Connect with us

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/28/21)

Who cashes in on a last chance?

Published

on

Coverage Raw 2021

Only one spot left on the Raw side of Money in the Bank!

Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles all get one last chance to go to Money in the Bank on behalf of Monday Night Raw, but who makes the most of it?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • WWE 24/7 Championship Matchception: Drew Gulak wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship Matchception 2, We Must Go Deeper: R-Truth wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • WWE 24/7 Championship Matchception 3, The Top Keeps Spinning: Akira-Tozawa wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
  • Money in the Bank Last Chance Battle Royal: Matt Riddle wins and takes Randy Orton’s spot in the Triple Threat.
  • Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald VS Nikki Cross; Cross wins.
  • Asuka & Naomi VS Eva Marie & “Doudrop” Piper Niven; Eva & Piper win.
  • Ricochet VS John Morrison w/ The Miz; Double Count-out Draw.
  • Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke VS Charlotte Flair, Natalya & Tamina; Charlotte, Natalya & Tamina win.
  • Strap Match: Elias VS Jaxson Ryker; Ryker wins.
  • Last Chance Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Drew McIntyre VS VS AJ Styles VS Matt Riddle; McIntyre wins and qualifies for the Men’s MITB Ladder Match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Superstars already fill the ring!

But first, Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville speak to us backstage. “Randy Orton was scheduled compete tonight as part of a Last Chance Triple Threat Match to determine Raw’s final entrant into the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, Randy can’t compete tonight.” As such, we will open with an over-the-top-rope battle royal! The winner enters the Triple Threat in Orton’s place and is one step closer to being Mr. MITB. But Riddle rolls up on his scooter and has a note from Orton that they need to read. They open it up and read the message supposedly from Randy.

“Aloha. I, the Viper, Randy Orton, of sound body and mind, hereby declare that my best friend, Riddle, hither for take my place in the Last Chance Triple Threat match. Riddle is the coolest, most bodacious bro I could ask for, and I would be honored if he were to fight on my behalf. Aloha, the Legend Killer.” Okay, Riddle, first off, half of those weren’t even real words. And also, it makes no sense. Uh, “aloha” means both hello and good-bye. Well this was clearly written by Riddle, just look at the viper doodle! N-NO…! But it isn’t fair to take Orton’s opportunity! What if Orton was just playing games all night, couldn’t wake up even though his alarm went off, and just missed a flight! It’s just not fair to Randy.

Well, sorry, Riddle, Orton isn’t here. Then what if Riddle competed on his behalf? Riddle’s been feeling really bad for what happened. He can even enter the battle royal! Riddle can win it then the Triple Threat so that Orton can be in the match! RKBRO climbing a ladder together! That’d be money for Money in the Bank. Sonya says it’s unconventional, but she’s inclined to say, “yes.” Really? Riddle is anxious, so Pearce says yes! Riddle scoots his way down the ramp and is ready to represent! Can he win one for the Viper?

Money in the Bank Last Chance Battle Royal!

The Bro jump sin the ring with the Viking Raiders, Angel Garza, Mustafa Ali, Drew Gulak, Akira Tozawa, Mansoor, Humberto Carrillo, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Damian Priest, Jeff Hardy, Jinder Mahal, and even his good bro, R-Truth! But while Riddle is already in the MITB match, can he get his tag partner in to join him at the PPV?

The bell rings and brawls erupt everywhere! Tozawa ducks to avoid haymakers while Gulak and Ali try to throw Riddle out already! Riddle slides back in and everyone goes after everyone lese! Riddle is after Ali, Truth is after Garza, Mansoor CLUBS Tozawa, and Benjamin almost has Gulak out! Priest tries to throw Ivar over but Ivar hits him away! Gulak loses grip, Benjamin ELIMINATES him! Mahal goes after Benjamin but Benjamin knock shim away to go after Alexander! Alexander clings to ropes, Priest brawls with Carrillo, Mahal throws Benjamin out to ELIMINATE him! Mahal brawls with Garza, Hardy is after Alexander, and Tozawa clings to ropes.

Manzoor dodges Garza, throws him out and over, but Garza keeps his one foot up! Garza hops his way around the ring, gets back in and goes after Mansoor! Mansoor is on the apron but Ali dumps and ELIMINATES Garza! Ali tells Mansoor to be more careful and never turn your back on anyone! But then Ali throws Mansoor out and ELIMINATES him! “What did I just say?!” Meanwhile, Hardy fights off Ivar, Mahal is after Riddle, and Tozawa is digging hits boots into Truth. Ali and Alexander are after Carrillo together while Mahal gets Riddle over the ropes! Riddle clings to the middle rope then traps Mahal’s arm! Mahal gets away to save himself but Riddle is after him.

Hardy fights off Ivar and Ali but Riddle is after him right after! Truth fires off on Mahal, but Mahal dumps Truth up and out to ELIMINATE him! Tozawa runs at Mahal but Mahal TOSSES and ELIMINATES him! Wait, Gulak comes back and rolls Tozawa up! Gulak wins the 24/7 Championship!!

Winner (of the 24/7 Championship): Drew Gulak, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

But Truth sees this and gets his own ref over! LIE DETECTOR! Cover, Truth wins the title!

Winner (of the 24/7 Championship): R-Truth, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

He’s got his baby back for the 53rd time!! But then Tozawa CANNONBALLS! Cover, Tozawa wins the title back!

Winner (of the 24/7 Championship): Akira Tozawa, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)

Tozawa finishes the hot potato by hurrying out of the ThunderDome! Gulak and Truth pursue, but things continue in the ring. Ali throws hands on Riddle, but here comes OMOS?! Omos drags Ivar up and over, Erik rushes over, but Omos has him, too! Mahal helps out, they ELIMINATE the Viking Raiders!! The Phenomenal One’s Colossus TOSSES Erik into barriers! And then TOSSES Ivar into the LED apron! Omos roars, having taught the challengers to the Raw Tag Team Championships a lesson! And the rest of the battling continues as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Priest fires hands on Alexander while Mahal still tries to throw Riddle out, and Jeff Hardy is down in an open corner. These are our final five, it seems, and Priest stomps Alexander while Mahal CLUBS and stomps Riddle. Mahal digs his knee into Riddle while Alexander kicks Priest. Priest stomps Alexander again, but then Mahal and Priest stare down as the two tallest left. They talk about how each is going to be Mr. MITB, and then the haymakers start flying! Mahal knees low, throws forearms, but Priest gives them all back! Priest throws Mahal up and over but Mahal holds on! Priest runs in but Mahal ROCKS him! But then Priest SPIN KICKS and ELIMINATES Mahal!

