Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/25/20)
Who represents for the Undisputed Era?
Who gains a WarGames advantage?
Before stepping back inside the dangerous double-ring, double-cage at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020, the Undisputed Era will choose one of their own to fight against one of the Kings of NXT!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell VS Ember Moon; LeRae wins.
- Timothy Thatcher VS KUSHIDA; KUSHIDA wins.
- Cameron Grimes VS Jake Atlas; Grimes wins.
- Ever-Rise VS ???; No Contest.
- WarGames Advantage Ladder Match: The Undisputed Era’s Kyle O’Reilly VS The King of NXT’s Pete Dunne; Dunne wins and their team will have advantage in the WarGames match.
PLAY BY PLAY
Eight fighters. Two teams of four.
We all know how this goes now! Adam Cole practically begged William Regal to say it. WARGAMES!! The Undisputed Era and the Kings of NXT are going inside that sadistic structure, who will be able to walk out of it?
Kevin Owens returns to NXT for commentary!
While Wade Barrett is away, the Prizefighter joins Vic Joseph at the desk and he is glad to be back.
Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell VS Ember Moon!
The Poison Pixie and her Impressive sidekick will surely both be going to war against Team Shotzi at WarGames, but they still need to find others to join them. They didn’t endear themselves to the evolved Ember with a sneak attack last week. Will Captain Candice be banged up even before the battle with Blackheart?
Ember wants after Candice already but the ref keeps the peace. Indi gets out of the ring, the bell sounds and Candice avoids Ember by staying in ropes. The ref backs Ember off but Ember dares Candice to do something. Candice stays back as fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ember!” Candice runs away from Ember again to go into ropes at a corner. Ember grows annoyed but that seems to be the point. Candice and Indi talk strategy but Ember dropkicks them both down! Candice bails out, Ember pursues and they get back in the ring. Candice swings but Ember ducks to hit a SIDE EFFECT! Candice bails out again but Ember still pursues.
Indi stands in Ember’s way, then dodges her clothesline. Candice slides but Ember catches her to wheelbarrow and throw her into the announce desk! Kevin says hi to Candice while Ember puts her in the ring. Ember then DECKS Indi to teach her to stay back! Ember goes back after Candice but Candice boots her from a corner. Candice climbs but Ember glares, and catches the crossbody! Ember carries Candice around before hitting a FALL AWAY SLAM! Ember fires up and so do the fans! Candice flounders up the ramp and to the stage, but Ember keeps her from leaving! Ember throws forearms to send Candice back to ringside, but the ring count is climbing.
Ember puts Candice in at 5, Candice steps up to senton! Cover, ONE! Candice clubs away on Ember but fans rally up. Candice shoves Ember, drags her up but Ember throws body shots. Candice CLUBS Ember, brings her around for a neck wrench but Ember endures. Fans rally, Ember fights up and fireman’s carries! Candice scrambles around to a sunset, ONE! Ember sits, ONE! Candice sunsets, ONE! ONE, ONE, and Ember PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Candice flounders to ropes and Indi is concerned but Ember is right after Candice. Ember brings Candice around, suplexes, but Candice blocks. Candice blocks again then cradles, TWO!!
Ember gets up but Candice CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Candice grows frustrated but she clubs away on Ember. Another cover, ONE! Ember crawls to ropes but Candice seethes. Candice drags Ember up by her hair but Ember elbows back hard. Ember scoops but Candice slips out this time to throw Ember down! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Ember crawls to a corner. Candice stalks over and rams into her! Candice lets off at the ref’s reprimand, but she comes back, only to be sent into buckles! Ember blocks the kick, Candice asks for mercy but Ember slips inside for a T-BONE SUPLEX! Candice goes to ropes, Ember runs and slides out, “Eat it, hussy!” ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO!!
On stage, Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez have appeared! #CobraKai and Big Mami Cool head down to reinforce Indi and Candice as NXT goes picture in picture.
Candice wants a timeout, and Ember waits in the ring. It seems Candice has found her full team right there and they all flank the ring. Candice talks some smack as she gets in the ring, but Ember gets around her to get a facelock! Ember cranks on the hold, shifts around and scoops to slam Candice! Cover, TWO! Ember tires again, ONE! Ember stays on Candice with another facelock and cranks harder on the hold. Candice endures while her team coaches her up. Candice stomps Ember’s foot and gets free to then DECK Ember with a right! Candice runs, but Ember trips her up! Ember swipes at Indi, but Indi yanks her down! The ref didn’t see because Dakota and Raquel were distracting him! Candice then WRECKS Ember with a dropkick!
Candice waits for Ember to get up now as a ring count climbs. The count is 5 before Ember stands, and Ember gets in at 7. Candice stomps Ember around then throws haymakers. Cover, TWO! Candice keeps on Ember with another neck wrench. Ember endures, fights up, but Candice CLUBS her down! Candice kicks Ember around and then drags her back into a chinlock. Ember still endures as Candice digs a knee in. Ember fights up but Candice wrangles her back down and thrashes her about. Fans build to a rally as Ember starts to fade.
