Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (1/28/21)

Who will be left to challenge Gallus?

Published

3 years ago

January 28, 2021

Steven Mitchell

The NXT UK Tag Team Division is on display!

The NXT UK Tag Team Champions, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang, are ready and waiting for a challenge! Who wins this massive 4 Way Tag Elimination match?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Ben Carter VS Sam Gradwell; Carter wins.
Sha Samuels VS Josh Morrell; Samuels wins.
NXT UK Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way Elimination match: The Hunt VS South Wales Subculture VS Pretty Deadly VS Ashton Smith & Oliver Carter; Pretty Deadly wins and will challenge Gallus for the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jordan Devlin heads to the ring!

The Irish Ace is still NXT Cruiserweight Champion on this brand, and he gets a mic to speak. “A few months ago, I started this Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge for one reason: to cement my legacy with this title. When you are The Ace of an entire division, you live your life to a certain standard. So it’s not enough for me that I’m the longest reigning Cruiserweight Champion of all time. I want the most successful defenses. I want to go down in history as the greatest wrestler under 205 this company’s ever seen.” But here comes Trent Seven?! It was a mystery on when we would see him again after the Heritage Cup Tournament finals, but here he is!

Seven says there is no denying that Devlin was speaking the truth. Devlin has cemented a legacy, beaten everyone put in his path, and has had the title for almost a year. All impressive. But if Devlin wants to talk challenges and dominating the Cruiserweight Division, maybe not only does Devlin need a new challenger, but the Division needs someone new. Maybe Trent Seven needs to challenge himself. So here’s a crazy idea. Seven can trim down to 205, and then Devlin puts the title on the line.

Devlin wants to get this straight: Seven is somehow going to get under 205? So then if Seven can ditch those, oh maybe 30 pounds at least, then yeah, he can have his shot. Good luck, big boy. Seven doesn’t appreciate the pat on the bell, and he DECKS Devlin! Seven stands on the belt and tells Devlin, “I’m coming to your league.” Seven vows not just to challenge Devlin but to be the champion! Will the Man from Moustache Mountain be able to climb a new mountain of his own to knock Devlin off the top of his?

The NXT UK Women’s Champion keeps making history.

Kay Lee Ray is the longest reigning champion on this brand, and is currently the longest reigning woman’s champion in all of the WWE! Toni Storm, Piper Niven, Jinny and a few others have tried, but all have failed. KLR called out to the world that she wants the best possible challenger, and she has an answer. The Japanese Joshi scene, European promotions like wXw, the Mae Young Classic, and now, NXT UK! MEIKO SATOMURA is here! The living legend has many calling her the best in the world, and she has had many championships in Japan. Striking, technique, high flying, Satomura can hit you from any angle. And now she is here in NXT UK! Be prepared for the Final Boss!

Ben Carter VS Sam Gradwell!

The British prodigy impressed everyone in his Cruiserweight Championship debut against Jordan Devlin, except for the Thunderstorm! Will Gradwell rain on Carter’s parade in only his second match in NXT UK?

Gradwell has a mic as he makes his entrance, “Decrease the volume, I’m making a speech. First off, well done, Betty Bobs, you finally made it to NXT UK. But despite them flags you’ve got all over those god awful PE shorts, you’re actually from Jersey. This is not NXT Channel Islands, mate! And Jersey’s a place with more cows than people, and does not even feature on an atlas.” But unlike Benjamin, Gradwell isn’t here to be a pretty little fireworks display. He’s here to be the storm that sends Carter back home in a catamaran. “Get on that, you yogurt!” Gradwell gets in the ring and the match begins!

Gradwell and Carter circle, tie up, and Gradwell shoves Carter away. Carter comes back to shove Gradwell, then they tie up. Gradwell wrenches the arm, clamps onto the shoulder, twists the wrist, and stands on Carter’s other hand. The ref notices that, Gradwell steps off to hook Carter with that leg and drag him down. Gradwell looms over Carter as he wrenches, but Carter kips up. Gradwell wrenches and yanks, wrenches again and yanks again. Carter rolls, handsprings and breaks free to dropkick Gradwell down! Gradwell gets up and gets Carter with a headlock but Carter powers out, hurdles up and over, and then dropkicks Gradwell again!

