Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Beginning Nagoya Results & Report! (1/30/21)

Finally, a New Beginning in Nagoya!

Published

3 years ago

January 30, 2021

Steven Mitchell

Will a title reign come to an end in the New Beginning?

After a long and winding Road to, NJPW’s New Beginning is finally here! Will The Ace slay The Dragon or be trumped in a NEVER Openweight match?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada VS Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL w/ Dick Togo; Yano & Okada win.
8 Man Tag: Kota Ibushi, SHO, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Ibushi, Sho, Wato & Honma win.
Loser Can’t Mongolian Chop: Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins, Tenzan can never Mongolian Chop again.
No Disqualifications: Will Ospreay VS Satoshi Kojima; Ospreay wins.
NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada VS Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The provisional Mr. KOPW 2021 has made it through one month, but he has eleven more to go! Meanwhile, the Rainmaker still has to prove he is the top of NJPW! Will the Tokyo Pimp and King of Darkness look to replace them both for a New Beginning?

Yano wants the ref to be very thorough with checking the Bullet Club. The Bullet Club Low Sweets, and Evil starts with Okada. Fans rally already as Okada and Evil circle. Dick takes a swipe and then Evil attacks from behind! Yujiro gets in, he and Evil double whip but Okada kicks Yujiro away! Okada sends Evil into Yujiro then kicks low for a DDT! Fans cheer, Dick is on the apron but Okada backs him off. Okada goes out after him anyway, and Yano corners Dick! Fans cheer as Okada kicks Dick and puts him in the ring! Yano gets in, too, and Chaos hammer away on Dick! Okada makes it a drum solo! Fans cheer as Okada goes after Evil, stomps him, clubs him, then elbows him.

Okada snapmares Evil, runs, but Evil grabs the ref and Dick trips Okada up! Yujiro runs over to DECK Yano, then Evil throws Okada out! Evil clubs Okada, Yujiro whips Yano into railing, then Evil whips Okada into railing! Fans rally but Evil digs his fingers into Okada’s face! The ref reprimands and Evil stops, and Evil mocks the “O-KA-DA!” clapping. Evil puts Okada in the ring, stands on Okada’s neck, but lets off when the ref reprimands. Tag to Yujiro and Yujiro drags Okada up. Yujiro whips Okada in, and TADA! The buckle is bare! Okada hits steel and Yano protests, even though that’s his trick. Actually that might be why he’s upset. Yujiro snapmares Okada to boot him down! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally for Okada but Yujiro tags in Evil. Evil drags Okada up, brings him around, and hammerlocks him to then put on a cobra twist! Bullet Club forms a chain to the railing! Yano protests, the ref is busy with him but then he sees what’s going on! The ref counts and Bullet Club lets go at 4. Fans rally up but Evil brings Okada up. Okada throws body shots and forearms, but Evil whips him back into bare buckles! Evil fireman’s carries but Okada fights out. Okada gets to a corner, Evil runs in but Okada boots him away! Okada runs into Evil’s kick but Evil runs into Okada’s BOOT! Both men are down again and fans fire up! Okada rolls, hot tags to Yujiro and Yano!

Yano dodges Yujiro to untie a buckle pad! Yujiro clubs Yano first, whips but Yano reverses, to then go back to the pad! Yano has the white pad, gives it to Yujiro, and the ref is busy with Yujiro while Yano unties the other buckle pad! Three bare corners! Yano throws this pad at Yujiro, too! The ref takes the pad and then Yano rakes Yujiro’s eyes! Yano whips but Yujiro reverses and Yano suffers at his own bare buckle plan! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Yano survives and Yujiro frowns. Yujiro stomps Yano, brings him up for forearms, then whips him to ropes. Yano holds ropes, taunts Yujiro, and then is in the ropes as defense.

Evil swipes at Yano, Yano scrambles away but Yujiro ROCKS Yano with a forearm! Yano staggers into Dick’s hotshot! Yujiro gets his pimp cane! Evil distracts the ref, CANE SHOT!! Cover, but Okada breaks it! Okada DECKS Evil, but Yujiro kicks low! Yujiro whips but Okada reverses to dropkick Yujiro down! Okada shouts to Yano to capitalize, and fans rally up as Okada goes after Evil. Yano gets the pimp cane?! Dick takes it from him, but Yano drags Dick in! The ref reprimands DICK! Yano waistlocks Yano but Yano LOW BLOWS! Yano shoves Yujiro into Dick, rolls Yujiro up, CHAOS WINS!

Winners: Toru Yano & Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall

No one can outdo Mr. KOPW 2021 in being a trickster! Will he and the Rainmaker make it through these new beginnings still on top?

