Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/30/21)
Prepare for War… Games!
The battle lines have been drawn in NXT!
Before going inside the sinister steel, advantage must be won! The NXT Universe voted, who competes in tonight’s Advantage Ladder Match?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Advantage Ladder Match: Kay Lee Ray VS Dakota Kai; KLR wins advantage for their team at NXT WarGames.
- Andre Chase VS Cameron Grimes; Grimes wins.
- WWE NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner VS Legado Del Fantasma; Kyle & Wagner win and will challenge Imperium at NXT WarGames.
- All-Inclusive Invitational: Joe Gacy w/ Harland VS ???; Gacy wins.
- Solo Sikoa VS Endris Enofe; Sikoa wins.
- Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta VS Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon; Indi & Persia win.
- Men’s Advantage Ladder Match: Johnny Gargano VS Bron Breakker; Breakker wins advantage for their team at NXT WarGames.
PLAY BY PLAY
Women’s Advantage Ladder Match: Kay Lee Ray VS Dakota Kai!
The teams meet on stage, fans are fired up, and the brawl breaks out! Referees hurry to put a stop to this, only KLR and #CobraKai are to fight! Dakota RAMS KLR into a ladder and knocks it over! Toxic Attraction, Shirai, Raquel and Cora go to the back while Dakota kicks KLR down. Dakota laughs while fans rally for “WAR~ GAMES! WAR~ GAMES!” Dakota puts KLR in the ring, the ref sounds the bell and KLR SUPERKICKS Dakota down! Dakota flops right out of the ring and fans fire up for KLR! She goes up and SUPER SWANTONS Dakota down! Fans lose their minds as KLR looks around and finds a new ladder.
KLR has the ladder but Dakota grabs the other end. They tug-o-war, but KLR RAMS Dakota into the apron! Dakota is stuck, KLR SUPERKICKS her again! Dakota flops down, KLR grins as she brings Dakota up again. Gory Especial, but Dakota fights out to SLAP KLR down! KLR gets up with a scowl and Dakota hurries into the ring! KLR chases her, Dakota bails back out and KLR keeps chasing. Dakota catches KLR to a dragon sleeper! TWISTING DDTÂ to the steel steps! Fans lose their minds all over again while Dakota fidgets and searches for stuff under the ring. Dakota brings out yet another ladder as fans rally for “NXT! NXT!”
Dakota makes this ladder into a ramp but KLR grabs at her foot. Dakota kick KLR away then whips her, only for KLR to reverse and send Dakota into those steps! KLR sees the ladder, puts it in the ring, and looks up at the briefcase. But Dakota yanks the ladder away to throw it down. KLR DIVES right onto Dakota! Dakota hits desk, KLR brings Dakota up to GOURD BUSTER her onto the ladder!! Dakota writhes and clutches her ribs! KLR puts the ladder back in the ring, looks up at the briefcase again, and starts setting the ladder up. “This is Awesome!” as KLR has the ladder under the briefcase and begins to climb. But Dakota gets in to bring KLR down, kick her low and throw her into buckles!
Dakota climbs, reaches out, but KLR yanks her back down! KLR ROCKS Dakota with a forearm and Dakota staggers around. KLR whips Dakota, Dakota reverses and KLR is sent into a ladder again! The ladder tips over, Dakota whips KLR into a corner, then BOOT WASHES! Dakota drags KLR to stomp her down, then she sets the ladder back up. Fans duel as Dakota climbs but KLR throws body shots. Dakota CLUBS KLR down, brings KLR up and bumps her off buckles. Dakota stomps KLR down, digs her boot in, then gives her more stomps. KLR pushes Dakota away and heads for the ladder but Dakota CLUBS her down!
Fans rally, Dakota CLUBS KLR, then CLUBS her again. KLR shoves Dakota, gets around and reels Dakota in for a GOURD BUSTER! Dakota is down, KLR goes up the corner! Dakota BOOTS KLR down! Then DECKS her into a Tree of Woe! Dakota climbs up, to WOE STOMP KLR to the apron!! Fans fire up as both women hit the floor and NXT goes picture in picture.
KLR writhes now, clutching a leg as she tries to get up. Dakota stands up and stomps KLR down. Dakota bumps KLR off the steps, then chokes her! KLR pushes Dakota away but Dakota goes into the ring to climb the ladder. Dakota smiles as she looks at the briefcase but KLR drags her back down. Dakota CLUBS KLR, stomps her, then kicks her around. Dakota climbs again, reaches the top but KLR gets a foot again. Dakota kicks her away, then hops down to shout at her. Dakota stands on KLR’s neck and back, then lets off to taunt the fans. KLR hits Dakota but Dakota CLUBS her down. Dakota straddle attacks KLR down, stomps her more, then drags her around for a HEEL HOOK!
