Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (6/17/21)

NXT UK is Subculture!

Published

3 years ago

June 17, 2021

Steven Mitchell

Will Jinny & Joseph be humbled?

The Spoiled Princess and her Righteous Knight think they rule NXT UK, but Subculture’s Modfather and Punk Rock Powerhouse look to open their eyes!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Wolfgang VS Sam Gradwell; Wolfgang wins.
Kenny Williams VS Danny Jones; Williams wins.
Nathan Frazer VS Rohan Raja; Frazer wins.
Mixed Tag Match: Joseph Conners & Jinny VS Subculture; Subculture wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Wolfgang VS Sam Gradwell!

Gallus wants to get back to the NXT UK Tag Team Championships, but they also have a friendly rivalry going on. The Last King of Scotland says he can handle the Thunderstorm easily, but Markus thinks otherwise. Gradwell has a mic as he makes his entrance and asks, “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Not this little piggy! Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin!” So Wolfgang can huff, puff, howl and growl, but Gradwell’s made of bricks. Wolfie is desperate to impress Mark Cough Drop, but Gradwell vows to rattle the jowls and wobble the kidneys of the Big Bad Yogurt! Will Gradwell actually back up his words this time?

The bell rings and the two tie right up. They go around, Wolfgang headlocks but Gradwell powers out, only for Wolfgang to run him over! BT Sports Studio cheers as Wolfgang mocks Gradwell flapping his gums. They tie up with a knuckle lock this time, have a test of strength, but Wolfgang kicks one arm and wrenches the other. Gradwell reverses the wristlock to get a headlock, but Wolfgang powers up. Wolfgang can’t power out, though, and Gradwell grinds him down. Wolfgang wrenches out this time, but Gradwell resists the top wristlock. Gradwell pulls hair but Wolfgang wrangles him down! Gradwell endures the top wristlock grind to kip up and wrench through to ROCK Wolfgang!

But Wolfgang just smiles! Wolfgang blocks the whip, whips Gradwell, but Gradwell elbows from the corner. Gradwell runs but into Wolfgang’s clothesline! Wolfgang rallies, has Gradwell in a corner and goes after the arm. The ref counts, Wolfgang whips Gradwell corner to corner and CROSSBODIES! Gradwell staggers as Wolfgang climbs, but Gradwell SHOVES Wolfgang off! Wolfgang hits the floor and Gradwell mockingly says, “How inconvenient.” Gradwell goes out and dares Wolfgang to get up. Gradwell leaps in from the apron for a FLYING FOREARM! The ref starts a ring count and Gradwell puts Wolfgang in to cover, TWO!

Gradwell stomps Wolfgang in frustration then CLUBS him down! Gradwell clamps on claws into Wolfgang’s shoulders, then shifts to a cobra twist. Wolfgang endures, fights up, but Gradwell RAMS shoulder to shoulder! Gradwell puts the cobra clutch back on and mocks the big bad Wolfie. Wolfgang grabs at the beard but Gradwell grinds the arm. BT Sports Studio rallies, Wolfgang fights up, but Gradwell ripcords Wolfgang out. Wolfgang counters with a BIG back drop! Gradwell staggers, comes back swinging, but Wolfgang dodges to fire off haymakers! Wolfgang DECKS Gradwell then CROSSBODIES in the corner again!

Wolfgang climbs and leaps for a double ax handle! BASEMENT SPLASH! Gradwell flounders to ropes, Wolfgang shouts, “GALLUS BOYS ON TOP!” Wolfgang gets Gradwell up for a SWINGING SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Gradwell sits up but Wolfgang clamps onto him with a chinlock. Wolfgang gets Gradwell to a fireman’s carry but Gradwell elbows his way free! Gradwell grits his teeth and he LARIATS Wolfgang down! But the rib damage holds him back from making a cover! BT Sports Studio rallies up as both men stir. Wolfgang sits up but Gradwell grabs his ear. Gradwell SLAPS Wolfgang, and that only makes him mad!

