Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/20/21)
Will it be a silent Knight?
NXT is ready to shine bright on a Tuesday night!
With that, LA Knight takes on Dexter Lumis, Kushida puts his Cruiserweight title on the line, and Warrior of the Sun, Sarray, makes her NXT in-ring debut!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- LA Knight VS Dexter Lumis; Knight wins.
- Breezango VS Grizzled Young Veterans; Grizzled Young Veterans win.
- Sarray VS Zoey Stark; Sarray wins.
- NXT Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge: KUSHIDA VS ???; Kushida wins and retains the title.
- Ever-Rise VS Imperium; Imperium wins.
- Kyle O’Reilly VS Cameron Grimes; O’Reilly wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kyle O’Reilly is back!
After winning the brutal Unsanctioned Match with Adam Cole at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, he’s back and still playing air guitar on his way to the ring! He gets a mic and takes a breath before he says, “In life, we face constant struggles and challenges, and at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, I faced the toughest personal and physical test of my life.” Kyle asks to turn the lights up, but then remembers he had his sunglasses. He’s in a great mood because he’s nowhere near Cole. He can move on and be himself again and it feels good! “I like it a lot!”
Kyle’s never been one to thrust himself into the spotlight, and always realized that his work and his abilities in the ring would speak for themselves. And now that Cole is behind him, Kyle realizes it’s time to move on. “Now, what is next for Kyle O’Reilly? Well, there’s something that I learned at TakeOver; to succeed here, you have to have a killer instinct!” The same instinct Cole has and Kyle always hesitated to use. But he has to be willing to go to extremes and do anything and everything, pay the ultimate sacrifice, to achieve his goals. But what are his goals? What’s the next challenge? What’s the next objective?
Does he continue to prove he’s THE guy here? Does he go for the workhorse title of the North American Championship? Or does he take the killer instinct and hunt down the most dominant force NXT has ever seen? Kyle has all the time in the world to decide. Huh, how clover. He must be thinking of Karrion Kross! But wait, here comes Cameron Grimes! And Grimes apologizes to Kyle for coming out here but he has to say congratulations. Kyle really showed that he can stand and deliver. And to tell the truth, Grimes made a killing on Draft Kings betting on Kyle! They thought Kyle was the underdog but Grimes sees Kyle is a top dog, a big dog!
Maybe if he had someone to watch is back and invest in him, like Grimes, these two could do a lot! Now he’s #CoolKyle, he could have merchandise! Fans like the sound of it already. Grimes says that’s a couple shirts already bought. And think about that moment when Kyle jumped off the top rope and destroyed Cole! They could make that an NFT! You heard of those? Grimes got some already. But think about this! #KOCoin! They could be a great combo and go TO~ THE~ MOOON~! Kyle gets it, right? First of all, YES. Kyle loves it! Grimes is a genius and is killing it in the stonks. By the way, thanks for the hints on “doggy coin,” Kyle loves dogs.
But let’s celebrate the new business partnership, because Kyle just found out he is officially cleared to compete! And he just saw his first opponent around here somewhere… Where is he? Oh, don’t worry, it isn’t Grimes. Wait, is that him over there? Kyle uses his sunglasses to get a better look. Oh hey, it IS Grimes! Kyle DECKS the Carolina Caveman and smirks. Cool Kyle rocks out again, but will he take Grimes for everything he’s worth?
NXT GM William Regal welcomes Sarray to the Capital Wrestling Center.
She is honored to be here, but Zoey Stark apologizes for interrupting. She wanted to introduce herself as a fan of Sarray’s. Surely Regal has an opponent in mind for Sarray, but Zoey would like to take the first match against her. Regal likes that idea and asks if Sarray would be up to that. Sarray accepts the challenge and the two shake hands. Will the Warrior of the Sun shine so bright that she burns Stark tonight?
NXT, LA Knight wants to talk to ya!
“TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, just two weeks ago, and the highlight of the whole damn thing, L A Knight!” Then a bunch of guys in the Gauntlet Eliminator realized they couldn’t let him take their shine, so they ganged up on him. Guess what, dummies! What goes around, comes around! And that brings us to tonight, “the creepy cross-eyed halfwit,” Dexter Lumis will be looking at Knight but Knight will flip the off the on switch and end him right there! That’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life, yeah! Will Knight talk Lumis’ ear off before knocking him out? Or will we end up with a silent Knight in the CWC?
LA Knight VS Dexter Lumis!
NXT returns as Knight makes his entrance, dummies! And then Lumis makes his entrance, and TakeOver revisited begins with the bell! Knight and Lumis stare down, fans rally for Lumis but Knight talks some trash. Knight dares Lumis to do something, they tie up and go around the ring. Lumis puts Knight in a corner, Knight turns it around and the ref counts. Knight lets off, throws hands but Lumis dodges to throw hands back! Knight headlocks, Lumis powers out but Knight runs him over to jackknife cover, TWO! Lumis ROCKS Knight with an uppercut, then whips him to ropes. Knight kicks back, Lumis shakes it off, and CLOBBERS Knight!