8 Man Tag: Kota Ibushi, SHO, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!

The Golden Star is set to defend against the Cold Skull! The High Voltage wants to short circuit the Ticking Timebomb’s own reign! And the Grandmaster has been called out by Death Mask! Will Everyone’s Kokeshi help them stand against Sanada, Hiromu, Bushi and Naito?

The teams sort out, and Wato insists he start. The others agree, and after LIJ fist bumps, it is Bushi who steps up against Wato. They tie righ tup at the bell, Wato puts Bushi on the ropes but Bushi turns it around> Wato turns it back arond, then Bush, but Wato avoids the cheap shot! Wato mule kicks, clubs and whips, then hurdles to back elbow. Bushi avoids the rest, runs and rolls off Wato’s back to then kick and whpi. Wato reverses and tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKERS! Wato kicks Bushi while he’s down, then KICKS him towards the corner! Wato stomps Bushi, digs his boot in, then rains down fists! The ref counts, tries to get Wato to let off, but Honma tags in.

Honma stomps Bushi, brings Bushi up and kicks low. Honma clubs Bushi, runs, and goes after Naito! Naito gets away but Bushi clubs Honma. Bushi runs but Honma elbows him down. Honma fires up and runs but Naito gets a cheap shot in! Naito clubs Honma, whips but Honma reverses, only for Naito to reverse and get around. Honma elbows Naito down then fires up, but Hiromu trips him up! Sanada basement dropkicks Honma, then LIJ goes after Team Ibushi! Bushi dropkicks Wato down, Hiromu trips Sho off the apron, and Bushi DECKS Ibushi! Sanada goes out to hit Ibushi while Hiromu whips Sho into railing and Naito stomps Wato.

Bushi headlocks Honma and brings him to a corner and digs his face into buckles. Bushi then bumps Honma off buckles and stomps him in the LIJ corner. LIJ leaves the others alone and Naito tags in. Naito stomps Honma, brings him over and bumps him off other buckles before throwing forearms! Naito rakes Honma’s eyes but the ref reprimands. Honma kicks back but Naito blocks the leg to club the elbow! Naito fires off haymakers then whips corner to corner. Naito runs in, rocket kick! Leg sweep, and then less swing for that basement dropkick! Still Combinacion Cabron! Naito drags Honma up, Honma hits back with forearms, but Naito throws strikes back!

Naito throws back elbows over and over on Honma, then snapmares him to a cravat crank on the mat! Sho gets in to stomp Naito but Hiromu throws Sho out. Sanada tags in and both Bushi and Hiromu join in as LIJ all stomps Honma! Ibushi protests, gets the fans rallying for “HO-N-MA!” but Naito and Sanada double whip. Honma dodges, goes after Naito but Naito elbows free. Honma spins Naito, catches Sanada, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! Fans rally up as all three men are down, hot tag to Ibushi! Ibushi springboards but Sanada gets under! Ibushi elbows Bushi and Hiromu down, goes up and over Sanada as he runs in, then gets Sanada for a SPINNING POWERSLAM!

Ibushi somersaults to the corner for a MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Ibushi and he brings Sanada up in a waistlock. Sanada switches, Ibushi elbows, but Ibushi runs into a RANA! Ibushi flops out of the ring, Sanada takes aim, PLANCHA! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada is satisfied with that. Sanada brings Ibushi back up, puts him in, and covers, TWO! Sanada keeps his cool and brings Ibushi back up. Ibushi kicks but Sanada blocks to trip Ibushi. Sanada gets the legs, and he goes to tie Ibushi up! Ibushi kicks Sanada away, runs in at the corner, but Sanada elbows him away.

Sanada Quebrada but Ibushi gets under, only to run into a fireman’s carry! Ibushi fights free, but Sanada ducks the roundhouse to kick and run, into Ibushi’s RANA! Both men are down but fans rally up, and the two crawl to hot tag Hiromu and Sho! Sho and Hiromu collide then start throwing forearms back and forth! Fans rally as they go faster and faster, but Hiromu bumps Sho off buckles. Hiromu fires off several forearms, but Sho gives them all back! Sho has Hiromu down in the corner but Hiromu gets up, only for Sho to ROCK him! Sho runs, Hiromu follows and corner clotheslines! Hiromu runs but Sho follows to return that clothesline!

Sho runs but Hiromu follows again, but Sho puts Hiromu on the apron! Sho sweeps the legs, runs side to side and baseball slides Hiromu off the apron! Sho builds speed, but Hiromu gets in! Sho dodges Hiromu, to SPEAR, but Hiromu blocks it!! Hiromu suplexes, Sho slips out but Hiromu elbows him away. Hiromu runs, Sho dodges and comes back to SPEAR! Direct hit this time and Sho powers up! Sho drags Hiromu up, suplexes, but Hiromu slips out to waistlock. Sho elbows over and over but Hiromu reels him in. Sho throws forearms from all sides now, but Hiromu gives one back! Sho ROCKS Hiromu, runs, but into a POP-UP BOMB!