Wolfgang gets up, swings but misses. Gradwell waistlocks but Wolfgang elbows out. Gradwell bails out, Wolfgang pursues by going out the side. The ref wants them to get in the ring and Gradwell does, with Wolfgang in pursuit. ROLLING ELBOW! Gradwell snarls as he stands Wolfgang up on the apron. Wolfgang grabs Gradwell’s arms and HOTSHOTS him back! Gradwell comes back but into a HEADBUTT! Wolfgang slingshots in and SPEARS Gradwell down! Cover, Wolfgang wins!

Winner: Wolfgang, by pinfall

The Howler has a bloody eyebrow but he doesn’t care! Battle scars are badges of honor, especially for Gallus. Will Markus have a way to respond to Wolfgang’s friendly challenge? Will Gradwell ever learn to shut his gob?

Kenny Williams speaks.

“The NXT UK Universe has already seen what I will do to someone that I used to like. So can you imagine what I’ll do to someone that I don’t like? The best thing about everyone thinking you’re a scumbag is you can stop acting like you aren’t one.” Will the Scum of the Earth take every opening and opportunity he finds to shut Danny Jones down? We’ll see, after the break.

Superstars react to KLR VS Satomura II.

Xia Brookside says it was absolutely incredible. “We are extremely fortunate to have the best female wrestler in the world, Meiko Satomura, as our new NXT UK Women’s Champion.” It is well-deserved to Dakota Kai, she says Meiko is wrestling just as well now as she was 20 years ago. Ember Moon says Meiko is a legend and why so many women wrestlers around the world want to wrestle her as a dream match. Amale congratulates Meiko on defeating the “Forever Champion,” Kay Lee Ray, but reminds Meiko she did it at Amale’s expense. Amale still affirms she should’ve been in the Women’s Gauntlet, not Meiko. Meiko broke Amale’s hopes, so Amale will break Meiko!

Raquel Gonzalez hopes and prays that Survivor Series 2021 has some NXT USA VS NXT UK, so that she as NXT Women’s Champion can face someone as amazing and iconic and fierce as Meiko. Beth Phoenix knows Meiko has done so much around the world, this was just one of those things that had eluded her, and now she’s representing NXT UK with pride. What is next for the Final Boss now that she’s got gold?

Subculture talks backstage.

Mark Andrews says tonight is the night. Flash Morgan Webster and Dani Luna are ready, but then Joseph Conners and Jinny walk in. Conners says it’s “quaint,” and Jinny mocks it as a “pep talk.” They are all pathetic and beneath her. But then NXT UK Tag Team Champions, Pretty Deadly, walk in and want them all to take it easy. Sam Stoker & Lewis Howley cannot wait to commentate on their Mixed Tag Match tonight. Good luck, everyone. Conners says he and Jinny don’t need it. Andrews says to ignore the trash talk and take it all out on them in the ring. Jinny says they should enjoy their 15 minutes of fame while it lasts. But will the Spoiled Princess’ time in the spotlight be what runs out tonight?

Kenny Williams VS Danny Jones!

As the Chancer said himself, he won’t hold back on someone he doesn’t care about. Will “Raving” Danny Jones make him care? Better yet, will Jones make Williams regret looking down on him?

The bell rings and Williams ties up with Jones. Williams waistlocks, headlocks and grinds, then wrenches an arm. Jones powers up to SLAM Williams off! Williams rushes back in, Jones powers him down to a cover, ONE! Williams fires off hands, wraps on another headlock but Jones powers out. They ram shoulders, neither man falls, so Williams gets mad and KICKS Jones’ leg out! Cover, ONE! Williams stays close, slaps Jones around and whips, but Jones blocks! Jones whips, catches Williams and pops him up, but Williams slips off and runs. Williams slides under, but Jones catches him to get him up and whip him to ropes. Williams holds those ropes then bails out!