Lumis drags Knight up, Knight shoves him and BOOTS him down! Knight talks more trash to “this piece of trash” but gets caught into the SILENCE! Knight scrambles, gets out of the ring, and takes his time returning. Lumis keeps his eyes locked on Knight, Knight grabs a leg but Lumis pulls him up by his ears! Knight hotshots, slingshots and shoulders Lumis down! Knight tells the fans to shut up, then he whips Lumis. Lumis reverses and back drops Knight high and hard! Lumis slithers, Knight backs away, but into the post! Knight’s sword gets bent, Lumis goes out to ROCK him with another uppercut!
Lumis puts Knight in, stalks him and runs corner to corner, but misses! Knight hits a NECKBREAKER! Knight throws Lumis out, fans rally and jeer as NXT goes picture in picture.
Knight paces around while Lumis steadies himself on the outside. The ring count is 5 of 10 but Knight goes out to stomp Lumis down. Knight CLUBS Lumis, brings him up and brings him around the way to bump him off the apron. Lumis hits back, bumps Knight off the apron, then stalks Knight through the ring! Knight flails and gets away, but Lumis stalks him again. They go back in the ring, Knight CLUBS Lumis at the ropes! Knight drags Lumis up, chokes him on the ropes but lets off at 4. Knight paces, stomps Lumis down, then stomps him more. Knight hears the fans taunt him but he gives Lumis a ROPE GUILLOTINE! The ref checks on Lumis but somehow he’s okay.
Knight goes out to CLUB Lumis on the apron, then get in the faces of the fans before he CLUBS Lumis again. Knight goes in the ring, stalks Lumis, but Lumis elbows back. Lumis gets Knight up with a suplex but Knight lands on his feet to hit another NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight drags Lumis up, clamps onto the shoulders and rams in his knee! And again! Lumis reaches for ropes but Knight mockingly hushes the crowd before wrapping on a chinlock. Lumis endures, Knight leans on the hold, but Lumis fights up to fight out with body shots. Lumis runs but into Knight’s kitchen sink knee! Knight soaks up the heat, runs and drops a knee! Cover, TWO!
Knight is annoyed but he stalks Lumis to a corner. Knight RAMS into Lumis, and again, then talks trash as NXT returns to single picture. Lumis BOOTS back then SPINEBUSTERS! Lumis crawls back to a corner as fans fire up. Knight staggers up, Lumis watches him, and DECKS him with big haymaker after haymaker! Lumis uppercuts, corner clotheslines and BULLDOGS! Knight flounders up again into Lumis’ BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up to DROP THE LEG! Lumis hauls Knight back up, suplexes to slingshot and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this but Lumis keeps his cool. Lumis wrenches Knight’s neck, gets him up, but Knight throat chops back!
Knight whips but Lumis reverses to send Knight out. Lumis goes out after Knight, but Knight YANKS him into boards! Lumis flounders up and Knight RAMS him into the apron! Lumis crawls, Knight stalks him again, but Lumis uppercuts! Lumis sees Indi Hartwell watching in the crowd! They touch hands through the boards, then go around to the gap. Indi stumbles a bit, seems her nerves are still running high. But Knight CLOBBERS Lumis from behind! “You can’t possibly be interested in a loser like that, seeing a guy walking around with-” Lumis PLANCHAS to shut Knight up! Lumis puts Knight in, gives Indi another long stare, and then goes to the ring.
Indi and Lumis keep looking at each other, Knight gets the CRAVAT DRIVER!! Cover, Knight wins!!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall
Knight just snatched victory from the jaws of defeat! Indi is worried, did she cost Lumis this match? Can #InDex still work if it keeps getting in the way of success? Indi goes to the ring now, and she stares into Lumis’ eyes again. Fans want to see them “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” but The Way shows up to get in the way! Indi wants to be with Lumis but Theory carries her away. Johnny & Candice tell Lumis no, but will this story have a happy ending?
Leon Ruff speaks.
“Swerve, did you have fun standing over me in that ring last week? Because I know I enjoyed standing over you when you were laying unconscious when I smashed your head into these lockers not once, not twice, but three times!” Ruff says Swerve has pushed him too far! Ruff’s already kicked down the door and is just waiting on Swerve to make a move. The ball is in Swerve’s court, but what happens when Ruff busts back into Swerve’s House?
Beth Phoenix interviews Io Shirai.
This is the first time since Stand & Deliver that the Evil Genius has been on NXT. Beth takes Shirai back to In Your House, where she won the NXT Women’s Championship. Such emotion in that Triple Threat. That night was the biggest night of Shirai’s life for sure. She knows holding that NXT Women’s Championship means you’re the best in the world. Beth fast-forwards to Stand & Deliver and the boot from Raquel Gonzalez. That might’ve been the turning point, and especially the powerbomb to the floor. What was going on in that moment? Well that obviously hurt. After that, she barely had any energy. And then the last powerbomb ends her 300+ reign.
