Coverage

Mitchell’s New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/18/21)

The quarterfinals conclude!

Published

3 years ago

March 18, 2021

Steven Mitchell

Is the United Empire going to be out of the New Japan Cup?

One half of the semifinals is set, but now for the other half! David Finlay or Jay White, Will Ospreay or Sanada, who moves on in the New Japan Cup?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
2021 New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: David Finlay VS Jay White; Finlay wins and advances.
2021 New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: Will Ospreay VS SANADA; Ospreay wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Los Ingobernables de Japon!

Evil ruined Shingo Takagi’s moment a couple days ago, and now he looks ready to ruin things for him again! Will Chase Owens and Taiji Ishimori help the King of Darkness beat his former friends? Or will Tetsuya Naito and Bushi also get their revenge on Evil alongside the Dragon?

Naito takes off his elaborate entrance gear while Bullet Club Low Sweets. LIJ then fist bumps, and Takagi calls out Evil! Fans cheer that and Evil steps up against Takagi. Fans rally with the bell and Takagi fires up. Takagi and Evil feel out the grapple, but then Evil falls back to tag Ishimori. Takagi and Ishimori circle, but Takagi rushes at Evil! Evil gets away, Chase gets in and attacks! Ishimori and Chase double whip Takagi but he holds ropes. Takagi kicks Ishimori, runs Chase over, then scoop slams Ishimori! Fans fire up as Takagi glares and points at Evil, but he bumps Ishimori off buckles. Tag to Naito and Naito fires off on Ishimori to snapmare and Pluma Blanca!

Ishimori endures, Naito pulls hair but the ref reprimands. Ishimori moves around to get a ropebreak. Bushi tags in, the ref helps Naito release Ishimori, and Bushi stomps Ishimori. Bushi drags Ishimori up to CHOP and then DOUBLE CHOP Ishimori to a corner. Bushi stomps but lets off as the ref reprimands. Bushi whips corner to corner, Ishimori dodges and runs back in but into the swing kick! But Chase trips BUshi! Evil DECKS Takagi then DECKS Naito, and Chase joins Evil in going after them. Evil RAMS Takagi into the timekeeper’s area! What does Evil have against Abe-san?! Evil stands on Takagi’s head while Chase keeps on Naito.

Young Lions help the timekeeper while Ishimori throws Bushi out. Evil gets his shots in on Bushi, Ishimori puts Bushi back in, cover, TWO! Ishimori drags Bushi up, turns him and hits a neckbreaker to the knee! Cover, TWO! Tag to Chase, and Chase stomps Bushi. Chase headlocks to punch Bushi, and Bushi ends up in the corner. Evil digs his boot in, Chase drags Bushi up but Bushi fires off forearms! Chase shoves Bushi down, stomps him then rains down rights! Chase stomps Bushi around, tags Evil back in, and Evil gets Bushi’s leg. Evil stomps away on the leg, drops an elbow on the knee and pulls on the toehold. Bushi tries to fight free, but Evil says the ref needs to watch LIJ.

But that’s all a distraction so Evil can put Bushi in the cobra twist, with the Bullet Club forming a chain from ring to railing! The ref stops bothering with LIJ but Bullet Club lets go. Evil covers, but Naito breaks it! Naito coaches Bushi while Evil complains. Evil kicks at Bushi, drags him up, but Bushi throws body shots! Evil knees low, reels Bushi in, but Bushi resists the fisherman suplex! Bushi fights, Evil still tries but Bushi resists again. Evil kicks low, runs, but Bushi spins him around for a DDT! Both men are down but fans rally up. Bushi crawls and hot tags Takagi! Takagi rushes Evil and runs him over! Takagi hits the Bullet Club corner, threatens Dick, then runs in at Evil.