BT Sports Studios fires up but Gradwell reverses the whip. Carter goes up and over and handsprings across the way! Gradwell runs in after Carter but Carter boots him away! Carter hops up, leaps and missile dropkicks Gradwell down! Gradwell gets to the apron to breathe but Carter smirks and keeps his cool. Carter goes over, Gradwell grabs him by his hair, and then SLAPS Carter down! Gradwell CLUBS Carter, stomps him, then gets in his face with trash talk. Gradwell stomps Carter, drags him up and DECKS him with a forearm! Gradwell stands on Carter’s head, the ref reprimands, so Gradwell stomps Carter down! Cover, TWO!

Gradwell is annoyed, but that could just be his general mood. Gradwell drags Carter up, scoops and SLAMS him! Gradwell stomps Carter, slaps him then CLUBS him! Gradwell eggs Carter on, Carter gets to ropes and Gradwell pulls him up! Carter lands on his feet, slips under and rolls Gradwell up, TWO! Carter gets to a corner, boots Gradwell again then hops up. Gradwell gets under the leap and CLOBBERS Carter on the return! Cover, TWO! Carter survives but Gradwell RAMS a knee into Carter’s back! And CLUBS him, too! Gradwell looms over Carter, drags him back up, and butterfly suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Gradwell mounts for the cover, TWO!

Gradwell clamps onto Carter with a chinlock and squeezes tight. Carter endures as Gradwell leans on him, fights his way up, but Gradwell wrangles him back down! Gradwell keeps on the hold, Carter fights his way back up and throws body shots! Gradwell knees low, brings Carter around but Carter hits a jawbreaker! Gradwell grabs Carter by his ear but Carter CHOPS back! Carter dodges, CHOPS, whips, but Gradwell reverses, only for Carter to rally with forearms! Gradwell goes to uppercut, Carter catches it to a backslide but Gradwell swings out. Gradwell blocks the superkick and spins Carter, but Carter DRAGON WHIPS!

Gradwell is sent out of the ring, Carter fires up and DIVES! Direct hit sends Gradwell into the barriers! Carter gets Gradwell back in, catches his breath, but Gradwell rolls right back out. Carter grits his teeth, builds speed again and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Carter drags Gradwell back up, puts him back in, but still has to catch his breath a moment. The ring count is 6, Carter aims and springboards, but into Gradwell’s arms! Gradwell swings Carter but Carter counters to a GUILLOTINE! But Gradwell TOSSES Carter and hits an STO! Cover, TWO!! Carter survives but Gradwell rains down furious forearms!

Gradwell drags Carter back up, fireman’s carries, but Carter fights around to a sunset flip! Gradwell drags Carter back up, Carter dodges and QUEBRADAS, into the ELBOW DROP DDT! Carter goes right up top, leaps, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Carter wins!!

Winner: Ben Carter, by pinfall

The prodigy wasn’t just impressive, he was victorious! Is this first win just the first of many?

Sha Samuels is spotted backstage talking with Noam Dar.

It isn’t clear what is being said, but perhaps it’s to arrange the next Supernova Sessions. For now, Samuels heads to the ring because he has a match up next!

Sha Samuels VS Josh Morrell!

The East End Butcher is true to himself, so he refused to be Ed Harvey in his NXT UK debut! Will he get a fresh start after that loss to Joe Coffey against #TurboTerry?

The bell rings and Samuels ties up with Morrell. Samuels puts Morrell in a corner, lets off with a mocking pat of the face, and then gets a headlock. Morrell endures, Samuels snapmares him but Morrell slips out to get a wristlock. Samuels ROCKS Morrell, snapmares again but Morrell again slips free to get the arm. Morrell cranks on the wrist, Samuels gets up to knee low and talk trash. Samuels wrenches to ram the shoulder, then he twists the wrist. Morrell rolls, handsprings and cartwheels to wristlock again! Samuels is frustrated so he ROCKS Morrell, then scoops and SLAMS him! Samuels CLUBS Morrell, whips him to a corner, but Morrell goes up and over to arm-drag!

