Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (6/3/21)

Grudge matches a plenty!

Published

3 years ago

June 3, 2021

Steven Mitchell

Will NXT UK still be Gallus?

Scottish Supernova VS Moscow Madman! Iron King VS Rampage in a long awaited rematch! Will Ilja Dragunov still be #UNBESIEBAR? Will Joe Coffey tie things up at 1-1?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Noam Dar VS Ilja Dragunov; Dragunov wins.
NXT UK Tag Team Championships: Pretty Deadly VS Jack Starz & ???; Pretty Deadly win and retain the titles.
Flash Morgan Webster VS Joseph Conners w/ Jinny; Conners wins.
Joe Coffey VS Rampage Brown; Coffey wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Noam Dar VS Ilja Dragunov!

The Scottish Supernova loves pushing people’s buttons, but he may have pushed the wrong Moscow Madman! But at the same time, Dragunov wants to prove to Dar, the fans, and most of all himself that he is in control now. Will UNBESIEGBAR keep from going berserk here tonight?

The bell rings and Dar circles with Dragunov. Dar gives testing kicks, they tie up and Dragunov gets a leg. Dar shifts to a facelock, cover, ONE and the two reset. Dragunov gets a leg and trips Dar to go for a Crab. Dar hooks Dragunov’s leg to drag him down for a standing toehold. Dragunov BOOTS Dar off the hold and BT Sports Studio cheers the exchange. They go again, Dar clinches but Dragunov powers Dar to ropes. Dar shouts, the ref counts, Dragunov lets off the hold but Dar dodges his clothesline. Dar gets cocky but Dragunov gets him down! Dragunov shows hammering elbow but chooses not to.

Dar scrambles up, wrenches to a wristlock, but Dragunov spins through to get under and shovel Dar up and over. Dragunov has the arm, but Dar gets up and puts Dragunov on ropes. The ref counts again but Dar KICKS the leg! Dragunov catches that leg for a SPINEBUSTER! Dragunov tries to clinch on the mat but Dar moves around. Dragunov holds on, facelocks, they stand up and Dragunov hooks a leg to then get a modified belly2belly suplex! Dragunov keeps on the arms, they stand in a clinch and Dar puts Dragunov back on ropes. Dar SLAPS then CHOPS then KICKS! Dragunov just grabs the arm again and wrenches through to CHOP! Dar sputters up into a JUMPING BOOT!

Dragunov gets after Dar for a hard takedown, and hooks Dar up for a stretch and hammering elbows! Dar shifts to make it a cover, TWO! Dragunov knees hard and low, whips, but Dar reverses. Dragunov tiger feints but his leg gives out! Dar KICKS Dragunov to the apron then BLASTS him off with a dropkick! The ref reprimands, then counts as Dragunov is outside. Dar goes out after Dragunov and brings him up. The ref restarts the count but Dar KICKS Dragunov down. Dar taunts Dragunov, puts him back in at 6 of 10, then covers, ONE!! Dragunov isn’t done just because his leg is bothering him!

Dar drags Dragunov up in a cravat to snapmare him into ropes! That leg is taking more damage! Dar KICKS Dragunov in the leg, stomps that leg, then drags him back up. Dar cravats, Dragunov forearms free and THROWS Dar down by his arm. Dragunov clotheslines Dar against ropes! Dar stays up while Dragunov hobbles, and Dar comes back to mule kick that bad leg! Dar stomps the foot and then an arm. And then the other arm! Dar says, “I’M THE BEST OF THIS!” but BT Sports Studio boos. Dar KICKS Dragunov around, basement Question Mark, but Dragunov catches the next one! Dar throws elbows but into a modified arm-drag!

Dragunov has the arm, Dar tries to chinbar but Dragunov gets up and CHOPS away on Dar’s shoulder! Dragunov steps over to KNEE Dar, both both men stagger. Dragunov has the waistlock, Dar pries free and drops down for upside-down kicks, and a takedown! Omoplata, but Dragunov rolls through to get the leg! Dar BOOTS Dragunov away, but Dragunov comes right back! Dar gives more kicks like that, but Dragunov is not stopping! Dar kicks and kicks but Dragunov CLOBBERS him with a falling forearm! Dragunov drags Dar up in a waistlock, for a GERMAN SUPLEX! And he holds on to get Dar back up! Dar fights with elbows but Dragunov still GERMAN SUPLEXES!

