Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (8/13/21)
The Summer of Cena continues!
The Tribal Chief looks to confront John Cena!
After swiping the Universal Championship opportunity from Finn Balor then being away a week, JOHN CENA returns to SmackDown, and Roman’s looking for him!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews w/ Azeez VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs; Nakamura wins and becomes the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
- The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy; The Street Profits win.
- The Mysterios VS The Dirty Dawgs; The Mysterios win.
- $1000 or No More Begging: Kevin Owens VS Baron Corbin; Kevin wins and Corbin MUST STOP begging.
PLAY BY PLAY
JOHN CENA is here!
He says it’s “A very important night tonight!” and goes to the ring. And he welcomes Tulsa to SmackDown! The contract was signed, sealed and delivered, the match is ON for SummerSlam! Schools are back up and running, too, so this is a great occasion to give Roman Reigns his report card. Cena says Roman is a D. And below average, too. D-Head, D-Bag, and above a D-isappointment. Because for TEN YEARS, the WWE has been selling the fans Roman. And judging by the numbers, the only one buying it is Roman Reigns. That’s why Cena’s back, with a very specific agenda. Cena is gonna give Roman an F. That is to say, at SummerSlam, Roman Reigns gets an F from John Cena.
But… Cena wants to hear what Tulsa feels about this. Tulsa seems pretty fired up hearing this. Cena has a pop quiz and the fans start chanting, “CENA! CENA!” Well, what a lively class! So here’s the question: “Do you think Roman Reigns will beat the hell out of me at SummerSlam?” Fans mostly boo. Okay, now, class, this is your chance to stand up and be heard. Do you think Roman Reigns will beat the hell out of Cena at SummerSlam? They boo even harder! Cena does still have his doctorate in Thugonomics, so here’s the answer to the question: Roman Reigns will beat the hell out of me at SummerSlam; but Cena also knows Roman will still lose and there’s nothing he can do about it!
But speaking of, here comes the Tribal Chief! The WWE Universal Champion takes his time walking out with Paul Heyman in toe. The title is handed over, Roman holds it up, and here’s the pyro! Roman takes his time going to the ring, so SmackDown takes a break.
SmackDown returns as Roman finally enters the ring. He holds the belt up again, and more pyro goes off. Fans chant, “Roman Sucks!” and Cena says here he is, pyro, Paul and all, ROMAN REIGNS! This is a lively bunch tonight, so thanks for joining them. Heyman hands Roman the mic and he tells Cena not to waste time and just get to it. Cena says he’s not wasting time, but he will wait for one week from tomorrow to embarrass Roman on the “biggest stage of them all.” Fans cheer and Roman just asks, “Is that it? That’s all you got?” Cena says, “Roman, that’s all IÂ need.” When he looks in Roman’s eyes [a KFox14 flash flood warning gets in the way here]Â and fans agree.
Cena continues to say Roman thinks we all have to play by his rules. And that this is his company. Everybody knows it belongs to the fans. Yes, Roman wants to throw up in his mouth thinking about that because he’s “so far above” everyone else. That’s why Cena’s back. He’s the only one who can shut Roman up. See, the WWE has been pushing Roman for a decade now, failure after failure, after failure, and Roman is still here “because you’re the best chance they got.” Roman built such a layer of protection over himself that no other WWE superstar even has a chance in there with him.
But this is where Cena comes in. They asked Cena to come back, because Roman needs a big ol’ piece of humble pie and he’s gonna get one when Cena beats Roman’s ass at SummerSlam. Fans cheer big for that one! Cena wants Roman to see that the fans know. It’s starting to build! There’s one week left to choose: Team Reigns (which gets lots of boos), or Team Cena (which gets lots of cheers). Well, seems Tulsa has chosen. Roman’s table seems pretty small right now, huh? SummerSlam is gonna be history, count on that! Roman wants to talk but fans chant for Cena. Cena said this was their show, didn’t he?
Roman says he thought there’d be something original and fresh, but instead Cena makes D jokes, penis jokes, all the same stuff about beating his ass. This is all stuff we heard before. Where’s something good? Hit Roman with the good stuff. Cena will. He won’t beat Roman’s ass. Roman’s gonna beat Cena’s ass. Yes, real good stuff. Spear after Spear, big strong punch named for that DC Comics superhero, and another one. Hypeman Slimey in the corner, holding up the title-aka Paul Heyman-and Roman will be kicking Cena’s ass at SummerSlam! Cena doesn’t need to prove himself to Roman, though. That’s what is so historic about this. Cena just needs to pin Roman, 1-2-3.