Samuels is up fast to CLOBBER Morrell! Samuels kicks Morrell around, rains down rights, then shouts “EAST!” to represent his hometown. Samuels drags Morrell up, knees him low and hard, then elbows him harder! The ref reprimands Samuels pulling Morrell’s hair, Morrell hits back then runs, but into a BIG back drop! Samuels talks trash to the “mug,” then drives in elbows into the neck and shoulder! Samuels stands on Morrell to then PENALTY KICK him in the back! Morrell crawls to ropes, Samuels drops down on him, but the ref has him back off. Samuels talks more trash, drags Morrell up to CLUB him again, but Morrell hits back!

Samuels CLUBS Morrell, whips him, and then catches Morrell’s crossbody to a SLAM! Samuels drops an elbow but misses as Morrell gets to a corner. Samuels runs in but only gets buckles, and Morrell hits a running calf kick! Samuels flounders up into forearms and CHOPS from Morrell! Morrell uppercuts but Samuels pushes him. Morrell cartwheels, dropkicks and then dropsaults! STANDING CORKSCREW! Cover, TWO! BT Sports Studio rallies as both men slowly stand. Morrell whips but Samuels reverses. Morrell goes up an dover with a twist, and hits a hip toss to cover! TWO!! Samuels escapes, Morrell runs but the crossbody misses as Samuels ducks!

Samuels CLOBBERS Morrell with a clothesline! Samuels tells “ya mug” it’s over, and he whips Morrell for a SPINEBUSTER, into the COBRA CAMEL CLUTCH! Morrell taps, Samuels wins!

Winner: Sha Samuels, by submission

Samuels has his first win in NXT UK, showing us why the brand recruited him in the first place! Will he continue to show everyone else why they need to remember his name?

NXT UK Media catches up with Ilja Dragunov at the UK Performance Center.

He alternates on one-arm push-ups, then takes a break. They ask what happened in that match with Jack Starz. Dragunov isn’t sure. Starz chops him hard on the back, and something snapped in him. He didn’t want to hurt Starz but he just couldn’t help himself. It was not the plan but… Gradwell cracks a joke to stay away from the mad man. “We’ve got a loose cannon in the house~!” Dragunov ignores that to say he has to get “back to the point.” Will Dragunov figure what is going on in his mind?

NXT UK Media interviews Rampage Brown.

How is he feeling being here in NXT UK? It’s going great, he’s seeing a lot of new faces and old, all great competition. Gallus comes by and they say hey to Rampage. Been awhile for Rampage and Joe Coffey. Rampage says Wolfgang and Mark know what they’re doing, but how about him and Joe? Joe will take Rampage up on that offer. Will we see the Iron King take on the Rampage in the near future?

NXT UK Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way Elimination match: The Hunt VS South Wales Subculture VS Pretty Deadly VS Ashton Smith & Oliver Carter!

Primate and Wild Boar are without the Welsh Dragon, but surely they can still figure out how to go on the attack on their own. Will they be able to get through Flash Morgan Webster, Mark Andrews, Lewis Howley, Sam Stoker and the #ReadyAndForwardAlwaysForward duo? Or will another team move up to go after Markus & Wolfie?

In this variety of Fatal 4 Tag, only two teams are legal at a time, so The Hunt plays it smart and lets other teams start. Andrews and Stoker step up and circle. Then Stoker tags right out to Smith! Smith and Andrews circle now, wary of the other teams. They tie up, Smith wrenches to a wristlock but Andrews rolls. Smith wrenches back, Andrews rolls and handsprings but Smith blocks the arm-drag! Andrews shifts to roll Smith up, TWO! Smith and Andrews stand off, but are wary of the other teams. Andrews and Smith circle again, tie up, and Smith waistlocks to slam Andrews! Andrews fights up, resists the lift and elbows out!