Dragunov growls and dares Dar to talk now as he drags him back up. Dar pries an arm off, but Dragunov clubs him, and drags him down with the arm! Dragunov rains down elbows, gets the waistlock back, and drags Dar up to Gotch lift! SINGLE LEG GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down and BT Sports Studio fires up! Dragunov clutches his leg, Dar tries to shake out the stars spinning around his head, and both men go forehead to forehead. The forearms fly, Dar throws boxing shots, but Dragunov ROCKS him! They keep going but Dragunov CHOPS! Dar KICKS! And KICKS, but Dragunov CHOPS! Dar boots, but Dragunov dodges and goes Matrix! ENZIGURI!

Both men are down again, that Matrix lean was double-edged for Dragunov’s bad leg! A standing count starts, but Dragunov’s up at 3 of 10. Dar gets him for a head ‘n’ arm but Dragunov elbows free! Dar whips but Dragunov tiger feints to hit the CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives, but Dragunov goes to a corner. Dragunov hops up but Dar runs in. Dragunov BOOTS him, then leaps but Dar moves! The knee drop hits mat! BLINDSIDE LARAIT! Cover, TWO, into the CHAMPAGNE SUPER KNEEBAR!! Dar even kicks and stomps Dragunov! Dragunov hammers back and gets free! BT Sports Studio is loving this, and this is just the opener!

Dragunov sits up, forces his bad leg to work, and gets Dar back up. Dar wrenches and sweeps the leg! Dar aims from a corner while taunting Dragunov. Dar KICKS Dragunov, and KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Dragunov flops over and the ref check son him. Dar eggs Dragunov on, and Dragunov refuses to let it end here. Dar gives toying kicks now, and even slaps him around. Dragunov glares at Dar, but even has a wild grin on his face! Dragunov and Dar brawl forearm to forearm, NO GUARD! DOUBLE SLAPS rock both men back to their knees! But Dragunov uses that to get up and under Dar for a firemen’s carry, and WASTELAND SLAM!

Dragunov KNEES Dar, gets him back up, tucks him in for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives but Dragunov isn’t done, either! Dragunov aims from a corner now, runs as best he can, but into a BACK ELBOW! Dar aims, runs, but into the TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Dragunov wins!!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall

This wasn’t just a match, this was a FIGHT! A fight for pride and superiority, and it was the Moscow Madman that won it! He shouts at Dar that NO ONE defines Dragunov’s reality but Dragunov! Will Dragunov make his dream of being champion reality now that the Summer heat is coming?

Aoife Valkyrie speaks.

“In this world, if you don’t risk, you cannot win. How can you break through your limits if you don’t know what they are to begin with?” She has always pushed herself every day to feel the same pain she felt when she tasted failure. Only the bird who dares to fall learns to fly. She’s come face to face with defeat, and it fuels her. She will return, “reforged, remade and ready for what’s next.” Will the battle-tested Valkyrie finally conquer NXT UK?

NXT UK Media catches up with Sid Scala.

The Assistant GM is very excited to welcome the Irish Ace, Jordan Devlin, back to the BT Sports Studio. Devlin is sure he’s very happy but did he get the email? The list of demands of what Devlin wants now that he’s back. If Sid didn’t see it, he’ll tell him here now: Devlin wants a dressing room all to himself every night; that brand new Mustang needs to be on NXT UK Travel’s list; and he wants a spot on the next Supernova Sessions. He has a lot to get off his chest. Of course, Sid will talk with Johnny Saint. But let’s get into the Performance Center, everyone’s really excited to welcome him back.

The PC is for people who need to train. Devlin is the Irish Ace, the Finished Product, he doesn’t need to train. See you next week. Devlin leaves again, and Sid awkwardly says it’s always great to see Devlin… Will Devlin get what he wants? Or will he have to wait in line like everyone else?

NXT UK Tag Team Championships: Pretty Deadly VS Jack Starz & ???

Sam Stoker & Lewis Howley poked fun at Jack Starz, and told him to find a friend to go after the titles win. So assuming Starz even has a partner tonight, will Pretty Deadly end up on the losing end of an upset? Or does it even matter who Starz found?

Wait, Starz got NATHAN FRAZER to be his tag partner?! The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the British Prodigy can help Starz reach for the stars and take those titles on their first try!