Priest swings on Hardy but Hardy counter punches! Hardy whips, Priest reverses but Hardy knocks Priest down! Riddle runs up but into Hardy’s spin back kick! Hardy atomic drops and leg splitting leg drops Alexander, then adds the basement dropkick! And an elbow drop! Hardy kicks Priest, TWIST OF FATE! Riddle runs back in, but into a TWIST OF FATE! Alexander is up, but he denies the hat trick to throw and ELIMINATE Hardy!! Alexander laughs at Hardy, “I told you I’m better than you at every level, and I just proved it! Go home, to the retirement home!” But then Alexander turns around into a leg sweep and HIT THE LIGHTS!!

Priest drags Alexander up, throws him out, and ELIMINATES him! Now we have just the Archer of infamy and the Bro! They both nod, knowing the strike game the other brings. Priest rushes in, Riddle side steps but can’t shove him out! Priest dodges Riddle now but Riddle keeps from tumbling! They fire off hands, but Priest kicks, kicks and ROLLING ELBOWS! Riddle ducks the haymaker to GERMAN SUPLEX! Priest flounders and Riddle fires up! Riddle runs in and rocks Priest with a forearm! Riddle goes side to side to forearm again! Riddle keeps going, but runs into a WHEEL KICK! Both men are down but the ThunderDome fires up as they rise!

Priest runs in and back elbows! Priest brings Riddle around for a suplex, but Riddle slips to a SLEEPER! Priest flails, reaches, throws Riddle over the ropes, but Riddle holds on! Riddle gets the sleeper again! Priest is being bent against ropes but he has Riddle’s fingers! Riddle climbs up but Priest shifts that to a lawn dart, only for Riddle to slip out! Priest rebounds to LARIAT Riddle down! Riddle is dazed, Priest snarls and gets up! LARIAT into a HANGING TRIANGLE! Riddle drags Priest up and over to join him on the apron! Riddle lets go to get in, and BOOTS Priest! Riddle wants to do this like Orton but Priest avoids the Draping DDT! And the forearm to BELL CLAP!

Priest spins but Riddle blocks the kick! Priest choke grips but Riddle CHOPS! And FINAL FLASH!! Priest falls, Riddle wins!!

Winner: Matt Riddle (will join the Last Chance Triple Threat)

The Bro says his win is Orton’s win, so plays Orton’s music! Orton’s music does play and Riddle does his best Orton pose! The pyro goes off like Orton, will Riddle win again to keep The Viper in the game?

 

Nia Jax finds Shayna Baszler backstage.

The Queen of Spades is shuffling cards, so Nia asks if she’s getting ready for a game or a match? It keeps her head clear, okay? Otherwise, she’s gonna put her fist through a wall. Or someone’s face. Reginald is a bit worried she looked at him with that line. Nia says it’s fine. Just make sure they’re all on the same page for Shayna’s match with Nikki Cross. Reggie defends he didn’t do anything last week. It’s just that- Shut up, Reggie! Yeah, it’s Alexa Bliss. It’s her fault they’re not in the MITB match. But it’ll be Shayna’s fault if they don’t do something about it. So maybe if Shayna can give Nikki a hard dose of reality, Nikki and Alexa will end up with that stupid doll on a permanent time out.

But as Shayna, Nia and Reggie head out, ALEXA BLISS is seen in the back! Surely she heard all that, but what will she do about it?

 

What’s that smacking sound?

It’s Jaxson Ryker, practicing his strap strikes on a road case! The “unhinged” Ryker is working himself up to be ready to do that and more to Elias! Will there be no running and no hiding as the Drifter is strapped in and strapped to his former follower?

 

Backstage interview with AJ Styles & Omos.

Kevin Patrick asks how Styles is preparing for this Triple Threat now that Orton is out and Riddle is in? Well, usually, when you’re supposed to be somewhere and you’re not *cough* Orton */cough*, you automatically lose your opportunity. Tonight’s main event should’ve just turned into McIntyre VS Styles, 1v1! But it’s still a Triple Threat, his chances of winning have “drastically went down.” On top of that, Omos is working overtime to watch his back tonight. Speaking of, Omos went out of his way to affect that battle royal’s outcome by eliminating the Viking Raiders. Styles can tell where Kevin is going with this and doesn’t appreciate it.

Omos says he was simply scouting out the competition for his partner, Styles. Yeah! But since Kevin is so quick to jump on a barbarian bandwagon, tell us all about what happened to Styles last wee! They do have the tape queued up. They play it, and shows that the Raiders went after Omos while Styles VS Ricochet was happening. Omos was sent into the timekeeper’s area, and Ricochet turned a Phenomenal Forearm into a phenomenal Recoil. Ricochet is in the MITB ladder match, hence Styles’ spot tonight in the Triple Threat. So what does Kevin have to say about that? A series of unfortunate events? NO! Styles wants an apology for people being hypocrites!

Don’t give Omos grief over doing the exact same thing the Viking Raiders did last week! But fortunately for Styles, Riddle was in tonight’s battle royal and he’s all banged up. McIntyre’s still not 100% from the battle with Bobby Lashley, and so that means Styles has the advantage. When Styles has the advantage, he wins. That’s why he’s Phenomenal! And when he wins the briefcase, he’ll have a full year to plan out his cash-in and become WWE Champion for a third time. All the while, he and Omos will defend the Raw Tag Team Championships against any and all teams, including those “stinky” Viking Raiders. The tag champs head out, but will it be so easy for them?

 

Lucha House Party check in with Nikki Cross.

They like her mask. And they wish her good luck in her match. Thanks! Sarah comes by to talk about her new superhero persona, and Nikki is happy to inspire! She’s almost a superhero, and she found something that was always deep down. She just has the courage now to show it. She isn’t the only one, because everyone out there has this feeling deep down inside, in their hearts, that they can do and be better. That’s what this outfit represents! Wonder Woman spin! So bring out that feeling, and go for it! Just look at what she’s done! Nikki is now in the Women’s MITB match! Imagine Nikki, Ms. MITB! An inspiration to kids everywhere! She could even become Raw Women’s Champion!