Takagi blocks Evil’s boot, then JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Then Takagi unloads JABS, but Ishimori attacks! Takagi whips Ishimori away but Ishimori boots back! Ishimori holds Takagi and Evil runs in but Takagi boots Evil, throws Ishimori into him, then DOUBLE LARIATS! Fans fire up with Takagi and the “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi whips Evil, knees him at ropes, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Fans rally with “TA-KA-GI!” as he drags Evil back up. Takagi runs but Evil ducks the sliding lariat, only to swing into a Gory Especial! Evil fights it, rams Takagi into a corner, and Dick anchors Takagi’s feet! Evil runs in to clothesline, then he FISHERMAN BUSTERS!

Tag to Chase, Chase hits Naito off the corner, then runs in at Takagi. chase forearms, reels Takgai in and clotheslines! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Chase sits Takagi up, only for the Jewel Trigger to be blocked! Chase thumbs Takagi’s eye but runs into elbow, JAB and LARIAT! Both men are down again, Takagi tags Naito! Naito throws hands on Chase, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to rocket kick and leg sweep! COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito strikes his pose. Naito drags Chase up but Chase fights the neckbreaker off. Naito kicks, whips, but Chase reverses and Ishimori gets a cheap shot in!

Chase BOOTS Naito down, Bullet Club knocks Bushi down! Bullet Club whips Naito to a corner, Ishimori double knees, Evil corner clotheslines, then feeds Naito to Chase’s SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives but Bullet Club goes after LIJ on the outside! Evil of course goes after Takagi, but Takagi whips Evil into railing instead! Chase tucks Naito in but Naito fights and puts Chase in a corner! Bushi runs in and elbows Chase, Takagi runs in to clothesline! Takagi feeds Chase to Naito’s atomic drop, Bushi hits a CODE BREAKER! Naito rolls into a jackknife! Cover, but Ishimori breaks it!

Bushi throws Ishimori out, then builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Ishimori goes into railing! Naito hits Chase, wrenches, but Chase fights off Destino. Naito gives Chase back elbows, an enziguri, and then DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall

Naito pins the Texas Heavyweight Champion! Will Naito be in line for a shot at that title? Or does he even really care? Meanwhile, Takagi wants after Evil with the ring bell but thinks better of it. Takagi and Evil talk trash and stare down, but they’ll have it out soon enough. Will Evil slay the Dragon? Or will Takagi make sure NOTHING is Evil’s?

2021 New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: David Finlay VS Jay White!

The record between these two is 12-1, in favor of the Switchblade! But if Finlay beat White once, can he do it again? Or will the New Jay-pan Cup continue on to the semifinals?

White complains that Juice Robinson is ringside, but it’s just because White always has Gedo. White and Gedo Low Sweet, White shows off the muscles and fans do cheer the physique. The bell rings, Finlay and White circle and fans rally up. White and Finlay approach, but White uses ropes as defense. Finlay backs off, White comes back and they circle again. White avoids Finlay shooting in for a leg, and then he uses ropes for defense again. They tie up, Finlay headlocks but White pulls hair. White puts Finlay in a corner, Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but White bails out while he lets go. White and Gedo talk a second before White goes back in the ring.

Gedo gets on the apron to distract and White attacks! White throws hands, stomps Finlay, then brings Finlay around to ROCK him with a right! White brings Finlay up to whip but Finlay reverses. White holds ropes, boots Finlay away then runs but Finlay ducks and drops to dropkick! Gedo is mad but fans cheer as White bails out. Finlay is after White, and he throws him into railing! Gedo storms over but Finlay backs him down. Red Shoes keeps peace between them and Finlay goes back to White. White POSTS Finlay! White wants space, and he whips Finlay into the railing by commentary! Gedo cheers but he’s the only one, as White RAMS Finlay into railing, then into apron!

White rams Finlay back into railing, and then back into the apron! White rams Finlay into railing one more time, then double guns at Yuji Nagata on commentary. White scoops to snake eyes Finlay on the railing! The ring count is climbing, White goes in at 10 of 20 and counts along. Finlay gets up at 15 and in at 16, but White stomps him down! Fans rally for Finlay as White stands on his neck! White lets off as Red Shoes reprimands, and White stands Finlay to CHOP him! White RAMS Finlay into the corner, rams him more, then scoops him for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer Finlay on but White drives knees into Finlay’s back again and again!