NXT returns to single picture as Ember gets up again but Candice grinds her down. Ember pries at the hold, but Candice cranks down on her harder! Fans rally more and Ember gets to arm-drag Candice away! Ember reaches up to huricanrana! Candice flounders into a roll up, TWO! Ember scoops Candice but Candice slips out to tilt-o-whirl and takedown! To the GargaNO Escape! Ember endures as Candice cranks and thrashes about, and she rolls Candice to a cover, TWO! Ember powers up, scoops but Candice shifts to a sleeper backpack! Candice squeezes tight and Ember is fading again!
Fans rally up and Ember gets a second wind! Ember hits a BACKPACK SENTON! Dakota is concerned for Candice while Ember goes to ropes. Candice runs in but Ember spins her around to sobat, front kick and enziguri! Candice goes to a corner, Ember runs in for a back body block! And whips the other way for a BIG forearm! Ember snap suplexes, uno amigo! Another suplex, for the GOURD BUSTER! Ember goes to a corner while fans fire up! Ember climbs up, Dakota and Raquel distracts and Indi gets in! INDI gets ECLIPSED! Candice BOOTS Ember down, then gets the arms for WICKED STEP SISTER! Cover, Candice wins!!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
It seems #TheJohnnyGarganoWay needs a lot of help to make it work! But if these four are a team for WarGames, they’re already a well-oiled machine. They go after Ember but Ember gets away before getting too beat up! And to reinforce Ember, it’s TONI STORM! The Lightning From Down Under was also sucker punched last week, so she’s not going to let Ember fight this fight alone! They rush the ring, but then Toni SUCKER PUNCHES Ember?! And throws her into steel steps?! Toni feeds Ember to the others! Ember does her best to fight everyone off but Dakota BOOTS her down! Raquel stomps Ember, Candice and Dakota join in! Raquel gives Ember the DESPERADO BOMB!
What is going on with Toni Storm?! She helped Ember last time but leaves her high and dry this time? Is Indi NOT on the WarGames Team, in place of this new Toni?
The Undisputed Era arrives!
They already plan to go right from parking lot to the ring! Will we learn who their representative in the advantage match is after the break?
NXT hears from El Legado del Fantasma.
Santos Escobar says this started because they were going to rewrite the history of Lucha Libre in his image. Joaquin Wilde quotes Escobar’s own words, “We’re going to take the division from the side show to the main show.” Raul Mendoza says the NXT Cruiserweight Championship was finally on a TakeOver! This has been their year. Their careers have all taken off together, as they’ve taken out everyone. Jake Atlas, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. Swerve hasn’t been around, he might’ve retired. Heck, he’s just a podcast host now. They are literally the talk of the wrestling world.
But then who is next? Something about this “Chris Stallion” or something. He’ll be a “huge” challenge. But the difference between then and everyone else is that when they say they’re going to do something, it gets done. But are they overlooking Curt Stallion a little too much?
The Undisputed Era heads to the ring!
Adam Cole leads the way as he, Roderick Strong, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly are back again. McAfee said on his podcast today that he wouldn’t be here tonight, but claims it’s because of Thanksgiving tomorrow, and because he’s more than confident Pete Dunne will “beat the hell” out of whoever is against him tonight. McAfee knows the Kings of NXT will get advantage so that McAfee’s team can beat down on UE each and every round.
But here at the Capitol Wrestling Center, and Cole asks, “Boy sand girls, do we look dead to you?” For weeks, McAfee bragged how he and his crew “killed” the UE and took over. How many times have they heard that? People claiming they’d take out the UE and then fail. Now don’t get Cole wrong, he respects that McAfee gave them a dose of their own medicine. But McAfee has no idea what he’s dealing with> Cole wishes McAfee wasn’t a “giant coward” so he could say this to his face. But the only thing more fun than kicking McAfee square in the jaw will be in two weeks. They will be face to face, locked inside the cage, and McAfee will realize he is in the match the UE made FAMOUS in NXT! “I can’t freakin’ wait until you are trapped inside the WarGames.”
Kyle wants us to remember something. How fun was “kicking the ever loving crap” out of them all? Most fun in a long time. Nothing is more fun than beating up Oney. But hey, it’s WarGames in just two weeks. The UE will focus on tonight. Tonight is the advantage match, with btw, UE is undefeated in! So McAfee and his “goons” put up Pete Dunne to fight for them. Sadly for Dunne, he doesn’t know who he’s facing tonight. Kyle tells the guys that we all saw Halloween Havoc. Kyle NEEDS to fight Dunne tonight. Fans like that idea, and Cole says he’s good with that. So are Fish and Strong.
