Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (5/6/21)

Someone must say good-bye to NXT UK!

Published

3 years ago

May 6, 2021

Steven Mitchell

Kenny Williams or Amir Jordan, there can only be ONE in NXT UK!

Kenny Williams goes from Chancer to Scum of the Earth, and Amir Jordan goes from Bhangra Badboy to Bhangra BADASS! But who’s going to LEAVE NXT UK?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Ilja Dragunov VS Dave Mastiff; referee stoppage.
Trent Seven VS Saxon Huxley; Seven wins.
No Disqualifications, Loser Leaves NXT UK: Kenny Williams VS Amir Jordan; Williams wins, Jordan must leave NXT UK.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ilja Dragunov VS Dave Mastiff!

#UNBESIEGBAR is dealing with an uncontrollable fury, but The Bomber doesn’t mind seeing if they can’t temper that temper. Will the Proper British Heavyweight have the answers to solving Dragunov’s problems?

The bell rings and Dragunov rushes Mastiff to BOOT him! Dragunov CLUBS and fires off forearms on Mastiff, but he headlocks to punch back! Dragunov comes back to waistlock, but Mastiff switches to shove Dragunov down. Dragunov comes back to throw hands, Mastiff ROCKS Dragunov but he rebounds to ROCK Mastiff back! JUMP KICK! Dragunov waistlocks and lifts but Mastiff elbows the back suplex away. Mastiff swings but into a headlock. Mastiff powers out, Dragunov throws another HARD elbow! Dragunov waistlocks again, but Mastiff backs Dragunov into buckles! The ref counts the ropebreak, Mastiff staggers but Dragunov hops on for a body scissors!

Dragunov elbows away on Mastiff’s head, but Mastiff hits a BACKPACK SENTON! BT Sports Studio fires up but then Mastiff says something’s wrong and the ref calls the match?!

Referee Stoppage

Mastiff has a bloody nose, maybe a broken one, and medics come out to check. Replay is used and it was perhaps the elbow Dragunov threw before hopping on Mastiff’s back. Dragunov and Mastiff cool off, perhaps having to try this again next time.

NXT UK hears from one of next week’s Gauntlet participants!

Xia Brookside says she’ll win because she’s worked her way from the ground up these past two-plus years. She will go out there and fight, give it her all, because Kay Lee Ray is not a champion to be proud of. “To be your NXT UK Women’s Champion would be a dream come true. I will fight with pride, passion, but most of all, I will fight for all of you.”

Sid Scala talks with Kenny Williams backstage.

Sid knows Kenny knows the situation, and feels the need to emphasize there’s no real timeline for this match. Whoever loses must immediately leave NXT UK. Kenny knows that, because he asked for this! By the end of tonight, Amir Jordan will be gone, and the Lucky Yin will be here. Sid leaves Kenny to finish his preparations, but is The Chancer really ready for the gamble he’s going for?

NXT UK hears from Stevie Turner.

“Hello, NXT UK, my name is Stevie Turner, and I have a bad habit of taking things to the next level.” NXT UK has some of the best superstars in the WWE today, but they’re all just a little bit two-dimension. Stevie Turner is FOUR dimensional. The future is now, and Stevie won’t stop until she’s beaten everyone on her way to the top. “When you see me wrestle, you will see into the future of wrestling.” Will Stevie Turner defy time and space to take her place at the top of NXT UK?

NXT UK Media catches up with Dragunov.

They ask him what happened out there, but he tells them that Mastiff wanted to help. But Dragunov’s lack of self control has consequences. Especially for those he respects. Dragunov vows he will change, but what will he do to calm the rage inside?

The Gallus boys are… goofing around?

Mark Coffey dribbles the soccer ball, or I suppose football in the UK, and Wolfgang counts for him. He only gets about 5 but NXT UK Media asks if this is some kind of new training method. No, it’s just them showing that even when they drop the ball, Gallus boys get back up. Rampage Brown gets the ball for them and he asks where Joe is. Well if he returns the ball, they’ll tell him. Rampage tosses the ball and says that Joe said, when he’s ready, they’d have a rematch. Where’s Joe? Well not here now. But Wolfgang’s here. Rampage admits the Gallus boys do love a good fight. He loves a good fight, so Wolfie will do. Then it’s made! Will the Last King of Scotland survive the Rampage meant for the Iron King?