KLR endures, clubs at Dakota’s legs, but Dakota kicks her back down! Dakota keeps on the heel hook, KLR fights back with more stomps from her free leg. KLR gets free, goes to a corner, but Dakota stomps her down! Dakota digs her boot into the bad leg, then lets off to put the leg on the ropes. Dakota PULLS the leg against the ropes, and lets off just to readjust and have a HEEL HOOK in the ropes! KLR endures, NXT returns to single picture, and fans rally and duel. KLR still endures, stomps with her free leg and gets free again. KLR bails out, but Dakota pursues. Dakota grins as KLR slowly stands. Dakota runs in but KLR spins her to a Gory Especial, KLR BOMB to the desk!!
KLR powers through while Toxic Attraction watches backstage. Dakota hurries as KLR climbs with one good leg, and Dakota goes up the other side! KLR and Dakota trade haymakers at the very top! KLR gets the edge, but Dakota blocks to SMACK KLR off the top! KLR falls, Dakota reaches up! Dakota has hands on the case, but she has to unhook the handle! KLR drags Dakota down! Dakota kicks KLR away, focuses her mind, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS KLR!! Fans lose their minds again while Shirai, Raquel, Cora and even Zoey Stark are watching backstage, too. Dakota gets up, climbs again, but KLR drags her back down from under the ladder!
KLR gets Dakota stuck in the rungs, and SLAMS her into a Tree of Woe! Fans are thunderous as KLR climbs up and over Dakota, but Dakota just pulls her down. KLR SUPERKICKS Dakota and Dakota flops out of the Tree! KLR climbs up the ladder, touches the case, and unhooks it! KLR wins!
Winner: Kay Lee Ray (Shirai, Gonzalez, Jade & KLR have the advantage)
Toxic Attraction is furious! Dakota’s sadism may have cost them! Will this be the key to the Scary Queen of Scots, Evil Genius of the Sky, Big Mami Cool and #GenerationJade taking down Dakota, Mandy, Gigi & Jacy?
Andre Chase vents on Twitter.
Cameron Grimes tried to embarrass him in front of his students! Chase promises that this week on NXT, Grimes will get himself a Chase University sized ass-kicking!
The Grizzled Young Veterans sneak around backstage.
James Drake has the key to Brooks Jensen’s locker. He hands it off to Zack Gibson while keeping watch. But Ikemen Jiro still shows up and loudly asks what they’re doing. Gibson hushes him, and says this is a very sensitive operation. Sensitive operation? SHH! SHH! Kushida finds Jiro and Jiro says this is a very sensitive operation, shh. Everyone is hushing each other, but then Brooks & Briggs show up! GYV run off, Brooks asks what they were up top. Kushida says, “Shh!” and Jiro says, “Very sensitive operation.” Uh, okay.
Andre Chase VS Cameron Grimes!
“Professor” Chase is already in the ring and his student section is already fired up as the Carolina Caveman makes his entrance. Chase wants to make this a #TeachableMoment, but will he learn what it is to be a tune-up for Grimes going into his Hair VS Hair match?
The bell rings, the two circle, Grimes gets a leg but Chase hobbles to ropes. Chase turns things around to a facelock, Grimes WRINGS Chase out and tells him to “Kiss Mah Grits!” Chase gets up, Grimes counter punches him and KICKS him down! Grimes brings Chase up to bump off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Chase whips Grimes away but Grimes then puts Chase on the apron. Chase pulls Grimes’ hair to throw him down! Chase gets in, RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up, but Chase jams an elbow into Grimes’ forehead. Chase CLUBS Grimes, whips Grimes to a corner, then stalks up behind him to RAM him into buckles!
Chase gets his student section to spell his name as he stomps away on Grimes. Chase brings Grimes up to scoop but Grimes slips out, shoves and RANAS Chase down! Grimes runs to rally with forearms! Grimes fires up and fans fire up with him! Grimes runs in to JUMP KICK in the corner! Chase falls, Grimes goes up, but Chase gets under the flying attack, only to turn around into a CAVE-IN!
Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall
But Duke Hudson appears to sarcastically congratulate Grimes. Congrats on hi s last victory with a full head of hair. Hudson knows a guy who can do some computer wizardry, and here are some pics of what Grimes would look with different haircuts. First, the Karen. Call the manager on that one. Second, one of those half cuts. Hard to say if it’s half started or half finished. There are a few out here in the fans with that. Fans tell Hudson to shut up but he has the third one, the bowl cut. Fourth Stooge or Dumb, Dumber & Dumbest. And of course, the last one is Hudson’s pick, the full cue ball.