See, if Cena can hold onto a world title just one more time, that’d make it 17 times for Cena. Fans like the sound of that! And then in the halls of immortal achievement, that’d make Cena the most decorated champion of all-time. That match would make history! All Cena needs to do is 1-2-3. As fun as that would be, it’s really all about Roman. Cena is here to help Roman. That’s how good Cena is, huh? Heyman jokingly suggests he say, “Thank you.” He’s here to help Roman, the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table. But Roman isn’t like Cena. He isn’t going to bury his opponent then go say he’ll out there and beat a bum, no.
Roman respects Cena and is sophisticated about this. This is compelling story telling here. This is JOHN CENA, arguably the greatest of all time! “Underappreciated, not enough respect on this man’s name.” Cena’s done things that nobody’s done before. Fans start to “WHAT?!” Roman here as he says Cena is almost a 17-time world heavyweight champion, and nobody else can say that! That is incredible! Cena is the best, Mount Rushmore of the WWE, all the spots. Roman’s just proud to say that he could beat John Cena, that’s how good Cena is! Even good enough to juggle Hollywood and WWE at the same time! Wow! There’s not enough time here to promote all Cena’s movies!
Wait, doesn’t he have like four movies out right now? Cena’s good. His career says so, it’s on the wall. Cena’s good enough to be in this ring and verbally joust with anybody, that’s not Roman’s game. Cena’s good enough to main event SummerSlam with the Tribal Chief. Cena’s so good enough to… To win the WWE Championship. But not good enough to win the Universal Championship. And see, John, 20+ years of missionary might’ve been good enough for Cena, but it wasn’t good enough for Nikki Bella. Ooooof! Roman will smash Cena, retain the title, pack Cena up on a private jet and send him back to Hollywood. But Cena should enjoy this.
Roman wants Tulsa to know, this might be the last time we ever get to see John Cena again. OOOH! So take this home, “kid.” No problem! If Roman wants a compelling story, and to hypocritically criticize Cena for being in Hollywood and (is there a mute censor problem here or something?) but Roman hasn’t been embarrassed. He’s been protected! The pretty face, the giant bars of soap for teeth, and the Shield. Roman almost ruined Seth Rollins, ran Dean Ambrose out of the WWE- OH!! And then 10 whole years, FIVE Mania main events, Heyman in the corner, two lackeys to do his dirty work, the protection of the system, and it still isn’t working! Roman needs to be embarrassed!
Fans want a compelling story at SummerSlam, right? YES! They want to be on the edge of their seats, wanting to know what will happen! SummerSlam will be compelling, and Cena will go to a Hollywood movie set, and Roman will smash Cena, but Heyman knows better than anybody how much punishment Cena can take, and never quit. Cena’s been against the odds his whole life, he helped build Suplex City, and he just needs to hang in there 1-2-3, and Roman is again the biggest failure in WWE history. Roman has to shine! Roman has to smash, and bash and overachieve while Cena just needs 1-2-3.
Roman is then the answer to a trivia question: Who did John Cena beat to become 17 time champion? WA WA WAA! Roman will show up all full of himself and put on one hell of a show, but Cena will hang in there for 1-2-3. Then Cena will take that title, jump the barricade and run out of the Allegiant Stadium as fast as he can, and might even blow Roman a kiss good-bye. This is what Roman doesn’t get yet, though: it is inevitable. No one can protect Roman anymore. At SummerSlam, the champ… is GONE. 1-2-3. Mic drop. Roman smirks and the fans cheer as Cena takes his leave. Roman still holds up the title, but is his reign just a week away from ending?
Nakamura and Boogs rock out backstage.
They’re getting ready as King Shinsuke is getting ready to take on the Pride of Nigeria! Will the King of Strong Style regain that title and add it to his golden collection?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews w/ Azeez VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs!
SmackDown returns as Nakamura makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and a king sees if he can dethrone a prince in Oklahoma!
Apollo and Nakamura circle, tie up, and Apollo kicks and CLUBS Nakamura down. Apollo snap suplexes, covers, ONE! Apollo gets Nakamura by his hair, whips to ropes but Nakamura ducks, dodges and DYNAMIC DROPKICKS! Nakamura goes to the corner to give Apollo GOOD VIBRATIONS~! Fans are fired up for Nakamura as he snapmares Apollo and drops a knee! Cover, TWO! Azeez gets on the apron but Nakamura kicks at him. Azeez gets away, Nakamura turns around into Apollo’s dropkick! Apollo gets Nakamura up, whips him to ropes and then elbows him down! Apollo paces, Azeez smirks and fans rally up.