Nikki slows herself down and takes a breath. One goal at a time. First, her match with Shayna and becoming “almost” a superhero. WAIT! Nikki #AASH! Almost A Super Hero! But will she definitely come away with a win?

Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald VS Nikki Cross!

Raw returns as Shayna and team make their entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Nikki waistlocks but Shayna switches to SLAM Nikki! Shayna floats around, gets a chicken wing to cradle, TWO! Shayna has an arm, Nikki gets up, rolls, handsprings and headlocks. Shayna powers out and runs Nikki over! Shayna runs, things speed up and Nikki CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Nikki headlocks again, Shayna powers up to back suplex Nikki down! Shayna rains down rights, then gets Nikki up to scoop and SLAM! Nikki writhes and gets up, but Shayna NORTHERN LIGHTS! Nikki flounders away, Shayna drags her to a cover, TWO!

Shayna gets frustrated and she shoves Nikki down. Nikki gets to ropes but Shayna KICKS her down! Shayna mocks the almost superhero, and then whips her hard into buckles! Nikki flounders, Shayna wants the ref to ask if Nikki gives up. Nikki doesn’t, so Shayna puts her in a corner for stomps! Shayna fireman’s carries but Nikki scrambles around to a sunset flip! Shayna gets Nikki up, puts her in a corner and runs in, but Nikki dodges! Knee hits buckle, Nikki dropkicks Shayna out! Reggie & Nia check on her, but then Alexa Bliss makes her presence known! Alexa smirks as she walks out on stage and Reggie shields his eyes from her hypnosis!

But then Nikki SUPER CROSSBODIES!! Direct hit on all three and Nikki fires up! Nikki gets in the ring and strike a heroic pose as the ring count climbs! Raw goes to break as Nikki keeps that energy high!

Raw returns again and Shayna throws knees on Nikki in the ring. Alexa is watching from the ramp as Shayna mocks the almost superhero more. Shayna CLUBS Nikki, kicks her, but Nikki fires forearms back! Nikki backs Shayna down, whips her to a corner, but Shayna reverses. Nikki goes up and over but Shayna kicks Nikki’s leg out! Then a KNEE! Cover, TWO! Shayna gut wrenches for a SLAM! Nikki flounders to a corner, Shayna runs in and KNEES Nikki again! Shayna gets Nikki up but stares at Alexa. Shayna hoists Nikki up top while asking why Alexa is even here. Nikki throws hands on Shayna then hits a TORNADO DDT!

Both women are down and writhing as the ThunderDome fires up! Alexa strolls around the way, but Nia is there to meet her. Is Nia resisting the hypnosis? No, she’s a puppet again! Reggie snaps Nia free by turning Alexa around! But then he has to be careful of his own mind! Alexa kicks Nia’s leg out then MULE KICK LOW BLOWS Reggie down, all in one swift motion! Alexa smirks as she leaves, and Shayna is in shock! But Nikki rolls Shayna up, TWO!! Shayna CLOBBERS Nikki for it! Shayna drags Nikki up, gut wrenches but Nikki slips out and waistlocks. Shayna bucks free but Nikki dodges to come back, tilt-o-whirl takedown to a LA MAGISTROL! NIKKI WINS!

Winner: Nikki Cross, by pinfall

Almost A Super Hero definitely got the win! Shayna is at a loss for words! Will this keep happening until Shayna can take care of Alexa? Or will that take nothing short of an exorcism?

 

Kofi Kingston heads to the ring!

After Xavier Woods got hurt by the Chief Hurt Officer, the New Day’s high-flyer is here to confront Montel Vontavius Porter on why they went that far! Will things stay civil this close to Money in the Bank? We’ll see, after the break.

Raw returns and Kofi has the mic. “There are certain moments in our lives that occur and they change us for the better, or for worse. And I’m not sure how last week has affected me yet. Hearing my brother, my tag team partner, my best friend, Xavier, screaming and writhing in pain, locked inside that cell with Bobby and MVP on the inside, me locked on the outside, unable to do anything for him…” Woods had Kofi’s back like always. But when Woods needed him, Kofi couldn’t do anything for him. A lot of people have disrespected Woods for a long time. A lot of people have thought as Woods as “not up to snuff.”

But after last week, Woods showing the world that he could take it to Lashley inside the cell, we saw what kind of competitor he is. Put some respect on ya boi’s name! Now Lashley won the match fair and square, yeah. But what happened after was not okay. MVP locked the door to the cell, dangled the key in Kofi’s face, as Lashley put Woods in the Hurt Lock and grated his face against steel. That image of Woods’ face, his screaming, his pain, Kofi can’t get it out of his head. It’s like a nightmare. But Kofi knows that he will make Lashley pay, when Kofi takes everything from Lashley, when he beats him at MITB, and becomes the NEW WWE World Champion! “It’s gonna be something.”

But now MVP makes his entrance for the promised face-to-face. MVP, and Lashley’s Ladies. MVP apologizes. He thought he heard Kofi say he was going to beat the All Mighty Lashley at the PPV and become champion? Is that what he heard? That is one of the most ridiculous things he’s ever heard Kofi say! And with Booty O’s and pancakes and unicorns, the New Day says some ridiculous things. But the Hurt Business is looking forward to MITB because they’ll be in front of live fans! As for Kofi, they’re looking past him. Kofi’s a feel good, all that good David VS Goliath stuff, but in reality, he’s no threat.

Now, Lashley is enjoying a well-deserved vacation, but he has a message for Kofi: Lashley enjoyed every second with Woods in the cage, and looks forward to embarrassing Kofi. And afterwards, what Lesnar did to Kofi will look like child’s play! Oh, child’s play? All Mighty Lashley, Big Bad Bobby. Kofi isn’t sure Lashley’s that guy anymore. Lashley might be getting a little soft. And that’s coming from a unicorn horn wearing, pancake throwing, hip swiveling guy like Kofi. But let’s look at Lashley’s track record as of late! Hell in a Cell PPV, McIntyre beat Lashley within an inch of his life, and if not for MVP grabbing McIntyre’s leg, Lashley would’ve lost.

