Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (11/12/20)

The NXT UK Heritage Cup is almost over!

Published

3 years ago

November 12, 2020

Steven Mitchell

Who meets A-Kid in the finals of the NXT UK Heritage Cup tournament?

NXT UK’s premier British Rounds tournament is almost over, but now the Proper British Heavyweight collides with the Man from Moustache Mountain! Will Dave Mastiff have another knockout victory? Or will Trent Seven’s desire and determination take him to the final round?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The Hunt w/ Eddie Dennis VS Kenny Williams & Amir Jordan; The Hunt wins.
Jack Starz VS Rampage Brown; Rampage wins.
Xia Brookside VS Nina Samuels; Brookside wins.
NXT UK Heritage Cup Semifinals: Dave Mastiff VS Trent Seven; Seven wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Hunt w/ Eddie Dennis VS Kenny Williams & Amir Jordan!

Wild Boar and Primate may be animals, but they have a pack leader now in the Welsh Dragon! Will they instill a primal fear into the Chancer and the Bhangra Badboy?

The teams sort out and Boar starts with Williams. They approach, tie up, and Boar waistlocks to CLUB Williams over and over! Tag to Primate and he drops ax handles! Primate CLUBS Williams to a corner, whips him corner to corner but Williams goes up and over to then pick the leg! Williams reels Primate in for a headlock but Primate gets a waistlock. Williams pries free, wrenches an arm to an elbow breaker then brings Primate to the corner. Tag to Jordan, Williams snapmares Primate down to drop a leg on the arm! Jordan jumps in to add an elbow drop! Cover, ONE! Jordan keeps on the arm, wrenches and tags in Williams, and Williams springboards to drop ax handles! Williams headlocks but Primate powers up. Williams jumps off ropes and dodges to huricanrana!

Primate staggers up, Williams whips him and dropkicks him down! Primate hurries, tags to Boar, but Williams is ready. Williams headlocks, facelocks, but Boar powers out, only to run into a wheelbarrow victory roll, TWO! Williams hurdles, table tops to the sunset flip, TWO! Boar staggers but Williams redirects him to hit a leaping back elbow! Boar bails out, Williams dodges Primate, tag to Jordan while hitting Springsteen McQueen! Primate tumbles to the floor, Jordan builds speed and DIVES to take out Boar! Williams LEAPS to take out Primate! Jordan climbs up and leaps to crossbody Boar! Cover, TWO! Jordan grabs Boar’s leg, Boar boots him away. Williams tags back in and runs at Boar, but avoids the swipe to boot Boar back!

Williams goes to the apron, Boar pushes him away but Williams mule kicks Primate. Williams goes back after Boar but Boar FLAPJACKS him down! Boar snarls as Dennis grinds. Williams clutches a knee but Primate tags in to fetch him into the ring. Cover, TWO! Primate is frustrated but he clubs Williams down over and over. Primate brings Williams up to club him again and chases him to the apron. Primate suplexes Williams up and in! Cover, TWO! Primate keeps close, brings Williams up and throws forearms. Tag to Boar, the Hunt mugs Williams, then Boar uses a half hatch to throw Williams! Cover, TWO! Boar stays between Williams and Jordan and Dennis gives the orders. Boar throws junkyard dog headbutts then clubs away. Boar brings Williams up to scoop and slam!

Tag to Primate, human weapon, back suplex senton! Cover, TWO! Primate CLUBS Williams again, drags him up and shoves him to the corner. Tag to Boar and they mug Williams in the corner. Boar drags Williams up to headbutt him down! Williams kicks but Boar catches the leg to SLAM it on the mat! Boar stalks Williams and drags him into a chinlock. Boar fish hooks Williams’ face then throws elbows. Tag to Primate and Primate stomps Williams down. Williams goes to ropes, gets up and CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Primate knees Williams low and hard, then drags him up to whip to ropes and run him over with an elbow! Primates hammers away on Williams, then Dennis orders Primate to bring Williams over.

Primate uses headbutts to send Williams that way, tags in Boar, and Boar springboard stomps Williams down! Boar grinds Williams down with a chinlock but Williams endures. Williams fights his way up and jawbreakers free! Boar shoves Williams to the corner but Williams DECKS Primate! Williams BOOTS Boar, but Boar pushes him back! Williams goes up and over, hot tag to Jordan! Jordan fires off on Boar, whips but Boar reverses, only for Jordan to KNEE Boar down! Jordan hits an EDGE O’MATIC on Boar, then BACK DROPS Primate! Dennis is freaking out as Jordan slingshot COMPLETE SHOTS Boar down! Jordan keeps moving and he goes up for a SWANTAON BOMB! Cover, Primate breaks it! Primate drags Boar to the corner and tags in!