Apollo sits Nakamura up to ROCK him with a right. Nakamura throws body shots, Apollo CLUBS him down, then Apollo drags Nakamura up to whip to a corner. Apollo runs in but into a knee! Nakamura puts Apollo up for the TOP SHELF KNEE! Then Nakamura positions Apollo and climbs up top. Apollo throws body shots, then headbutts Nakamura down! Apollo gets up but Boogs rocks out! Fans like that but Apollo doesn’t. The ref reprimands and Boogs acts like he doesn’t know what’s going on. The ref EJECTS Boogs?! And in this distraction, Azeez tries to sneak in, but he’s too big to be stealthy! The ref sees him and EJECTS him, too!! At least now it’s fair again as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns as Nakamura covers, TWO! The fans are fired up as Nakamura goes to a corner and climbs up. Fans fire up as he climbs, but Apollo ENZIGURIS Nakamura first! Apollo gets Nakamura up, climbs up, brings Nakamura to the top, but Nakamura resists! Apollo powers through to SUPERPLEX Nakamura! Apollo crawls to a cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives and fans are fired up! Apollo gets up and drags Nakamura up, but Nakamura gives a strike fest! Apollo avoids the ax kick, kicks low and reels Nakamura in for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO but into a SIT-OUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Fans are fired up even more but Apollo is furious!
Apollo drags Nakamura to a drop zone, goes up top, FROG SPLASH onto knees! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Nakamura aims from a corner, “YAO~!” But Apollo ENZIGURIS Nakamura first, then rolls him up, with the ropes?! Cover, the ref notices just as Nakamura kicks out! The ref reprimands Apollo, Apollo says it doesn’t matter anyway since Nakamura kicked out. Apollo GERMAN SUPLEXES Nakamura, covers, TWO!! Nakamura survives again and Apollo is seething. Apollo stands up, wants Nakamura to get up, and Nakamura slowly rises. Apollo OLYMPIC- Nakamura arm-drags out of the slam! Apollo ducks one kick but not the WHEEL KICK!
Apollo staggers, Nakamura fireman’s carries to an AVALANCHE DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Apollo survives but Nakamura is right on him with an INVERTED EXPLODER! Fans fire up again as Nakamura goes to a corner and aims… KINSHASA!!! Cover, Nakamura wins!!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall (NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Now king AND champion, he holds the belt up high with pyro going off, and Boogs is back to rock out along with his king! Oh and Pat McAfee gets in on it, too. Will this second time with the title be even bigger than the first?
The Street Profits talk backstage.
Kayla Braxton walks up and asks Montez Ford about the recap package just shown, recapping how his ribs were injured by Otis’ massive splash. Is there any concern going into tonight’s match that Otis will do the same or even worse? Oh, Kayla. Last time Ford and Otis fought, it was one of the most painful experiences of Ford’s life. Laying in bed, ribs on fire, not being able to sleep or laugh. Do you know how dark life is when you can’t even laugh, for two months? Ford was laying in bed, he had one thing in mind: “When I get on these toes, I’m gonna throw these balls.” Now that he’s recuperated, rejuvenated, rehabilitated, Ford ain’t concerned. He’s EXCITED.
Dawkins says Ford is more than just his tag partner. They’re brothers, family. Dawkins hope the Alpha Academy enjoyed their time, because now with Tez fully healed, the Street Profits are once again up! AND WE WANT THE SMOKE!! The music plays and we’re about to get one fired up grudge match!
The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy!
We just heard from Tez and Dawks, but now it’s time for actions to speak louder than words! Will Chad Gable & Otis regret ever thinking there was something they could help the Profits with?
SmackDown returns as Gable & Otis make their entrance. The teams sort out and Ford starts with Gable. They circle and tie up. They go around, Ford wrenches to a wristlock, Gable spins through to wrench back and wristlock. Ford rolls, handsprings, wrenches and wristlocks. Gable drops to a knee, rolls, bridges, then handsprings to slips through and back drop to an armlock. Ford moves around but Gable digs a knee into Ford’s shoulder. Ford headscissors to bring Gable down but Gable kips free. Gable headlocks, spins to a headlock then a drop toehold. Gable has a mounted chicken wing and hopes Otis is taking notes.
Ford gets up, Gable whips him to a corner but Ford goes up and over and shows off that agility! Fans fire up as Ford eggs Gable on. Gable runs in but into an arm-drag. Gable gives it back, Ford steps up and around to roll up, ONE! Gable hurries to get a leg, ankle pick but no lock as Ford stands. Ford flips back and ENZIGURIS Gable! Gable staggers all the way to his corner and Otis tags in! Ford fires himself up as Otis approaches. Dropkick! Otis stays up so Ford mule kicks, front kicks, but Otis shoves him. Dawks tags in, but Otis POP-UP STRONGEST SLAMS Ford?! Dawkins dodges, returns and back elbows!