Shirai says the thing about challenges, Raquel was her biggest and toughest. But when the time is right, Shirai will ask for her rematch. Well with that said, what is next for Shirai? Rest. Shirai defended her title for over 300 days, her body needs time to recover so that she can come back and overcome Raquel. But Franky Monet and her Pomeranian, Preston, interrupt. Franky wants to formally introduce herself to Shirai and congratulate her on that iconic reign. And of course, she is a big fan of Beth’s since she was a kid. Wait, Beth’s not that old… But Franky says if Shirai is going to take time off, well-deserve of course, Franky is going to fill her shoes as the top woman.
Shirai gets mad and calls Franky out in Japanese. Franky thinks she’s better than her? She must be stupid! Franky doesn’t understand Japanese. Yeah well, Shirai prefers cats. Franky just figures Shirai is having a bad day. Will Shirai rest up fast enough to come back and make Monet put her money where her mouth is?
Breezango VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
Tyler Breeze & Fandango are fashionable royal guard, and Wade Barrett is actually impressed. As for James Drake & Zack Gibson, well Gibson gets on the mic to respond. “What on earth is this? Are you having a laugh? Typical ignorant Yanks! Have you two lads not learned yet that fun and games will get you nowhere in this job?!” Take that daft cosplay and jog on! For they are Grizzled Young Veterans, and MSK better be watching! Gibson & Drake are SSSOON to be recognized as the next NXT Tag Team Champions! Breezango keeps in character and do not respond as GYV get in the ring.
Liverpool’s Number One & Mr. Mayhem talk trash, but still no response. They reel back, but Breezango intercepts with fists first! Gibson tumbles out, Breezango double clotheslines Drake out, and GYV are fuming! The teams finally sort out, Breeze and Gibson start with the bell, and they tie up. They go around, Gibson puts Breeze in a corner and goes for a leg just to throw body shots and haymakers! Gibson throws elbows and forearms, but Breeze gives them back! Gibson scoops, Breeze slips out and jumps to RANA! Breeze rains down rights, Gibson gets away but Breeze wrenches the arm to grind the shoulder. Fandango tags in, sunset flips, TWO!
Dango CHOPS Gibson again and again, then whips him corner to corner. Drake saves Gibson from the buckles but it does serve as double-edged. Gibson ROCKS Dango, reels him in and suplexes hard! Cover, ONE! Gibson clamps onto Fandango with a chinlock and leans heavy on him. Fandango fights up, Gibson knees him low and CLUBS him to the corner. Tag to Drake, GYV double whip Fandango but he grabs ropes. Fandango sends Gibson out and CLOBBERS Drake! Tag to Breeze, Fandango hangs Drake out to dry and they make it rain with DOUBLE BOOTS! Gibson gets Drake out, Breeze WRECKS them both! Fandango FLIES and takes both Grizzled Young Veterans down! Fans fire up as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Fandango whips Drake corner to corner. Drake goes up, out and shoulders in, then climbs up. Drake leaps but Fandango gets under! Drake tweaks a leg, the ref checks on him. Drake has had bad knees before, this could be more than just a trick. Breeze and Fandango ask, Gibson does, too, but then Gibson thumbs Fandango in the eye! Drake gets right up and it WAS a fake-out! Drake fires off hands, ROCKS Fandango, then stomps away in the corner! Tag to Gibson, GYV gets Dango up for the feed, missile dropkick COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Gibson tries again, TWO!
Gibson clamps back on with a chinlock and he grinds Fandango as fans rally up. Fandango fights up, arm-drags free, but Gibson intercepts! Gibson waistlocks, Fandango elbows free. Gibson ducks the next elbow but Fandango keeps spinning to LARIAT! Hot tag to Drake and he drags Fandango from Breeze! Fandango fights, and gets the tag to Breeze! Prince Pretty rallies on GYV, stomps away on Drake in a corner but lets off at 4. Gibson gets in but gets an ENZIGURI! Breeze aims from the apron, FLYING FOREARM takes down Drake! Gibson runs back in but Breeze sends him into boards!
Breeze goes back to Drake to put him in, and throws big body shots, and a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, ONE as Gibson gets in and Breeze DECKS him! Drake rolls Breeze up, TWO!! Breeze fires haymakers, headlocks, but Gibson tags in as Drake powers out. Leap frog and scoop, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, GYV wins!!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall
Gibson & Drake use misdirection to get the advantage, and perhaps they’re on their way back to yet another tag title attempt! Will MSK be ready for another go around from the Dusty Cup?
Backstage interview with Indi Hartwell.