Primate rushes after Jordan but Jordan enziguris! Tag to Williams, he spins and SLAPS and ROCKS Primate, to then hit a BAM BRUCE DOG! Cover, TWO!! Primate survives but Williams fires up. Williams runs to tilt-o-whirl, but Primate blocks! Tag to Boar, but Williams slips out to shove Boar into Primate! Williams springboards to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! Tag back to Jordan but Dennis glares at him. Jordan hesitates, but still slingshots, into Boar’s LARIAT! Boar tags Primate, then Boar tackles Williams off the buckle! Primate and Boar go up top on adjacent corners, DOUBLE FLYING HEADBUTTS! Cover, The Hunt wins!

Winners: The Hunt, by pinfall

Dennis is all smiles as his animals are victorious! Will the Hunt sink its teeth into the NXT UK Tag Team Championships soon enough?

NXT UK hears from Dave Mastiff and Trent Seven.

The Bomber says “It’s almost like a full circle moment for two lands from Black Country.” Seven says it was June 26th, 2011 when they had a text conversation. “Hello, Dave.” Seven wanted Dave Mastiff to teach us what Dave Mastiff was about in Progress Wrestling. Seven knew Mastiff was one of the best wrestlers in the country, so he would be a great help in getting the others to that level. Mastiff was a nice guy so he did it. They became good friends and great rivals. Now, they’re in the WWE together. Seven doesn’t need Mastiff’s help here.

The Heritage Cup finals, one man will make a name for themselves. But it’ll take one shot to knock Seven out. “Just ask Joseph Conners.” Seven and Mastiff know each other well. But Seven wants Mastiff to get out of the way so the world can see Seven is the best. “It has to be me.” But will it be him when he’s up against a Proper British Heavyweight?

Jack Starz VS Rampage Brown!

The scrappy underdog welcomed the Ring General in his NXT UK debut. Now he’s doing it again for the newest high level acquisition! Will Rampage Brown leave his mark on Starz like Walter did?

The bell rings and Starz circles with Rampage. They tie up and Rampage throws Starz down hard. Starz gets up, circles with Rampage again, and they tie up. Starz headlocks, grinds but Rampage throws body shots. Rampage powers out, Starz throws a shoulder but Rampage stays up. Starz throws forearms but Rampage ROCKS Starz with one! Rampage drags Starz up, scoops him but Starz slips out. Rampage bucks Starz off, things speed up and Rampage catches Starz out of the air for a SPINE BUSTER! Rampage throws more forearms, Starz hits back but Rampage CLUBS Starz down! Rampage whips Starz and elbows him down just as hard! Cover, ONE! Rampage grins as he drags Starz up. Starz tries to club free but Rampage RAMS him into the corner!

Rampage clubs away on Starz, the ref backs him off and Rampage apologizes. Rampage runs back in but Starz boots him! Starz throws big forearms, Rampage shoves him away but Starz dropkicks back! Starz runs, but into Rampage’s arms! Rampage pops Starz up for a SAMOAN DROP! Rampage drags Starz up, gut wrench to the DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, Rampage wins!

Winner: Rampage Brown, by pinfall

Rampage may not have left a mark on Starz but he will surely remember this forever! Rampage’s rampage begins, will he storm up the ranks towards the title?

NXT UK Media and Sid Scala prepare to record.

Rolling. The flags are in the shot, that’s good. But then Ashton Smith and Oliver Carter politely ask to borrow the cameraman for some “investigative journalism.” They have the inside scoop on just what the situation is between Pretty Deadly and Eddie Dennis. They walk over to Sam Stoker and Lewis Howley, and Smith first asks who is who. Skip that question. What is going on with Eddie Dennis? Pretty Deadly says that’s none of their business. They only care about the tag team titles. Maybe “you two boys” should focus on training rather than making jokes.