Otis staggers, Dawkins CYCLONE SPLASHES but Otis denies the bulldog! Otis then hauls Dawkins up for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Otis gets up as Gable shouts, “For the Academy!” Gable tells Otis what to do, and Otis RAMS into Dawkins in the corner. Gable tags in, he gets Dawkins with more shoulders, then Otis tags in again. Otis rams his shoulder in again and again, then Gable tags in. Gable rams in again and again, then Otis tags in! Gable holds a towel in front of Dawkins to say “TORO! TORO!” Otis runs in and RAMS into Dawkins! Gable pats Otis on the shoulder and tells him Otis is his number one guy, but the ref also says that counts as a tag!
Gable argues with the ref, but the ref tells Gable to get in. Gable tries to explain but Dawkins RAMS Gable into Otis! Dawkins has Gable while Ford FLIES OUTTA NOWHERE! Direct hit on Otis and yet Otis only leans over into the announce desk! But Dawkins hits the CASH OUT! Cover, the Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall
But Otis TOSSES Ford into the barriers and then rushes into the ring! Dawkins gets out, regroups with Ford, and The Dozer can only seethe! Is the Payback Season only starting #ForTheAcademy?
Seth Rollins rants at production.
He knows they know what he needs, so why are they just staring at him for? Do your jobs, guys, get this done! But what is it Rollins is even talking about? We’ll see, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Rollins goes to the ring!
The Architect’s drip has reached a new level but that’s not really the point. He revels in his own song as well as the various reactions from the fans before he gets the mic. “Yes! Tulsa, you have been on fire tonight!” But Rollins hates to play the role of “party-pooper,” but his sources have told him that Edge will not be here tonight. Hey, now, c’mon. He’s just as disappointed as they are, because he’d love nothing more than to put his fist in Edge’s face for all the “misinformation” and lies that Edge spread about Rollins last week! Fans chant, “WE WANT EDGE!” and Rollins explains he wants Edge, too. But according to Edge, you’ve got the next best thing in “Edge Lite,” Seth Rollins.
Rollins says Edge had the nerve to say Rollins is “Edge Lite.” “If that is not the most narcissistic, egotistical thing” Rollins has ever heard, but it makes perfect sense! Because Edge is a Hall of Famer, he’s done EVERYTHING there is to do in the WWE, and he can’t stand that [another Flash Flood Warning from KFox 14] Rollins’ resume is better than his, and that everything Edge has done, Rollins has just done better. Hey, this isn’t just Rollins’ opinion, there is verifiable, documented video proof! Rollins has taken the liberty of putting together a “career retrospective” of Rollins and Edge, to show you the truth. Roll the footage.
The Rollins-Edge comparison video package begins. “Over his storied career, Edge has led the blueprint for a legendary career. But the Architect has improved upon it at every step, blazing a trail to even greater heights. When Edge arrived in the WWE, he began his career as a member of infamous factions and achieved a modicum of success. But when Seth Rollins burst onto the scene, he led The Shield, the most dominant faction in WWE history.” The commentary snippets are of course to put The Shield over, but also to make it seem like Rollins was in charge, while showing the many times Rollins did something big as a member of the trio.
“Edge made history as the first to cash-in his Money in the Bank Briefcase on the WWE Championship. But that footnote has been forgotten compared to Seth Rollins’Â glorious cash-in at WrestleMania 31, The Heist of the Century. Edge has won two Royal Rumbles, including this past year’s, only to fall short at WrestleMania (37). But after Seth Rollins’ 2019 Royal Rumble victory, who could ever forget the epic moment when Seth Rollins became The Beastslayer.” This was also the moment Rollins became a WWE Grand Slam Champion.
Yes, Edge may claim to have done it all first in the WWE, but when it comes to Seth Rollins, Edge will always be beneath him. “I don’t need to be you, because I am better than you.” We return to reality- er, the present, and Rollins sees no likes. The footage doesn’t lie, but the fans say, “YOU SUCK!” Rollins wants to share that as he was watching the video, he had a bit of a revelation. Hear him out. Rollins realized that Edge should be thanking Rollins! Not just Edge, but all of the fans should be thanking him. Hear him out, listen! If Rollins had stomped Edge back in 2014, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation!