Tag to FMW, Andrews dodges Smith and FMW sunset flips! Smith stays up but Andrews dropkicks him down to the cover! TWO, and Pretty Deadly distract by simply switching positions on the corner. Smith knees low, CLUBS FMW hard, then tags in Carter. Carter rushes FMW but into an arm-drag! FMW clamps onto the arm, brings Carter up and Andrews tags in. Carter reverses FMW’s whip but FMW becomes a step for Andrews to go up and RANA Carter! Carter is up, Andrews dodges and dropkicks Carter down! Lewis Howley tags in to cover Carter! TWO, and Howley tags right back out to Andrews. Gallus watches from the VIP box as Carter sweeps Andrews’ legs!

Smith lines up with Carter, Silly String SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Gallus have a laugh as Smith tags in. Carter feeds Andrews to Smith’s suplex! Cover, TWO! Smith keeps on Andrews, drags him up and whips, but Andrews holds ropes to boot back! Andrews forces the tag on Howley! Howley and Stoker protest but they have no choice. And SWSC leave him high and dry! Smith CLOBBERS Howley, Howley flounders but he can’t tag Carter in, he’s Smith’s teammate! Smith CLOBBERS Howley again! Howley flounders up, Smith KICKS the leg out! SWSC stay away again and Smith CLOBBERS Howley again!

Howley looks over, The Hunt ROARS at him so he scrambles away, into a scoop! Howley slips out, shoves, and now Primate tags in! Primate ROCKS Smith, goes after Howley with hammering fists, then roars at SWSC! Stoker grabs at Howley but not in a way to tag! Primate drags both Pretty Deadly in! Wild Boar gets in to grab Stoker, DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES! The ref tries to restore order but Primate throws Howley to SWSC! The Hunt dares their rivals to fight them, so Andrews tags, but both he and FMW get in! The ref tries to keep things orderly but the brawl is on! Primate fires off on Andrews, and Boar rams FMW into Howley in the corner!

Smith tags in off Andrews, Stoker returns but Boar DECKS him! FMW ROCKS Boar, Howley clubs FMW, Carter and Smith go after Primate, but Andrews gets involved, too! Andrews throws Carter out, Howley throws FMW out, Smith whips but Primate reverses and Smith clotheslines Howley out! Smith turns around and Primate CLOBBERS him! Cover, TWO! Primate drags Smith up for a BIG back suplex! Tag to Boar, The Hunt double HEADBUTT, then Boar covers, TWO! Boar drags Smith up, throws forearms, Smith hits back but Boar rams low. Boar pushes Smith in, Primate tags in and they mug Smith in the corner.

Primate CLUBS Smith, hammers him down, then drags him up to scoop and SLAM! Gallus are goofing around with popcorn as Boar tags in and is Primate’s weapon in the back suplex senton! Boar stares SWSC down, covers Smith, TWO! Boar headbutts Smith low, then again! Boar RAMS Carter off the apron, then goes back to Smith, but Smith back drops Boar! Boar lands bad on a leg and Gallus notes that. Howley tags in, but he runs into another of Smith’s back drops! Smith tags in FMW and he hits a running arm-drag! Triangle dropkick for Stoker! RUDE BOY BLOCK for Howley! Cover, TWO! Stoker distracts the ref, FMW takes a swing, Howley knees low!

Tag to Stoker, Pretty Deadly double suplex FMW but Andrews makes the save! SWSC hits double dropkicks on Pretty Deadly! Primate runs in but he gets dropkicks! SWSC take aim and DOUBLE FLY! They take Primate and Pretty Deadly down, then put Stoker in. SWSC coordinates but Howley trips FMW up! Stoker shoulders and uppercuts Andrews back, then whips him corner to corner. Andrews elbows Stoker away, hops up the corner but Stoker ROCKS him with a right! Stoker climbs up but Andrews resists the superplex! Smith sneaks up as the two brawl, tags in off Stoker, and then joins in for a TOWER OF DOOM!

All three men are down and BT Sports Studio fires up, as does Gallus! Howley tells Smith to finish Andrews but Andrews tags Howley in! Howley has no choice but to stomp Smith down! Howley drags Smith up, CLUBS him, then runs to BLAST FMW! Smith reverses the whip and then throws hands. The Hunt have FMW, Howley and Smith struggle at the ropes but Stoker saves Howley. Carter SUPERKICKS Stoker down to join the others! Howley holds ropes as Smith tries to suplex him, so Carter climbs up, and uses Howley as the springboard for the SUPER MOONSAULT onto everyone else!!