Who you calling a joke? Howley tells Carter to get his finger out of Stoker’s face, but then Smith tells Howley not to get in Carter’s face. They argue, Scala steps in, and has them save this for a match. Pretty Deadly heads out, and Scala tells Smith and Carter to please move on as well. Will the real headline be one of these two teams coming out on top in the tag title race?

NXT UK reviews the timeline of Kay Lee Ray VS Piper Niven.

The NXT UK Women’s Champion has reigned since TakeOver: Cardiff in 2019 when she beat Toni Storm, but things got far more serious on February 27, 2020. The I Quit match between KLR and Toni Storm not only blocked Toni from ever challenging for the title while KLR holds it, but it easily could’ve crippled Toni and ended her career! Piper was the only reason Toni thought of her future and not about the title. After a long wait, NXT UK finally started up again, and it was September 24, 2020 that KLR gave Piper her 1v1 shot. KLR vowed we’d all find out why she was always just a little bit better.

But it was Piper primed to take the title with KLR’s knee taking serious damage in the match. The match was going to be called, and Piper said she didn’t want to win like that anyway. KLR took offense that Piper assumed she’d win, and the match continued! And a mishap with the buckles was a lucky break for KLR. But Piper says the plan is as it’s always been: take the title off KLR. But while reigns fade, injuries can last forever. Piper has been stalking KLR and beating down anyone who gets in her way! Jinny was one to feel the new aggression of Piper Niven, and the rematch from September is coming! Will Piper end KLR’s title reign one way or another?

NXT UK Media catches up with Rampage Brown.

His debut in the ring was a win, but how is he feeling? That was just him getting started. The rest of the boys better just be able to keep up. Will Rampage leave everyone else in the dust?

Xia Brookside VS Nina Samuels!

It’s time to fly with the bright young second generation superstar again, and against a familiar foe. Will Xia’s sequel with the Leading Lady go the same as the original? Or will this be bigger and better for Brookside?

The bell rings and Brookside circles with Samuels. They tie up, Brookside wrenches to a wristlock but Samuels grabs hair. Samuels reverses the wrench, Brookside uses ropes to flip through, then wrings Samuels out, but Samuels cartwheels through. Brookside dropkicks Samuels down! Then monkey flips her! Brookside headlocks, Samuels tries to power out but Brookside uses ropes to springboard and hit the takeover! Brookside grinds Samuels down but Samuels headscissors back. Brookside bridges up but Samuels SLAPS her down! Brookside keeps moving and gets around to turn Samuels over. Brookside rolls back to get the Half Crab! Samuels powers up but Brookside rolls her over to drop down on the leg! Brookside then hooks the legs up in a deathlock!

Brookside stomps the other leg before bridging to put torque on the hold. Samuels’ shoulders are down, ONE! Samuels gets inside the legs to trip Brookside up! Brookside boots Samuels away but the springboard takeover is denied this time. Samuels side steps Brookside and catches the crossbody for a BACKBREAKER! Brookside writhes but Samuels stomps away at the rope! The ref counts, Samuels lets off but she brings Brookside up to snapmare her down. Samuels clamps on to an arm then adds a chinlock. Brookside endures as Samuels cranks the neck. Samuels fights up, throws body shots but Samuels clubs her down! Samuels stomps Brookside, then tells her, “This is not your time. This is my spotlight! You are not the little sweetheart that you think you are!”

Samuels keeps pushing Brookside around but Brookside fires off forearms! Brookside whips, Samuels reverses but Brookside boots back! Brookside goes up to hit the huricanrana! Brookside fires up, runs in but is put on the top rope. Brookside boots Samuels away then crossbodies again! Cover, TWO! Brookside staggers up and goes after Samuels. Samuels grabs the ring skirt, Brookside lets go and Samuels BOOTS her down! Cover, TWO!! Samuels sneers as she stomps away on Brookside! Samuels fireman’s carries, Brookside sunset flips, TWO! Brookside runs, slips out of the tilt-o-whirl, CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Samuels survives but Brookside runs in, only to miss in the corner! Samuels throws Brookside down! Samuels hops up but Brookside SHORYUKENS!

Brookside has the arms but Samuels kicks her away. Samuels cartwheels away but her leg gives out! The ref checks but Brookside doesn’t trust the actress playing it up. The ref still keeps her back, Brookside keeps trying go after Samuels and she cradles her! Brookside wins!