This, this uh… Dream Match, at SummerSlam, Edge VS SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS, wouldn’t even be on the table. All of those moments, from Edge’s epic comeback at the Royal Rumbles, the main event at Mania, none of that would’ve happened back in 2014! Edge’s acting career? POOF, gone. Edge wouldn’t be able to even push his little girls on their little swing set at home “because THEY’D be pushing him in a damn wheelchair!!” Rollins takes a moment to think while fans continue to say, “WE WANT EDGE! WE WANT EDGE!” Rollins tells them no, Edge has pushed Rollins too far. Rollins is saying things he doesn’t want to say and thinking things he shouldn’t think.
Rollins says Edge is making Rollins into a person he doesn’t want to be. But Edge has been the guy between Rollins and the Universal Championship too many times. That is compromising Rollins’ future and the future of Rollins’ family. He wants the camera to come in close. “Edge, this… This is not 2014 anymore. Times have changed, I’ve changed, and at SummerSlam, I will not hesitate. I will not hold back. I will… stomp your head… into this mat… And if that puts you out for good… Then so be it.” The fans boo at those horrible and horrifying words. But will the Savior of SmackDown go to a place that is more than just Rated R to win?
Rey and Dominik Mysterio talk backstage.
Father reminds son that they’re going for the SmackDown Tag Team titles, but getting back up from Dominik’s loss is making this harder. Dom nods as Rey tells him no more mistakes. Dom says for sure, and he’s not even worried. They won the first time to get the titles, they have the Usos’ number! Rey wants his son to understand, you can’t have that mentality. Stay humble and hungry, especially after a loss. No overconfidence. Just do it for Rey, okay? Let’s go and take care of business. That’s the Mysterio way. Dom says he’s got this, and the Mysterios head to the ring!
The Mysterios VS The Dirty Dawgs!
While Rey & Dom are getting their title shot at SummerSlam, the Show-Off & GLORIOUS One will surely want to ruin things for them here tonight. Will Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode make sure the lucha libre familia fails big time?
SmackDown returns as the Dawgs make their entrance. Rey wants Dom to watch closely as he starts with Roode. The bell rings and Roode kicks Rey right in the stomach! Roode bumps Rey off buckles, throws body shots then whips corner to corner. Roode runs in but into a boot! Rey runs to tilt-o-whirl headscissor Roode down! Ziggler creeps in but Rey runs him over. Rey turns around into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Roode boots Rey down, catches his breath, then gets Rey in a corner. Roode whips Rey corner to corner, tags Ziggler then whips Ziggler in for the SPLASH! Ziggler feeds Rey to the atomic drop, SHOTGUN BOOT RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO!
Ziggler stays between father and son then wraps on a chinlock. “You ain’t going nowhere!” Ziggler thrashes Rey around as the fans and Dom rally up. Rey fights up, Roode gets in so the ref won’t see Ziggler dig fingers into Rey’s eyes! Ziggler puts Rey in the corner, Roode tags in, and Roode stomps Rey. Roode hoists Rey up top, throws hands, then tags Ziggler. Rey kicks Roode, fires off hands on Ziggler then adjusts to FLYING SEATED SENTON! Hot tag to Dom and he goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Dom dodges to NECKBREAKER! Dom DECKS Roode, blocks the superkick from Ziggler to roll him, TWO! FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO!
Ziggler drags Dom up, whips him to ropes but Dom kicks back. Ziggler blocks that kick but Dom ENZIGURIS! The Usos are on the tron! Jimmy & Jey talk trash and do sarcastic commentary to distract Dom. “Go~ Dom, Go~!” Rey tells Dom to ignore that and Roode tags in. Rey sees it, gets Dom out of the way, and Roode hits buckles! Rey says Dom needs to pay attention! Roode DECKS Rey, Dom victory rolls Roode, the Mysterios win!
Winners: Rey & Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
Now that is some veteran savvy beyond Dom’s years! He refocused quickly and quickly got the win! The Usos still taunt the Mysterios, saying that win must’ve felt real good. But in one week, they’re stepping inside the ring with the SEVEN TIME TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, the Usos! See you there, Uce. Nos vemos at SummerSlam! Rey and Dom encourage each other that they’re going to get those belts back. Will the Mysterios hit the jackpot in Vegas?
Baron Corbin walks out on stage.
Fans boo as the even more disheveled Lone Wolf walks by and he just can’t understand why. Apparently this will be Baron Corbin’s “last plea” for help, after the break.