Hiromu can’t make the cover but fans rally up as both men head for their corners! Hot tag to Bushi, he and Sanada dropkick Wato and Honma! Naito whips Sho for Bushi to sunset flip, and Bushi sends Sho into Naito’s basement dropkick! Bushi brings Sho around while LIJ keeps the others down, BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Bushi drags Sho up, wrenches and lifts, but Honma gets in to CLOBBER Bushi! Naito gives Honma an atomic drop, but runs into a LEAPING HEADBUTT! Sanada dropkicks Honma but Ibushi springboard missile dropkicks Sanada! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Ibushi, then kicks Wato!

Hiromu and Bushi double whip, double hip toss, then throw Wato again, but Wato lands on his feet! Wato KICKS Hiromu, mule kicks Bushi, and sets Bushi up for Sho’s LARIAT! Sho stands Bushi up Wato’s DREAMCAST KICK! Sho brings Bushi back around, lifts, POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and fans fire up! Sho takes aim with the bow and drags Bushi back up. Sho tucks the arms, LIJ fights off Team Ibushi, but SHOCK ARROW hits! Cover, Sho and team win!

Winners: Kota Ibushi, Sho, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma, by pinfall

A big win for the many rivals of LIJ! Will this momentum help Sho shock Hiromu in their IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship battle? What of the momentum for Sanada challenging Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intecontinental Double Championship?

Loser Can’t Mongolian Chop: Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Great-O-Khan!

The stipulation is fairly self-explanatory. Both men use the Mongolian Chop attack in their arsenal, but that will all change tonight! Will Ikari no Mogyu or the United Empire’s Dominator be the one true master of the double chop strike?

Khan rushes Tenzan as he heads down the ramp, but Tenzan RAMS Khan down! Tenzan stomps Khan and fans fire up! Tenzan clubs Khan, rams him into the apron then stomps him more! The ref says to get this in the ring but Tenzan whips Khan into railing! Fans fire up more as Tenzan drags Khan up and around into the ring. Tenzan gets in and the bell finally rings to start the match! Tenzan stomps Khan more, headbutts him, then stomps him more. Khan eggs him on so Tenzan stomps him again and again. Tenzan drags Khan up for another headbutt! Tenzan whips, and hits the Mongolian Chop! Fans fire up and Tenzan chokes Khan!

The ref reprimands and counts, Tenzan lets off at 4, and Tenzan stomps and chops Khan. Tenzan hits another Mongolian Chop! And another! And another! Tenzan eggs Khan on and Khan kicks back! To then give a Mongolian Chop! And another! And another! Tenzan gives the Mongolian Chops back, but Khan knees low! Khan gives karate chops over and over to Tenzan’s back! And then drags Tenzan into an arm-and-head triangle! Fans rally as Tenzan endures, but Khan shifts to clamp onto the shoulder! Khan digs his claw in, Tenzan endures but Khan stomps him down! Fans rally for Tenzan but Khan drags him back up.

Khan has the cravat, snapmares then sits him up for a chinlock. Tenzan endures the knee in his back, Khan shifts to a headscissor headlock! Tenzan kicks and flails but Khan squeezes tight! Tenzan rolls, and gets to the ropes! The ref counts, Khan lets go at 3, and Tenzan can breathe again. Khan drags Tenzan to a cover, TWO! Khan is annoyed as fans cheer. Khan drags Tenzan up and turns him for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Khan drags Tenzan up and bumps him off buckles. Khan clubs Tenzan, then climbs up to sit on Tenzan’s head! The ref counts, Khan hops off at 4, and paces as fans rally up again. Khan stomps Tenzan, eggs him on, then pushes Tenzan’s head into his boot.

Tenzan fights up, throws body shots, but Khan ROCKS Tenzan! Khan runs, into the windmill kick! Tenzan fires up and the fans follow as he gives Khan more Mongolian Chops! Khan flops down and bails out but Tenzan pursues to club and stomp Khan! Tenzan puts Khan back in, stomps him more then gives him a back hand CHOP! Tenzan bumps Khan off buckles, stomps him, headbutts him, and fires up again. Tenzan headbutts and stomps more, then rakes Khan’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Tenzan stops and whips Khan corner to corner. Tenzan runs in to corner splash! Khan sputters and Tenzan goes up top!

Tenzan drags Khan up by his hair, then hits CALF BRANDING, the falling knee drop! Tenzan says it’s not done here, he goes back to the corner and back up! Fans rally, and Tenzan hits a FLYING MONGOLIAN CHOP! Tenzan stomps Khan more, chops him more, then eggs him on. Khan gets up, Tenzan headbutts and brings Khan up. Tenzan calls his shot and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Tenzan keeps his focus as he says he’ll hit the driver! Tenzan drags Khan up, scoops, but Khan fights that off to hit a HALF NELSON FACEBUSTER! Fans rally up as both men are down and Khan gets up first. Khan powers up, takes aim, and clamps onto Tenzan’s face with the claw!