Indi was so close this time, but The Way stopped her. Indi has so much to say but where to begin? The Way says no, this is done! No more interview, turn the cameras off! Bronson Reed walks in and asks why they keep doing this. Do they not love love? Reed says Lumis would be a great addition to the Gargano Family! And, he still has his own eyes on the NXT North American Championship. Gargano says, “Paws off, big boy!” Reed lost at TakeOver so it’s to the back of the line with him! Then maybe Reed can just rip Gargano up right now?
Theory laughs and says it’s in Reed’s dreams if he thinks he can rip the head off of “Papa John.” Theory already talked with Regal, and the only way Reed gets a shot at Gargano is if he beats Theory! SO get ready to be sent to the back of the line! Reed is ready for, but Gargano is panicking! Since when did Theory talk to Regal?! Why did he make this deal?! Reed squashed Theory, remember?! Ow, ow, ow. But Theory says he has Reed’s number. The Way get their “kids” to head out, but will we ever hear about #InDex? Will Theory be washed away by Reed’s Tsunami?
Backstage interview with Cameron Grimes.
Earlier tonight was certainly not how Grimes wanted things to go at all. Kyle will end up BACK in the hospital, and Grimes will pay those bills! Ever heard of NFT? Grimes has got him some! He has the official letter right here! “Dear Mr. Grimes, we wanted to take the time to thank you for your extremely high bid on the Ja Morant Bulls bank shot NFT!” They appreciate him seeing the value of non-fungible tokens, aka NFT, but unfortunately, there was an even higher bid just after the auction’s expiration, and had no choice but to accept it. The bidder, Ted DeBiase, sends his best regards and hopes Grimes understands. CURSE YOU, DEBIASE~!! Will Grimes have better luck against Kyle tonight than he did with the auction?
Sarray VS Zoey Stark!
The Warrior of the Sun’s in-ring career rises in NXT, but she’s up against a very hungry and determined rising star! Will Stark simply be a falling star against the already very accomplished Sarray?
NXT returns as Sarray makes her first-ever NXT entrance. The bell rings and Stark shakes hands with Sarray to show there is respect here. They circle, approach, and tie up with knuckle locks. Stark shows her strength advantage, but Sarray comes back to go shoulder to shoulder. Stark bends Sarray back, she bridges, but Stark hops on. Sarray stays up, Stark sweeps legs to get the cover, ONE! Stark tries again, ONE and a monkey flip sends Stark flying! Sarray covers, ONE, Stark sweeps legs, ONE as Sarray goes Matrix to escape! Sarray runs to dropkick the legs out! Fans fire up with Sarray as she stands on Stark and stomps her on the back! Sarray springboards to DOUBLE STOMP!
Fans fire up more as Sarray keeps on Stark. Sarray gets a leg, ties it up with the other leg, and has a Figure Four Deathlock! Fans rally with Sarray as she finishes the MUDA LOCK! Stark crawls, reaches and gets the ropebreak! Sarray lets go to kick Stark to a corner, then she whips corner to corner. Stark goes up and over and elbows Sarray before she rolls her out and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! That was a deep press but Sarray escapes! Stark stomps Sarray, gets her up and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Stark keeps her cool as she drags Sarray up. Sarray throws body shots, Stark CLUBS Sarray, and drives in elbows into the shoulders!
Stark clamps on with a chinlock, makes it a cover, TWO! Stark is learning how tough Sarray is, and she bumps Sarray off buckles. Fans rally as Stark stomps Sarray. The ref counts, Stark lets off but comes back to get Sarray up. Sarray ROCKS Stark, Stark stomps Sarray back down! Stark brings Sarray up, snapmares and wraps her up with double chicken wings. Sarray fights up, fans rally as Sarray powers up and powers Stark into buckles! Stark holds on, Sarray powers her into buckles again! Stark throws Sarray into buckles, runs in but is put on the apron! Sarray ROCKS Stark and dropkicks her down!
Stark staggers around the outside but makes her way into the ring. Sarray ROCKS her with another forearm, and another! Stark ROCKS Sarray back, and the forearms fly! Sarray fires up, fires off a flurry, then tops it off with another! Stark follows to KNEE Sarray at ropes! Stark runs but Sarray BLASTS her with a dropkick! Sarray runs side to side to BLAST Stark again! The fans are fired up for the PERFECT PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Stark survives but both women are down as fans fire up. Sarray fires up again, gets Stark but Stark HEEL KICKS and HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES! Stark kips up, runs, SLIDING KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!
Stark is furious, fans rally and duel, but Stark goes to a corner. Sarray is in the drop zone as Stark 450’s! Sarray dodges and Stark flops! Stark staggers up, into a victory roll! TWO, and Stark HEEL KICKS Sarray back down! Cover, TWO?!? Sarray survives but Stark tries again, TWO!! Stark gets Sarray up, Sarray fights free but Stark reels her back in! Back suplex but Sarray lands on her feet to SOBAT! Sarray ROCKS Stark then calls her shot, “FINISH!” EXPLODER SAIDO SUPLEX! Sarray covers, Sarray wins!