Williams tries to laugh off Jones keeping up with him, but Jones storms over! Jones grabs at Williams, but Williams uses that to hotshot him! Jones grips his ribs and Williams gets in. Williams runs to STRADDLE ATTACK! Williams throws clubbing crossface forearms, uses another straddle attack, then covers, TWO! Williams scrapes his soles on Jones’ face! Williams kicks Jones around, KICKS him in the back, then puts him in the ropes. The ref reprimands as Williams bends Jones back and throws more clubbing forearms! Williams gets up on the top rope to stomp Jones while lounging! The ref reprimands, Williams hops down, but then dropkicks Jones in the back! Cover, TWO!

Williams smirks and SLAPS Jones on the back! Williams stomps Jones, brings him around and uses an armlock and chinbar to grind Jones down. Jones endures so Williams sits him up to CLUB him across the face! Williams pulls on an arm while standing on Jones’ face, but still Jones endures. Williams gets both arms and digs his forehead into Jones’ back for a modified motorcycle stretch. Williams modifies it even more by sitting on Jones’ shoulders and neck! Jones grits his teeth and fights up as BT Sports Studio rallies, and he turns the motorcycle onto Williams! Williams drops to kick Jones away! Jones staggers but comes back to spin and ENZIGURI Williams!

Williams staggers, Jones TOSSES him to a corner! And then TOSSES him the other way! Jones is showing his strength as he BOOTS Williams down! Jones is raving mad as he CORNER WIZARDS and SHORT-ARM CLOTHESLINES! Cover, TWO! Williams flounders but Jones fires up and gets him at the ropes. Williams rakes eyes to avoid the suplex. Williams waistlocks, Jones switches and shoves, but Williams ducks and dodges and CHOP BLOCKS from the front! Williams drags Jones up, HEADLOCK DRIVER! Cover, Williams wins!

Winner: Kenny Williams, by pinfall

That driver is #BadLuck for Jones, the Scum of the Earth gets another victory! Will this translate into something good for Williams as the summer heats up?

BREAKING NEWS for next week!

The stare down from a few weeks ago has now become a showdown! Ilja Dragunov, Joe Coffey and Rampage Brown will compete in a TRIPLE THREAT! And speaking of those three…

Dragunov, Coffey and Rampage sit down to talk.

Coffey welcomes Rampage and Ilja and says it’s good to have this discussion here to get the niceties out of the way. “Because let’s face it, when the three of us step in the ring, there’s not really gonna be anything nice about it.” Coffey likes that the others are chuckling and smiling now, because he’ll say this: “It’s great to be the toughest guy here at the table.” Rampage says he doesn’t need to tell these guys what they’re in for. Coffey already knows, they’ve gone 1v1 and are 1-1 already. Dragunov knows these two have a rivalry and they don’t really like each other that much, but then they both ask him why he’s jumping into the middle of it. Why is he getting involved in their business?

Dragunov says it is for a simple and specific reason, and they need to know it. “Because I get the feeling that you guys think, and I say it with all respect, that this is your playground.” It isn’t. There are others here, and most of all, Dragunov himself. Well that’s interesting. Glasgow is one of the hardest- No, no, Coffey says it is the hardest working place in the UK. Right, right. And then for Dragunov, Russia. Then Rampage himself, Leeds, England. All hard upbringings for all of them. Of course, but that’s why they are who they are: the three toughest competitors on the brand.

Coffey acknowledges he has history with Rampage, and there’s no one he’d rather test himself against. Same for Dragunov. But he asks them this: “In that match against Walter, do you think you left a piece of yourself behind? Has it changed you? Do you think you have what it takes?” The level of noise and violence in that match, just imagine how much more there’ll be in this one. Coffey vows to beat them both and leave them in a puddle. That’s what he’s willing to do. Dragunov says Coffey’s talking about violence, but Dragunov IS violence. “Anything can happen. I hope you’re prepared for this, because I am.”