SmackDown returns and Corbin has made it to the ring. He has a mic and says, “As all of you may already know, I’ve really been down on my luck lately. The sad part is, it’s so much worse than that. If things don’t turn around quickly, I’m gonna have to file… bankruptcy.” Fans jeer and there’s a set of signs in the crowd that read: “Corbin stole my lunch money,” “Corbin owes me $20,” and “Hey Corbin, you left your tent in our backyard!” Corbin says that this is what’s wrong with society today. When someone like Corbin falls, they want to keep that person down, don’t they? So this is why this is his last public plea to any of the fans.
Look, Corbin is used to a very certain way of life, so he really needs each and everyone here to contribute a minimum of $1000. WHAT?! Now he’ll make it very easy: He has a credit card scanner attachment for his phone. McAfee asks, “How the hell did this bum get a credit card scanner?” But here comes Kevin Owens! The fans are fired up for the Prizefighter and Corbin says Kevin has to be here for the right reasons: to contribute. Now, this may not work with Canadian credit cards, but- Kevin stops Corbin there and says he’s NOT here to help. Kevin’s here to say Corbin needs to STOP begging people for money and embarrassing himself.
Kevin reminds Corbin of how he tried to help Corbin a few weeks ago, because Kevin thought Corbin was more like Kevin. Kevin thought Corbin was someone who made mistakes in the past and was learning from them, but he’s not. This is that Corbin is just trying to use sympathy to his advantage. Just look the last few weeks: Ruining Finn Balor’s title contract signing just so Corbin could get the high paying championship match; oh and then on Monday Night Raw, when Drew McIntyre seemed kinda sorta interested in trying to help, Corbin asked for $100,000! Who begs for a HUNDRED THOUSAND? Someone who NEEDS a hundred thousand!
Corbin asks Kevin for his spare change. For that matter, Corbin isn’t leaving this arena until Kevin gives him a minimum of $1000. Kevin says “Y’know what? I will give you $1000! Should I give him $1000?” The fans say NO so Kevin will give him $1000. But to do that, Corbin just has to beat him in a match RIGHT NOW. You win the match, you get 1000 bucks. But one more thing, if Corbin loses, this all stops now. No more begging people for help, no more embarrassing the WWE by constantly the WWE Universe for help, and Corbin helps himself. What’s Corbin say? Corbin thinks it over and fans chant “YES! YES!”
Corbin agrees but he wouldn’t be in this situation if Kevin wasn’t such *finger poke* a *finger poke* cheap *finger poke* piece *finger poke* of- STUNNER! Kevin and the fans are fired up, and he’s already got Corbin in the red! Will the match still happen now?
Sasha Banks swaggers around backstage.
The Boss is ready for the contract signing to make her WrestleMania rematch at SummerSlam official! Will she and the EST be able to keep things peaceful tonight?
$1000 or No More Begging: Kevin Owens VS Baron Corbin!
Corbin is finally back on his feet, in the literal sense, but he’s still sputtering. Kevin dares him to get back in the ring for their high stakes bet! Will the Lone Wolf get $1000 the hard way? Find out, after the break.
SmackDown return and the bell rings. Corbin wants more time, his neck is still bothering him from the Stunner. But that’s to lull Kevin into a false sense of security! Corbin rolls Kevin up, ONE, and Kevin throws forearms! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Kevin brings Corbin around but Corbin turns suplex into cradle! TWO, and Kevin kicks Corbin to CLUB him down. Kevin CHOPS, then he reels Corbin for a short arm clothesline! BACK SENTON! Cover, ONE! Corbin sits up but Kevin looms over him. Kevin bumps Corbin off buckles, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again. Kevin asks the ref hold on a moment with the count, then DECKS Corbin.
Kevin whips Corbin corner to corner but Corbin reverses. Corbin runs in, slides out, slides in but into a SUPERKICK! Corbin is in the corner, Kevin CANNONBALLS! Cover, TWO! Kevin gets to the corner, climbs up, but Corbin choke grips Kevin! Kevin throws hands, bumps Corbin off buckles then rock shim. Kevin slingshots into a BIG right hand! Corbin wants the count out and Kevin stands at 5 to get in at 6! Corbin throws hands, stomps Kevin down, then rains down fists. Corbin covers but he’s in the ropes. Corbin adjusts, ONE! Corbin and the ref argue, Kevin CHOPS Corbin! And CHOPS! But Corbin ROCKS Kevin and Kevin flounders in the ropes.