But Tenzan breaks free to Mongolian Chop! And again! And again! Tenzan eggs Khan on, Khan puts some stank on his own Mongolian Chops! Tenzan gives one back, and now it’s a back and forth of Mongolian Chops! Tenzan hits, Khan hits, then they BOTH hit! And again! Whose chop is stronger?! Tenzan falls to a knee, Khan fires up and runs, but Tenzan LARIATS! Fans fire up as Tenzan paces, and drops an elbow! ANACONDA VICE!! Khan flails, endures, even pulls Tenzan’s hair, but he has to kick his way over towards ropes! Tenzan drags Khan up and away for an ANACONDA BUSTER! Cover, TWO!?! Khan survives but Tenzan vows to end this!

Tenzan goes up, TENZAN PRESS FLOPS!! Khan avoids disaster! Fans fire up as Khan stomps and chops away on Tenzan’s back! Khan drags Tenzan back up, scoops, but Tenzan fights it off! Tenzan throws body shots and a HEADBUTT! Tenzan fires up, scoops Khan, but Tenzan’s arms give up! Khan BOOTS Tenzan down! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer as Tenzan is still in this! Khan drags Tenzan back up, gives him another Mongolian Chop, and then another! Khan hits a third and Tenzan falls! Khan drags Tenzan back up, scoops him, and hits the TTD?!? Cover, TWO!?!? Tenzan survives Khan’s take on his other signature!!

Tenzan runs in, but into the claw! ELIMINATOR CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, Khan wins!!

Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (Hiroyoshi Tenzan CANNOT use Mongolian Chop)

The Dominator takes away Tenzan’s signature strike! And he won’t even let Young Lions check on Tenzan! Khan gets in Tenzan’s face about having conquered him, and then stomps him again! Is this just the beginning of what the United Empire will do to NJPW?

No Disqualifications: Will Ospreay VS Satoshi Kojima!

Speaking of, The Aerial Assassin is building his United Empire on the legends he defeats! Will he add the Cozy Strong Arm to that foundation in a match with no restraints?

Ospreay comes prepared with a trash can, several lids and even some cookie sheets, and a guitar! He throws the ring steps aside but he might end up using those, too. Kojima makes his entrance, bringing just himself! Ospreay builds speed but Kojima stays clear so Ospreay cancels his flight. Kojima gets in, he and Ospreay throw hands, and the bell rings! They go back and forth with fast and furious forearms but Ospreay knees low. Ospreay throws Kojima out, CHOPS him then whips him into railing! Ospreay headbutts Kojima around the way, throws forearms, then throws haymakers as they go up the ramp.

Ospreay fetches some of the stuff he brought, and he SMACKS Kojima with the cookie sheet! Ospreay shouts, “Who’s the tough guy in Japan now?! It’s me!” Ospreay throws haymakers and Kojima goes back towards the ring. Ospreay brings him around to the trash can, but Kojima back drops Ospreay onto it! Fans fire up as Ospreay writhes and Kojima kicks him to railing. Kojima throws forearms and elbows then POSTS Ospreay! Ospreay staggers away, Kojima kicks him then puts him in the ring. Ospreay boots back then runs, and boots again! Ospreay keeps moving but Kojima runs him over! And elbows him down! Ospreay bails out again but Kojima aims to PLANCHA!

But Ospreay gets clear and Kojima hits floor! Ospreay goes up the corner to leap, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Kojima is sent crashing into railing, but fans rally up as Ospreay fetches something from under the ring. Ospreay brings out a ladder! Ospreay aims at Kojima, and RAMS him down with the ladder! Ospreay shouts, “What’s my name?!” Ospreay opens the ladder, and the restraint is broken so it goes full 180 open. Ospreay doesn’t mind, he makes it a bridge between ring and railing. Ospreay brings Kojima around and whips, but Kojima blocks! Ospreay tries again but Kojima reverses! Ospreay slides under the ladder bridge, to then BOOT it into Kojima!

Kojima goes down, Ospreay goes back under the ladder and brings Kojima up. Fans rally, Ospreay puts Kojima in the ring, and Ospreay drops knees on Kojima’s chest! Kojima sputters, Ospreay drops another knee! Ospreay drags Kojima up, throws a hard body shot forearm, and Kojima doubles over! Ospreay undoes a corner pad and tosses it aside. Ospreay drags Kojima up, whips him in and Kojima gets bare buckles to the back! Fans rally for Kojima but Ospreay laughs at then. Ospreay brings Kojima up but Kojima hits back with body shots of his own! Ospreay scoops Kojima for a turning BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Kojima survives but Ospreay goes out to fetch more things.