Cole loves the idea, actually. He loves “Angry Kyle.” Dunne, this is who you are facing! ANGRY Kyle O’Reilly! This is the Kyle who took out the NXT Champion! The Kyle that Dunne hit with a chair! A different Kyle O’Reilly! And in two weeks, the “Kings” face a different UE! It has been too long. They’ve fought for titles, bragging rights, but this time, “we are fighting to drag the four of you through absolute hell!!” The UE will prove who the hell they are!! And at WarGames, the UE will take the Kings through a war and make sure that they are never, ever the same. “And that is Undisputed!” Will Kyle get just a semblance of revenge before going to war?
Backstage interview with Candice LeRae.
Can Candice speak to what happened with Toni Storm out there/ Candice wants a second alone with Dakota and Raquel first. Ahem, leave. Candice talks with them and asks if they’re in. Yes, they’re in. Sweet! And now to McKenzie’s question. First, here is her WarGames team. Raquel, Dakota, and yes, Toni Storm. Toni said she was going to be a “whole new Toni Storm.” So are they cool? Candice says they are. But have they only just lit a fire inside Ember?
The Thatch As Thatch Can “students” are eagerly watching.
After everything the Professor of Pain has put them through, August Grey and his “classmates” are ready to watch Thatcher learn something from the Time Splitter! Will Thatcher be able to bully someone on the same level as him? Or is Kushida actually a level above?
Timothy Thatcher VS KUSHIDA!
NXT returns as Thatcher paces in the ring. Kushida makes his entrance and then Tommaso Ciampa quietly makes his way down the ramp with a chair. Ciampa just wants a front row seat. The bell rings and Thatcher keeps his eyes on Kushida as they circle. Kushida goes for a leg, Thatcher keeps him away and facelocks. Kushida gets around but Thatcher gets the arm to a double wristlock. Kushida blocks that, gest around but Thatcher throws him down. Thatcher is still after that hold but shifts to chicken wings. Kushida hooks a leg and drags Thatcher down to a toehold. Thatcher moves around to get a wrist then the facelock. Cover, ONE, and Kushida gets away.
Fans cheer as things reset, and Kushida kicks a leg while also dropping down. Thatcher kicks at the leg guard but Kushida kicks back. Kushida gets up to throw hands but Thatcher uppercuts! Kushida fast ball but Thatcher dodges to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Cover, ONE! Thatcher has a foot and gets a heel hook, but Kushida kicks him again. Thatcher drops down to grapevine the heel hook but fans rally as Kushida endures. Kushida counters to figure four the legs to a deathlock! Kushida bends back to a MUDA LOCK! Thatcher endures, pries at Kushida’s chin, and now Thatcher has a cravat!
Kushida moves around and throws hands but Thatcher EuroUppers! Thatcher throws more EuroUppers, Kushida KICKS the leg! Thatcher whips but Kushida blocks the hip toss to give a hip toss! Cartwheel and basement dropkick! Thatcher goes to the apron, and catches the handspring kick to a HANGING HEEL HOOK! The ref counts, Thatcher lets go at 4! Kushida clutches his ankle while Thatcher smirks, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Kushida kicks Thatcher off another heel hook! Fans rally for “N X T!” as Kushida throws body shots! Thatcher throws forearms but Kushida fires off palm strikes and kicks! Kushida backs Thatcher down, KICKS the leg but Thatcher blocks, so Kushida SLAPS! Thatcher ROCKS Kushida with a EuroUpper, then hooks him up! Kushida fights off the butterfly and wrenches out to get the HOVERBOARD! Thatcher gets out of the body scissors but Kushida still has the arm! Kushida tries to get leverage on the Kimura but Thatcher arm triangles! Kushida flails, kicks, rolls back and slips out to get the arm! Thatcher throws forearms, Kushida FAST BALLS!
Thatcher wobbles but swings a EuroUpper, into the BACKSLIDE! TWO! Kushida standing Danielson Stomps! And then gets Thatcher down for more! Fans are thunderous as Kushida gets the Kimura again! Thatcher clasps hands as he resists but Kushida keeps cranking! Kushida wrenches the arm around but Thatcher blocks again! Kushida stomps but Thatcher rolls Kushida to get his own double wristlock! Kushida endures now, Thatcher pushes as much as he can but Kushida sits up! The two struggle for top control and Kushida gets around to an ARMBAR! Thatcher clasps hands again as fans are thunderous!
Thatcher tries to roll but Kushida rolls him back! And back the other way, and Thatcher has the ANKLE LOCK! Kushida drops to ANKLE LOCK back! Kushida drags Thatcher from ropes but Thatcher rolls to victory roll but Kushida rolls up, to BRIDGE! TWO, and into a sleeper! They roll around, Thatcher has body scissors but Kushida moves around! Kushida throws Thatcher off to go for his own sleeper, but Thatcher slips out! Thatcher catches Kushida again but Kushida ELBOW BREAKERS! Thatcher still holds on but Kushida runs to throw him out! Thatcher hits the floor, Kushida goes out after him. Thatcher body shots, glares at Ciampa, but runs at Kushida. Kushida dodges and Thatcher POSTS himself! Kushida hits an ARMBAR BULLDOG!