NXT UK hears from another Gauntlet participant, Isla Dawn.

“I am an entity like none of these girls have ever seen before.” Isla laughs, but she has proven more wicked than we thought. “Kay Lee Ray has used me as a stepping stone to further herself. And now, she has to watch as her title reign burns. To become the NXT UK Women’s Champion, oh, how good it would be to gain the whole world. And al; I had to sacrifice… was my soul.” Will Isla make the other competitors a sacrifice to her own glory?

NXT UK presents an all new Supernova Sessions!

“Hear me now, live from the moon,” Noam Dar is back and has Sha Samuels as his cohost! It has been brought to their attention that the general opinion of Noam Dar is “overrated.” Dar makes one thing perfectly clear: good, bad or indifferent, Dar doesn’t need validation from any of the dafties! Dar validates Dar! The rest is simply knowledge. So never come at him with such nonsense again. Now, tonight’s guest is making his #SNS debut, this is an exclusive! It’s Nathan Frazer! Wait, wait, no, isn’t that Ben Carter? Nathan/Ben is glad to be back, but both Dar and Sha are confused. Maybe they missed the memo? Be quiet a minute, okay?

Dar says they don’t do reruns here! And Dar has no questions for Ben/Nathan. Sha tells Nathan/Ben to stop stuffing his face with breadsticks. That’s not for him, that’s for new guests, exciting guests. Ben/Nathan apologizes while Dar and Sha take a seat. Well, what does Dar even do? Well okay “Nathan,” what’s so different about you now? Right! He says that “Ben Carter” was actually just a name he gave himself because he didn’t want his parents finding out he was wrestling. Dar and Sha chuckle. Nathan went to the States to play football, soccer for the Americans, he couldn’t let the coaches know he was wrestling, either, so the name just stuck. But he’s in the WWE now so he has nothing to hide! He IS Nathan Frazer.

Dar speaks up and says, “I don’t know about you, Sha, but I do what I want.” Sha agrees, he does what he wants, too. They don’t need to worry about mommy and daddy. But then okay Nathan, what have you learned here in his time in NXT UK? Good question, right? Nathan says it is well-documented that the reason he came to NXT UK was so he could learn the traditional British style. The last few months, Johnny Moss and James Mason have been training him, and now Nathan can blend British style with his high-flyer style, becoming more of a complete performer. It’s been fun. Well, alright. Easy day at the office, huh? Guess they can have some actual fun now. Play the mus-

No, Sha has a question. Alright, fire away, bruv. Sha asks who Nathan Frazer thinks he is. “Y’know what really winds me up?” Sha throws his hat down and gets mad as he says he’s annoyed seeing everyone singing Nathan’s praises. “Oh, Nathan Frazer’s the future~! He’s rebranded himself~!” Sha says Nathan is NOT a true British wrestler, and yet has the nerve to put the British flag on his titantron like he’s Captain Britain! But he’s from the UK- “Oh shut up, you tart!” Sha says Nathan needs to get in that ring with a REAL British Wrestler! Nathan is a fraud, a pretender, and a one-trick pony!

Dar says Nathan likes to talk about what he’s learned, but he hasn’t had the ultimate lesson from the grand master. Dar IS British Wrestling! THEY are British Wrestling! And Sha is right, because Nathan wouldn’t last a minute in there, let alone six three-minute rounds in a Heritage Cup Rules match. Dar is a young legend, and Nathan could never step to him. So that’s a challenge then? Well don’t get ahead- Sha says CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! In that case, Nathan accepts! But wouldn’t it be something if this “rookie” beat the “grand master” of British Wrestling at his own game? BT Sports Studio is fired up as Nathan heads out.

Dar has the music play them off and then he tries to argue it out with Sha, but will Dar’s body have to cash the check Sha’s mouth wrote?

NXT UK hears from another Gauntlet participant, Jinny.

“I don’t care who I face in this Gauntlet. I’m not letting anyone take this opportunity from me. This is MY time, and I am not letting any little girl get in my way of me getting what already belongs to me.” The Spoiled Princess has studied everything KLR does, and vows that this is HER division, and that she was born for greatness. But will the Fashionista be denied the greatest accessory by four other opponents?