White wraps Finlay up in a rear bearhug and puts as much weight on Finlay as he can. Finlay endures, fans rally up and Finlay fights up. Finlay throws body shots but White knees low. Finlay forearms, White knees again! Finlay still throws forearms but White kicks low. Finlay EuroUppers and White stumbles! Finlay whips, White reverses and runs in but Finlay elbows him away. White plays up getting hit in the eye and Gedo swipes at Finlay! White attacks and CLUBS Finlay down! Juice protests but White drags Finlay up to a back suplex. Finlay lands on his feet, blocks the kick and hits a neckbreaker! Both men are down, fans fire up and Finlay rises first.

Finlay throws forearms on White, EuroUppers, then whips. White reverses but Finlay hits a LEAPING ELBOW! White bails out again but Finlay PLANCHAS! Finlay drags White up while Gedo and Juice shout at each other. Finlay puts White in, watches him from the corner, then runs corner to corner to EuroUpper! White falls over, Finlay goes up, and hits a FLYING UPPER! Cover, TWO! Finlay keeps focus, drags White up, and reels him in. White fights the lift off with elbows, but Finlay school boys. White rolls through, CHOPS Finlay, but Finlay runs in to clothesline White and himself out of the ring! Finlay gets up but Gedo is there again.

Finlay tells him to back down, but White RAMS Finlay into railing again! White whips but Finlay reverses and White hits railing now! Finlay drags White up, puts him in the ring, but Gedo anchors Finlay’s feet! Finlay kicks Gedo away but White hotshots Finlay down! Juice grabs Gedo to a fireman’s carry! Juice takes Gedo away so things are fair now! Fans cheer but White is pissed! Finlay rolls White up, TWO!! White kicks low to SPIKE DDT! White again protests about Juice taking Gedo away but he glares at Finlay. White runs in at the corner to EuroUpper, then he suplexes to the BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Finlay grits his teeth but he’s still in this.

White drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay fights the urenage. White trips Finlay to get the BOSTON CRAB! Finlay endures as White sits deep! White tells Finlay to “tap like back then,” but Finlay refuses! Finlay powers up but White shifts to a Lion Tamer! Finlay just powers up more and gets the ropebreak! White mocks the applause for Finlay and then stomps Finlay down. White stalks Finlay, drags him up, fireman’s carries, but Finlay fights free! White elbows Finlay then runs but Finlay elbows back hard! Finlay runs but White forearms him at the ropes! Finlay returns the favor! White runs into a DEEP SIX! Both men are down, Finlay fires up and fans join in!

Finlay runs, into a SNAP COMPLETE SHOT! And DEAD LIFT GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans rally as both men are down, and White sits up first. White drags Finlay up, reels him in, but Finlay fights the urenage! White knees low over and over, harder and harder! White drags Finlay up again but Finlay throws elbows! They end up by ropes, so White TOSSES Finlay up and out! White then quickly fetches Finlay into the ring, and hits the URENAGE! High stack cover, TWO! White mocks the Young Lions, and he wants one of them to say “Kiwi” a la Gedo. They don’t, but White gets Finlay up and hits the KIWI KRUSHER! Cover, TWO!!

White grows frustrated, drags Finlay up in the sleeper, but Finlay fights it! White RAMS Finlay into buckles! White taunts Finlay and says this is his big chance. White stands on Finlay’s head and mocks the fans rallying up. White gives toying kicks but Finlay gets angry. Finlay swings but fights off the sleeper! White denies Prima Nocta, Finlay gets around to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Both men are down but the fans fire up again! Finlay drags White up, cravats, but White RAMS him into buckles again! No Acid Drop, not even Sliced Bread, and both men are down again. White sits up and taunts Finlay while fans rally.