Winner: Xia Brookside, by pinfall

Brookside took advantage of reality and has her win! But it looks like it wasn’t just an act as refs help Samuels out of the ring. Brookside feels bad and wants to check on Samuels, but Samuels BOOTS Brookside down! It was an act!! And then Samuels drags Brookside up for NINA GOROSHI!! The Leading Lady still gets one over on Brookside, but will the final act be in the trilogy’s finale?

NXT UK Media catches up with Sam Gradwell.

The Thunder Storm’s return to NXT UK was a loss, but how does he feel about that? Well that’s a horribly intrusive question. And he doesn’t recall losing. After two years away, instead of being in a match, “a battle of wit and limb, both of which mine are vastly superior,” he’s thrown into a gang war. It was like a rave with the Coffey family and their dog. He can’t account for every second of that melee. But if hypothetically, he happened to be pinned by Joe Coffey, rest assured that 1v1 it’d be a very different tale indeed. But then Alexander Wolfe comes by and can’t believe what Gradwell is going on about. He better get his act together, because he is a disgrace to the sport. Wolfe walks off and Gradwell hollers after, “Okay, thanks! Bye!” Will Gradwell continue to do things his way, no matter what?

NXT UK Heritage Cup Semifinals: Dave Mastiff VS Trent Seven!

The Bomber and the Artful Dodger are no more than six rounds away from the finals against The Spanish Ace! But Mastiff clobbered Joseph Conners early in the third while it took until late in the fifth for Seven. Will it be a sprint or a marathon to the finish between these two?

The bell rings to open the first round and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Mastiff puts Seven in a corner. The ref calls for the break and Mastiff lets off. Mastiff and Seven tie up again, but Mastiff keeps Seven from backing him down. Mastiff puts Seven on ropes, they let off and circle again. They tie up again, Seven headlocks and grinds tight. Mastiff powers Seven to ropes again, but lets off. Seven shoves Mastiff and the two tie up again. Seven goes back to the headlock and thrashes around. Mastiff has the leg, Seven cranks harder, but Mastiff rolls and throws Seven off! A minute left in the round and the two tie up again.

Mastiff headlocks Seven now, and throws Seven over! Seven keeps his shoulders up as he pushes back but Mastiff leans a lot of weight on him. Seven manages to fight up, throws body shots, then gets a headlock back on Mastiff. Mastiff tries to power out but Seven cravats. Mastiff powers out after all, they collide with big shoulders, but neither man falls! Under 10 seconds and Seven keeps trying, he ducks and DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The round ends with both men down!

Mastiff: 0; Seven: 0

But the problem here is that both men are in the wrong corner! They have to go across the way for their 20 second break, but that’s easier for Mastiff than it is for Seven. The two catch their breath and have a gulp of water, and it’s time for round two!

Seven and Mastiff circle again, tie up, Mastiff KNEES Seven low! Then again! Mastiff drags Seven back up to whip him to a corner. Seven bounces off buckles into a back drop! Cover, TWO! Seven toughs it out but Mastiff stalks behind him. Mastiff grabs at Seven but Seven grabs a leg. Mastiff CLUBS Seven but Seven holds on. Mastiff CLUBS him again, then brings him up to whip corner to corner. Seven doesn’t bounce off buckles this time, he leans against ropes. But Seven refuses to stop this here so Mastiff whips him corner to corner. Another back drop but Seven sunset flips! Mastiff sits down but Seven avoids being crushed! LA MAGISTROL! Seven gets the fall!!

Mastiff: 0; Seven: 1

Mastiff is surprised, but now he’s behind the 8 ball! Can Seven finish this off before Mastiff evens the score?

Round three begins and Seven circles with Mastiff again. Seven kicks and headlocks but Mastiff powers out. Mastiff uses the kitchen sink knee to knock Seven down hard! Seven gasps but Mastiff stomps him and drops a back senton! Cover, TWO!! Seven survives but Mastiff keeps on him. Mastiff drags Seven up, fireman’s carries, but Seven fights out! Seven CHOPS, ducks a punch and CHOPS again! Seven eggs Mastiff on, fakes him out and kicks to DDT! But Seven doesn’t cover, his body is too sore right now. Seven gets to a corner as the standing count climbs. Seven is up at 4, then climbs up to the top! Mastiff clubs his legs out and Seven lands on his 8 ball!