Fans are thunderous as Kushida drags Thatcher away. Kushida gets in at 7 and PENALTY KICKS the arm! Thatcher EuroUppers with the other arm! Kushida KICKS, Thatcher KNEES! Thatcher BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES! Now Ciampa gets up, and that spooks Thatcher! Kushida drags Thatcher down to the wristlock! Kushida gets the HOVERBOARD, and Thatcher TAPS!! Kushida wins!!
Winner: KUSHIDA, by submission
Thatcher tapped out!? He glares at Ciampa, perhaps blaming his presence. Ciampa goes to the camera and says, “Maybe he has a problem with me now?” Ciampa wants tough guys to put up and shut up, but actions speak louder than words. Will Thatcher have actions to speak for him against Ciampa?
Io Shirai and Rhea Ripley reflect on their title match.
The Mosh Pit Kid says, “Rhea Ripley, Io Shirai, it doesn’t get any bigger than that.” Neither one wanted to wait for TakeOver, so it happened. Shirai says Rhea was her biggest challenge, and hit her so hard she could barely stand. Rhea gives credit to Shirai for taking an ass kicking. The doctor wanted to stop the match but Shirai wasn’t going to let it end like that. Shirai doesn’t quit, she wins. And the battle raged on, and got rather bloody for Rhea’s one ear. Rhea still can’t feel that right arm, either. Dr. Jeffrey Westerfield knows the NXT Women’s Division is hard hitting, but that match took it to another level.
The table was destroyed, but almost destroyed Rhea. Rhea refused to be counted out, but then she couldn’t get up before the moonsault hit. And then that was that, Shirai retained. Westerfield says it is amazing either woman got back up at all. They are warriors. They might not like each other, but they respect each other. Rhea wonders where she goes from here, and doesn’t have an answer yet. But she will be live later tonight! Will she have that answer by then?
Backstage interview with Dunne, Lorcan and Burch.
Now that they know Kyle O’Reilly is stepping up for the Undisputed Era, how do they feel about the match? “I saw what Kyle O’Reilly did to Finn Balor. He broke his jaw, he put him out for two months.” That was impressive. But if it were Dunne, Balor would’ve been out for two years. Oney says that’s right! They don’t know if McKenzie knows, but the UE have never lost at WarGames. Dunne will change that. The bottom line to Burch is that they can do anything better than UE. They broke the UE once, and Dunne will break their spirits tonight, to finish the job at WarGames. But will they find Kyle is the unbreakable cornerstone of the Undisputed Era?
NXT presents the Kevin Owens Show!
Kevin wasn’t just back for commentary tonight! He might even be a referee or bell keeper, but the point is, Kevin will always accept an invitation back. Tonight’s guest probably, no definitely had the biggest night of his career a couple weeks ago. And that man is the new North American Champion, LEON RUFF! The underdog champion makes his way out and feels amazing already! He even has a nice new suit to wear to his first KO Show! Kevin hands him a mic and then shakes his hand. Kevin thanks Leon for being here and Leon says it is a pleasure. They take a seat in the armchairs, and Kevin says he was already coming back to be on commentary. But after seeing what Leon’s done, he thought he should have a KO Show so we can all hear Leon’s story and his message.
Leon smiles as the fans cheer, and he says he’s wanted to be a superstar his entire life. He signed to NXT just seven weeks ago, and then boom, he’s winning the North American Championship. Kevin has the footage replay when Leon shocked the world. The belt didn’t quite fit but Leon has done his best since to adjust. “That moment is so embarrassing.” No, that’s fine. The title belt slipped on Kevin once, too. Leon cracks up, he loves Kevin. But KO remembers what his first NXT title was like. Can Leon express what it feels for him? To have this title is a “Yes” for every “No” he’d gotten. From being told no one would take him serious or that he should give up now, he feels like he’s finally overcome that to inspire those just like him.
Kevin hears all that, but he can’t help but notice… Leon should be very proud. It wasn’t easy for Kevin to get to WWE and be a superstar, either. Leon should be proud of his accomplishments. Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Leon says he wants to inspire others that you can accomplish something if you put your mind to it. Kevin agrees, but he isn’t sure Leon has the right conviction. Because people back there who don’t have the title, if they see vulnerability, they will exploit it. You need to believe in yourself! You’re North American Champion! YEAH! He did become champion! HE DID! HYAH, he kicks the chair! Leon beat Johnny Gargano once, he can do it again!
Kevin face palms. Oh sorry, is it the chair? No, it’s not the chair. Leon, you haven’t done the KO Show before, but y’see, when you say someone’s name on here, there’s a good chance they’ll come out now. Almost always. In fact, surely he’s getting to gorilla right about… Now? Yep. Here comes Gargano! And Gargano is definitely upset. “Did you just say you beat Johnny Gargano? Are you kidding me?! Is this a prank show?” Is Kutcher gonna pop out of a pod. Timely reference, Johnny. Thanks! But Leon probably won’t get it because he’s a CHILD! Gargano says if Leon wants to be an inspiration then fine. Kevin gets a third chair for Gargano so he can sit. That’s what being a good host is. Thanks, but he doesn’t want it!! Gargano chucks the chair!