They go forehead to forehead, White throws a forearm but Finlay throws a forearm back! They go back and forth, fight up to their feet, and fans rally as they pick up speed! It’s fast and furious, Finlay ROCKS White, then ROCKS him again! Finlay brings White up to DECK him, and then brings him up, only for White to body shot and jab. But White swings into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Finlay grits his teeth, fans rally again, and he drags White back up. Finlay suplexes but White fights it, wrenches out, and again denies Prima Nocta, but Finlay comes back to CLOBBER White! Finlay fires up, gets White back up, and hits TRASH PANDA! Cover, TWO!!

White survives but Finlay is still fired up! Finlay drags White back up, cravats, but White wants a sleeper! Finlay fights out of that, White reels him in but Finlay also escapes Blade Runner! White still wants the sleeper but Finlay rolls White to a cover, TWO!! PRIMA- NO!! White slammed Finlay down, then gets him up for SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX! White wants to end this, he gets Finlay up, BLADE- PRIMA NOCTA! And then, ACID DROP!! Cover, FINLAY WINS?!?!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

WHAT A SHOCKER! White was so confident, and perhaps everyone else just assumed the same, but Finlay ends the New Jay-pan Cup in the quarterfinals! And Finlay makes sure White remembers it! Will this be remembered as the moment Finlay finally rose up into the upper tier?

2021 New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: Will Ospreay VS SANADA!

The Commonwealth Kingpin is the last member of the United Empire left in the tournament, but he has a bull’s eye on his nose! Will Cold Skull make no bones about going after that target? Or will Ospreay be flying high one step closer to the trophy?

Ospreay talks trash about Sanada being in the ring with the best, and also about being a liar wanting to go after his nose. The bell rings, Ospreay rushes out but Sanada deflects the dropkick! Ospreay avoids Sanada’s standing moonsault but Sanada basement dropkicks Ospreay out of the ring! Sanada builds speed but fakes Ospreay out, to slingshot back into the ring. Fans cheer but Ospreay is annoyed already. Sanada waits for Ospreay to return as Ospreay rants on about his nose. Ospreay gets in and Sanada shows kick, but it’s a fake-out to kick him low. Sanada puts Ospreay in a corner, clubs him on the back, and Ospreay guards his nose.

Sanada whips, Ospreay holds ropes and elbows Sanada way. Ospreay makes Sanada straddle the ropes to then run and BOOT him down! Sanada tumbles to the floor, Ospreay goes out and brings him up to whip into railing! Ospreay whips Sanada into more railing nearby, then gives him a RAILING BACK SUPLEX! Ospreay says if Sanada won’t respect the bad nose, he won’t respect Sanada’s bad shoulders. Ospreay leaves Sanada behind and lets the ring count climb. Sanada gets up at 10 of 20, walks the pain off, and gets in at 17, only for Ospreay to stomp him down. Ospreay brings Sanada up, scoops and SLAMS, then uses a knee to cover. ONE, but Ospreay KICKS Sanada in the back.

Ospreay uses the knee to cover again, TWO! Red Shoes warns about how close to the throat Ospreay got, but Ospreay scoops Sanada for a BACKBREAKER! Ospreay looms over Sanada before he covers, TWO! Fans rally but Ospreay hooks an arm and turns Sanada over. Ospreay jabs Sanada in the ribs, gets the other arm, and reclines against the arm! Sanada endures, moves around, Ospreay reaches for a leg but Sanada gets the ropebreak! Ospreay lets Sanada go, puts him on the apron and CLUBS away on Sanada’s back. Ospreay goes up for a GUILLOTINE KNEE DROP! Sanada slumps down and Ospreay allows Shizuoka to applaud him.