Winner: Sarray, by pinfall
Sarray has the seal of approval from Meiko Satomura and Antonio Inoki for a reason! Stark still respects Sarray, will Sarray get the same from the rest of the roster? Wait, Toni Storm RAMS Stark into the boards! The Lightning From Down Under is furious that Stark beat her in the TakeOver Kickoff Show and is getting her payback! Sarray rushes out to defend Stark but Storm storms off. Will Toni make it her time by any means necessary?
Backstage interview with Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai.
They heard Io Shirai’s comments earlier, and Raquel says while Shirai was a great champion, Raquel will be damned if she hasn’t worked her ass off to kick everyone else’s and prove she is an even greater campeona. Dakota makes sure McKenzie sticks around, because they beat Shirai so badly, she needs a vacation. She better enjoy it. Well a lot of women have their sights set on the title, and Dakota laughs. Is she fishing? She must be talking about Mercedes Martinez. Mercedes wants a title shot, Dakota wants to go to Hogwarts. We don’t always get what we want.
Raquel says if McKenzie is a journalist, here’s the headline: If the women want their shot, they can line up so she can take them down one by one until there’s no one left standing. Now they’re done here. Who steps up, and who gets knocked down, by Big Mami Cool?
Candice & Indi talk backstage.
Candice wants her to stop being distracted by boys. Lumis isn’t a boy, he’s a man. Okay ew. But then why can’t they talk this over with Regal? Because Regal is a saboteur, that’s why. Talking things over with Regal hasn’t worked out well for The Way, now has it? Lumis is lurking behind that door! Indi sees him but Candice gets her attention back. They are going to do this their way. Indi stays behind to look at Lumis and Candice comes across “the two dummies” she was looking for, Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart. They still have what belongs to The Way. The Way is family! Well, how does Indi feel? She’s not there. Candice was saying?
Candice slaps Ember’s drink into her face! GRAB HER! Shotzi & Ember get Candice, drag her into the back, and close the door as they rough her up! Will Indi get an earful about this one?
NXT Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge: KUSHIDA VS ???
Last week, the Time Splitter cashed in on Santos Escobar’s arrogant open challenge and finally got a title in NXT! But now, to celebrate his victory, he’s doing the exact same thing! Will the Super Junior come to regret copying the Emperor of Lucha? Or will he check off his first defense already?
Kushida takes to the mic to explain, “Last week, I won the title in an open challenge. Tonight, I will give the same opportunity. Who wants a title shot!?” Who answers the call? Oney Lorcan does! The former NXT Tag Team Champion was the Fury of 205 Live once upon a time! Will Oney make a dream come true while ruining Kushida’s fairy tale at the same time? The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see how this week’s open challenge goes!
The two circle, feel out the grapple, and Oney puts Kushida in a corner. The ref counts, Oney lets off and Kushida comes back to get a leg. Kushida rolls to get the heel hook but Oney fights to get free. Oney rolls, floats, facelocks and gets an arm. Oney throws Kushida down then headscissors. Kushida fights around, turns Oney and ties up the legs to get a Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Oney endures, pops free, covers, ONE!! Oney keeps on the arm, shifts to a wristlock but Kushida rolls. Kushida headscissors, Oney moves around, turns Kushida and ties his legse up in return. Oney reaches and hooks Kushida’s face, but the ref counts. Kushida is free and KICKS Oney’s arm!
Kushida gets Oney’s nose, but Oney avoids the Penalty Kick! Oney headlocks, fans rally for Kushida and he fights up. Kushida powers out, follows, but ducks under Oney to get a body scissor takedown tot he ARMBAR! Oney scrambles and gets the ropebreak! Kushida lets off fast, Oney CHOPS! Kushida KICKS, but runs into an elbow! Oney goes up but Kushida GAMANGIRIS him to the floor! Fans are fired up and so is Kushida as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Oney has Kushida in a motorcycle stretch. Kushida endures, fights up but Oney digs his forehead into Kushida’s back. Kushida fights up, breaks free but Oney knees low and EuroUppers. Kushida fires off kicks, whips but Oney reverses. Oney gets away from the handspring to BLAST Kushida with a EuroUpper! Cover, TWO! Oney keeps on Kushida, CHOPS him, whips him and kitchen sink knees! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Oney keeps on Kushida with a standing cobra twist! Kushida endures the abdominal stretch, throws elbows into Oney’s arm, and is free! Oney runs in to elbow Kushida at the corner! Oney goes corner to corner, but into a SHOTEI!