Rampage says they don’t need to do him any favors. Coffey asks why he’s saying that like he knows something they don’t. Dragunov says they should learn from him on violence in the ring. Coffey says this is the kind of fight he needs and wants. Rampage says this is what he’s all about. All three men take a moment, and Coffey says, “So let’s bring it.” All three men are battle hardened, battle tested and battle ready. But who survives this battle to back up their words? And will the NXT UK Champion be watching?

NXT UK Media catches up with Mark Coffey.

They want his thoughts on the friendly competition they’re having, and he already knows what they’re getting at. Wolfie’s one up on him, but he’s got someone to pick a fight with. Mark walks up to Sha Samuels and asks if he’s reading the newspaper. Sha says he’s trying to. Mark shouts, “EAST~!” in a way to mock Sha, and Sha tells him, “Oh shut up, ya tart!” Mark plays the parrot game and says that back to Sha. Sha says Mark can try to copy him, but he can’t beat him. Is Mark trying to get in his business? Then how about they do some business, ya mug? Sha storms off, demanding to talk to Sid Scala and Johnny Saint.

Mark says that was easy. So Wolfgang might be one-up for now, but Mark’s ready to match him. But will picking a fight with the East End Butcher only end with Markus feeling down?

NXT UK presents an all new Supernova Sessions!

“Hello, hello, hello! Hear me now, live from the moon,” Noam Dar welcomes us back to his talk show. And please allow him to announce the official drop of the brand new SPRNVA 11 shirt! “Five years in the making, and she is absolutely beautiful!” Dar has his copy framed. If you deserve it, then the Universe will serve it. And Dar deserves everything. So get yours now, and get Dar pa-pa-pa-pa-paaaid~! Speaking of big money, welcome the Irish Ace, Jordan Devlin! Devlin walks out on stage, Dar shouts at his lackey to move the props aside, and then Dar and Devlin hug. It’s great to finally have an actual superstar on this show.

Dar sits on the couch, Devlin sits in the guest chair and Dar notes Devlin is looking sharp. Most wrestlers don’t have a good fashion sense, dressing like coalminers and railroad workers. But Devlin? He’s got a way of putting something together. Are those Sergio Giorginis? Yes, they are. Dar asks what he thinks about his Gucci sneakers? #GucciGang, all the way from China. But wait, before Dar forgets, he has a present! His own copy of the SPRNVA tee! Photo op! Dar and Devlin smile for the cameras, and Dar says it’s an “extra medium” so it’ll fit Devlin.

Devlin thanks Dar but Dar apologizes. Since this talks how started, Dar’s been trying to get him a spot, but Devlin’s schedule is packed! Devlin jet sets all over the place and was tearing it up in the US of A. Tell us, how has it been? Devlin knows Dar doesn’t need to be told, they’re both high achieving individuals. Dar’s been there, done that, been to the Land of Opportunity, and now they’re both back in NXT UK cuz America sucks! They high-five over that, then fist bump, too. Dar agrees, they’re classy guys.

But to bring things back to reality, Dar was expecting Devlin to return with the NXT Cruiserweight Championship so they could have some “hardware” on the show. But Dar keeps hearing how Devlin lost their NXT Cruiserweight Championship. But Devlin didn’t lose anything. Dar knows the truth: Devlin was ROBBED of that title. “They took our precious from us. Fr-from you, your championship.” Devlin says it is so nice to hear that from someone else. And Dar is right. Just because someone runs up a ladder quicker than you, doesn’t make them the better man. Dar says Santa Claus Escobum has how many fools on his team? At least three?