Mastiff brings Seven around as he climbs up to join him. Seven fights back, adjusts position but Mastiff gets him for a SUPERPLEX after all! We’re under a minute as Mastiff crawls after Seven. Cover, TWO!! Seven won’t give up a fall so easily! Seven shoves Mastiff but Mastiff drags him up. Seven blocks the big forearm to ripcord, SEVEN STAR LARIAT! Mastiff only drops to a knee! Mastiff forearms but Seven blocks and SLAPS, BACK HAND! Seven seconds but no Seven Star as Mastiff DECKS Seven! But the ref needs time to check on Seven, and the round ends!

Mastiff: 0; Seven: 1

The ref still checks on Seven. If Seven can’t continue, Mastiff will still win. Seven crawls his way to his corner, saying he isn’t done. This will continue into round four but Seven doesn’t have time to really recover. Mastiff runs in but Seven drops to his knees. The ref checks on Seven but Mastiff drags Seven up. Seven shoves Mastiff but Mastiff dropkicks him into the corner! Mastiff drags Seven back up, and POWERBOMBS him! Mastiff puts Seven in the corner, and runs INTO THE VOID!! Cover, Mastiff ties it up!

Mastiff: 1; Seven: 1

We go to the fifth round but clearly things are in Mastiff’s favor. Seven stirs but he refuses to let the ref end this. Seven groans as he gulps water and gets to his feet. Mastiff storms over but Seven sits back down. Mastiff chuckles as he runs and leaps, INTO THE VOID but MISSES as Seven moves! Seven is outside the ring but he drags himself up with the ropes. Mastiff is after Seven first as he climbs up. Mastiff drags Seven up by his hair, but Seven resists the dead lift! Seven ROCKS Mastiff with a body shot, then another! Seven finds new life as he climbs up top! Seven sunsets but Mastiff holds the ropes. So Seven CHOPS a leg! Seven manages a torture rack, BIRMINGHAMMER!! Cover, SEVEN WINS!!

Winner: Trent Seven by pinfall (advances to the finals)

With 90 seconds in the fifth, Seven conquers the Bomber! He needed this win and he got it! Mastiff is frustrated with himself because he thought he had this right from the start. “A lot of names may have come before, but the first one engraved on that trophy is Trent…” A-Kid comes by to see his challenger. Seven says, “May the best man win,” and they both shake hands, while looking at the trophy. Whose name really will grace the trophy’s plaque first after Seven takes on the Anonymous Kid?

My Thoughts:

A really good episode, especially with the Heritage Cup match. The story of Seven gritting it out against big bad Dave Mastiff was executed expertly, from the double crossbody being a pivotal point to Seven narrowly avoiding the knockout. Again, while it felt more like it was going to be Dar VS Seven, A-Kid VS Seven is going to be great. As great as A-Kid is, Seven is also great and there’s perhaps a bit more story to him winning. For one, we can totally get Seven VS Dar for Seven’s first defense. And honestly, every defense for Seven can feel as desperate as tonight’s match, and it should. I hope that goes deep into the sixth round, and as close to the last second as possible.

The Hunt had a strong tag match with Williams and Jordan, but of course Hunt wins to further the story with Eddie Dennis. Carter and Smith getting at Pretty Deadly for being used by Dennis is pretty clever, too, and that will be a good match for both teams to build momentum with. Sam Gradwell has a surprisingly wordy promo, but I’m curious with how Alexander Wolfe got in his face about him talking so much. Gradwell VS Wolfe is a pretty good match to me, and I feel like that helps Gradwell be a Tweener of sorts since Imperium are definitely Heel. Rampage of course crushes Starz, I can already see he’ll head up the ranks to take on Walter for the title given his UK legacy.

Brookside VS Samuels was a solid rematch but clearly not final. I feel like their payoff needs to be huge, and topped off with the winner being #1 contender to the NXT UK Women’s Championship. The video package for KLR VS Piper, Falls Count Anywhere, was pretty good but mostly just reused footage and audio. The match will be incredible, I’m sure, and could go either way given Piper’s new edge. KLR has her year mark but only because COVID caused everything to shut down. KLR can still build her reign with more challengers, but the other Faces of the NXT UK Women’s Division haven’t really been built up. Again, time missed because of the shutdowns has a lot to do with that, but that just means time must be invested now. Maybe Piper does win so that she and Jinny can feud and bide time for the rest of the division to build up.

My Score: 8.1/10

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

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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (11/13/20)

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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

7 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!