Ospreay says he’s giving them the performance of a lifetime so they must applaud him! Fans do applaud and Ospreay goes back to the ring. The ring count starts again, Sanada is down as it reaches 10 of 20 already. Sanada rises as fans rally, and he is up at 15 to get in the ring at 17 again. Ospreay is annoyed but he drags Sanada back up. Sanada fires a forearm! And another! Ospreay knees low, whips Sanada to a corner, runs in but Sanada dodges. Ospreay boots him back, then PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay grows frustrated but Red Shoes says the count is fair. Fans rally, “SA-NA-DA!” and Ospreay is offended. Ospreay kicks Sanada around, toying with him, and then brings him up.

Sanada grabs Ospreay’s nose! Ospreay breaks free, is furious and he clubs Sanada. Ospreay runs but Sanada dropkicks the legs out! Ospreay is worried about his nose, Sanada drags him up but Ospreay throws a forearm. Ospreay whips, Sanada reverses, hurdles and hurdles and dropkicks! Ospreay flops out again, Sanada slingshots but Ospreay gets in. Ospreay forearms Sanada, suplexes, but Sanada slips out. Ospreay elbows him away then runs, but Sanada RANAS on return! Fans fire up as Sanada fireman’s carries Ospreay. Ospreay fights free, Sanada kicks and whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER!

Both men are down, Ospreay tells fans to shut up with their rallying for Sanada, and he gets to a corner while checking his nose. Ospreay drags Sanada up, CHOPS him, then kicks him to CHOP again! Sanada ends up in a corner, Ospreay throws forearms on him and Sanada sits down. Ospreay dares Sanada to go after his broken nose as he digs boots into Sanada’s own nose! Red Shoes reprimands but Ospreay says this is what Sanada gets! Ospreay drags Sanada up, but Sanada traps both of Ospreay’s arms with one arm! Sanada uses his free hand to grab Ospreay’s nose! And then CLUB it! Sanada gets Ospreay’s arms and legs to tie him up in Paradise!

Sanada makes an adjustment and has Ospreay propped up against buckles! Sanada runs to dropkick Ospreay out of Paradise, and into buckles nose first! Fans fire up as Ospreay bails out, and Sanada PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Ospreay! Fans rally up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada is satisfied. Sanada fetches Ospreay, puts him in the ring, and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Sanada drags Ospreay up but Ospreay resists the fireman’s carry. Ospreay elbows Sanada, side steps him and ROLLING ELBOWS! Sanada wobbles, Ospreay brings him up to whip into a corner. Sanada goes out, springboards in but Ospreay gets under.

Sanada rolls, Ospreay flips around him to underhook and Canadian rack, but Sanada slips out to the dragon sleeper! Sanada inverted suplexes Ospreay onto the ropes, for a DRAPING STUNNER! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Sanada goes right to the corner! ROUNDING- No! Ospreay moves, Sanada lands on his feet but staggers into Ospreay’s SPANISH FLY! Both men are down, Ospreay still holds his nose but fans rally up. Ospreay gets to the apron, goes to a corner and climbs up. Sanada stands, Ospreay BLINDSIDE PIP PIP CHEERIO! Ospreay is furious as he drags Sanada up, lifts, POWERBOMB! High stack cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and Ospreay is on him again.

Ospreay underhooks, Sanada blocks the lift, so Ospreay fires off Kowata Kicks! Ospreay fireman’s carries, but Sanada slips off to chicken wing! Ospreay breaks free to forearm, but swings into more chicken wings! TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Fans rally up and Sanada vows to end this! Sanada scoops Ospreay for a BACKBREAKER! Sanada goes up but Ospreay anchors him! Ospreay climbs up to join Sanada, brings him up but Sanada fights back! Sanada clubs Ospreay down, but Ospreay tucks him in! CHEEKY NANDOS, to a fireman’s carry, LONDON HAS FALLEN! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is furious but he tears off his shoulder tape so he can pull his armband off!