Kushida and Oney slowly get back up as fans fire up. Kushida powers up with the power of Liger and SHOTEIS again! Kushida fires off fast hands and kicks, then whips corner to corner. Oney reverses, runs but into an elbow! Kushida goes up to the top rope, aims at the arm and hits a FLYING KNEE to the elbow! Then a flying takedown, but Oney blocks to a waistlock! Kushida switches, FAST BALL! Oney BLASTS Kushida again, then BLOCKBUSTERS!! Cover, TWO!! Kushida survives and Oney can’t believe it! Oney throws off his armbands and he glares at Kushida. Oney CHOPS but Kushida just fires up! Oney CHOPS, and CHOPS and CHOPS but Kushida roars!
Kushida ROCKS Oney with a Fast Ball, hip toss and basement dropkick! FAST BALL AGAIN! PENALTY KICK to the bad arm! Kushida leaps, HOVERBOARD LOCK!! Oney is down, he taps out! Kushida wins!
Winner: KUSHIDA, by submission (still NXT Cruiserweight Champion)
The Super Junior might be moving into ultra! Will Kushida continue to give opportunity to top Cruiserweight stars? Wait, former champion Escobar is at the stage, because El Legado attacks in the ring! Kushida fights them but he ends up in a 3v1 situation! Wilde & Mendoza mug Kushida and then give him back to Escobar, but here comes MSK! The Tag Champions help Kushida fight back! Kushida ROCKS Escobar while Carter SUPERKICKS Mendoza and Lee throws Wilde! Kushida handspring heel kicks Escobar out of the ring! Will the champions show their would-be challengers who runs this “bingo” now?
Mercedes Martinez speaks.
“Hey, Raquel, I’m waiting on you. I called your ass out last week, and all I hear is silence.” Is Raquel scared of her? Seems like it! Raquel had her chance to say something but she didn’t, Dakota did. Mercedes gets it. Raquel might be the champ, but she’s still in Dakota’s shadow. Dakota barks orders and Raquel does what she’s told like a good lil’ lapdog. But y’know what? Mercedes will do Raquel a solid. She’ll take Dakota out so that nothing, and she means NOTHING, will stand in the way of them and the title. Will Dakota have to watch her back when Mean Ms. Mercedes comes around?
Gargano talks with Theory backstage.
So Theory was going to the restroom, and he happened to see Regal, and then…? Theory said if Reed wants his shot, he has to go through Theory! But then Candice walks in and she is a mess! What happened?! She doesn’t want to talk about it, and Indi walks in happily! She saw him! Lumis?! Yeah, but what happened to Candice? Is that gum in her hair? Oh, gum! Theory, no! Indi says she talked to Regal, too! What?! Why!? Regal is giving them another chance at the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships! Oh, well awesome! Hear that, Candice? That’s great, right? Hands in! The… WAY! Just, just give Candice a minute. Will the chance they have not make up for what happened to Candice because of #InDex?
Ever-Rise VS Imperium!
While Chase Parker & Matt Marthel are still pals with the Bollywood Boyz on 205 Live, things might be very, very different for them all alone on NXT. Especially against the Impeccable German and the Pride of Italy across the ring from them! Will #EverRiseRule or be conquered by the faction that wants to restore the honor of wrestling with global domination?
The teams sort out, and Fabian Aichner CLOBBERS Marthel! Aichner CLUBS Marthel, whips him corner to corner hard then runs in to back elbow! Aichner wrenches and hits a BIG back suplex! Aichner talks trash, drags Marthel up, but Marthel jawbreakers! Tag to Parker, he runs and leaps, but into Aichner’s FALL AWAY SLAM! Aichner drags Parker up, tags in Barthel, and the Agitator throws Parker into buckles! Barthel sets Marthel up in the corner, tags Aichner, and the Equalizer meets him in the corner with double dropkicks! But here comes Killian Dain! Alexander Wolfe stands in his way, but Parker rolls Aichner up! TWO!!
Parker fires off on Aichner, Aichner shoves and CLOBBERS him! Then BOOTS Marthel for good measure! But now Drake Maverick is here and he sucker punches Wolfe! Dain keeps the peace?! Seems he doesn’t want his current friend and his former friend fighting! Aichner keeps on Parker as Dain & Maverick leave. Tag to Barthel, Imperium sets up and hits the EUROBOMB!! Cover, Imperium wins!
Winners: Imperium, by pinfall
The mat is sacred, and this victory is Imperium’s! But things look to be getting complicated with those Imperium was formerly attached to. Will the Hatchet Man get the Beast of Belfast to consider who he belongs with?
Kyle O’Reilly encounters Karrion Kross backstage!
Kyle did put him on notice, so perhaps this is the NEW NXT Champion returning the favor. Will #CoolKyle show how cold he can be against the GameStonks tycoon?
Kyle O’Reilly VS Cameron Grimes!