Xavier Woods fought with all of his heart, put Lashley through tables and came this close to beating the WWE Champion. And Kofi already beat Lashley once, and knows damn well he can do it again! Lashley is looking more beatable than ever! Each week, a layer of that might is stripped away. Every single week, another layer, to where at MITB, Lashley might be a shell of his former self. He might end up… like MVP! Running around in overpriced suits, hobbling around, desperately grabbing onto some semblance of success. MVP says he does what he does for Lashley because just over a year ago, they started a journey together.

Lashley put in the work, made the sacrifices, and rose to the top, and MVP does the things he does for Lashley because Lashley deserves it! All the respects and accolades! Kofi didn’t deserve it?! He didn’t work hard for his success?! When Kofi was champion for almost six months, he never took a day off! In between shows, Kofi went around the world to show anything is possible! Ghana, West Africa, showing the kids that anything is possible if you believe in yourselves. Then he went back to work to defend the title! MVP has Lashley taking vacations in the middle of his reign? Lashley’s all distracted, he’s got all these ladies, he’s taking his eye off the prize.

And when you do that, you lose and someone else has the prize. And in Fort Worth, that somebody is gonna be Kofi. So to get this right, when Kofi went home as WWE World Champion and basked in the glory of being a hero, feeding his ego, that was hard work? No. MVP makes this clear to Kofi. He respects the optimism. And Kofi’s “court jester” was very optimistic about beating Lashley, too. Not only did that not happen, the extend of Woods’ injuries kept him away from work this week. And the odds of coming back next week are as likely as Kofi leaving MITB as champion. Well, MVP might want to check his odds. Spoilers: Woods WILL be back next week! Woods has heart, is a fighter, unlike MVP, who has been milking a knee injury!

MVP says his knee is legitimately hurt, he is not cleared for combat. If he was, he’d whoop Kofi’s ass! But fortunately for Kofi, MVP isn’t cleared. Kofi rushes out to test that! MVP takes a swing with his cane, but takes the TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Kofi says this is what MVP gets! MVP wasn’t hurt last week, was he? When he went after Woods, he didn’t seem hurt. But NOW, he’s hurt! MVP finally sits up in a daze, but the message has been sent. Is KofiMania 2 returning at MITB? Or will he regret putting the hurt in Hurt Business?

 

Backstage interview with Eva Marie and “Doudrop” Piper Niven.

Kevin asks Eva about the “disagreement” that happened last week. Great question, Kirwan. See, Doudrop made a rookie mistake last week and clearly was overwhelmed by being at the forefront of the #EvaLution. Poor thing. But we all make mistakes, so Eva requested a rematch so that Doudrop could learn a lesson. Eva will win, and the EvaLution will continue. Eva still doesn’t care about anyone but herself, but will she be the one to learn something?

Asuka & Naomi VS Eva Marie & “Doudrop” Piper Niven!

The Empresses of Glowmorrow were more than ready for Eva, but they did have some trouble with Pip- er, “Doudrop.” But will things be different for Eva now that she’s ready?

Raw returns and Naomi makes her entrance as she joins Asuka. Then Eva and Piper make their entrance, the teams sort out and Piper starts with Naomi. They tie up, Piper powers Naomi to a corner, but she lets off as the ref counts, Naomi boots but Piper catches it to throw it. Naomi rebounds with a k ick! Naomi headlocks, Piper powers out but Naomi sunset flips! Piper stays up to sit down on Naomi! Piper keeps moving, but Naomi avoids the senton! Tag to Asuka and she hurries up top! Asuka leaps to missile dropkick Piper down! Asuka fires up, runs in and HIP ATTACKS Piper! And then reels Piper in for a waistlock! Piper bucks her off, but Asuka ROUNDHOUSES!

Asuka runs and lariats but Piper stays up! Piper shoves Asuka, runs in and SPLASHES in the corner! Piper gets Asuka up with a scoop but Asuka slips out for an ASUKA LOCK?! Piper reaches out while staying on her feet, but she powers free to throw Asuka down! Piper crawls over but now Eva leaves Piper! Asuka rolls Piper but Piper rolls through to SENTON! Piper hurries up as Naomi runs in but Piper runs her over! Piper runs to BASEMENT SPLASH Asuka! Cover, PIPER wins!!!

Winners: Piper Niven & Eva Marie, by pinfall

Piper just beat two former women’s champions by herself!! Eva is clearly shocked and upset that her plan to return the favor backfired! Eva gets a mic to say, “The winner of this match is Eva Mariiiie~!” Still taking all the credit… When is Piper going to learn the real lesson and ditch the #EvaLution?

 

The Miz and John Morrison cruise around backstage.

Sarah asks what it would mean to Johnny Drip Drip to become Mr. MITB. The Flood Stud is getting moist just thinking about it! Miz promises that Morrison won’t just win the briefcase, he will successfully cash it in. Miz is a two-time Mr.  MITB and has successfully cashed in twice. Miz may not be the fastest, the biggest or the strongest. But…? But he is the smartest tactician! Morrison was going to say that! Miz sees beyond just a few moves. Whenever the situation is right, Miz knows when to strike! But Ricochet asks if they’re sure about that. When did he switch with Sarah?! Oh he was on the way to the ring for his match with Morrison. Is Miz surprised that he got one over on a master like him?

Y-Yes, he saw him! Another aspect of the strategy is to lure others in with a false sense of security> So he let Ricochet take a Drip Stick? Wait, when did he…? SQUIRT! Miz goes for his but Ricochet holds him at… drips tick point? SQUIRT SQUIRT! Will the Guru of Greatness be all wet after this MITB sampler?

Ricochet VS John Morrison w/ The Miz!

Raw returns as the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century make their entrance. The bell rings and Miz parks by commentary as the two circle. Ricochet and Morrison approach, test things with kicks, and Ricochet blocks one to get a half nelson.  Morrison backs Ricochet into a corner to fire off elbows, but Ricochet slips free. Morrison boots, Ricochet jumps and ducks and throws body shots! Ricochet ROCKS Morrison, reels him in and SLAMS him for an elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Miz is mad and wants Morrison to make Ricochet pay! Morrison RAMS Ricochet into a corner, fires off the elbows again and trips Ricochet up to then double mule kick!