Ospreay brings in chairs! Ospreay sits one chair up, then brings Kojima over, to put his jaw against the seat! Ospreay stands on Kojima’s head, fans rally and Ospreay runs, Kojima HIP TOSSES Ospreay onto the chair! Kojima stalks Ospreay to a corner and CHOPS! And fires off the MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Kojima whips Ospreay corner to corner, runs in and hits a forearm! Kojima throws Ospreay down, grabs the other chair, and sets it on Ospreay’s chest! Kojima climbs up, FULL METAL MACHO ELBOW! It’s double-edged for Kojima but both men are down and writhing! Fans rally as Ospreay clutches ribs and Kojima clutches his arm.

Kojima gets up, throws forearms over and over, then hits a ROLLING ELBOW! Fans fire up, Kojima brings Ospreay back up and CHOPS! Kojima whips, Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER ENZIGURI! Kojima goes down, Ospreay fetches more things from under the ring! He rips the apron skirts away until he finds… a TABLE! Ospreay sets the table up, brings Kojima to the apron, but Kojima blocks the suplex! Kojima throws body shots and forearms, then runs, but into a springboard PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay drags Kojima up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Kojima survives and Ospreay grows frustrated.

Ospreay goes out, grabs that guitar he brought, and gets back in the ring. Ospreay wants to do his best Double J as Kojima staggers up, but Kojima dodges to hit a DDT! Kojima sees the guitar and decides to take it for his own! COZY SMASH HIT!! The guitar is done but both Kojima and Ospreay are still in this match. Kojima goes out and fetches a table of his own! Kojima puts the table in, sets it up in a corner, then goes back for Ospreay. Ospreay resists the bomb lift, back drops Kojima, then runs back in, but Kojima swats his clothesline away! COZY CUTTER! Kojima powers up, runs, but Ospreay spins through the lariat to get the lift! POWERBOMB THROUGH THE TABLE!! Kojima’s plan backfires!

Fans still rally up but Ospreay rises first. Ospreay runs, springboards, OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO!?! Kojima survives and shocks Ospreay! Ospreay goes back out and gets even more chairs! Ospreay goes in, brings a chair, and SMACKS Kojima right on the back! Ospreay sits the chairs up together, making a chair square. Ospreay gets a fifth chair, digs it into Kojima’s head, then tosses it aside. Ospreay brings Kojima around, sits Kojima down and fires off haymakers! Ospreay then goes to the corner, goes up top, but Kojima stops him with haymakers of his own! Kojima COZY LARIATS Ospreay off the top, and he FALLS THROUGH THE LADDER!!!

The ref goes out to check on Ospreay and fans rally up. Somehow Ospreay is okay and a ring count starts. Kojima crawls through the chairs while Ospreay is still down. The ring count is 10 of 20 but Ospreay hasn’t gotten up! Kojima tells the ref to stop counting and he goes out to fetch Ospreay! Kojima puts Ospreay in and fans cheer that he wants to finish this in the ring! Kojima brings Ospreay up to suplex, BRAIN BUSTER ON CHAIRS! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Kojima is too tired to be upset. Kojima takes off the arm band! Kojima runs, into a SUPERKICK! He keeps trying but Ospreay SUPERKICKS again!

Ospreay dodges, springboards, BLINDSIDE COZY LARIAT! Kojima powers up again, but Ospreay dodges and gets a chair! Ospreay tosses the chair at Kojima, he catches it, FULL METAL HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay hurries back up, ANOTHER HIDDEN BLADE!! And then, double underhooks, lift, STORMBREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall

An incredible fight that was incredibly painful, and it’s the United Empire’s leader who stands tall! Well, so to speak. Will Ospreay lead his faction into the future by any means necessary?

NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

This battle was set in motion by World Tag League when LIJ’s Dragon and Cold Skull battled The Ace and Hammerhead Toa Henare. Now, it comes to a head, and we see if Takagi can continue to build his legacy against the Once in a Century Talent!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the end of new beginnings in Nagoya begins!

Fans rally up already as Tanahashi and Takagi circle. They approach, feel out the grapple, and tie up with knuckle locks. Tanahashi shoots in but Takagi gets away and the two reset. Fans rally, Tanahashi and Takagi tie up, and Takagi powers Tanahashi to ropes. Tanahashi turns it around, Red Shoes calls for a break, but Takagi dodges the cheap shot! Tanahashi dodges Takagi’s retaliation and hits an arm-drag to an armlock! Fans rally, Takagi gets up but Tanahashi wrenches to a wristlock. Takagi body shots, rolls, and wrenches back. Takagi hammerlocks the arm, Tanahashi drop toeholds and floats to a chinlock.