Wait, another chair? Well this one isn’t for him. This is just a hunch. Gargano doesn’t care about chairs! He tells Leon to “inspire” people to tell the truth! Tell the world that Gargano is the REAL champion, and that the only reason Ruff has the title is because of that “fake arrow shooting idiot, Damian Priest!” Kevin says he just explained the KO Show jinx! Great, here we go. Three, two, one… Oh wow maybe NXT is- DARN IT. Here comes the Archer of Infamy! “Surprise, surprise!” Priest knew Johnny Wheel o’ Fortune would complain. There has to come a day, even for a moment, when Gargano comes to terms with reality. The reality is that Leon is better than him. No he’s not!
Kevin has everyone wait a moment. Does Priest want a chair? No he’s fine. Then why did Kevin bother…? Priest says that “little homie” Leon beat Gargano twice. Because of Priest! As a matter of fact, if Ruff goes 1v1 with Gargano, Gargano will be champion again! Gargano will show Leon is both a fluke and a joke! Then he shoves him into a chair! Ruff gets up in Gargano’s face but Priest says that before Ruff beats up “Johnny Chokes-a-lot,” maybe Priest should get his rematch for the title. Wasn’t it Ruff in his “tough guy moment” that said he’d fight both Priest and Gargano? Kevin can’t believe it! It just hit him. Just a shame we don’t have like Teddy Long here to make a Triple Threat. But if only we had our version of that! Right? No? Oh here he comes! William Regal is here!
The NXT General Manager is on stage and he says that in two weeks, at TakeOver: WarGames, it will be Ruff VS Gargano VS Priest for the North American Championship! “Playa.” Holla holla, Regal made it official! But has Ruff just gone from underdog champion to someone without a snowball’s chance in hell?
NXT hears from Finn Balor.
“Last week, I laid the groundwork for war. So go ahead, prepare for war. Fight the war. And whoever wins the war, some advice: Don’t put checkers on my chessboard. The cat is back, so stop playing in my kitty litter. Anyone with a problem, I’m not hard to find. The champion works Wednesdays.” Who has the mettle to survive the steel structure, to then head for the Prince’s gold?
NXT hears from Shotzi Blackheart.
“As you enter battle, you have to ask yourself, ‘What’s the best part of war?’ Crush your enemies. See them driven before you. Hear the lamentation of the crowd.” Shotzi is still working on rebuilding her weapon. Will it be ready in time for WARGAMES?!
Cameron Grimes VS Jake Atlas!
The Carolina Caveman tried to cheat his way through the Blindfold Match with Dexter Lumis, but the Tortured Artist saw through that. But now Grimes is trying to move past the trauma. Will he do so at the expense of the former Cruiserweight contender?
The bell rings and Grimes ties up with Atlas. Grimes headlocks, Atlas powers out, but Grimes runs him over. Grimes fires up, runs but Atlas hurdles and drops down to then get around and springboard arm-drag! Grimes flounders to a corner, Atlas runs in but Grimes boot shim away! Grimes puts Atlas in the corner but blocks boots only for Atlas to springboard arm-drag again! Atlas runs in but into a fireman’s carry attempt. Atlas fights that off but Grimes switches to a waistlock and GERMAN! Cover, TWO! Atlas flounders, Grimes knees him down at the ropes and in the corner. Grimes stomps and kicks Atlas then kicks more! The ref counts and Grimes lets off.
Grimes drags Atlas up but the ref reprimands. Grimes whips, Atlas kicks then swings, but into a scoop. Atlas slips off to throw forearms. Grimes gives them back and the two brawl. Atlas whips, Grimes holds ropes and kicks the back drop away. Atlas gets a takedown to jackknife, TWO! Grimes swings, Atlas dodges to GERMAN Grimes back! Grimes gets up, Atlas DECKS him! Cover, TWO!! Atlas works to keep calm, he brings Grimes up but Grimes breaks free to SUPER FOREARM! Atlas BOOTS back, then runs, but Grimes dodges. They keep going, COLLISION COURSE! Grimes shouts he’s going “TO THE MOON~,” then whips Atlas, and hits the CAVE-IN! Cover, Grimes wins!
Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall
Grimes fetches his hat and says just like that, he gets a win and is heading to… the… moon~! But then DEXTER LUMIS appears! Grimes freaks out and runs for it! Lumis has one of those blindfold bags. And he points to the screens. A doodle pops up. “This is Cameron Grimes. See Grimes run. And run. And run.” It’s highlights from the Haunted House match! Grimes wants to leave but the video is playing everywhere. And out of the blindfold bag… IS A STRAP!! Lumis wants a strap match with Grimes so that Grimes can’t run away! Grimes says no no, but he’s not the one who makes the decisions around here. Will Grimes have no choice but to face his fears?