Miz puts Morrison’s ability over as he kicks Ricochet down and covers, TWO! Ricochet sits up but Morrison has a half nelson and shifts to top wristlock. Morrison drags Ricochet from ropes but Ricochet fights up. Morrison knees low, swaggers about, then DECKS Ricochet! Morrison gets Ricochet up but no Moonlight Drive! Ricochet dropkicks Morrison out of the ring! Miz tells Morrison to get up as Ricochet builds speed, and Ricochet slides to WRECK Morrison with the dropkick! Miz says Ricochet needs to leave Morrison alone, and he blocks Ricochet with his wheelchair! Ricochet JUMPS OVER Miz to RANA Morrison! Miz is shocked and goes for the drip stick!

Ricochet snatches it! SQUIRT SQUIRTH! Miz takes more water damage and then ricochet throws the stick away! Miz shouts that Ricochet is lucky he’s in this wheelchair! Ricochet leaves Miz behind and Raw goes to break!

Raw returns again and Morrison kicks Ricochet around. Morrison throws knees, body shots and clubbing forearms in a corner. The ref counts, Morrison stops at 4, but Ricochet fires hands back! Ricochet ROCKS Morrison with an uppercut, but Morrison fakes Ricochet with the screw high kick to sweep low! Miz likes what he sees as Morrison scuffs Ricochet, then scuffs him again! Morrison is feeling good but Ricochet shoves the scuff away, to get a mule kick! Ricochet gets up in a rage and fires off hands! And CHOPS! Ricochet runs, Morrison goes the other way, but Ricochet dodges the Flying Chuck to CROSSBODY!

Ricochet glares at Miz as he fires up. Miz says Morrison will hurt him, but Ricochet fires hands on Morrison first! Morrison knees low, whips Ricochet but Ricochet rallies with forearms! Ricochet blocks a punch, gives body shots then a KNEE! Morrison wobbles into a fireman’s carry and ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Ricochet keeps moving to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Morrison is still tough, but Ricochet gets him back up. Ricochet clinches to throw knees but Morrison gets around to Alabama Lift! ROLLING ALABAMA SLAM! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet is showing he’s tough, too! And Miz is shocked by it all!

Morrison drags Ricochet to a drop zone, but Ricochet inside cradles! TWO, and Morrison springboards, FLYING CHUCK! Morrison has Ricochet in a drop zone again, STARSHIP PAIN FLOPS!! Ricochet avoids disaster and gets to a corner. Ricochet gets up as Morrison is on the apron. Morrison goes to Eddy Gordo but Ricochet blocks to TRIANGLE JUMP DROPKICK! Ricochet builds speed but Morrison runs away! Morrison avoids the tope but Ricochet SPIRNGOBARDS?! CROSSBODY OVER THE BARRIERS!!!! NO one can believe what they’ve just seen and Miz panics for Morrison! The ring count is 5 of 10 as Ricochet drags himself up! Then we’re up to 8 as Ricochet flops over! It hits 10!!

Double Count-out Draw

Ricochet got closer, but close only works in horseshoes and hand grenades! After that insane crash landing, what will these two do with ladders involved?

 

Charlotte Flair talks with Natalya & Tamina backstage.

The Queen knows these two haven’t been the most welcoming, but they all have respect. Only these three understand how exhausting it is to uphold family legacies. Only they understand what it takes to lead a division, unlike Rhea, Mandy & Dana. It’s charming that Rhea wants to be just like Charlotte, and Charlotte did try to mentor Dana. And honestly, no one is sure what anyone sees in Mandy. Natty’s already tapped Mandy out once. There’s nothing to be concerned about. Tamina is still upset about the cheap shots last week, so tonight is the receipt. Good! They’re all on the same page! Let’s show that respect isn’t given, it’s earned! Will these three second-generation superstars coexist long enough to take on their rivals?

Six Woman Tag: Rhea Ripley, Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke VS Charlotte Flair, Natalya & Tamina!

Raw returns the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions make their entrance to join Charlotte. Then the #SexyMuscleFriends make their entrance, followed by the Raw Women’s Champion. But the teams don’t sort out, they just brawl! Rhea and Charlotte, Natty and Mandy, and Tamina and Dana, they’re all over the place! Rhea and Charlotte fight on the announce desk! They get back in the ring, keep going, and Rhea tackles Charlotte down for ground ‘n’ pound! Charlotte hits back, Natty gets in to help Charlotte but Mandy gets in to help Rhea! Tamina and Dana join in, they’re brawling all over the ring!

Mandy stomps Charlotte, Rhea throws Natty and Dana shoves Tamina out! The second gen superstars regroup as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns yet again, and the match is happening as Natty has Mandy in a cobra twist. Mandy fights free, arm-drags Natty away, then KNEE- NO! Natty blocks the knee, trips Mandy up and goes for the sharpshooter! Mandy kicks free and hot tags Dana! Dana dodges Natty to handspring and merry-go-round headscissor! Natty staggers up, Dana handspring back elbows in the corner! Dana fires off forearms, then reels Natty in for a clothesline! Cover, TWO! Charlotte tells Natty to get up and Natty ROCKS Dana with rights! Natty whips, Dana reverses but Natty holds ropes and elbows Dana! Tag to Tamina but Dana dropkicks her down! But Charlotte tags in just before!

Dana goes out, dodges Natty and blocks Tamina’s superkick, but Charlotte BLINDSIDES Dana! Charlotte puts Dana in to cover, TWO! Charlotte mocks Dana to go tag her partners but then dribbles her off the mat! Charlotte swipes at Rhea but then drags Dana away. The ref is busy with Rhea as Charlotte throws Dana down and Tamina gets a cheap shot in! Charlotte kicks Dana, tags Tamina in, and stands on Dana so that Tamina can stomp away! Tag to Natty and the tag champs mug Dana. Natty gets Dana up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Natty is annoyed but she tags Tamina back in. They mug Dana more, shove her into the buckles, then tag Charlotte in.

