piper and Isla lock up, Isla rolls back to wrench the wrists. Isla brings Piper to her knees and stomps the hands! Isla goes for a top wristlock but Piper powers it around and whips Isla to a corner. Isla goes up, under, and comes back to headlock. Isla throws EuroUppers over and over then headlocks again. Piper powers up and pries free to get the top wristlock. Piper wrangles Isla to the mat and then shifts to an armlock. Isla moves around, sits up but Piper shifts to a cobra clutch!

Isla kicks and flails, fights up and pulls hair but the ref reprimands. Piper thrashes Isla around, spins her out and reels her in for a shoulder ram! Then the cobra clutch is back on! Isla endures, tries to push back but Piper cranks on the hold. Isla grabs at hair, Piper ripcords her out but Isla rolls to roll Piper up! TWO, Isla runs but Piper runs her over! Piper TOSSES Isla across the way and Isla scrambles to ropes! Piper is after her again with another TOSS! And a back senton, but she misses as Isla moves! Isla walks into Piper’s headbutt, then Piper whips Isla to run her over again! Piper whips Isla again, and this time headbutts her down! Piper whips again, Isla hurdles and EuroUppers to the back! Isla clubs away on Piper, brings her to her knees and then clubs her to the mat!

Isla drags Piper up for more, but Piper throws body shots back. Piper backs Isla down, whips and throws Isla, but Isla dropkicks! Piper comes back with the SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Isla survives but Piper clubs her and throws forearms. Isla hits back but Piper clubs her again! And again and again! Piper brings Isla around, scoop, but Isla slips out to kick legs out! Isla mule kicks, KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Piper stays up but Isla BUZZSAWS, only for Piper to block! Isla powers through to RAM Piper into the mat! Cover, TWO!! Piper survives but Isla clubs away on her more! Isla stomps Piper then drags her back up. Piper blocks the whip, Isla throws forearms, but Piper whips Isla to a corner! Piper runs in, Isla dodges and Piper hits buckles!

Isla goes to the far side, Piper hurries over but Isla leaps for a METEORA! But she tumbles away! She has to hurry back to the cover, TWO!! Piper survives but Isla is on her again! Isla drags Piper up, dragon sleepers with the behind the back hold! Isla definitely learned that from mentor, Aleister Black! Piper flails, slaps at Isla, fights up to her feet, and throws elbows to get Isla off her! Piper reels Isla in, DANGEROUS SAIDO! Isla ends up in the corner, Piper CANNONBALLS! Piper drags Isla back up, scoops, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, Piper wins!

Winner: Piper Niven, by pinfall

The Viper Piper Driver finishes Isla off, yet Isla seems to smile. Is this just the beginning of a rivalry between these two Scottish lass kickers?

NXT UK Media catches up with Kenny Williams.

The Lucky Yin is the wild card in the Heritage Cup, but how is he preparing for Trent Seven? “This is the best facility in the UK.” Kenny is training as hard as he can and has Amir Jordan helping him. He has never been more prepared in his life! Amir has Kenny push the weight sled and motivates him as the future Heritage Cup champion! He’s got this! Woo!

NXT UK gives an update on Flash Morgan Webster.

After being attacked backstage, The Modfather is under medical care and is not cleared to compete. Will we find out who attacked him? Is it the same culprit that attacked Mark Andrews earlier this year?

NXT UK hears from Trent Seven.

“Of course I’m confident in my abilities. However, there’s no denying the fact that I have never in my entire life, done a Rounds match.” Is that going to be a negative? A positive? Is he going to be so enthusiastic and tear the house down? Hopefully. But he will give it his all. “The crows feet might be getting a little bit bigger. The wrinkles might be getting a little bit deeper. And maybe there’s a few more miles on the ol’ clunker. Maybe the depth of those lines and those extra miles, maybe that’s the little thing that I’ve got that will make the difference.” This old dog can learn new tricks. Seven has a chance to be the first ever person to raise the cup. This isn’t the one he will chase. He has to write his own name on that trophy. He needs that trophy. Seven and Williams are the final opening round match, who makes it to the semifinals?