Starz and Stoker start and tie up. They go around, Stoker uses leverage to put Starz in a corner but Starz gets away. They reset, tie up again, and Stoker puts Starz on ropes. Stoker lets off but then whips Starz, and runs him over with a big shoulder! Howley says, “Yes Boy~!” and Stoker tells Starz to step up. Starz gets up, Howley talks trash and Stoker gets him for a headlock takeover! Stoker grinds Starz but Starz fights up and powers out. Starz speeds things up and dropkicks Stoker down! Then arm-drags him to a cording hold! Stoker gets up, Starz wrenches but Stoker wrenches and knees low! Tag to Howley and Pretty Deadly combine for a leap frog elbow drop!

Howley taunts Starz with another “Yes Boy~!” and even some Scott Hall fingers. Howley drags Starz up, rocks him and whips him hard into a corner! Starz bounces off buckles, Howley gets him up to ROCK him with a haymaker. Howley throws more hands but Starz counter punches! Starz gets Howley’s arms for a backslide! TWO, Starz leaps over Howley to tag in Frazer! Frazer runs and rams Howley again and again! Howley pups Frazer up but Frazer RANAS him away! Frazer arm-drags Howley to an armlock of his own and grinds Howley down. Howley gets up, Frazer wrenches and elbow breakers. Howley works on the hold, wrings Frazer but Frazer handsprings to arm-drag!

Frazer has the armlock again, but Howley fights up and around. Howley powers Frazer to a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Frazer goes up and over and handsprings around, only for Howley to kick low! Howley headlocks, Stoker tags in as Frazer powers out. Frazer dropkicks Howley down but Stoker waistlocks. Frazer fights the lift, slips under and back suplexes Stoker down! Stoker gets to ropes, Frazer runs in and CHOPS him! Frazer whips, Stoker reverses but Frazer goes up and over and fires off more CHOPS! Stoker stumbles into the ref, but that’s on purpose so the ref misses Howley pull the ropes! Frazer takes a tumble, the ref senses something is off and reprimands.

Tag to Howley, he gets Frazer up to bump him off apron and put him in the ring. Howley drags Frazer to a cover, ONE! Howley gets Frazer up, throws EuroUppers and tags Stoker back in. Pretty Deadly mugs Frazer in their corner, but Frazer fights back! Stoker DECKS Frazer, get shim up but Frazer powers out. Stoker blocks a superkick but gets the DRAGON WHIP! Hot tag to Howley and he goes after Frazer. He TOSSES Frazer way out, then waits for him to return. Frazer ducks the haymaker, shoulders into Howley, then slingshots up to sunset flip! Howley stays up, tags Stoker, but misses his fist drop! Hot tag to Starz!

Starz rallies on Pretty Deadly with big haymakers and shoulder tackles! Starz CLOBBERS Stoker, mocks Pretty Deadly and hits a BIG back drop! Starz goes corner to corner to uppercut, and HALF HATCH SUPLEX! Starz is red hot as he gets Stoker up to a fireman’s carry! Stoker elbows free, reels Starz in, GUILLOTINE! But Starz powers out?! To a BRAINBUSTER! But Howley returns, only for Frazer to return the favor! Howley takes a tumble, Frazer lines up the shot, MOONSAULT off the apron! Starz scoops Stoker for an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!! Stoker survives and Starz is shocked but the BT Sports Studio audience is loving this!

Starz gets Stoker up but Stoker JAWBREAKERS back! Howley and Frazer scrap, Stoker BOOTS Frazer down! Stoker goes back to Starz but Starz elbows him away! Howley tags in and hides, Starz get Stoker up but Howley knees Starz’s leg! Starz falls from a charlie horse, Stoker tags back in! Pretty Deadly gets Starz up, SPILT MILK!! Cover, Pretty Deadly win!

Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall (still NXT UK Tag Team Champions)

Despite the big fight Starz and Frazer put up, they couldn’t outdo the tag team tactics this dastardly duo used! Will it be a Pretty Boy Summer in the NXT UK Tag Division?

Tyler Bate speaks.

“The mind is like water: when it’s turbulent, it’s difficult to see; when it’s calm, everything becomes clear.” Bate lets go of what he is to become what he might be. Bate trains with a blindfold, trusting his body to know where the nun-chucks he’s using are. Being Heritage Cup Champion, Bate is now open to all challengers, but attached to no result. He enjoys the process of becoming. He is Heritage Cup Champion, he is Tyler Bate, and he simply is. But who will cross paths with the Big Strong Boy and try to take the cup from him?