And Devlin says when he returns to the states, Escobar better keep his head on a swivel, because he’s coming for him and that title. If he ever needs any help, Dar is there. But unfortunately, or maybe actually, generously, Dar says he’d make some exclusive about himself, but sometimes he pays things forward. So right here, to Devlin, Dar gives the gift of time. Devlin can make his OWN exclusive right here! Devlin is honored. Dar gives Devlin the “moon,” and Devlin steps up. “This is an exclusive for every single member of the NXT UK roster. I felt that sigh of relief from all of you when you thought the Irish Ace was gone stateside.

“But I’ve got some bad news. Because THE franchise player on this brand is back! If you want to take a shot at the Irish Ace, I’m not hard to find. You just walk backstage, find the biggest dressing room, with the gold star on the door, ‘Irish Ace’ written on it, and if you’ve got the guts, test yourself against the Ace.” Devlin and Dar fist bump and Dar says that was one hell of an exclusive. But one more bonus exclusive, go get your SPRNVA shirt on WWE Shop! Dar poses with his framed merchandise, but who will line up to face the Irish Ace in the ring?

Another big match is set for next week!

After The Boba tried to break Ashton Smith, Oliver Carter made the save. Now Carter will have to fight for his own survival as he faces Teoman 1v1! Will the Evil Eye stare through the Predator Killer and send him home to his family?

NXT UK Media catches up with Dave Mastiff.

How is training going? Pretty good, really. He feels strong, feels good. Tyler Bate and Jack Starz in the ring just behind him, and Mastiff admits they’re very good. But his own training makes him feel fit and good. He can’t argue with what’s going on. But then Mastiff checks in with Bate and Starz. They were doing good. Yeah, just some sparring. Bate says Starz is impressing him. Bate offers Starz a Heritage Cup Championship match. Starz appreciates the offer, but he wants to earn it. Bate would definitely say Starz has but if that’s how he feels. Whenever Starz is ready, the offer stands.

Mastiff also tells Starz that he’s earned his shot. Don’t turn it down, what’s the matter? Starz seems conflicted. What must Starz do to prove it to himself that he’s ready?

Nathan Frazer VS Rohan Raja!

The British Prodigy has been on a roller coaster ride, but he’s ready to fly back up. Meanwhile, the British born, Australian raised and Canadian trained Young King is back after that scary arm injury at the hands of Teoman. Which rising star shines brightest inside BT Sports Studio tonight?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Raja SLAMS Frazer down, goes to facelock, but Frazer slips out and schoolboys to a cover, ONE! Frazer shoots for a leg but Raja blocks with a facelock. Raja hits a takedown to a cover, ONE! Raja headlocks but Frazer powers out, only for Raja to run him over. Things speed up. Frazer hurdles and redirects to hurdle again, then comes back to SLINGBLADE! Raja gets to a corner, Frazer runs in but Raja puts him on the apron. Raja swings but Frazer counter punches. Raja gets under the springboard, Frazer comes back, but Raja gets Frazer for a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Raja keeps on Frazer with stomps, and has him in a corner. Raja stomps more, lets off as the ref counts, and gets Frazer up. Raja wrenches whips and WRINGS Frazer into the corner! Frazer tumbles up, tumbles back, Raja covers, TWO! Raja wraps onto Frazer with a rear bearhug. Frazer endures the squeeze, fights his way up, but Raja SLAMS him down! Raja keeps on the squeeze but Frazer still endures. Frazer fights up, elbows free, and runs in, but Raja blocks the boot! Raja flips Frazer but Frazer lands on his feet to wheelbarrow and victory roll! TWO, Raja dropkicks Frazer down! Cover, TWO!

Raja snarls but BT Sports Studio rallies up. Raja sees Frazer get up, Raja storms over but Frazer elbows him away. Frazer is in a corner, Raja runs in, but Frazer catches him for a BUCKLE SHOT! Just like his teacher, Seth Rollins! Raja staggers, Frazer grits his teeth and storms over. Raja throws a HARD body shot! Raja whips Frazer to a corner but Frazer goes up and over and builds up speed. Frazer ducks and dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down but stirring as BT Sports Studio rallies up. Frazer grits his teeth as he pushes himself up. Raja follows as Frazer fires up! Frazer rallies with forearms and elbows, then a spin into a NECKBREAKER!