Sid Scala speaks to Amir Jordan now.

He also wants to make sure Amir is committed to this stipulation. Once the bell rings, the ban is for good. Amir knows that, and he’s going to do this anyway. Sid leaves Amir to his preparations, but can anything prepare him for the possibility of saying good-bye?

NXT UK hears from Team Subculture.

Flash Morgan Webster’s Mod Life, Mark Andrews’ skater and musician life, and Dani Luna’s punk rock life taught all of them to stand up for who they are, to take risks and refusing to conform to the norm. There was a time when people just like them would’ve fought each other all over the country. “But when it comes to the squared circle, our passion, dedication, loyalty means we are a perfect fit. So hear our call. Whoever you are, and wherever you’re from, join us.” They may have grown out of different subcultures, but now they ARE The Subculture. Are you joining in?

Tyler Bate and A-Kid both watch their rivalry back.

Bate admits to not having watched the February 2020 match back in some time. And A-Kid admits that you can see it on his face, that he just wanted to face Bate because he looked up to him. Bate had a soft spot for AK and they spent time together training and working together. Bate knew AK can get impatient, and that is how AK lost. AK knows that he wasn’t ready to win. He didn’t have the mental strength or the experience. But roughly a year later, in AK’s first defense of the Heritage Cup, he was a different person. The cup was his life, but Bate was ready anyway. Bate admits to being rather hairy and wild looking.

AK admits he got frustrated, and that first fall was where he knew. He wasn’t angry, just trying to figure things out. AK came back, and Bate points to the tornado DDT as the moment he lost and AK saw the doubts. Bate says when he gets frustrated, he has to remind himself that the biggest lessons are in your losses, and that match was the best example of it. This is good motivation for AK, and Bate knows that this isn’t about the physical but about the mental. Neither man will make those same mistakes, and Bate promises to make this cerebral. But AK says that having the cup makes him the better man, and he will still be the better man. With the series tied, it all comes down to the six rounds ahead of them!

NXT UK hears from another Gauntlet participant, Dani Luna.

“Not only am I the strongest girl in this match, but I’m the only girl who understands what real loss feels like. And it’s about time I stand eye-to-eye with Kay Lee Ray at the top.” They faced off before, and after only three matches in NXT UK. Next time will be inevitable. Will the punk rock powerhouse punch her golden ticket?

There is a medical update on Dave Mastiff.

It is confirmed that he did suffer a broken nose from the shot he took from Ilja Dragunov. Mastiff will need some time away, so NXT UK wishes him a speedy recovery.

Trent Seven VS Saxon Huxley!

The Man from Moustache Mountain is feeling refreshed after winning alongside the Big Strong Boy. But now he faces a Divine Beast of the Astral Plane! Will the Seven Stars align and help the Artful Dodger defeat the deranged and dangerous Huxley?

The bell rings and Huxley is barking as he rushes Seven. Seven dodges the boot, circles with Huxley then ties up. Huxley uses leverage to put Seven in a corner. The ref counts, Huxley lets off but then swings, only for Seven to get away. Seven and Huxley circle, tie up, and Huxley CLUBS Seven down! Seven gets up but Huxley throws heavy body shots! Huxley throws forearms against the ropes, then whips Seven to KNEE him low! Huxley whips and KNEES again, then whips to kitchen sink knee Seven down! Seven writhes, Huxley shouts, “What’re you gonna do?!” Huxley stomps Seven, runs, but Seven drops down to leap up!

Huxley catches Seven’s crossbody but Seven fights to make Huxley fall over! BT Sports Studio fires up with Seven as he scoops and SLAMS Huxley, then drops the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Huxley survives and Seven grows frustrated. Huxley slowly gets up but Seven is on him. Huxley elbows out of the ripcord, whips Seven to ropes, but Seven gets around him. Huxley follows to KNEE Seven up high! Seven rebounds but into a THESZ PRESS! Huxley runs to drop a big elbow! Cover, TWO! Seven survives and Huxley huffs and puffs as he paces around. Seven gets to a corner, Huxley runs in for a BIG corner splash!