NXT Media catches up with Grimes.
Given what we saw before the break, is Grimes still afraid of Lumis? Afraid?! He ain’t afraid! He just has places he has to be. But Regal is here and he saw what just happened. Fans want to see Grimes face Lumis one more time, and Lumis’ idea sounds great. It will be a strap match at TakeOver! Grimes asks why Regal hates him so much. Regal says it’s probably his personality.
Rhea Ripley is in the ring!
“Man, I just want to say that Io Shirai is one of the toughest women I’ve stepped into this ring with. But y’know, after last Wednesday, there’s been a bit of speculation going around.” Friends, family, fans and fellow superstars all wonder what is next for her. Yes, they have a reason to wonder. But she’ll explain something about that hug. That was about respect for Shirai. They really do respect each other. But it wasn’t a send-off party or whatever. Rhea is here to stay, focused on one thing: getting back to the NXT Women’s Championship.
But then Candice comes out with Toni to interrupt. How cute is Rhea? She’s talking about the title like it’s hers. Tell them how much harder she’ll try next time. Rhea tells Candice to shut up and get in the ring then. But the difference between Rhea and Shirai is that Shirai stole things from Candice, but she beat Rhea all alone. Aside from that, the biggest difference here is that Rhea talks, talks, talks, but she can’t seem to back it up. Candice, however, can talk the talk, and walk the walk. Raquel is carrying Shirai out like a sack o’ potatoes! They set Shirai down on the ramp and taunt Rhea. But then they flank the ring, too! Rhea is ready, but she then slides out to BOOT Raquel! And DECK Dakota! Now it’s just 2v1 with Toni and Candice!
But Dakota and Raquel get up! Raquel RAMS Rhea to a corner! Rhea HEADBUTTS back! Dakota runs in but Rhea throws her away! Candice and Toni get Rhea and anchor her! Raquel CLOBBERS Rhea from behind! Fans boo and jeer as the four beat Rhea down! Raquel drags Rhea up and POSTS her! Then POSTS her on the other side! Team Candice decides to leave it at that. But have they just helped Shotzi find two members for the team?
Someone puts Boa and Xia Li in a car!
And a very tired looking Boa and Xia at that. She asks “Where is he taking us?” but the car takes off before an answer is given. They arrive at the Performance Center, where “Shifu” is waiting. He taps the garage door and it slowly opens. Inside, with dim candles and tapestries, is someone they are both very afraid of. They said they tried their best but they will win! They can win! Just give them a chance! ENOUGH! Shifu writes on their hands. “It is time.” The writing compels them. And “she” is coming. But what does all of this mean for NXT?
Ever-Rise VS ???
Chase Parker and Matt Marthel have been on the downswing lately between both NXT and 205 Live, but- Wait, they’re being attacked! It’s the GRIZZLED YOUNG VETERANS, Zack Gibson and James Drake! And Gibson CLOBBERS Marthel while Drake stomps Parker Gibson gets a mike while Drake throws Marthel out, then hits Parker with headlock punches over and over! Gibson says, “In case you have forgotten who we are, I am Liverpool’s Number One, Zack Gibson! This man is James Drake! Together we are Grizzled Young Veterans!” And they are back in NXT, SSSSOOOON to be recognized as NXT’s number one!
And then Drake drags Parker up, and with Gibson, they hit TICKET TO MAYHEM! The fans boo as GYV cools off and puts their suit jackets back on. Will Gibson and Drake make good on their shocking return to the States?
McKenzie finds Candice help Indi to her car.
Can Candice explain her actions tonight? Well okay, for those who missed the memo. “Anybody who is stupid enough to join Shotzi’s team, you’re getting run over.” Team Candice will destroy you, and it starts when Raquel beats Shotzi in their advantage match. Gargano has the car, Candice helps Indi in. See that? General Candice will win, Gargano will win and have his title back. And then WarGames will belong the Gargano Way. Wait, Ghost Face is in the back seat?! There were two of them all along?! If Indi was only one, then who is this?!
WarGames Advantage Ladder Match: The Undisputed Era’s Kyle O’Reilly VS The King of NXT’s Pete Dunne!
The angry Kyle has been unleashed, all because of the Bruiserweight’s brutal betrayal! But Dunne claims he’s on McAfee’s team because of his longstanding grudge against the Era. Will Dunne help the Kings take the lead going into the war? Or will he just feel a sampling of what’s coming?
Speaking of sampling, the rest of the teams are in special perches far from ringside. Is this a hint at how WarGames will go down in the CWC? That aside, Kyle makes his entrance, then Dunne, and this pivotal match-up for tactical advantage begins!