Flash Morgan Webster VS Joseph Conners w/ Jinny!

The Modfather stepped up to back Dani Luna up against the Spoiled Princess and her Righteous Knight. But while Joseph ‘n’ Jinny keep talking down to people, #Subculture wants to lift us up! Will FMW rise up and prove Conners is NOT worthy of talking such trash?

The bell rings, Conners and FMW circle and tie up. FMW wrenches, wristlocks, but Conners spins through and breaks free to cravat and snapmare. Conners holds the cravat for a neck wrench but FMW is right out and he wrings Conners’ arm out! Conners gets up and gets away to stand off with FMW and the fans cheer. Conners and FMW knuckle lock, Conners breaks to wrench and wrangle FMW to the mat. Conners has a standing toehold, FMW spins through and throws Conners off. Conners runs in but FMW uses ropes to get the arm-drag, and then hits a running arm-drag! FMW trips Conners, IMPLODING SENTON! Cover, TWO! FMW whips and dropkicks Conners back down!

FMW whips corner to corner, Conners reverses and catches FMW to SLAM him on the mat! Conners throws clubbing hands, and while he dribbles FMW, he’s shouting, “Never! Ever! Do! That! To! ME!” Cover, TWO! Jinny is still calm as Conners gets FMW up to wrench, kick and clamp onto the arm. Conners chinbars to grind and twist FMW, but FMW endures. Conners gator rolls to a cover, TWO! FMW throws hands, CHOPS, and rolls Conners, TWO! Conners gets FMW for a BACKBREAKER! Conners tells you that’s what the lower class gets! Conners runs, SNAP CHANCERY! Cover, TWO!

FMW crawls to a cover, Conners argues the count, but he bumps FMW off buckles. FMW is on the apron, Conners CLUBS him, but FMW blocks buckle bumps to give buckle bumps! Conners swings but into a counter punch and a counter knee! FMW slingshots up and over and comes back to throw more CHOPS! Conners throws body shots, FMW CHOPS back, this is a furious fist fight! Conners shoves but FMW rallies with clotheslines! And a BIG back drop! FMW is fired up and that makes Jinny mad! Conners reverses a whip but FMW turns that into a QUEBRADA! FMW runs corner to corner at Conners, but Conners slips out. FMW just triangle jump dropkicks through!

FMW wants to run but the ref says he has to check on Conners. FMW doesn’t care, he FLIES over the ref to wipe Conners out at the ramp! The ref counts, FMW snarls as he chases Conners back into the ring. FMW steps in but Conners gets him for a small package, TWO! Conners falls for the fake-out, FMW HEADBUTTS him down! Jinny grabs FMW’s motorcycle helmet and throws it into the ring! Conners catches it, but the ref catches Conners! FMW hits a KNEE TRIGGER! The ref puts the helmet back while FMW goes up, but Jinny uses that to SHOVE FMW down! Conners gets FMW, cross-arm HANGMAN’S NECKBREAKER!! Cover, Conners wins!

Winner: Joseph Conners, by pinfall

But Subculture rushes back out because they’re furious! They saw as we saw that Jinny was Conners’ insurance policy! Jinny shouts at them, “What’re you gonna do about it?!” What will Subculture do to knock Jinny off her high horse?

NXT UK hears from Walter.

“I am the longest-reigning NXT UK Champion in history.” He has dominated since day one of arriving here, and vows that this will never change. But he will return in person next week! What will the Ring General have to say to the NXT UK roster and fans about the future of this title?

Joe Coffey VS Rampage Brown!

The first time around, the battle was brutal and did NOT go the Iron King’s way. But Gallus Boys never back down from a fight, and it was Coffey who invited Rampage to a rematch. After waiting and resting up, both men are ready for round two! Will Coffey get on the board? Or will it be a 2-0 sweep for big bad Rampage Brown?

The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, tie up, and go around before they break. They go again, break again, and try a third time. Coffey gets Rampage on ropes but the ref counts. Coffey lets off but Rampage gets a headlock. Coffey powers up but Rampage grinds to hold off the suplex. Coffey throws body shots, powers out and goes perpendicular. They run the ropes, Coffey dodges and CROSSBODIES! Coffey bounces off the cover but rushes Rampage at ropes. Coffey throws a heavy body shot, but Rampage wrenches to ROCK Coffey with forearms! Rampage whips, Coffey holds ropes and elbows back. Coffey runs but into a dropkick!