Seven sits down, Huxley scrapes his boot on Seven’s face over and over! Huxley runs side to side, for a HIP ATTACK! Seven sputters while Huxley goes to the outside. Huxley comes in around the way, to BOOT Seven down to the floor!! Huxley drags Seven up as the ring count climbs, but Huxley scoops and SLAMS Seven! Huxley leaves Seven behind and the count is 6 of 10! But then Huxley goes back outside and aims from the apron. “There he goes! There goes Saxon Huxley!” BIG elbow drop a la Mick Foley right onto Seven! Seven writhes as the ring count climbs again. Huxley gets up at 5 of 10, drags Seven up to put in at 7. Cover, TWO!

Huxley grows frustrated, though it’s hard to tell with all his barking. Huxley drags Seven up, clamps onto his ears, but Seven CHOPS back! Seven fires up to CHOP, but Huxley throat chops! Huxley drags Seven back up to whip him into a corner. Seven dodges the splash, fires up, fakes Huxley out and hits a DDT! Both men are down but Sam Gradwell is on the titantron! “Ello, Moustache Boy. You might be a ‘founding father,’ but how’s it feel to know, that after you’ve made that daft little entrance, after you’ve spun around that daft little towel, after you’ve twizzled that moustache, lost 50 pounds, you still can’t get the job done.” Seven seethes, but he still dodges Huxley’s boot!

Seven wristlocks and ripcords, but Huxley BOOTS the lariat away! Huxley gets Seven up, TWO-HAND SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!?!? Seven survives and Huxley is fuming! Huxley paces around, stomps around, and aims at Seven. Huxley runs in, but Seven puts the boot on the ropes! CHOP to SNAP DRAGON! Ripcord, SEVEN STAR LARIAT!! Cover, Seven wins!

Winner: Trent Seven, by pinfall

What was that about not getting the job done? Seven may not be a champion, but he isn’t letting the Thunderstorm get him down! Will Gradwell have to put up or shut up against the Man from Moustache Mountain?

NXT UK hears from the fifth Gauntlet participant, Emilia McKenzie.

“I am gonna win this Gauntlet match and prove to everyone that even though I’m the youngest here, I’m definitely the toughest. I’ve already shown Kay Lee Ray what I’m capable of, and she’s already running scared. I’m definitely gonna be the one to end her reign.” When Millie is champion, she will prove to everyone that she IS the best woman wrestler in the UK. Will #SuplexMillie throw everyone else aside to get at the Scary Queen of Scots?

NXT UK Media and referees rush to the women’s locker room!

Xia Brookside has been assaulted by Amale! The French Hope is in a fury as referees drag her away from an already unconscious Xia! She shouts something about how SHE should’ve been chosen for the Gauntlet match! Does this mean Xia won’t even enter the contender’s match now? Has Amale only made things easier for the other four?

No Disqualifications, Loser Leaves NXT UK: Kenny Williams VS Amir Jordan!

A tag team was ended when a friendship was broken. But now, one man’s NXT UK career will come to an abrupt end after what will surely be a brutal battle. Will it be the Lucky Yin that benefits from the rift he tore between them? Or will the Bhangra Badboy be the one to banish the man who betrayed his trust?

The bell rings, Amir and Kenny talk trash at each other, and then they tie up. They go around, Kenny puts Amir in a corner and climbs up to pie face him over and over. Amir shoves him away and the two go again. Kenny puts Amir in another corner, unleashes body shots, but again Amir shoves him away. Amir ROCKS Kenny, counter punches, then rolls him up, TWO! Amir tells him to get serious, because it’s all on the line! Kenny and Amir circle, tie up, and Kenny gets around to CLUB Amir down! Kenny whips, Amir reverses to ROCK Kenny! Kenny DECKS Amir, whips, but Amir reverses again to whip Kenny HARD into buckles!

Amir stalks Kenny, drags him up, and whips Kenny into more buckles. Kenny flops to the apron, Amir drags him to center for a cover, TWO! Amir drags Kenny up, Kenny wrenches the PELE the bad arm! Kenny goes after that arm, brings Amir around and puts him through ropes. Kenny wraps the bad arm in the ropes and CLUBS away on it! Kenny hops up to kick Amir over and over! Kenny lets off to run and dropkick Amir in the back! Cover, TWO! Amir toughs it out but Kenny knocks him down with a straddle attack! And then another! Kenny sits Amir up for clubbing crossface forearms, then mounts the arm! Amir resists, Kenny brings him around and whips him out of the ring.