NXT returns and Grimes makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two circle and Kyle sits down to already bait Grimes in. Grimes is wary of that, though, and they tie up with collar ‘n’ elbow. Grimes waistlocks, Kyle wrenches the arm and wristlocks. Grimes spins through, steps through and trips Kyle to get a toehold. Kyle uses his free leg to trip Grimes, then he goes after an arm! Grimes scrambles to avoid the wrench, but Kyle gets Grimes up. Grimes wrangles Kyle down but Kyle switches to get a chinlock. Grimes slips out the back, floats to a facelock and then has a top wristlock. Kyle fights up, goes around and switches to hammerlock then headlock for a takeover.
Grimes grows frustrated, but he fights up. Fans rally and duel, Grimes puts Kyle on ropes, and Kyle lets go, only for Grimes to headlock and hit a takeover! Kyle turns it to a cover, ONE! Grimes holds on, fans taunt Grimes with “NFT! NFT!” Grimes fights up, headlocks but Kyle throws body shots. Kyle powers out but Grimes runs him over! Things speed up, Kyle trips Grimes and then gets him up to wrench to a wristlock. Kyle grinds the arm, Grimes endures, but Kyle leans harder on the arm. Grimes gets up, Jams Kyle in the ear, then rocks him with a EuroUpper! Grimes says you don’t sucker punch Grimes! But then Kyle KNEES Grimes down, runs and shouts, to SLAP Grimes in the face!
Kyle smirks as he wrenches Grimes, hammerlocks him and sweeps the leg! Grimes clutches the arm, Kyle boots him at the ropes then KICKS him! Fans rally as Kyle KICKS away on Grimes’ legs. Grimes throws a forearm, CHOPS Kyle, then whips him. Kyle reverses, Grimes sunset flips but Kyle stays up to get the ARMBAR! Grimes scrambles, Kyle just shifts sides to ARMBAR the other arm! Grimes rolls to the ropebreak! The ref counts, Kyle lets off, and Kyle gets Grimes up to wrench an arm. Grimes goes after Kyle’s face but Kyle gets a leg. Grimes hops around, Kyle holds on, Grimes backflips through to DEAD LIFT GERMAN! Kyle flops out from the bad neck and NXT goes picture in picture!
Grimes waits at the ropes as Kyle writhes. Grimes goes out to fetch Kyle, drag him up and throw him into boards! Kyle flounders while checking his face, but Grimes is after him again. Grimes bounces Kyle off the announce desk, then says something to commentary. Grimes puts Kyle on the apron and CLUBS him! Grimes takes his time getting back in the ring, stalks Kyle to ropes and ROCKS him with a haymaker! Kyle checks his jaw, Grimes KICKS him in the chest! And then the leg! Grimes bumps Kyle off buckles, whips him corner to corner hard, and Kyle bounces off buckles to hit the mat. Grimes gets his bad arm moving while he catches his breath.
Grimes drags Kyle to a facelock, pushes him to a cover, TWO! Kyle shakes his head because he’s not giving up, but Grimes clamps on to wrench the neck. Kyle endures, Grimes digs forearms in then drives in elbows! Grimes drops knees, digs them in, then lets off as the ref counts. Grimes says he’s going to the moon, then drags Kyle back up. Grimes KICKS Kyle in the back, clamps on with another neck wrench, and NXT returns to single picture as fans rally up. Kyle endures, Grimes leans on the hold, but Kyle fight sup and fights back! They brawl, Grimes whips and CLOBBERS Kyle again! Kyle flounders, Grimes covers, TWO!
Fans say “This is Awesome!” though Grimes seethes. Grimes KICKS Kyle, and KICKS him again! Grimes digs his boots into Kyle at a corner, lets off as the ref counts, and then whips Kyle corner to corner hard! Kyle hits the mat, Grimes covers, TWO! Kyle clutches his arm, Grimes seethes and clamps onto the neck with another chinlock. Grimes bends Kyle back against a knee but Kyle endures. Grimes keeps trying but Kyle works on prying the grip. Kyle shifts, turns and throws body shots. Grimes keeps hold with a headlock but Kyle powers out. Grimes runs Kyle over, things speed up, and Kyle hits a kitchen sink knee! Fans fire up as Kyle dodges the haymaker to fire off knees!
Kyle fires off strikes, sweeps the leg and fans fire up again! Grimes goes to a corner, Kyle runs corner to corner, and he forearm smashes hard! Kyle wrenches, hits an elbow breaker, then a BIG back suplex, to a KNEEBAR! Grimes rolls around and gets the ropebreak! Kyle lets go fast, Grimes gets up and fans are thunderous. Kyle KICKS Grimes’ leg out and Grimes flips upside-down! Kyle aims again, Grimes dodges to spin and scoop and swing Kyle, but Kyle lands on his feet for a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Grimes is fading fast!! Grimes is falling, but Kyle lets him free just to KNEE him in the chest! Kyle reels Grimes in but Grimes scoops, spins and SLAMS Kyle down!! Cover, TWO!!