Kyle BOOTS, he and Dunne trade haymakers and forearms, then Kyle pops Dunne up for a KICK! Dunne flounders out, throws off the jacket and gets back up, only for Kyle to sweep the legs! Dunne gets up fast but Kyle is watching him closely, and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns again and Kyle has Dunne in a corner. He whips Dunne at a ladder, Dunne reverses but Kyle stops himself. Kyle sees Dunne coming and dodges, to then kitchen sink knee! Dunne bails out again, Kyle pursues, and leaps off the apron, into a BIG KICK! Dunne runs back in but is sent into boards! Kyle returns to the apron and leaps to KNEE Dunne into barriers! Fans fire up as Kyle crawls to the ring, and brings out another ladder! Kyle fumbles with the ladder but Dunne stomps Kyle’s hands on the ladder! Then BUZZSAWS him down!
Dunne drags the ladder up and makes it a bridge between ring and barrier. Dunne then suplexes, but Kyle gets away! Dunne chases Kyle but Kyle tackles him! And catapults him into boards! Fans are thunderous as Kyle has another ladder and puts it in the ring. Kyle stands the ladder up quickly, starts his climb, but Dunne hurries in! Dunne tips the ladder over, and Kyle holds on, so it causes him and the ladder to spiral down! The ladder falls on Kyle, and Dunne just shrugs. Dunne brings the ladder around, stands it back up, and has Kyle inside it! Dunne pulls an arm through the rungs and pulls the other way, way back! Kyle can only endure as Dunne STOMPS the arm into the rung!
Dunne has the ladder STAND on Kyle’s hand while he climbs!! Kyle gets free, and drags a leg of Dunne’s through for a DRAGON SCREW! And then a HANGING LEG LOCK! Dunne fights but Kyle lets go and both men fall over. Kyle gets up, tips the ladder over and storms after Dunne. Kyle whip’s, Dunne walks the ladder to back flip! But the leg jams! Kyle is after the leg but Dunne ENZIGURIS! AND LADDER BOMBS KYLE!! Fans are thunderous for “N X T!” Dunne stalks Kyle to the ropes and to that ladder bridge. Dunne gives Kyle DANIELSON STOMPS into the ladder! Fans boo and jeer but Dunne just soaks up the heat.
Dunne follows Kyle back into the ring but Kyle has the leg again! DRAGON SCREW through the ropes! Dunne holds onto the ropes to stand up but Kyle ROCKS him with a right! Dunne tries to hit back but Kyle ROCKS him again! And KICKS the leg! Kyle throws forearms, Dunne hits back! They’re brawling with the ropes in the way, but Kyle KNEES Dunne back! Dunne holds on, Kyle runs in but Dunne BOOTS! Dunne drags Kyle up, to suplex Kyle and himself through the ladder!! “This is Awesome!” as NXT goes picture in picture!
Both men are down and referees check on them. They’re somehow okay to continue, and Dunne sits up first. Dunne uses what’s left of the ladder to stand up, but Kyle is still down. Dunne gets in the ring, grabs at one of the ladders in there, and stands it up. Dunne begins the climb, and is almost to the top when Kyle returns! Kyle anchors Dunne, Dunne pulls on Kyle’s nose! Dunne DECKS Kyle with a hard forearm, then decides to set the ladder down again. Dunne drags Kyle over by an arm, hammerlocks it so fingers are in the rung, and then STOMPS! Kyle clutches his arm and writhes, but Dunne isn’t done with him.
Dunne puts the arm inside the ladder, but Kyle fights back! Dunne STOMPS away on Kyle to get him to stop fighting back. Dunne brings the ladder open to SLAM it shut on Kyle’s hand!! NXT returns to single picture as Kyle writhes in pain and fans boo Dunne. Dunne ignores all that to get a chair from the timekeeper’s area. Dunne aims but Kyle knees low first! Kyle Ax and- CHAIR! The chair and bad hand meet and chair wins! Dunne pump handles but Kyle slips out to GUILLOTINE! Dunne is fading and Kyle lets him go. Kyle KNEES Dunne down, then drags him up to suplex, for a BRAIN BUSTER ONTO THE LADDER!!
Fans are at a fever pitch as Kyle goes to a corner. Kyle climbs up, leaps, but the KNEE DROPÂ only gets ladder! Kyle may have just crippled himself there! Dunne stands the ladder back up, climbs up again, but Kyle drags himself back into the ring! Kyle can walk and he has a HEEL HOOK! Dunne hops down but Kyle cranks harder. Dunne kicks Kyle into the rungs! Dunne enziguris but Kyle ducks, Dunne kicks the ladder! Kyle and Dunne both clutch legs but Kyle grits his teeth. Kyle sees Dunne on the other side of the ladder, and they brawl underneath!
Kevin Owens says this is bad luck but the fists just fly faster! They stand up, Dunne pulls Kyle’s hand into the crossbar but Kyle KICKS Dunne back! Kyle grabs Dunne’s arm now and YANKS Dunne into the ladder! Dunne returns the favor, and both men keep yanking each other into the ladder! Both men stop and stagger about, Dunne shoves the ladder into Kyle but Kyle shoves it right back! Both men go down and fans are thunderous! Dunne and Kyle slowly stir while their teams and the fans are getting louder! Kyle brings the ladder up, stands it up, and starts to climb up. Dunne climbs the other side and the two meet at the top. They start brawling again! The fists fly fast and furious!