Gallus is in shock, mostly because Carter clips off the apron! Smith finally hits the FALCON ARROW on Howley! Cover, but Stoker drags Smith away! Stoker saves his team in this and Smith is in shock! Smith drags Howley back up, throws a forearm, then tags out to Carter. Stoker is there and he BOOTS Smith! Carter SUPERKICKS Stoker, Howley ROCKS Carter, but Carter comes back to SUPER FOREARM! Primate tags in and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Howley HELL STAB UPPERCUTS Carter! Howley runs at Andrews but Andrews enziguris from the apron! Andrews gets in but Boar CLOBBERS him! FMW HEADBUTTS Boar, Primate LARIATS FMW!

All eight men are down and Gallus is fired up! The ref checks on everyone but Smith tags in. Smith throws forearms on Primate but Primate hits an EXPLODER! Tag to Boar, The Hunt runs at Smith to clothesline and CANNONBALL! Boar tags Primate back in, fireman’s carry, but SWSC drags Boar out to RAM him! Smith Electric Chair lifts Primate, Carter tags in, Carter springboards for a DOOMSDAY CUTTER!! Cover, Carter & Smith ELIMINATE The Hunt!! Gallus is eating this up while they’re eating up the popcorn! Extra referees are needed to take The Hunt away because Boar is furious! Howley attacks Carter from behind and stomps him down!

Howley DECKS Smith, DECKS Andrews and swings on FMW before he CLUBS Carter down! Howley drags Carter up, CLUBS him again, then scoops him for a SLAM! Cover, TWO! Howley drags Carter up, whips him to the Pretty Deadly corner, but Carter hits Stoker first! Carter goes up and over Howley but Howley sits on the cover, only for Carter to go Matrix! Hot tags to Smith and Stoker! Smith rallies on Pretty Deadly with big arms and shoulders! Smith gut wrenches Stoker to a BIG suplex! Stoker staggers into Smith’s grip, for a pop-up to the fireman’s carry! Stoker slips out, waistlocks, Smith switches and O’Conner rolls, TWO! Howley UPPER-

NO! Smith blocks the strike and drags Howley up to CLOBBER him! But Stoker rolls Smith up! ONE, Smith high stacks, TWO!! Carter tags in, baits Stoker into Smith’s BOOT! Another combo, BACK DROP 450!! Cover, TWO!! Stoker survives and Howley hurries in. Carter sees Howley, Stoker shoves Carter to then tag out to Andrews! Andrews runs into Carter’s scoop but he wheelbarrows to a BULLDOG! Tag to Smith, Andrews fires off haymakers and CHOPS! Smith reverses the whip, Andrews elbows back and FMW tags in! Smith gets Andrews in an Electric Chair but FMW runs in to KNEE TRIGGER Carter! SWSC hit Smith with TOAST AT 2 AM!! Cover off the Poison Rana Knee Trigger, SWSC ELIMINATE Smith & Carter!

And that means South Wales Subculture and Pretty Deadly are our final two! FMW and Stoker stare down, but Howley tags in and Pretty Deadly rush FMW! Stoker gets a leg and Howley BOOTS FMW down! Howley throws big knees into FMW and puts him in the corner for EuroUppers! Tag to Stoker, Howley RAMS into FMW and Stoker runs in to UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Stoker keeps FMW from Andrews with a whip back into the corner, and Stoker stomps and punches away! Tag to Howley but FMW fires off on Stoker with CHOPS! Howley throws FMW into the corner, but FMW dodges and ducks to hot tag Andrews!

Andrews CHOPS away on Pretty Deadly, but Howley kicks low. Pretty Deadly double whip, Andrews slides under to DOUBLE PELE! Andrews CHOPS and CLUBS Howley, whips but Howley reverses, only for Andrews to 619 Stoker in the arse! Howley runs into a shoulder, and Andrews slingshots up and over to victory roll, STOMP 182! Andrews springboards, gets on Howley’s shoulders, HURICANRANA! Cover, TWO!! Howley survives, Stoker DECKS FMW, but Andrews drags Howley up. Andrews forearms and CHOPS, Howley shoves but Andrews wheelbarrows. Howley throws Andrews off but Andrews ROCKS Stoker!