Imperium VS Ilja Dragunov & Pete Dunne!

The Ring General still has his Dresden Hatchet Man with him, and they are trying to cut down the Moscow Madman before he can challenge for the championship! But will the Bruiserweight make all the difference in this battle?

There’s a lot of tension but the ref gets the teams to sort out. Wolfe and Dunne start and circle. They tie up, Wolfe gets inside to fireman’s carry but Dunne drags Wolfe down to an armlock! Dunne bends the arm around to a hammerlock and keeps it down with a leg as he gets the other arm! Dunne tortures the fingers, Wolfe gets up and around to headlock. Dunne powers out, drops down and hurdles, then drops down again to CLOBBER Wolfe! Wolfe scrambles away and tags in Walter! Walter and Dunne meet again after a long time from their UK Championship match. They tie up, Walter powers Dunne to a corner but Dunne pushes back! The ref has them break clean and the two circle again.

Walter and Dunne tie up, Walter headlocks and throws Dunne! Dunne pops right up and circles with Walter again. They tie up, Walter hip tosses Dunne down to an armlock. Dunne throws body shots but Walter shifts to a cording hold. Dunne kicks and scrapes at Walter but Walter wrenches and brings Dunne around for a standing armbar. Dunne endures, rolls, kips up and handsprings to break free and headscissor! Walter runs back at Dunne, into a takedown! Dunne wants the armbar, but goes for a short arm scissor instead! Walter endures, fights, moves around but Dunne cranks harder! Walter is frustrated but he clubs the legs. Dunne stomps Walter from that position, holds on as Walter moves around, but Walter dead lifts Dunne up! Dunne sunset flips through, TWO!

Dunne ducks a chop but Walter avoids the enziguri! Dunne handsprings back up and the two stare down. Ilja says he doesn’t want to wait any longer! Dunne shrugs and tags Ilja in! Champion and challenger circle, tie up and Walter headlock takeovers! Ilja fights back, cranks Walter back with the chinbar, but Walter sits up to trap an arm. Ilja fights, kicks around, gets up, and he powers out of the headlock, only for Walter to run him over! Ilja is back up, Walter headlocks again for another takeover! Ilja keeps his shoulders up, pushes Walter’s face, but Walter powers Ilja down. Walter smothers Ilja but Ilja fights his way back up. Ilja powers Walter to a corner, Walter turns it around and the ref calls for a break. Walter CHOPS Ilja as he lets off! Ilja SLAPS, Walter SLAPS, it’s a SLAP fight!

Walter headlocks to another takeover but Ilja keeps his shoulders up again. Ilja and Walter struggle against the other, Ilja throws forearms as he can. Ilja fights up, Walter grinds the headlock but Ilja powers out and ROCKS Walter at the ropes! Ilja runs, but leaps into Walter’s arms for a SLAM! Walter KICKS Ilja, CHOPS Dunne off the apron for good measure, then LEAPS for the seated senton! Ilja gasps from being squashed but Walter tags in Wolfe. Wolfe covers, TWO! Wolfe stomps Ilja, drags him up and bumps him off buckles. Wolfe throws EuroUpper after EuroUpper, then reels Ilja into a cobra clutch, for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wolfe drags Ilja back up for a chinbar and half nelson but Ilja endures. Ilja fights up, elbows out but Wolfe throws body shots.