Coffey goes to the apron, Rampage follows him out there, and they brawl on the edge! Forearm for forearm and even some body shots. Coffey knows Wolfgang did more damage than Rampage is letting on, but Rampage headbutts back! Rampage runs but Coffey duck sand the boot hits post! Coffey trips Rampage up and Rampage lands hard on apron! Coffey gets Rampage up to RAM him into barriers! The ref counts, Coffey puts Rampage back in the ring, but Rampage gets the bad hand! Rampage clubs the wrist, wrenches and fireman’s carries, but Coffey is too heavy to hold up with bad ribs! Coffey slips down to CLUB Rampage on the back!

Coffey throws another hard body shot, then gets Rampage up for a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Rampage tumbles out and down to the floor! The ring count starts, Coffey watches as Rampage slowly rises, and dares him to come back! Coffey builds speed and WRECKS Rampage with a dropkick! Coffey kicks away at the barriers! The ref reprimands, counts, and Coffey puts Rampage in at 3 of 10 again. Coffey shoves Rampage to ropes to CLUB him in the back! Coffey whips Rampage to a corner, then whips him back in again before firing off more body shots. Coffey drags Rampage up for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, ONE!?! Rampage grits his teeth but Coffey keeps cool.

Coffey clamps onto Rampage and fires off elbows into the ribs! Coffey wraps on a rear bearhug and squeezes tight. Rampage endures, even as Coffey leans on the hold with all his weight. They get up, Rampage throws elbows and RAMS Coffey into buckles! Rampage staggers away, but Coffey runs to CLUB him in the back! Coffey kicks and stomps Rampage around the ring, gets him back up for haymakers, but Rampage hits back with counter punches! Rampage runs, Coffey clinches, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Rampage writhes and grumbles in pain, but sits up into a SLIDING LARIAT! “MY Kingdom, Brown!”

Coffey stomps Rampage to a drop zone then goes up and up and VADER BOMBS!! Cover, TWO!! The Iron King shows he’s adapting but he hasn’t defeated Rampage just yet. Rampage and Coffey brawl on the mat, Rampage getting the edge. But Coffey junkyard dog headbutts the ribs! Coffey stalks Rampage to a corner, fires off more body shots, then hoists Rampage up top. Coffey climbs to join him, but Rampage headbutts back! Coffey holds on to stay up and headbutts the ribs! Coffey gets Rampage up, but Rampage throws body shots of his own! Rampage headbutts Coffey down! Rampage adjusts and leaps for a FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE!

Both men are down and BT Sports Studio fires up! A standing count climbs, both men slowly sit up and are back to fighting at 5 of 10! They go forearm and jab back and forth, Rampage gets the edge but again Coffey headbutts ribs! Coffey falls back to the corner and Rampage storms in, but into a boot to the ribs! Coffey goes up and up and CROSSBODIES but FLOPS as Rampage dodges! Rampage catches his breath while Coffey clutches a leg. Rampage runs in but Coffey manages to dodge, to CROSSBODY both men out to the floor! Coffey and Rampage stir as a ring count begins again. Coffey gets up, hobbles around, but Rampage crawls.

Coffey is in at 6, Rampage stays out, so Coffey goes after Rampage! “Unfinished business, Brown!” They’re going to settle it here! They run and RAM shoulders! And again! Coffey runs but is almost sent into steps! Coffey comes back, GLASGOW SENDOFF sends Rampage into steps! The new ring count is at 5 of 10 as both men are down again! Coffey gets up, drags Rampage in at 7, and climbs up a corner! Coffey LEAPS for a SHOTGUN MISSILE DROPKICK! Coffey drags Rampage up in a waistlock but Rampage desperately hammers the arms! Rampage pries free but Coffey HEADBUTTS him in the back! CORNER SPLASH, to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Rampage survives but barely, and BT Sports Studio is loving this main event! Another standing count begins, but Coffey is on Rampage at 4. “You see, Rampage? Yeah? MY KINGDOM!” But Rampage blocks All the Best, and fireman’s carries for a SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down again but Rampage is up first. Gut wrench, but Coffey slips out to CLUB him on the back! GLASGOW SENDOFF from behind! Coffey keeps going, GLASGOW SENDOFF from the front! BLINDSLIDE LARIAT! But Coffey isn’t done, eh runs, ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Cover, Coffey wins!!