Kyle survives but Grimes is too tired to be frustrated! Both men slowly rise as the fans rally again. Grimes waistlocks and dead lifts but Kyle elbows free. Grimes CLUBS him on the back, tries again, but Kyle slips around to get the leg! Grimes makes the kneebar a cover, TWO!! Grimes BOOTS Kyle, runs, but Kyle pops him up for a KICK! Grimes SUPER FOREARMS! Kyle KNEES low, AX but Grimes ROUNDHOUSES! Kyle yo-yo’s, into a COLLISION COURSE! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Grimes is beside himself! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but the show has to end somehow! Kyle KICKS Grimes, reels him in, but Grimes knees back!
Grimes kicks, Kyle ducks but Grimes SUPERKICKS back! Kyle rebounds to LARIAT! Kyle fires up, AX and SMASH!! Grimes staggers into Kyle’s BRAINBUSTER!! Kyle isn’t done there, he goes to a corner and climbs up! KING KONG KNEE DROP!! Cover, Kyle wins!!
Winner: Kyle O’Reilly, by pinfall
It wasn’t heavy metal but it was the same knee attack Kyle used to finish off Adam Cole! Will Kyle use that and his entire arsenal to take titles left and right?
My Thoughts:
Another awesome episode for NXT! And what an awesome main event just for Kyle’s return match. Usually return matches are just above a squash match, but Kyle VS Grimes was worthy of a title opportunity match in itself. Kyle’s return promo was great, and I am excited that he is after all the gold. Kross responding, though silently, is an obvious sign that Kyle is getting his third shot, and maybe the third time is the charm? At the same time, maybe not because Kross only just got this title back and I don’t see NXT taking it from him so soon.
But while Strong kayfabe resigned from NXT and Cole might be going to SmackDown, when will Bobby Fish return at some point? That is the one part of Kyle’s past that I feel like he’d be okay with keeping, so that reDRagon can ride again. They should go for a Two Man Power Trip, too, with Fish going for the North American Championship. In a way, it’ll be like recreating their later runs in ROH. Grimes also cracked me up with the bit about NFT’s. I don’t really get what those are or how they work but clearly WWE invested a lot of their money into it so someone somewhere has to plug it for them, and Grimes is definitely the guy to get onboard with stuff like that.
Zoey Stark stepping up to be Sarray’s first opponent was a great character bit for Stark, and their match was also great for a debut match, which are many times also glorified squash matches. Sarray still wins, of course, and Storm going after Stark was a good bit of story from Stand & Deliver. Storm VS Sarray is itself a natural feud, can really build Sarray in the eyes of fans in America or who just watch WWE/NXT, and definitely keep Sarray busy while Raquel deals with other challengers. Mercedes calling Raquel out and saying she’ll “take out” Dakota is good stuff. Mercedes VS Dakota and the inevitable Mercedes VS Raquel are both going to be awesome, and can make for a solid first defense on Raquel’s record.
Shirai’s interview with Beth was decent enough, and adding Franky Monet did add a bit to it. Shirai probably won’t be away as long as we think if Franky is acting like she’s her replacement. Franky VS Shirai, whenever that happens, will be great stuff, can also establish Franky in the eyes of WWE/NXT fans, and could be a way to send Franky up the ranks while helping Shirai exit to Raw or SmackDown. Everything with The Way was awesome tonight, from Theory stepping in it on behalf of Gargano, and Indi letting Candice down because she’s enamored with Lumis. Indi’s part in Lumis VS Knight was actually played perfectly, and it helps Knight get back up after some admittedly surprising losses.
Ever-Rise VS Imperium was clearly a vehicle to the story progression with Imperium and Killian Dain. He wanted to confront Imperium about before, but he wouldn’t let it become a brawl between Maverick and Wolfe. I think Dain is going to be forced to choose a side, and perhaps to go with the Imperium expansion angle, Dain chooses them because he’s tired of struggling. At the same time, they need to find a way to tie Thatcher back into this to tease that it could be him turning but then it’s Dain. Breezango VS GYV was a lot of fun, but naturally GYV wins to get back up in the tag title hunt.
Kushida having an open challenge for his first defense, and having it so soon, was a surprising move, but it gave is an awesome match with Kushida and Oney. Kushida wins, of course, and of course Legado shows up for payback. MSK joining in to even the numbers was great, and a Six Man of the champions and their challengers is going to be really good. I have a feeling somehow, someway (because Legado cheats 99% of the time), Legado wins so that they all earn their shots at the titles. MSK VS Legado 2v2 will be really good, but I would think MSK wins since GYV is coming around. Escobar VS Kushida go either way, but maybe this is how Escobar is turned away and so he can go after the other titles.
My Score: 9.2/10
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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.
Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.
.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Ratings:
- Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
- #1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
- ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
- Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
- Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.Â
.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz
Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.Â
Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.
Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.
OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.Â
Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.Â
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander
Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.
Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!
Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.
Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside
Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.
Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.
Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands
So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.
.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth
A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.
Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!
Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!
Overall Score: 6/10
A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.
But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.
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