Kenny goes out after him, and brings Amir up to wrench and WRING the arm out! Amir writhes from hitting the floor shoulder first! The ref checks, Kenny grabs the timekeeper’s chair and brings it over! Amir stands up for Kenny to JAM him in the stomach and SMACK him on the back! Amir writhes his way back to the ring and Kenny says this is what he gets. Kenny gets the toolbox from ringside! Kenny dumps its contents out as he gets in the ring, but Amir goes after him with body shots! Kenny headbutts low, CLUBS Amir over and over on the back, until Amir is on the mat! Kenny then gets Amir up to SHOVE him into buckles!

Kenny hoists Amir up top, then CLUBS him and drags him into the Tree of Woe! Kenny then fetches something from the toolbox. It’s a spare crossbar! Kenny brings chair and bar over and takes a seat first. Kenny wants Amir to listen to him a second: “I always hated your guts!” Amir is going to find out just how scummy Kenny can be! Kenny goes after Amir’s mouth with the bar!! Amir holds him off, hits back and knocks Kenny down! Amir drags himself out of the Tree, builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Kenny hits barriers! BT Sports Studio is fired up as Amir hobbles over to Kenny. Amir drags Kenny up, whips, but Kenny reverses to POST Amir, bad shoulder first!

Kenny isn’t done there, though, and he smirks as he starts pulling up floor mats! Kenny exposes BT Sports Studio’s concrete floor, then BOOTS Amir down! Kenny drags Amir over by a headlock, but Amir fights off the headlock driver! Amir back suplexes, Kenny holds the apron skirt to resist! Kenny ROCKS Amir then RAMS him into barriers! Kenny runs in but Amir TOSSES him up and over! Kenny tumbles and hits the floor out there! Amir climbs up the barrier to FLYING AX HANDLE Kenny down! The ref checks on Kenny but Amir CLUBS Kenny on the back! They throw hands, brawl closer and closer to the trons, but Kenny shoves Amir away.

Kenny retreats but Amir pursues and CLUBS him by the tech area! “EVERYTHING’S ON THE LINE!!” Amir clubs away, bumps Kenny off road cases, and BOOTS him down! Amir brings a road case around, and RAMS it into Kenny!! Kenny goes tumbling away but Amir pursues! “This is what you wanted!” Amir CLUBS Kenny, throws body shots, and then whips him into more trunks and cases! Kenny crawls towards a table while Amir clutches his bad arm. Amir storms over, Kenny uses a FIRE EXTINGUISHER! The blast gets Amir right in the face! Kenny reels Amir in, BACK SUPLEX THROUGH THE TABLE!!

Kenny laughs, even as he clutches his own ribs, because of the wreckage Amir writhes in. Amir tells the ref that he isn’t quitting, this is his career here! Amir gets up but Kenny throws him to ringside. Kenny puts Amir in the ring, aims from a corner, and runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Amir isn’t done yet and Kenny grows frustrated. Kenny goes to a corner and exposes a buckle! Kenny brings Amir over but Amir blocks the buckle bump to ROCK Kenny! Amir sunset flips, TWO!! Kenny escapes but Amir whips him at the corner! Kenny stomps himself, SHOVES Amir into the steel, then hits the WHEELBARROW FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Amir survives and Kenny can’t believe it! Amir throws the tape off his arm, it’s only annoying him. Amir goes to the apron, Kenny scowls as he goes after him. Kenny drags Amir up, Amir throws body shots! Amir wants to suplex Kenny to the bare concrete! Kenny lands on the apron to save himself, and the two brawl! Kenny BOOTS Amir, reels him in to a waistlock, but Amir holds ropes for dear life! Amir elbows Kenny away but Kenny lands on his feet. Kenny chop blocks Amir and brings him in! Amir fights off the powerbomb, the two wobble, and Amir kicks Kenny low! Amir reels Kenny in, aims for the concrete, and SNAP SUPLEXES Kenny onto it!