Winner: Joe Coffey, by pinfall

The series in NXT UK is now 1-1! Coffey avenges his loss to Rampage, but now we’ll need a tiebreaker! The two show respect with a solid handshake, but they want another go just like we do! When and where will these two collide for a rowdy round three?

Wait, Ilja Dragunov is returning? He looks at both burly behemoths who just beat each other pillar to post. Does the Moscow Madman want to make this an even more massive showdown? And how will all of this factor into the NXT UK Championship contender’s race?

My Thoughts:

This was a great episode for NXT UK from top to bottom! It opened with physicality, it closed with physicality, and honestly even the matches in the middle were better than expected. Dar VS Dragunov was awesome, almost TakeOver worthy. To be fair, if TakeOver: Dublin was still on track, I feel like this could’ve been there as a red hot opener to get fans going. We got another solid promo from Aoife, I suspect that she’ll finally get going over the summer to be ready for a big title match at a year end special episode or even TakeOver, should the UK be open enough for one. KLR VS Meiko is next week so this is the moment of truth for how the Women’s Division will go.

Devlin’s return promo was alright, but it does fit that he wants to be treated as the VIP of NXT UK. I am curious as to what promo he’ll give on Supernova Sessions, since he’s apparently had to put his Cruiserweight Championship comeback on the back, back burner. Tyler Bate’s promo was good, and it is interesting how he’s going from Big Strong Boy to Big Strong Sage. Devlin could make for a great Heritage Cup challenger, and the combination of Devlin and Bate hasn’t been seen much, so maybe NXT UK sets up big things for that. Walter will finally return and he’ll de0finitely get the ball rolling on his next challenger, too.

The UK Tag title match of Pretty Deadly VS Starz & Frazer turned out way better than I expected. I knew Pretty Deadly was still winning, though, but I also kinda felt Frazer was next for a tag division move. If he isn’t going to be Cruiserweight Champion with the title over in Florida, and isn’t quite ready for either of the other titles just yet, trying for the tag titles might be good for him and Starz. If anything, Starz can return the favor, they have a tag match with Dar and Sha to settle that story for Frazer. Then they can try for the tag titles again, give us an even greater match, and win or lose, we have our next feud set up. If Starz & Frazer win, Pretty Deadly goes for a rematch. If Starz & Frazer lose, maybe Starz turns Heel and they feud.

Conners VS Webster was a really good match but of course Jinny helps Conners win. Luna and Andrews could’ve gotten out there sooner, but that’s small details. Subculture might put up Luna and Andrews in a Mixed Tag against Jinny & Joseph now, and that could go either way. I wonder what the chances of Jinny recruiting another male superstar to her stable so that they’re a trio to parallel Subculture. Maybe one of the jobbers, who have honestly been great in the ring, gets a “makeover” the same as Conners got. That gives a lot of choices, like “Turbo Terry” Josh Morrell, who can definitely keep up with Andrews and Webster in the speed game.

The Coffey VS Rampage rematch was a great main even to finish the physicality sandwich. These guys went as hard, maybe a little harder even, than last time, and there was great story in how both man had a target to go after. In the end, it made all the sense in the world for Coffey to win and tie this up, forcing a tiebreaker down the line. The surprise was Dragunov showing up to stare them both down. With Triple Threats being the new thing in Western wrestling companies, from WWE doing it at WrestleMania 37 AND #WrestleManiaBacklash, AEW at Double or Nothing then NXT USA last night, NXT UK might set up at least a Triple Threat #1 Contender’s match, to perhaps go in line with Walter’s return next week.

Dragunov being added to Coffey VS Rampage would of course put that thing in a TakeOver level, and with each man having had their shot at Walter and the UK Championship, it’d be anyone’s guess as to who wins it, since each man has faced Walter once already. Now, Coffey VS Rampage Round 3 would preclude that they don’t win the Triple Threat, but it still feels a title match too early for Walter VS Dragunov Round 2. Dragunov could win and “shockingly” end Walter’s historically long reign, and then Walter joins the rest of Imperium in NXT USA to start taking over those divisions. Walter being first man to be UK Champion then North American or top NXT Champion would definitely be worthy of Walter’s resumé.

My Score: 8.6/10

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! (6/4/21)

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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

9 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!