Raja is down, Frazer goes up a corner. Frazer MOONSAULTS, but Raja moves! Frazer lands on his feet to STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Raja survives and Frazer can’t believe it! BT Sports Studio is fired up as Frazer gets up again. Frazer goes for Raja’s legs but Raja drags him down into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Frazer flails, Raja wants an armbar now, but Frazer clasps hands. Raja shifts, short-arm scissor but Frazer rolls. Raja ducks a kick, shoves Frazer, and pops him up for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Frazer survives and Raja is besides himself. Raja paces, stalks Frazer, and wristlock ripcords, but Frazer ducks to waistlock and ripcord himself!

Frazer rolls under and through to get Raja up for ANARCHY! Cover, TWO!! Raja survives again and Frazer is shocked again! Frazer hurries to get Raja up in a dragon sleeper but Raja snapmares free and kicks hard! Raja runs but Frazer dodges to QUEBRADA ELBOW DROP DDT!! But Frazer’s back holds him back! Frazer hurries back to a corner, climbs up top, but Raja ROCKS him! Frazer hops to the apron, Raja gets Frazer up but Frazer wrenches out and DECKS Raja! Raja is back in a drop zone, but he springs up as Frazer climbs! Frazer HEADBUTTS Raja down, and hits a FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Frazer wins!

Winner: Nathan Frazer, by pinfall

The Prodigy ruins the return of the Young King and looks to be building up his own legacy! But just as Frazer shows Raja respect, an Evil Eye is watching from the titantron! Is Teoman keep tabs on Raja? Or has something about Frazer caught his eye?

Jordan Devlin heads back to his private locker room.

NXT UK Media is there, hoping to talk to him, but he says, “You people are exhausting.” He said he had to say during Supernova Sessions. But then when Devlin walks inside, A-Kid is there! Did he not see the sign on the door? A-Kid apologizes, he just wanted some coffee. Well he can’t, because that’s Devlin’s coffee and this is Devlin’s room! Is it? Yes, so get your bag and your cup and get out. Oh, sorry, AK lost the Heritage Cup. Yes, he did. But Devlin lost something, too. So if Devlin wants AK to leave, make him. Make him? Do you know what Devlin will make A-Kid do? Devlin is going to talk with Sid and Saint about this. AK laughs him off, but will Devlin use his VIP status to teach AK a lesson?

Mixed Tag Match: Joseph Conners & Jinny VS Subculture!

After all the talking down and pushing around, the (Self)Righteous and the Spoiled will have to put up or shut up against those they look down on! Flash Morgan Webster represents the Mod Life while Dani Luna is punk rock strong, but will they deflate the egos of their opponents? And with Pretty Deadly on commentary, will anyone make an impression on them in terms of the NXT UK Tag Team Championship chase?

The teams sort out and Conners starts with FMW in a partial rematch from a couple weeks ago. They circle, tie up, and Conners pushes FMW to a corner but FMW turns it around. FMW lets off with a backwards roll and calls Conners out. They reset and tie up again, Conners snapmares but FMW rolls through. Conners rams FMW with a shoulder, then runs, but FMW drops down to hurdle over. FMW runs and arm-drags Conners around! FMW wrenches the arm, Conners rolls and knees low! Conners snapmares then drops a Regal style knee. FMW gets to an open corner but Conners fires off haymakers, body shots and stomps!

Conners whips, FMW reverses but Conners goes up and over, only for FMW to schoolboy cover! ONE, Conners back drops but FMW sunset flips. Conners stays up, breaks free but FMW avoids his elbow drop and comes back with a SHOTGUN dropkick! Tag to Luna and she dares Conners to do something, but Jinny has to come in by the rules. Jinny and Luna circle, tie up, and Luna waistlocks. Jinny throws elbows but Luna holds on. Jinny pries free of the waistlock, wrenches the arm and YANKS it! Luna gets up, spins through and reels Jinny in for another waistlock. Jinny grabs at Luna’s hair but the ref reprimands. Jinny elbows out harder this time and whips Luna to ropes.