Charlotte takes her time bringing Dana up and around to CHOP her! And CHOP her! And CHOP her! Charlotte puts Dana’s leg on ropes but Dana avoids the knee drop! Dana  ROCKS Charlotte, BOOTS her, but Charlotte KNEES Dana back! Charlotte gets Dana up but Dana escapes the scoop to O’Conner Roll! TWO, hot tag to Rhea! The Nightmare rallies on Charlotte with short arm clotheslines! Rhea ripcords and HEADBUTTS to a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Rhea gets Charlotte up again but Charlotte escapes the suplex and rakes eyes! Tag to Natty, Rhea wants after Charlotte but Natty rolls Rhea up! ONE, and Rhea KICKS Natty down!

Tag to Dana, and Dana tags Mandy. They double snapmare and cartwheel to double BOOT! Cover, but Tamina breaks it! Rhea dropkicks Tamina but Charlotte chop blocks Rhea! Dana gives Charlotte a ROLLING NECKBRAEKER! Natty DISCUS LARIATS Dana! Mandy rolls Natty, ONE!! Natty rushes Mandy and lifts her, but Mandy sunset flips! TWO, and Mandy gets around to O’Conner Roll! TWO and Natty has the legs! Natty steps through, Mandy boots her, and Charlotte tags in! Mandy dodges Natty, KNEE FROM A ROSE! BOOT from Charlotte!! Cover, Charlotte and team win!!

Winners: Charlotte Flair, Natalya & Tamina, by pinfall

But Rhea CHOP BLOCKS Charlotte! And then bails out! The Nightmare gets the last laugh because she got even with The Queen! Will things only get chippier come Money in the Bank?

 

Akira Tozawa’s on the run!

The WWE 24/7 Champion comes across Ryker, who is back to smacking himself with the strap. Ryker doesn’t even care, he lets Tozawa continue on. Truth comes by, sees Ryker, and asks him why he’s doing that. Is Ryker unhappy with himself? Can he… see Truth? Ryker stops and Truth asks if Ryker wants to talk about it. Ryker is preparing for battle. Tonight, he and Elia swill be tied together with this strap. They will be bound together, and there will be nowhere for Elias to retreat. What is Ryker doing, you ask? He is purging himself of weakness and exploring ways to inflict the most pain. Well thanks for sharing, man.

Hey, when Ryker is done, can Truth borrow it? He wants to lassoey Tozawa and get his baby back! Ryker doesn’t respond, so Truth takes it as a “Maybe.” Well look at the time! That’s all for this week! Good talk. Truth heads off, and Ryker continues to test himself with the strap. Is Ryker ready to quite literally whip Elias’ ass?

 

Strap Match: Elias VS Jaxson Ryker!

The Drifter goes to the ring, and there will be no running away this time. Will he even be able to walk after Ryker gets his hands, and that strap, on him?

Raw returns and Ryker makes his entrance. The strap is fastened around each man’s left hand and the bell rings. Elias jumps right at Ryker! Elias fires off haymakers and body shots but Ryker gives them back! Elias knees Ryker down in the corner, stomps him down, then gets him up to put him through the bottom rope. Elias goes out after and CHOPS Ryker! Elias sees the steel steps, uses the straps to reel Ryker in and send him into the steel! Ryker hobbles up but Elias has the strap wrapped around the post! Ryker is held up and Elias fires off hands! Elias gathers up some slack to SMACK Ryker in the ribs! And again! Elias runs in but Ryker BOOTS him!

Ryker uses the strap to yank Elias into POST! Ryker gets Elias in the ring, then on the apron, to SMACK him with the strap! Ryker gets in, keeps Elias from going too far, and kicks him low so he can SMACK Elias on the back! And again! Ryker whips Elias up and over, then yanks Elias back in, to CLOBBER him! Ryker has a leather fist and he drops it on Elias’ head! Ryker goes to a corner, climbs up, and uses the strap to stand Elias up. Ryker knees, into a SYMPHO-KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Elias almost had Ryker there! Elias snarls as he paces around, and he gathers up some slack. Elias says there was a time he respected Ryker, but Ryker disrespected Elias!

Elias SMACKS Ryker and mocks his pain! Elias SMACKS Ryker again! Elias sits Ryker up to tell him this is what he gets, but Ryker dodges the next smack to kick low and SMACK Elias back! And again! And he whips Elias to a corner, reels him in to whip to the other corner, and then in for a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, RYKER WINS!

Winner: Jaxson Ryker, by pinfall

Brutal, direct, and quick, Ryker finally gets his vindication! Will he finally be able to walk away from Elias and chart his own path?

 

Matt Riddle prepares backstage.

Damian Priest walks over and tells Riddle, “Just wanna say, congratulations on your victory tonight in the battle royal. And good luck, Riddle.” Riddle says he’s not Riddle, he’s Randy Orton. And what does Priest want? Uh… Okay, “Randy.” Well if you see Riddle, let Riddle know Priest is looking for him. Priest saw that Burger King has those new Ch’King sandwiches, and figured they could grab a couple. But if Riddle’s not here… Riddle puts his hand out. Priest doesn’t get it, so he turns to leave. Riddle says to wait, and says he is Riddle. This was his lock ‘n’ key game with Randy. Riddle just doesn’t want to let Riddle down.

Riddle, relax, Priest knew it was you. But to be fair, Priest thinks what Riddle is doing for Randy is cool. Just to be clear, Orton is the one lucky enough to have Riddle as a friend. Aw… Riddle goes back to getting in the mindset of Orton, but will pretending to be The Viper make him as good as The Viper against Drew McIntyre and AJ Styles?

 

Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre!

Kevin asks if McIntyre can beat Styles and Riddle tonight. A valid question, so here is a valid answer. The Battle of Edinburgh, the Scots VS the English VS the Irish. English were first, outnumbering Scotland 2 to 1, but the Scots won easily. A few knuckle sandwiches and Glasgow kisses, boom, the Brits went back to Queenie. But then the Irish showed up, full on fisticuffs, and one ginger lad was throwing Scots left ‘n’ right, coming face to face with McIntyre. McIntyre kicked Sheamus right in his lucky charms, sent him flying, things were nut! And the grand finale of it all… McIntyre saved Christmas! He did? NO! That question was ridiculous, this whole thing is ridiculous!