Corbin goes out to the apron and kicks Kevin low. Corbin reels Kevin in, but Kevin blocks the suplex. Kevin throws body shots, suplexes but Corbin blocks. They brawl, Kevin ROCKS Corbin then reels him in, but Corbin resists to back drop Kevin on the apron! Kevin writhes and Corbin wants a count out but SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Kevin climbs a corner while Corbin pushes himself up. Corbin ROCKS Kevin at the top, then climbs up to join him. Corbin gets Kevin up but Kevin resists the superplex. Kevin throws body shots, then headbutts! Corbin falls down into the drop zone, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Kevin stands back up. Kevin drags Corbin up, whips him to ropes, but Corbin holds ropes and boots back. Corbin shoves Kevin to ropes but Kevin bucks the O’Conner Roll. Kevin runs in as Corbin rolls back to his feet, choke grip to CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives and Corbin is losing his cool.
Corbin drags Kevin up, reels him in but Kevin throws forearms first! Kevin HEADBUTTS, runs, but into a DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO!! Still no big money but Corbin tries again, TWO! Double leg cover, TWO!! Corbin is beside himself with and he gets to a corner. Corbin runs corner to corner, slides out then in as Kevin evades, but is ready for the Superkick this time! Corbin POSTS Kevin, roll up with ropes, TWO!! Corbin is upset about the count but that was a fair count. Kevin dodges to kick, but Corbin shoves the Stunner away. Kevin dodges again, sunset flips, Kevin wins!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall (Corbin MUST stop begging)
As if the Lone Wolf couldn’t feel any lower! Though this was deserved. And so is this STUNNER! Kevin doubles down on Corbin and fans are fired up for the Prizefighter! Will Corbin
Big E helps Bianca Belair practice her signature.
The board has an example of her name, “Bianca,” and she recreates it letter for letter, trying to make hers match up as bEST she can. Will her signature be the cleanEST on the contract?
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
Kayla asks him, “So what now?” He can’t even say anything, but then he spots someone. It’s Big E! And while Big E is distracted, Corbin SNATCHES THE MITB BRIEFCASE!! Corbin just got the golden ticket, but will Big E hunt him down and get the briefcase back?
Sonya Deville presides over the SmackDown Women’s Championship contract signing.
“When Bianca Belair faced off with Sasha Banks in the main event of WrestleMania, they made history! And when Bianca defeated Sasha in one of the greatest matches that I’ve ever seen, they made memories that would last a lifetime. And once this contract is signed, Sasha Banks is officially gonna get her championship rematch at SummerSlam!” And with all that said, please welcome the challenger, the Blueprint, the Standard, the Legit Boss, Sasha Banks! Sasha makes her way to the ring, then Sonya introduces the SmackDown Women’s Champion, the EST of the WWE, Bianca Belair! Bianca makes her entrance while Sasha scoffs and rolls her eyes.
Bianca takes her seat now and Sonya presents the contract. Bianca says, “Sasha girl, you ready? Or are you gonna run away again? Or, should I turn my back so you can Backstab me again?” Look at her rolling her eyes. Sasha’s still petty, still jealous, but Bianca should’ve known better. Bianca should’ve known Sasha would do that. “But gurrrl… If you wanted your WrestleMania rematch, all you had to do was ask.” Sasha repeats “Ask?” Bianca, you only won by using that “stank braid” against Sasha! Then there was literally a scar that kept her away for months. And yet Bianca’s out here, expecting them to be friends? “Get real, B*TCH!”
Sasha and Bianca start arguing and Sonya tells them to stop! They are not doing this again! Contract signings are going haywire lately, so both of them just need to sign the contract now. Bianca dares Sasha to sign it. Sasha has Bianca give her some space and then takes the pen to… tease signing. “Hold up, wait, wait, wait.” Before Sasha signs it, she needs some “witnesses.” Carmella and Zelina Vega both head to the ring! Despite things last week, it seems these three are all in this together since it’s about being against Bianca. The rookie didn’t see that coming, did she? Sasha is always two steps ahead. Sasha quickly signs her name, and Bianca gets impatient.
Bianca gets a pen, signs her part, and then she throws the contract at Sasha! Bianca’s ready for the other two, too, and she DECKS Vega and THROWS the arm chair! Mella dodges, and Bianca handspring seated sentons onto Sasha! Bianca rains down fists and forearms, Mella grabs at her but Bianca DECKS her! Vega returns but Bianca bumps her off buckles then stomps a mudhole in! Mella goes after Bianca again but Bianca throws her right out! But Sasha hits a BACKSTABBER! Sasha hammers Bianca, Vega and Mella join in, and Sasha has them let off so she can finish this. Sasha drags Bianca back up to SMACK off the table, then drag her out by her ponytail, to KNEE her face!