Luna reverses but Jinny blocks the hip toss. Jinny gets a facelock but Luna wrenches through to WRING Jinny out! Jinny gets up, Luna has her for an EXPLODER! Conners gets in, Luna ducks him and FMW GAMANGIRIS from the corner! Conners flounders, FMW gets in, and Luna gives him a boost for TOAST AT 3AM! The back suplex splash sends Conners rolling and growling out of the ring. Conners and Jinny regroup, cool off, and Pretty Deadly says there is a difference between good and great. Conners distracts Luna but Luna still catches Jinny’s sneak attack! Luna fireman’s carries but Conners gets Jinny down! The ref reprimands Conners as Jinny throws Luna down by her hair!

Jinny rains down furious forearms on Luna, covers, TWO! Jinny snarls as she stalks Luna to a corner and pulls on her hair more. Jinny bumps Luna off buckles, stomps a mudhole in, but the ref counts. Jinny lets off to argue with the ref and Pretty Deadly rubs in that the shortest title reign of any kind in NXT UK belongs to South Wales Subculture, aka FMW and Mark Andrews, as NXT UK Tag Team Champions. Pretty Deadly has already surpassed those two. Jinny drags Luna up and wrenches to then wrap her up in an IRON OCTOPUS! Luna endures as Jinny pulls hair and stretches the arm.

BT Sports Studio rallies, FMW coaches Luna, and she powers out, only for Jinny to let off and throw forearms. Luna scoops Jinny and FALL AWAY SLAMS her! Jinny comes back and leaps on, GUILLOTINE! But Luna powers out to a suplex! Hot tag to FMW and Conners gets in! The Modfather rallies on Conners like a house of fire! FMW whips, Conners reverses, but FMW goes up to RUDE BOY BLOCK! Direct hit and FMW is fired up more! FMW reels Conners in but Conners back drops free! FMW tries to land on his feet, slips and falls on his butt, but he baits Conners in and puts him on the apron! TRIANGLE JUMP DROPKICK!

Tag to Luna and she gives him another boost for the TOP CONJILO! But with Luna in, Jinny is legal again and she rushes Luna, only to leap into her arms! Luna pops Jinny into a BACKBREAKER! Luna fires up now and she dead lift GUT WRENCH SUPLEXES! Jinny flounders, Luna has her again for another DEAD LIFT GUT WRENCH! Luna still isn’t done, and she drags Jinny up for a DEAD LIFT STANDING SUPLEX! Luna runs and LARIATS Jinny inside out! Cover, Conners and FMW watch closely, TWO!! Jinny survives, and FMW intercepts Conners with a KNEE TRIGGER! Jinny ROCKS FMW, that’s not allowed! But Luna SHOTEIS Jinny in return!

Conners staggers up, Luna goes after him now! Deja vu from when he faced Piper Niven and he scrambles off the fireman’s carry! Luna BOOTS Conners, and whips him out of the ring! Jinny gets Luna for a DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Luna lives and Jinny is furious! Jinny tags to Conners, FMW gets in but runs into a BACKBREAKER to back suplex FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!!? Conners is furious, he drags FMW up but FMW slips out of the suplex! FMW waistlocks, uses the ropes for the O’Conner Roll, TWO into Jinny’s KICK!! Roll up, TWO!??! Jinny and Conners can’t believe this, and Pretty Deadly defends they’d never use such awful tactics.