McIntyre won’t show his hand. But he will slap Riddle around, kick Styles’ head off his shoulders, then go on to win Money in the Bank! The Scottish Warrior’s last last chance is right here, right now, can he do it?!

Last Chance Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Drew McIntyre VS VS AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Matt Riddle!

McIntyre makes his entrance first, with the claymore sword and the pyro, because for him, this is business as usual! But will going about things the same way get him the same result of a crushing defeat? Or can he overcome the Phenomenal One and the Bro roleplaying as The Viper to be one step closer to the briefcase?

Raw returns and the bell rings! Styles hits Riddle, McIntyre hits Styles! McIntyre stomps away on Styles but Riddle fires forearms on McIntyre! McIntyre DECKS Riddle but Styles CHOPS McIntyre! McIntyre gets mad and CHOPS Styles off his feet! McIntyre turns around to whip Riddle in, then runs to ROCK him with forearms! McIntyre stomps Riddle, brings him up to headbutt, then whips him into Styles’ boot! Styles rushes McIntyre but McIntyre clobbers him! McIntyre dead lift suplexes Riddle! Cover, TWO! Styles runs in but McIntyre kicks him and RAMS him into buckles! Styles goes down but Riddle fires off hands on McIntyre! And kicks!

Riddle has McIntyre in a corner, he runs side to side to forearm Styles, then McIntyre! Riddle runs side to side again, but into McIntyre’s clinch! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly for Riddle! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly for Styles! McIntyre scowls even though he has control. Styles slowly gets up but McIntyre is on him with haymakers. McIntyre whips Styles to ropes and TOSSES him with the back drop! Cover, TWO! McIntyre keeps eyes on Styles, aims from the ropes, but Styles avoid the Claymore and throws Styles out! Omos is nearby, but he stays back while McIntyre gets up. Styles aims, slingshots, but has to bail out of the plancha as McIntyre moves! McIntyre sweeps the legs!

McIntyre goes to the announce desk and clears it off! McIntyre even stares Omos down a moment before going back for Styles. McIntyre reels Styles in, gets him up, but Styles gets free of the crucifix to KICK the leg! Riddle flies in to forearm McIntyre down! The Bro sees Styles nearby, and sees the desk! What would Randy Orton do? Riddle gets McIntyre up but Styles throws hands! Riddle CHOPS McIntyre and Styles, but McIntyre throws forearms. McIntyre bounces Riddle off steps but Styles kicks McIntyre’s knee! And then POSTS him! Styles goes back to Riddle and kick shim low to bring him to the desk. Riddle blocks the suplex to throw body shots!

Riddle turns things around, Styles blocks the suplex, but Riddle throws more body shots. Styles powers up but still can’t get Riddle up! Riddle turns things around to suplex Styles up and over to the floor! McIntyre gets Riddle, another dead lift suplex, and to the floor! McIntyre gets up but Styles ENZIGURIS him down! Styles gets McIntyre up, scoops, but Riddle has to help out. McIntyre is a big man, but they both SLAM him through the table!! Everyone is down as Raw goes to break!

Raw returns and Riddle fires off kicks on Styles in a corner! Styles blocks one, puts the leg on the rope then kicks the leg! Riddle hobbles, Styles hurries over, Riddle KICKS him down! Riddle runs, Styles avoids the Penalty Kick to roll up, ONE! Styles blocks another kick to DRAGON SCREW! Riddle roars and writhes but Styles gets the leg for a foot DDT! And then drops an elbow on the knee! Styles has a toehold but Riddle fights with a chinbar. Styles wrenches Riddle’s toes! Styles then gets up to stomp the leg, and stalks Riddle to a corner. Styles throws hands, gets the leg again, but Riddle KNEES free with the other! Styles wobbles and the ref checks on him.

Riddle gets up, Styles is still in this, and Styles dodges Riddle to PELE! Cover, TWO! Omos is annoyed but Styles goes out to KICK and stomp McIntyre back down! McIntyre sits up but Styles kicks him, then throws him down on the wreckage of the table! The ref checks on McIntyre, Styles goes back to the ring and fist-bumps Omos. But Riddle is back up and fires off hands on Styles! Riddle has Styles in the corner, but Styles hits a SPINEBUSTER! Styles gets the leg for a toehold again, then shifts Riddle over for a modified ankle lock! Riddle endures, moves around, and gets the ropebreak! Styles doesn’t have to let go but the tap-out won’t count, so Styles changes position!

Styles has a Half Crab now! Riddle kicks with his free leg but Styles stomps him down! Styles paces, gets Riddle up, and snap BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and Styles is growing frustrated. Styles goes out as McIntyre stirs again and Styles stomps McIntyre down! Styles goes back to the ring but a KNEE catches him in the ropes! Riddle shouts out to Orton, DRAPING DDT! Riddle hears the voices in his head, or maybe just Orton’s voice in his head, as Styles gets up! Styles ducks the RKO to fireman’s carry, and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Riddle still lives and Styles can’t believe it!

Styles gets Riddle up, reels him in, but Riddle fights the Clash! McIntyre is back and he drags Styles out! McIntyre RAMS Styles into barriers, then into apron, then back into barriers! McIntyre goes after Riddle, but Riddle spins him, PELE- NO! McIntyre blocks, gets Riddle up and puts him in the corner! McIntyre fires off windmill haymakers! McIntyre whips Riddle corner to corner then runs in to back elbow! McIntyre gets the legs, brings Riddle out, INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM! McIntyre watches Riddle slowly stir, and McIntyre aims from the ropes again. Riddle stands, but he avoids the Claymore to send McIntyre out!

Riddle catches his breath in the ring, and Styles aims at McIntyre for a SLIDING FOREARM! Styles goes to the ring, Riddle goes TRIANGLE JUMP FINAL FLASH! Styles flops back down, Riddle goes to the apron and he APRON PENALTY KICKS! McIntyre swipes but Riddle jumps it to PENALTY KCIK! SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BRO!! Riddle takes out both Styles and McIntyre and fires up! Riddle has his choice, but he KICKS McIntyre against the post! And again! And again! Styles is up and he gets KICKS, too! Riddle goes back to McIntyre, PENALTY KICK! Riddle runs at Styles, but Styles moves and Riddle kicks steel steps!