Speaking of face, Sasha dribbles Bianca’s face off the SmackDown Women’s Championship itself over and over again! Sasha takes the belt and holds it up high, as she stands on the table and over Bianca. Then Sasha uses Bianca’s own braided ponytail in the Bank Statement! “See you at SummerSlam!” Sasha laughs as she keeps torturing the EST in perhaps the nastiEST form of the crossface yet! SmackDown fades out before anyone stops Sasha, will Bianca be passing out off the air?
My Thoughts:
A very good SmackDown, though it seemed like this was already the go-home episode for SummerSlam. The contract signing, for one, had a good closing shot just now, and you can bet Sasha will “try” to recreate this for the title match only to have that be why she fails. And the fact Vega and Mella were willing to work with Sasha was a decent surprise. Enemy of my enemy is my friend type stuff, and they could probably kayfabe it as Sasha promising each of them a title match after SummerSlam.
Kevin VS Corbin was a really good match, and so I suppose it worked out for the “main event match.” I almost feel like Corbin could’ve won this one since it’d be kayfabe money anyway, and then he starts literally fighting people for money for a few weeks. But I suppose it is becoming his thing to be the “contract swiper” since he stole Big E’s MITB briefcase. Big E VS Corbin, a match for the briefcase, is a bit Miz VS Otis from last year, but hopefully Big E gets the briefcase back and keeps it. Also I’m realizing that Corbin’s character is based on those stories you hear about the ungrateful beggars where they feel someone refusing their insane request is offensive.
I like that there’s this tension slowly building between Rey and Dom in their promos. I am still hoping, though they missed the window in their feud with Corbin, that Dom is becoming more his Guerrero side than his Mysterio side. The Mysterios still win off the Dawgs to get momentum for facing the Usos, but the Usos had a good promo in their attempt to distract as well as hyping up the match. That tag title match could go either way, and I’m thinking the Usos win in a way that pushes Rey and Dom to the point where Dominik Guerrero emerges to again put a positive spin on the “Who’s Your Papi?” story from years ago.
The Profits VS The Academy was really good and it was a great win for the Profits to get now that they’re back up as a tag team. I’m sure the Profits will be waiting on the other side of SummerSlam to take on the Usos. The match with the biggest impact tonight was the Intercontinental Championship match. Nakamura VS Apollo was very good, and was oddly the opener but I suppose it was to make sure they got it in before all the other segments that needed room to breathe. Nakamura winning this title on a SmackDown is a great move just on the surprise, and I can’t wait to see what champion #Kingsuke and Boogs will do now.
Seth Rollins had a great promo and vignette to give both a heavily biased comparison of himself and Edge, and to sound incredibly scary at the same time. Edge VS Rollins has already been a highly anticipated match, this made it even higher than that. And of course, the first segment being a promo battle of Roman and Cena, of course we were going to get great stuff. Roman’s improved but Cena is still Cena and he did a great job showing that he didn’t even need to take digs at Roman. In a clever move, he didn’t attempt to bury Roman since Roman (and a lot of Cena’s past feud opponents) claimed that’s all Cena does. Cena was just stating fact over and over in such a way that it was to get on Roman’s nerves. And even though he laughed it off, Roman surely got annoyed by it.
Cena had that great line in reference to CM Punk, but I guess there was something about “dipshit” blah blah blah that wasn’t appropriate and got muted? I went over it a few times to make sure it wasn’t KFox or my own hearing. And unfortunately, just the timing of El Paso facing insane levels of flooding in the streets, the news did in fact have to post those warnings, I just wish there was a way I could’ve still heard those lines that got covered up.
My Score: 8.5/10
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And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…
The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
- Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
- WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.
Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?
Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?
SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.
Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?
Corey Graves is in the ring.
Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.
Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.
And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.
“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.
That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?
Triple H is here!
Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.
HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!
The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”
The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?
Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!
The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?
The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!
The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!
Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!
Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall
Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.
Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?
The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?
Nick Aldis heads out.
And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.
And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?
Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!
One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!
Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?
The Bloodline arrives backstage.
Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!
The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?
Kayla Braxton is on stage.
SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.
For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!
WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!
Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?
Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?
The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!
Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!
Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!
No Contest
The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?
B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.
SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?
The Final Testament speaks.
Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!
Teddy Long and JBL are here!
The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!
Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.
Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.
Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?
There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!
The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!
Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!
Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!
Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?
Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?
My Thoughts:
A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.
Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.
Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.
Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024
We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!
Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.
Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.
.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Ratings:
- Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
- #1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
- ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
- Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
- Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4
Results:
Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.Â
.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz
Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.Â
Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.
Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.
OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.Â
Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.Â
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander
Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.
Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!
Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.
Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside
Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.
Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.
Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands
So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.
.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024
Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth
A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.
Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!
Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!
Overall Score: 6/10
A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.
But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.
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