Ospreay drags Sanada up with a wild grin on his face! Ospreay turns Sanada but Sanada spins through to suplex. Ospreay fights that, suplexes, but Sanada slips to the dragon sleeper! Ospreay arm-drags free, runs and springboards, OS- NO! Dragon sleeper! Ospreay snapmares through to dragon sleeper, but Sanada spins it back onto Ospreay! Ospreay reaches out, walks up the corner and has the dragon sleeper! Ospreay lets Sanada go to spin, but into Sanada’s SOBAT! Sanada Quebrada to the dragon sleeper! Sanada squeezes tight, then gives Ospreay a SKULL SWING, to SKULL END! Ospreay is caught, he reaches and flails but is starting to fade!

Fans rally, Ospreay gets a second wind but Sanada cranks the hold harder! Red Shoes checks, Ospreay’s arm drops once. Sanada lets him go, goes up top, ROUNDING BODY PRESS, onto knees!! Ospreay saves himself and fans fire up! Ospreay drags himself over to Sanada, then drags Sanada despite being on wobbly legs. Ospreay underhooks, lifts, but Sanada slips off! Ospreay gets around to a full nelson, Sanada breaks that and elbows Ospreay, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Ospreay runs but Sanada O’Conner Bridges! TWO!?! Ospreay narrowly escapes, blocks a boot and ROLLING ELBOWS! Ospreay runs but into a pop-up, only to make it a POISON-RANA!!

Fans are thunderous as Ospreay drags Sanada back up. Ospreay springboards for the OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO!?! Sanada survives and Ospreay is shocked! Ospreay drags Sanada up, turns him, DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Ospreay brings Sanada in, underhooks, STORM BREAKER!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Cold Skull is the one who reached the end of his run, and now the semifinals are set! Ospreay gets the mic and says, “Shizuoka, hey! Now! Now you’re clapping for me?! You guys were all clapping for Sanada! Sa-Na-Da~! Sa-Na-Da~! Sa-Na-Da~! You SHOULD be doing OS-PREAY! OS-PREAY! OS-PREAY! Oh now you’re doing it?!” Shizuoka might be trolling Ospreay. But he tells them that they all really, really need someone like him, because he is “the most talented professional wrestler alive today!” And to prove it once again, Ospreay will go to the next round and beat Jay White-

Wait, no, it’s not White? It’s… David Finlay!? FINLAY!? Finlay beat Jay White? Seriously? Is that a rib? Ospreay laughs at how things have turned out! “Oh what a Cinderella Story! This is beautiful! But stories aren’t the fairy tales that you’ve told your children. So Finlay, well done on beating Jay White. But you’re dealing with a whole other animal.” Finlay’s Cinderella story comes crashing down. “Tell me the best, show me the best, but you all need to be reminded! I am Will Ospreay! And I am on! Another! Level!!” As shocking as Finlay winning was, will Ospreay’s victory be inevitable? Will the United Empire conquer NJPW?

My Thoughts:

A very good event to finish the quarterfinals, with some surprising twists. I skipped the Young Lion VS Young Lion match, and the United Empire beating Nagata and another Young Lion because Young Lions. Kenta & Fale VS Henare & Juice was not really consequential, all four guys are out of the running, but good for Fale to get a win on Henare, thereby keeping things completely neutral for Juice as one half of the Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champions. LIJ VS “Darkness Club” was a good match for the story, and Naito gets the win to keep math on Takagi and Evil even. I think it’d be funny if Naito was offered the opportunity to face Chase for the Texas Heavyweight title, and then turns it down because he doesn’t like how the belt looks or something.

Finlay VS White was a really good match, but what a shocker! I said it myself just a couple days ago, I thought White was winning again, so what a great twist. Sanada VS Ospreay was a great match, it played up the nose very well, and it seems Sanada can modify the Paradise Lock to send his opponent into corners. But I’m lightly surprised that Ospreay won this over Sanada, as I thought we were getting Evil VS Sanada, or even Evil VS White. But now, could we be looking at Takagi VS Ospreay in a rematch from their Best of the Super Juniors final instant classic? That’s a pretty awesome idea.

My Score: 9.2/10

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! (3/19/21)

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AEW Coverage

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

It’s a slam dunk!

Published

22 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.