Takagi fights up, pries at the hold and gets around to hammerlock then headlock. Tanahashi endures the grind, throws body shots and powers out to drop toehold again. Tanahashi has another headlock and he grinds Takagi, but Takagi fights up. Takagi tries to power out but Tanahashi grinds harder! Takagi throws body shots, powers out and is free, but Tanahashi rams him! Takagi blocks the hip toss to body shot and throw Tanahashi down! But Tanahashi victory rolls, TWO! Takagi runs into a headlock takeover, headscissors in return, but Tanahashi pops free. Fans cheer as the two stand off and reset again. Takagi and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock!

Tanahashi uses leverage to put Takagi in a corner but Takagi turns it around. They go around and around in the corner, Red Shoes calls for the break, but Takagi throws forearms! Takagi whips corner to corner, runs in and blocks a boot! Takagi eggs Tanahashi on then CLOBBERS him! Takagi toys with Tanahashi but Tanahashi throws forearms! Takagi shoves Tanahashi to fire off JABS and CHOPS back and forth! Red Shoes has Takagi let off, Takagi comes back but Tanahashi palm strikes! Tanahashi whips Takagi and dropkicks the legs out! Takagi flounders to ropes but Tanahashi grabs his leg.

Fans rally as Tanahashi turns Takagi over, to SMASH the knee on his knee! Like a backbreaker but to the leg! Tanahashi drops elbows on the leg, cranks back on it, but Takagi reaches for ropes. Tanahashi pulls Takagi away and drops a leg on the leg! Tanahashi ties the legs up for a butterfly deathlock! Takagi endures, fans rally, and Takagi back hands, only for Tanahashi to push harder on the legs! Takagi drags himself and Tanahashi back, Tanahashi puts as much pressure as he can, but Takagi gets the ropebreak! Tanahashi lets go and shakes his own legs out. Tanahashi kicks Takagi’s legs, grabs it, but Takagi fights him off!

Tanahashi throws body shots, whips, but Takagi holds ropes to then run Tanahashi over! Fans cheer and Takagi clotheslines Tanahashi out of the ring! Takagi catches his breath before going out to fetch Tanahashi. Fans rally as Takagi whips Tanahashi into railing! Takagi brings Tanahashi back up to bump him off apron, then again. Takagi fireman’s carries and APRON SNAKE EYES! Then he hits a DDT to the floor! Takagi fires up and fans cheer as Takagi hobbles. Takagi gets his bad leg moving, the ring count climbs but Takagi brings Tanahashi up at 12 of 20 to put him. SLINGSHOT STOMP!

Takagi drags Tanahashi up, cranks with a facelock, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Takagi keeps Tanahashi down with a headlock. Tanahashi endures as Takagi makes it a modified half nelson stretch, then shifts to sit him up. Takagi rains down elbows, covers, TWO! Takagi keeps moving, going up for the FALLING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Takagi toys with Tanahashi, drags him up, and chicken wings, but Tanahashi fights off the Gory to fire off forearms and elbows! Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS and Tanahashi drops to a knee! Takagi whips Tanahashi to ropes, then KNEES him at the rope, but Tanahashi blocks it!

Takagi tries to punch Tanahashi away, but Tanahashi still DRAGON SCREWS! But Takagi spins through with it! Takagi runs, Tanahashi dodges the sliding lariat! Tanahashi dropkicks the leg, then gets it for a DRAGON SCREW! And this time it hits! Fans rally as both men rise and Tanahashi stalks behind Takagi. Tanahashi throws forearms, whips, but Takagi reverses, only for Tanahashi to hit flying forearms! Fans fire up with Tanahashi as he drags Takagi up and scoop slams him into the drop zone! Tanahashi goes up to the second rope, SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally again as both men rise. Tanahashi runs into the corner, he blocks Takagi’s boot but Takagi boots him away with the other leg! Tanahashi runs but Takagi puts him on the apron, to then hotshot! Takagi goes to the apron to join Tanahashi, fans fire up and Takagi fireman’s carries! Tanahashi fights to get free, but Takagi ROCKS him. But Tanahashi dropkicks the leg! Takagi falls to the floor and fans rally up again. Tanahashi fires up now and he goes to the corner. Tanahashi climbs, Takagi stands, ACES HIGH! Direct hit and down goes the Dragon! Red Shoes checks on both men but they’re okay to continue.

The ring count stars, Tanahashi drags himself up at 5 and gets in at 8. Takagi is still down at 11 of 20, gets up at 13 and hobbles at 15. Takagi is in at 17 but Tanahashi has the leg, DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi rises as Takagi clutches his leg. Tanahashi powers up, runs, but Takagi elbows! JABS! But Tanahashi blocks the lariat! Takagi fights him off, chicken wing, spin, and Takagi steals TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Fans fire up as Takagi drags Tanahashi back up. Takagi suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it off so Takagi TWIST ‘N’ SHOUTS again! Takagi sits Tanahashi up, runs, SLIDING LARIAT! But the leg bothers Takagi so he can’t make the cover here. Fans rally up as Takagi stands.