Andrews kicks but Howley blocks it and puts the leg on the ropes! Stoker holds the leg and Howley KNEES it! Andrews falls over, the ref reprimands but Stoker tags in. Stoker drags Andrews up, torture racks, and spins into a SWING! Then he has the bad leg for the HALF CRAB! Andrews endures, crawls, but Stoker drags him away! Andrews turns over, kicks but Stoker steps through! FIGURE FOUR! Andrews endures all over again, keeps his shoulders up, flails, but Howley runs in to intercept FMW! But FMW uses that to rana Howley onto Stoker!! Andrews is free but all four men are down! FMW checks on Andrews then goes back to his corner.

Andrews clutches the bad leg, drags himself over but Stoker gets the leg to bring Andrews up! Howley suplexes but Andrews hits STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE!! Hot tag to FMW! The Modfather goes up, for the SWANTON BOMB onto Stoker’s back!! Cover, but Howley breaks it! Andrews goes after Howley and throws him out! Andrews shakes out the bad leg to slingshot RANA Howley to the ramp! Stoker rolls FMW up, TWO!! FMW sends Stoker out onto Howley! Tag to Andrews, FMW climbs up and SWANTONS onto Pretty Deadly!! Andrews builds speed as the ref shouts at all of them, Eddie Dennis appears and JAMS Andrews with a chair!! Dennis defies the ringside ban!

FMW only sees the aftermath, and Howley trips him off the apron! The ref reprimands but the damage is done! Pretty Deadly regroups and tags, then brings Andrews up. HART ATTACK NECKBREAKER! AKA Spilt Milk! Cover, Pretty Deadly wins!!

Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT UK Tag Team Championships)

The Headmaster uses Pretty Deadly as pawns again in his pursuit of revenge on Mark Andrews! But at least it benefitted Stoker & Howley this time! The pawns are promoted to challengers, but the champions go to the stage! Joe Coffey is raising a glass, or rather paper cup, to toast HIS boys as Mark and Wolfgang tell Pretty Deadly to be ready! Will Gallus boys still be on top against the “dandy highwaymen” that just stole the show?

My Thoughts:

A really good episode for NXT UK, top to bottom! I’m very surprised Trent Seven has a direction already, I almost thought he was going to wait until closer to WrestleMania season. Though, I suppose NXT UK doesn’t have to go by that calendar. Seven wanting to drop down to join the Cruiserweight Division is even more surprising, but that alone could be a reason Seven isn’t in matches for some time because he’s still working off those pounds. I could see this being somewhere between Buddy Murphy having to keep his weight down on 205 Live and Matt Hardy way back in the day doing crazy things to work off the weight.

I knew Carter VS Gradwell was going to be the match-up this week and it was very good. Carter of course wins but Gradwell does a great job making him look good. Also commentary did great to plug some other hilarious things Gradwell says, it just makes me feel Gradwell needs to be something within the next year. I would love to see a Heritage Cup match between Gradwell and A-Kid, I feel like Gradwell could come up with some great stuff in his promos. Then, though the news was known for a few weeks, Meiko Satomura joining NXT UK not just as a veteran backstage but in the ring is incredible. Satomura VS KLR is a given, and it is going to be great.

Dragunov had a good promo, and Gradwell’s cameo probably means he’s next to feel that beserker wrath, which sounds awesome. Then we got just an amazing main event with the Fatal 4 Way Tag Elimination match. I am really surprised The Hunt went out first, but it worked in story, and it was perhaps also an audible out of concern for Boar’s leg. He really did land awkwardly on it out of the back drop, but it didn’t take him right out of things. But at the same time, I should’ve seen Eddie Dennis being able to interfere with the match in a very sneaky way. SWSC VS The Hunt rematch should happen down the line, but I also like that we’re getting Gallus VS Pretty Deadly after all. It was foreshadowed heavily for weeks, so we might as well do it and see what happens.

My Score: 8.5/10

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

Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/29/21)

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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/27/21)

Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

8 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!