The ref checks on both men, that was still double-edged for Amir! The two are somehow okay to continue, and Amir gets up first. Amir drags Kenny up, telling him this is what he wanted! Amir shoves Kenny in, climbs up a corner, and SWANTON BOMBS!! Cover, TWO!!?!! Somehow, Kenny survives, but Amir says that’s fine! Amir looks over and grabs the chair. Amir sits the chair up and says this is what Kenny wanted! “This is what happens to scumbags!” Amir dribbles Kenny’s head off the chair! BT Sports Studio fires up with Amir, and Amir sees the bare buckle. Amir climbs up that corner, but Kenny THROWS the chair!

But Amir catches it, and throws it back! Kenny dodges and hits ropes to trip Amir up! Amir lands bad on the bare buckle, and Kenny sets the chair down. Kenny drags Amir over, FULL METAL HEADLOCK DRIVER!! Cover, Kenny wins!!

Winner: Kenny Williams, by pinfall; Amir Jordan must LEAVE NXT UK

The Scum of the Earth celebrates ruining the life of someone who wanted to do things the right way! Where does The Chancer go from here? BT Sports Studio applauds Amir’s valiant effort as the emotions wash over him. Where does the Bhangra Badboy literally go now that he can’t stay in the place he called home?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode, and with some surprising moments. I didn’t think the heavy hitting match of Dragunov VS Mastiff would be so hard hitting that it couldn’t actually finish. But it does seem to work out in Dragunov’s story, and could be used to feed his next match or feud. We got good promos from all of the Gauntlet participants, but I could not have foreseen someone taking out one of them. Seems a shame it’s Xia Brookside but at the same time it was totally going to be Brookside, she was being pushed as a frontrunner. Xia VS Amale is going to happen on the side, there could be a substitute or it could just be four participants now, but the winner is going to be a Face, so it’s either Dani or Millie.

Seven VS Huxley was a very good match, even with Gradwell trying to distract. That makes it all work for the story building between Seven and Gradwell, which is going to be a great match. Bate and A-Kid had a great vignette to hype up their rematch, and this is going to be the best British Rounds/Heritage Cup match in NXT UK yet. I can’t be sure which way it goes. Supernova Sessions was great, especially because Dar pointed out the strangeness of Ben Carter being Nathan Frazer, but Nathan did a good job explaining that he’s been Nathan all along and “Ben Carter” was the stage name. Dar VS Nathan in British Round rules is going to be really good, and could act as a contender’s match for the winner of Bate VS A-Kid.

I like that NXT UK is taking their time building to Joe Coffey VS Rampage Brown now, and Rampage VS Wolfgang is going to be a very good match that Rampage will of course win. I like that we got some last promos from Kenny and Amir, to see if either one wanted to back out and reconsider. Of course neither was going to, and that No Disqualification match (which again was more like No Holds Barred because of no count outs) was very fitting of the build. It coming down to the bare buckle was also fitting given the last time these two faced off.

Williams winning to stay and send Jordan away is surprising, but I suppose it works out in some way. Williams as a Heel has more potential for feuds because there are quite a few Faces in NXT UK. Amir Jordan will at least be on 205 Live to freshen it up, maybe even on NXT once he gets some traction. This match helped give Amir some edge before getting serious on NXT and 205 Live, and I could see him at least getting into some good feuds with Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, maybe even Swerve’s new crew he started. Both Kenny and Amir have possibilities, only time will tell who comes off more the Shawn Michaels, or if they’re more like the members of the Shield, each having equal success.

My Score: 8.2/10

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

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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

10 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…

The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?

Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?

Corey Graves is in the ring.

Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.

Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.

Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.

And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.

“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.

That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?

Triple H is here!

Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.

HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!

The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”

The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?

Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!

The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?

The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!

The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!

Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.

Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?

The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?

Nick Aldis heads out.

And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.

And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!

Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!

The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.

For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!

WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!

Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?

The Dudley Boyz are here!

The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?

Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.

WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!

It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?

The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!

Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!

Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!

No Contest

The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.

SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?

The Final Testament speaks.

Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!

Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.

Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?

There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!

Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!

Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!

Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?

Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.

Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.

Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.

Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.

My Score: 8.8/10

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

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024

We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.

Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.

Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.

Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.

OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.

Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.

Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!

Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.

Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth

A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.

Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!

Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!

Overall Score: 6/10

A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.

But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.

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