Takagi hobbles over to Tanahashi as the fans get louder. Takagi toys with Tanahashi as he gives those kicks. He talks some trash and Tanahashi gets mad. Tanahashi eggs Takagi on as Takagi keeps kicking him, and then blocks the kick to dropkick the bad leg! Fans rally again as Tanahashi stomps Takagi and taunts him in return. Takagi eggs Tanahashi on now and dares him to hit harder. Tanahashi stomps more, Takagi still eggs him on, then Takagi blocks the kick to spin Tanahashi, run, and CHOP BLOCK! It was just enough to clip Tanahashi, but then Takagi drops a knee on the leg! Takagi gets back up as fans rally again.

Takagi stalks Tanahashi to a corner and taunts him again. Takagi gives toying kicks but Tanahashi throws serious forearms! Takagi puts Tanahashi’s leg in the ropes, then gets the other, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Takagi brings Tanahashi around, air guitars on Tanahashi’s leg, then steps through. Tanahashi kicks Takagi away, gets up, but runs into Takagi’s LARIAT! Takagi drags Tanahashi back up, reels him in, POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO, but Takagi gets a HALF CRAB! Tanahashi endures, Takagi pulls back hard, and then drops to a toehold! Like the deathlock in an STF, just no crossface! Tanahashi endures, moves around, but Takagi pulls harder on the leg!

Tanahashi still gets the ropebreak! Takagi lets Tanahashi go, fans fire up again, and Takagi gets them on the “OI! OI! OI!” rhythm. Takagi pump handles, Tanahashi resists, but Takagi throws knees. Tanahashi trips Takagi for GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And another GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Takagi clutches his leg but Tanahashi goes after both. Takagi gets the ropebreak, Tanahashi stomps his leg, then has Takagi in a corner. Tanahashi clubs Takagi, Takagi throws elbows, but they go up the corner. Tanahashi has Takagi up top, SUPER DRAGON SCREW!! Takagi writhes and clutches his knee as Tanahashi gets up. Tanahashi gets the legs for the CLOVERLEAF!

Takagi endures, Tanahashi sits deep, but Takagi refuses to give up! Red Shoes checks on Takagi as he starts to fade! Takagi opens an eye, grabs at Red Shoes, and then gets a second wind! Takagi powers up but Tanahashi just lets him go! Tanahashi goes to the corner, goes up top, HIGH FLY FLOW to Takagi’s back! Tanahashi goes up again, HIGH FLY FLOW, FLOPS!! Takagi avoids the final flow and fans fire up! Takagi drags Tanahashi back, wheelbarrow CORNER GERMAN! Takagi shouts and gets his bad leg moving again. Fans rally up, Takagi brings Tanahashi back up, but Tanahashi catches the lariat to a full nelson!

Takagi fights that off, catches Tanahashi to a full nelson, and hits a DRAGON SUPLEX! The Dragon hits a Dragon Suplex! Fans are thunderous as Takagi demands Tanahashi stands back up! Tanahashi stands, Takagi runs, PUMPING BOMBER! But Takagi isn’t done there, he wants Tanahashi to stand again! Takagi runs as best he can, but Tanahashi dodges! SLING- NO! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?!? The Ace survives and the Dragon cannot believe it! Fans fire up again, Takagi drags Tanahashi up, pump handle and fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi fights out to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Tanahashi holds on, drags Takagi up, ANOTHER TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! He still holds on, brings Takagi up again, A THIRD TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Takagi sits up in a daze, Tanahashi powers up and runs, but Takagi gets around him! Tanahashi full nelsons, Takagi breaks free, but Tanahashi has the STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives but Tanahashi isn’t done! Tanahashi runs, SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi hurries to the corner and up top, but Takagi stands. HIGH FLY ATTACK- Takagi catches it?! Takagi pops Tanahashi up, and hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both men are down but fans are thunderous again!

Tanahashi goes to a corner and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” again. Takagi runs in, corner clotheslines! Tanahashi fires off forearms in return! Takagi ducks the next to sleeper hold, and he shifts to a dragon sleeper! A dragon sleeper from the Dragon! Tanahashi scrambles, ends up in ropes, DRAPING G T R!?! Takagi borrows from one of the other great NEVER Openweight Champions, but he knows this still isn’t over! Tanahashi slowly rises, Takagi takes aim, runs and runs and MAXIMUM PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Tanahashi survives again!! Fans rally up, “TA-KA-GI!” “LET’S GO, ACE!”