Wolfe bumps Ilja off buckles, whips corner to corner just to YANK on the arm! Ilja clutches the shoulder while Wolfe talks trash. Wolfe brings Ilja up, whips and YANKS the arm again! Ilja flips inside-out from that one and Wolfe covers, TWO! Tag to Walter, Imperium drags Ilja up for a CHOP! Walter drags Ilja back up, scoop and slams him again, then tags Wolfe back in. Wolfe scrapes soles on Ilja’s face, brings Ilja up and yanks the arm. Ilja kicks back, spins through and spinning CHOPS! Back senton, but onto knees! ANARCHY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Ilja lives and Wolfe is shocked! Wolfe waistlocks, drags Ilja up but Ilja fights off the German Suplex! Ilja arm-drags Wolfe off, Wolfe BOOTS but Ilja CHOPS! Ilja steps through, misses the kick and clotheslines collide!

Wolfe forearms, Ilja ENZIGURIS! Both men are down and the audience fires up! Hot tags to Walter and Dunne! The Bruiserweight ROCKS Walter, hits a big corner enziguri, then goes up to missile dropkick the leg! Walter stays up but hobbles, and he elbows Dunne’s waistlock away. Dunne side steps, REBOUND GERMANS! And he STOMPS the hands! BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Dunne stays on Walter with a BOOT! And DANIELSON STOMPS! To an ARMBAR! Walter clasps hands but Dunne is after the fingers! Walter turns over, Dunne resists the cover so Walter just STOMPS him down! Walter drags Dunne up, runs, but Dunne swats his clothesline away! Dunne CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Walter is in the corner, Dunne whips but Walter reverses.

Dunne goes up and over but Walter gets under, to come back with a SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Dunne gets blasted to the other corner! Both Dunne and Walter are down but crawling. Hot tags to Wolfe and Ilja! Ilja swings, misses but comes back with a LARIAT! Wolfe ends up in a corner, Ilja runs in to KNEE him down! Ilja goes up top fast to FLYING KNEE DROP! Wolfe flounders, Ilja fires up, but Wolfe fights off the suplex. Wolfe uppercuts, runs but Ilja goes Matrix to avoid the boot! Ilja steps through, KNEES and then Gotch lifts for the SLAM! Cover with a bridge, TWO!! Wolfe survives but Ilja keeps that fire burning! Ilja goes back up top, leaps, but has to roll through sa Wolfe moves. Wolfe comes back, CALF KICK! Wolfe suplexes but Ilja slips out and shoves.

Wolfe EuroUppers, Ilja 6-1-LINES!! The Constantine Special hits! Cover, TWO!! The audience fires up as both men are down again. Walter and Dunne return, Ilja rises and stalks Wolfe. Ilja reels Wolfe in, Wolfe fights off the Gotch suplex but Dunne tags in. Ilja dodges Wolfe, Ilja and Dunne combine KNEE and ENZIGURI! Dunne drags Wolfe out, X-PLEX! Dunne DECKS Walter while Ilja hits the SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO!?! Wolfe survives but Dunne keeps his focus. Dunne STOMPS the hands, Wolfe ducks the buzzsaw to shove and BOOT Dunne back! Wolfe drags Dunne up, Dunne grabs ropes, but Walter uses his lengthy limbs to get a tag! Walter CHOPS Dunne, Wolfe GERMAN SUPLEXES! Walter is up top, and LEAPS, into a TRIANGLE HOLD!!

Ilja intercepts Wolfe and clubs him over and over! Dunne elbows Walter, Walter dead lifts Dunne as Wolfe drags Ilja down! Wolfe has a rear naked choke, Walter POWERBOMBS Dunne onto Ilja and Wolfe!! The Ring General’s soldier becomes a part of the casualties! Everyone is down, Wolfe flops out of the ring. Dunne and Walter rise, the old rivals still wanting to fight! Walter eggs Dunne on as he kicks at him. Dunne gets up, Walter swings but into an enziguri! Dunne goes out, Ilja tags in, Dunne MOONSAULTS Wolfe down! Ilja rises up, aims at Walter, COAST2COAST into a CHOP!!! Walter gives Ilja the WALTER BOMB!! High stack, but Dunne drags Walter off! Wolfe returns but Dunne dumps him out! Dunne goes out with Wolfe, Walter drags Ilja back up. GERMAN SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!?! Ilja survives and Walter is furious!