The ref checks on him but Riddle says he doesn’t want to stop now! But surely a toe or foot could be broken, the ref has medics rush out. They check on Riddle, help him get up slowly and hop towards the back. Riddle feels awful, he can’t let Randy Orton down! Riddle is still taken away as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once more and McIntyre throws body shots to fight out of Styles’ chinlock. Styles kicks low, runs and kicks McIntyre, but McIntyre CLOBBERS him! McIntyre rallies, whips, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes again! Styles hobbles up into ANOTHER OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre aims at Styles, runs in but Styles boots him away! Styles runs, McIntyre dodges the clothesline and hits a NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up but his bad leg jams a bit. McIntyre gets Styles up, underhooks but Styles fights free to kick. McIntyre blocks that kick to SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO!

McIntyre is frustrated but he keeps his focus as he and Styles slowly rise. McIntyre gets Styles up, bumps him off buckles, then hoists him up top. McIntyre ROCKS Styles with a right, climbs up and gets Styles up, but Styles slips out to trip McIntyre up! Styles fireman’s carries for an USSHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre survives but Styles is too tired to be upset! Styles gets back up, he brings McIntyre up and reels him in, but McIntyre powers out of the Clash! Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but swings into a scoop, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and McIntyre is beside himself!

Both men go to opposite corners, and McIntyre runs in, but into a chop block! Styles hurries to get a leg, McIntyre fights to his feet but Styles rolls him! CALF CRUSHER!! McIntyre endures as Styles pulls back as hard as he can! But wait, is that Riddle hobbling back out? His foot is heavily wrapped but he’s somehow making it here! McIntyre dribbles Styles, Riddle gets him for a BROMISSION! Styles fights free, going after the bad thighs! Riddle still kicks, rolls Styles, BROMISSION! McIntyre stomps the hold apart, gets Riddle up nd throws hands. Riddle spins McIntyre to PELE! McIntyre tumbles out, Riddle is up but Styles springboards, PHENOMNEAL- FINAL FLASH!

RIDDLE HITS AN RKO!?!? Cover, Omos drags Styles out! Omos saves Styles from taking the loss! Riddle turns around into a CLAYMORE OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (qualifies for the Men’s MITB Ladder Match)

Styles survives thanks to his massive insurance policy, but he and the Bro still lose as the Scottish Warrior snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Will McIntyre add that briefcase to his list of accolades?


My Thoughts:

Wow, Raw was surprisingly great again this week. There were still more recaps than needed, but we got a lot of good stuff even with that. For one, a great promo segment with Kofi and MVP, though I will note Kofi might’ve been too hyped because he had stammered a little here and there. But Kofi pointing out things like Lashley taking it easy, having MVP help him, all good points. Kofi knocking MVP down with the Trouble in Paradise was great, too. Things are really ramping up, but it feels like Lashley is still winning at MITB, even if KofiMania 2 happening would be a great way to get fans to react.

Speaking of MITB, everything going into tonight’s Triple Threat was interesting but all around exciting stuff. Whatever reason Orton couldn’t actually be here, using it to further things on various fronts was great. The battle royal got a lot of action and story going at once, such as Mansoor being tricked by Mustafa Ali, all the 24/7 Championship chaos on the outside, and Omos screwing over the Viking Raiders. Riddle being in that match and then winning it for Orton was great stuff. Riddle made the Triple Threat an awesome match, though it was going to be that with Orton, too.

But Riddle taking the loss makes sense. Styles had Omos so he wasn’t going to lose, but he also wasn’t going to win because of the coming Raw Tag Team Championship match. The story of RKBRO is going to circle back to the tag titles, too. Priest’s promo with Riddle backstage was good, and I hope this cues Orton to try and appreciate what Riddle was doing for him. Orton was going to lose his opportunity by default without him, Riddle at least tried to get it, there’s no shame in losing here. And I suppose by default, McIntyre was going to win, but also because why wouldn’t Raw choose McIntyre? I don’t think McIntyre wins the MITB match because of all the other great choices, but him trying is also a great bit of the story.

Ricochet, Morrison and Miz had a great promo segment together, and then Ricochet VS Morrison was an awesome match. And the way they got to Double Count-out was awesome, I’ve never seen a move like that to the outside. Those guys are going to be the highlights of the ladder match because of what they can do. Elias VS Ryker as a strap match was so quick, it was like filler. Ryker was of course going to win and get past Elias, but it just doesn’t feel like a blow-off if it happens so fast. Also, Ryker wearing yellow and red, I hope this isn’t a sign Vince is going to try and make Ryker the new “I’m a real American~” Hogan. Not that I’m not patriotic, it’s just that it doesn’t need to be done with an Easter Egg to Hulkamania.

We got pretty good stuff out of Shayna, Nia, Nikki and Alexa. Nikki coming up with her nickname and catchphrase was great, she had a good match with Shayna, but of course Alexa gets involved with the puppetry. Her taking out two with one leg was great, though. Nikki wins to build momentum towards the MITB match, but no idea who is winning this with SmackDown still determining their spots. The limited roster didn’t really do Asuka or Naomi any favors. I get Eva is to get Heel Heat while fans rally behind “Doudrop” Piper Niven, but Piper ditched her last week. Why are they teaming again? Why isn’t Piper getting in Eva’s face about her name? This is bad pacing along with exposing WWE not caring for their RawDown Women’s Division like NXT does for theirs.

The Six Woman Tag was a much better segment with the promos and the brawling before the match, as well as the match itself. Charlotte, Natty & Tamina win to get momentum, but it is interesting that Rhea gets the cheap shot on Charlotte. I feel like Rhea, Dana & Mandy might win their matches, because who else is there to defend the titles against for Natty & Tamina? SmackDown has almost no one, but Asuka and Naomi can stick together to challenge whoever after MITB. Of course, the WWE Draft is coming, there’s at least two women’s tag teams going from NXT to RawDown to salvage the main roster tag division, which is sad because these belts should’ve been on all the shows outside of when Bayley & Sasha Banks had them.

My Score: 8.4/10


Powered by RedCircle


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

Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

on

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


Powered by RedCircle


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

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

on

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.

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:

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.


Powered by RedCircle


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

Sports

Entertainment

Sports Entertainment

Buy A Chairshot T-Shirt!

Chairshot Radio Network

Trending

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com