FMW puts hands up to fake Conners out, and HEADBUTTS! Both men flop down, but Jinny talks trash to Luna. Luna storms around the way and backs her down. FMW climbs, Conners ROCKS him first! Jinny gets in the ring but the ref notices! The ref tells Jinny to go back to her corner, but he misses Luna helping FMW with a CLUB and BOMB to Conners! BOOT for Jinny! FMW adjusts, 630 SENTON?!?! Cover, Subculture wins!!

Winners: Subculture, by pinfall

Mark Andrews joins his team to celebrate, but Pretty Deadly will only say they did good. Subculture means little to the champs now, but will they have to watch those side plates carefully?

My Thoughts:

Another great NXT UK! Though, the one flaw and it isn’t even a big one, is that I feel like there were some gaps in continuity when it came to Devlin’s Supernova Sessions promo. Yes, he should want payback on Santos Escobar for beating him and taking the Cruiserweight Championship away, but Kushida has the belt now, and Devlin didn’t make note of that, even though he told Kushida to be ready for when Devlin returns. Ironically, Escobar’s moved on to a different title to chase, but if Devlin ever does return to NXT USA, he really should go after Escobar for like a night and then go right after Kushida.

A-Kid defying Devlin’s private locker room restrictions was an interesting way of bringing him back, but a rematch of those two will be good either way. Jack Starz getting the Heritage Cup nod from Tyler Bate and Dave Mastiff is pretty big. Starz has definitely earned his way from a jobber to an underdog contender, but that promo in the UK Performance Center makes me think Starz will want to face Mastiff first. Whether or not Starz wins, if he has a strong showing, that might convince him to take on Bate. Either that, or someone tells Starz he’s right to not think he’s ready, that guy and Starz have a match, and then pretty much the same thing of Starz gaining confidence.

Gradwell seems like the guy for that job with Starz, but he just lost to Wolfgang. It was a very good opening match, and it was a bit lost in the shuffle that this was another battle of NXT UK Founding Fathers. Wolfgang was in the original tournament, just like Gradwell and Seven, but perhaps being the third guy in Gallus overshadowed that. Mark Coffey trolling Sha Samuels into a match was clever stuff, and that is going to be a lot of fun, too. And the Triple Threat we all felt coming has come! Joe Coffey VS Rampage Brown VS Ilja Dragunov could easily be made into an NXT UK Championship #1 contender’s match, but letting it be a battle of pride and dominance is more than enough. Their sit-down discussion was a great segment, really adding to the fire we knew there’d be in the match.

Williams and Jones had a very good match, even with nothing on the line, but we’re getting a better sense of who Williams is as “The Scumbag.” Kinda hoping Williams goes for the Heritage Cup at some point. Maybe he could be the detractor to Starz’s opportunity. Teoman VS Carter next week is going to be really good, and I like that Teoman sent an indirect message to Raja and Frazer. Frazer VS Raja was a very good match, too, and it was a bit of a surprise that Raja lost. Perhaps Raja’s two major losses are a sign that he will end up Teoman’s sidekick so that they can take on Smith & Carter in a tag match at some point.

We got a great video package to show other female superstars reacting to Meiko Satomura’s win. I was hoping for more NXT UK specific stars, but Xia Brookside as the purest Face, and then Amale as having the Heel motivations against Meiko were both the right choices. The Mixed Tag Match main event was great, and it was curious to have Pretty Deadly interacting with the two teams. This isn’t a co-ed tag division, but I suppose they were mostly scouting Flash Morgan Webster and his abilities to team with someone. Subculture winning makes sense both in the story with Jinny & Joseph but also the overall tag division. FMW’s 630 is awesome, it looks so fast.

I still wonder if Jinny will add another man to her faction, but also if Andrews is still recovering, because there aren’t going to be tag matches with Pretty Deadly that way if there isn’t a second male tag partner. And I don’t see “enemy of my enemy is my friend” happening here, I don’t think Jinny would let Conners team with FMW to try and get the titles.

My Score: 8.3/10

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

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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/18/21)

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

21 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

2 days 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!