Walter rises back up and eggs Ilja on. Walter KICKS Ilja down and talks more trash. Walter sits Ilja up just to SLAP him! Ilja gets up, Walter CHOPS him again! The only reason Ilja stays up as long as he does is because Walter has his arm! Walter stands Ilja back up to CHOP! Ilja SLAPS and SLAPS and SLAPS back! Walter SLAPS Ilja, Ilja rebounds to LARIAT!! Cover, Wolfe breaks it!! Dunne has Wolfe’s hands! Dunne has the fingers but WOlfe kicks free! WOlfe lifts, Dunne slips out to pump handle, BITTER END! Walter BOOTS Dunne down! Ilja BOOTS Walter! Ilja has the Gotch hold, Walter pries free and CHOPS again! Ilja wobbles, Walter goes for the sleeper hold but Ilja blocks it off! Ilja turns it around to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP and CHOP and CHOP Walter!

Ilja spins through, hammerlocks and KNEES, KNEES, KNEES! DOUBLE AX HANDLE! Ilja fires up, drags Walter in, GOTCH LIFT SUPLEX!! Ilja is ready, “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” But Wolfe anchors his foot! Dunne grabs Wolfe’s fingers to SNAP them!! And then he whips Wolfe HARD into barriers! Ilja fights Walter off, leaps, but Walter grabs him for the sleeper! Ilja fights the hold off, Walter CHOPS him on the back, and hits a SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! But Ilja rises?! Ilja runs, TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Ilja and Dunne WIN!!

Winners: Ilja Dragunov & Pete Dunne, by pinfall

For the first time in the WWE, Walter has been pinned!! Does this signify the end of the Ring General’s reign?! Will NXT UK be UNBESIEGBAR?!

My Thoughts:

What a great episode, for the go-home to the title match! Opening with the British Rounds Heritage Cup match was definitely a sign this was going to be great. I all but called Mastiff VS Conners being a knockout decision, and Mastiff winning is big for him. Conners seems to always be on the receiving end of things, I wonder what he does in retaliation. Seven and Williams have great promos, though Seven’s is done better. As good as Williams is, I like the story being that Seven needs this. Tyler Bate was the inaugural champion, Pete Dunne was the second and longest reigning, the most Seven has had is a tag title reign with Bate that only lasted so long. Now, Seven VS Conners would’ve been great for desperation VS desperation, but maybe Seven having to find a way to overcome a mountain in Mastiff is an even more compelling match, given this has a time limit.

Niven VS Dawn was a great match, especially with the new aggression from both women, namely Isla. Piper gets a good win to rebound from losing to KLR, but we all know KLR VS Jinny is next. Maybe with Toni Storm sticking around in NXT America, Piper gets winner after KLR VS Jinny, and that still makes for good story and matches. I was surprised to see Jordan Devlin have a vignette. He had great fire as he finally pointed out he never lost his Cruiserweight title, that he wants after whoever is called champion in NXT America, and that he’s on his way back. For those keeping track, Devlin was named in the big #SpeakingOut chunk of UK wrestlers, but this story finally happening is a good sign that he was not found guilty. Devlin VS Escobar, Devlin VS Swerve, Devlin VS anyone right now is going to be great stuff.

And the main event was incredible! It was a tag match but it felt like it was for the UK Championship already! Everyone looked great given all the history between all four, and I was really surprised Dunne and Dragunov. I’m even more surprised it was Dragunov pinning Walter, not Wolfe. Or even Dunne pinning Wolfe just to keep things neutral between champion and challenger. But in the end, challenger pins champion ahead of the match, I have a bad feeling the math says Walter retains. I would love if NXT UK would do the opposite, because if not now with Ilja, then who could it be that dethrones Walter?

My Score: 8.4/10

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

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NOAH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER VOL.104 ~ 14TH OCTOBER 2020

Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

13 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!