Kyle flounders, Dunne stomps him down then reaches for the briefcase! Kyle gets up to get an arm, and he hits an elbow breaker! Dunne backs away and Kyle reaches, but Dunne grabs his hand! Dunne has the fingers and SNAPS them! Kyle falls to the floor, but he comes around to the other side. Dunne boots, Kyle rebounds and shoves the ladder over! Dunne ENZIGURIS, Kyle rebounds again to CLOBBER Dunne! The fans are electric as the two men slowly rise. The CWC is shaking from this action! Kyle gets up, stands the ladder and climbs again! Dunne gets the chair to SMASH Kyle’s leg! And then SMACK him on the back!
Kyle flounders out, Dunne follows and pump handles, BITTER END to the barriers! Kyle flops out, Dunne gets back in and climbs back up! But Kyle returns?! Kyle tips the ladder and Dunne falls onto the corner ladder! Dunne forgot about that ladder and now Kyle is all alone in the ring! Kyle climbs, even with his bad leg. But wait, who is this in the shiny mask? Well who do you think?! They tip the ladder over and Kyle takes a horrifying tumble! And the “masked man” gets away! Dunne stands the ladder up, climbs it again, and grabs the briefcase! The Kings of NXT have advantage!!
Winner: Pete Dunne (The Kings of NXT have the advantage)
Fans are furious but it’s clear who we have to blame for that! Will Pat McAfee be celebrating with the Bruiserweight and the NXT Tag Team Champions even before TakeOver? Can the Undisputed Era win fighting from underneath?
My Thoughts:
A very good episode, and naturally with quite a lot of set-up for WarGames. In fact, the women’s side had quite the shocker, I would not have thought Toni Storm would be Team Candice. But at the same time, Indi Hartwell is too new, she isn’t really ready for being in the WarGames match itself. Now, with the talk of Rhea staying in NXT and still wanting after the title, I think both Rhea and Shirai are going to be Team Shotzi. I do think it’s very smart for them not to have Shotzi worrying about recruiting and focusing on “rebuilding” her tank. Candice is doing all the work for her turning Ember, Rhea and Shirai against her, so all Shotzi has to do is show up and those three will sign up. Also I hope Tank Mk II is big enough so that they can all ride it to the ring.
The Triple Threat for the North American Championship was obviously going to happen, but I like that the Kevin Owens Show was used to bring it about. Kevin was hysterical during that segment, from advising Leon Ruff to be more assertive to being meta about how it always turns out. As I said before, the Triple Threat is going to be great, with Leon mostly working not to lose. I’m also happy to see I was right about the strap match for Grimes and Lumis. They could’ve done better with playing that video package of “See Grimes Run” but I suppose then we wouldn’t have seen Grimes’ great character work during that same time.
The story Boa and Xia Li are in had a good segment tonight. We don’t see who “she” is under the hood but clearly we’re going to see a faction form between them. Rumors have it, Karen Q is making her return and has been repackaged as this character. Chances are this turns out as more a force in the Women’s Division with Boa as manager, much in the way the Robert Stone Brand was. For that matter, sure seems like NXT gave up on that idea. However, I think #TJGW just got its fourth member, as there was still a Ghost Face in the car! I really hope it’s Austin Theory as the second one, there was just something about Gargano’s smirk when he beat Theory over a month ago.
Grizzled Young Veterans showing up tonight and wrecking Ever-Rise was a nice surprise. Well, for us, not for Ever-Rise. But GYV not going back to NXT UK, obviously they want to be the first team to have held both pairs of belts, and I could see there being a Triple Threat or even Fatal 4 Way situation where Oney & Burch, GYV, UE and maybe even Breezango fight for those titles at whatever TakeOver coincides with Mania time. Kushida VS Thatcher was an incredible match, even with Ciampa being ringside to play mind games on Thatcher. That match is definitely happening now, and I feel like Ciampa is going to win that to then be a contender again.
Speaking of which, Finn had a really good promo, general enough that anyone could “answer” the challenge. Dunne also talked some smack about how he would’ve injured Finn worse, and we’ve yet to get that match-up. Dunne VS Kyle was incredible, and obviously that was McAfee in disguise again to screw Kyle over. UE is behind the 8 ball, they might still pull off a victory, but it’d be rather shocking for them to lose. Then Dunne steps up as the next contender to really put Finn’s reign to the test.
My Score: 9/10
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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.
Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.
.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Ratings:
- Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
- #1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
- ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
- Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
- Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.Â
.@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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander
Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.
Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!
Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.
Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside
Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.
Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.
Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands
So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.
.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth
A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.
Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!
Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!
Overall Score: 6/10
A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.
But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.
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