Both men slowly rise, Takagi brings Tanahashi up, pump handle but Tanahashi fights off the fireman’s, only for a point-blank LARIAT! Takagi kicks at Tanahashi, drags him up and slaps him around. Tanahashi throws forearms and Takagi just laughs! Takagi fires forearms from all sides! Takagi ROCKS Tanahashi with the tenth, but Tanahashi palm strikes! Takagi palm strikes! JAB! Tanahashi HEADBUTTS!? Fans are electric as Tanahashi fires up and runs, into a clothesline! Takagi keeps moving, but Tanahashi gets around, DRAGON SUPLEX! Takagi is back up?! Tanahashi SLINGBLADES! Cover, ONE?!?! PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, ONE!?!?!

Both men survive and fans are electric again! Takagi gets up, bites ropes as he rises, and aims from a corner. Tanahashi is in the other, and both men shout smack talk at each other! DOUBLE LARIATS!! Neither falls, Tanahashi palm strikes, Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! Takagi fires up more, drags Tanahashi back up, pump handle and fireman’s carry, SLINGBLADE?!? Tanahashi turns things back in his favor and heads to a corner! Tanahashi climbs, Takagi stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! Direct hit but Takagi flounders to ropes. Tanahashi reels him in, DRAGON SUPLEX! With a bridge, TWO!?!?! Tanahashi keeps going, goes back up, HIGH FLY FLOW!!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

It is truly a new beginning as The Ace dethrones the Dragon! Tanahashi stands, Red Shoes hands him the belt, and Tanahashi raises the belt over his head! Takagi manages to stand, and he pats Tanahashi on the shoulder to show respect to him. They’re both willing to go again down the road, when and where will we see that epic sequel? Tanahashi gets the mic and takes a moment before he says, “Everyone. I’m very appreciative!” Tanahashi wants us all to know, that he is far from done as a pro-wrestler, and this is his new beginning, too! And so again, he is very thankful to the fans!

But wait, is he or isn’t he going to air guitar? Fans cheer louder and Tanahashi goes back in! Tanahashi decides to christen the NEVER Openweight Championship by using IT for air guitaring! Fans cheer more and Tanahashi is pretty sure they want an encore! So he gives them an encore! Tanahashi is perhaps spent after two air guitar solos and that huge main event, but fans still cheer. Tanahashi gets up, climbs a corner and gives one more encore! Fans clap along and Tanahashi returns to the mic. “Please come back! Please come back!” Tanahashi thanks the fans and promises that with love and power-

NO! Great-O-Khan attacks from behind!! Khan drags Tanahashi up and clamps on the claw! ELIMINATOR SLAM!! Khan grabs the mic and tells Tanahashi, “Oi, did you think the Tokyo Dome was the end of it?” Tanahashi, you’re going to learn that there is NOTHING you can do to stop this. You got that, right? Khan grabs the NEVER Openweight belt and says it will be his! Will the United Empire be even stronger after the Dominator dominates the Ace?

My Thoughts:

This was a great event, especially after a long Road To series that I of course skipped because it was just so much. Yano & Okada VS Yujiro & EVIL was a good match, but it makes sense for the Faces to win there. Yano is starting a new reign as the new Mr. KOPW for this year, and we’re going to see more shenanigans with the match stipulations he can cook up. Okada VS Evil seems to be building on the side, and that is a pretty good feud to bide some time. The 8 Man was a lot of fun, but it was a pretty good surprise that Sho wins off Bushi. All the stories being considered, that was one of the only options since Ibushi and Sanada need to stay even, it’s still unclear what’s building with Honma and Naito, and then Hiromu can’t lose before facing Sho. All of those stories are interesting and I can’t wait to see the payoffs.

Khan VS Tenzan was really good, and of course in a match where a move is on the line, that move was going to be used a lot. And at the same time, Khan is being built up, so of course he wins. Tenzan can’t Mongolian Chop but that is just one move in his arsenal, but also he’s a bit older, how much more is he going to do, really? Tanahashi VS Takagi was AWESOME, and I really didn’t see it going that way, but it is one of the titles Tanahashi’s never had. But then Khan going after him and having another match with Tanahashi for the title is going to be awesome. That could go either way, but I would think Tanahashi retains to try and prove he’s still got it.

My Score: 9.4/10

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

Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE Royal Rumble Results & Report! (1/31/21)

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AEW Coverage

Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/27/24)

It’s a slam dunk!

Published

24 mins ago

April 27, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Guns up for all the Jacksonville Gold Members!

Another three hour block of All Elite Wrestling starts with a Collision! But will the Bang Bang Gang still be the best three man unit ever? Or will Top Flight go from the coldest to the goldest trio in the game?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The Acclaimed VS Grizzled Young Veterans; win.
Toni Storm w/ Mariah May & Luther VS Anna Jay; wins.
Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Championships: Bullet Club Gold VS Top Flight; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

[Coverage will begin after the NBA Playoffs on TNT]

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

Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

1 day 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.