When Hudson humiliated Grimes, apparently Grimes just got more handsome. So Hudson will make him as bald as when he was born. Hudson will take the hair, the beard, and give Grimes a real reason to cry. Grimes sends a message back by throwing Chase into the ring, and bringing out the ELECTRIC CHEERS! But Chase’s top student saves him! Grimes gets a mic and tells Hudson, “I’m shaving you baaald~!” Who ends up fresh faced as a newborn baby this Sunday?
NXT announces the “Old School” representative tonight.
It’s Johnny Gargano! Will it not even matter who steps up from the New School against Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling? The “New School” is arriving at this very moment, so we find out who was chosen, after the break.
NXT, meet Endris Enofe.
All his life, he’s always come across doubters trying to mold him into what they wanted. As a id, he was told he’d never make it out of Inglewood, California. He was always looking over his shoulder. The struggle, the doubt, it was all there. But he signed up to give five and a half years to the military. His service ended with someone telling him that was all he could be and there was nothing else for him. But there he was, surrounded by doubters again. Their words isolated him. Much like his first opponent here tonight, Solo Sikoa, who fought alone on the streets just to prove himself. They’re not so different. But tonight, Endris proves that he has overcome, and he strives to be the Epitome of Excellence!
The “New School” is in the ring!
Alicia Taylor introduces Team NXT 2.0, and informs them that “Team Black ‘n’ Gold” will be represented by Gargano tonight. Before we find out who represents their team, how do they feel about WarGames? Carmelo hears the “Johnny Wrestling!” chants and says we’re looking at the future of the WWE. The Supreme Team meets the Dream Team, and their ice cream only needs one thing. “Ain’t nobody messing with The Kliq!” But Johnny Wrestling, he’s done it all in NXT. He’s had food on his plate for years! Big matches, big moments, championships and action figures, even video games. Melo isn’t asking Gargano to share, he’s saying, “Bring me my plate!”
Melo is the A Champion in NXT, and on Sunday, they’ll know how this goes. When Melo shoots, he don’t miss. We shootin’? Waller tells “Team Hot Dogs ‘n’ Handshakes,” they want the new kids to come in and carry their bags? Tie their bootstraps? Instead, they came in, slapped them in the face, and put it on social media. That is what a good sports entertainer does in 2021! As for that FLOP, LA Knight, Waller would be jealous, too, lad! There’s a fresher, more exciting and more handsome version of him on the scene, and that burns Knight up. But that’s just the #GraysonWallerEffect. Melo applauds that.
Bron Breakker says Ciampa comes out here, calls Bron puppy and even throws out “the math reference,” like Bron is drowning in a pool of his own inexperience. Ciampa wants to preach about his 17 years. Listen, that’s fine! Overlook Team 2.0! This week, at WarGames, they’re coming and will beat Black ‘n’ Gold to then come for the NXT Championship! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Bron bringing up gold? Tony D’Angelo knows about that himself, ‘ey! But enough about him. These four guys, they paved the road that they’re walking on right now, right? Of course he’s right. But that road has some potholes. Those holes need to be filled, with their heads! Starting with Pete Poppins!
Sunday at WarGames, the old school better bring their best, they’re gonna need it! Trick Williams says to talk that talk, Tony! Alicia directs things to the reveal for tonight’s advantage match representative. The winner is… BRON BREAKKER! Fans wanted to see it, and here it is! Bron says he will gladly fight- Gargano interrupts! “What I love about you NXT 2.0 Kids, you live in a unicorn vomit filled fantasy land.” They stand around talking about how they’ll beat the guys who put NXT on the map. Let Gargano tell them something. If not for guys like him, these five wouldn’t have a ring to stand in, and that’s the truth.
But they want to bury all that? Fine. Tonight, they get their opportunity, starting with Bron, “The Big Bad Booty Nephew himself!” But Bron, look. Gargano is here all by himself. But how about Bron showing he isn’t just the nephew, he’s also a man. Leave the team in the back, give the people what they want! Gargano VS Breakker, Ladder match, 1v1, man to man! What does Bron say? “I tell you what. You want a ladder match? I’ll leave my team behind tonight, and will gladly kick your ass!” The battle of young and old goes down in the main event, who gets the advantage for this battle of generations?
Backstage with El Legado Del Fantasma.
Tonight’s a big match, as a win leads to WarGames and the NXT Tag Team Championship match. The only thing in their way is the team of Kyle & Von, who Joaquin Wilde points out they’ve beaten already. They’ll do it again tonight. Raul Mendoza says foot on the ropes, foot not on the ropes, there will be no excuses tonight! Santos Escobar says that history is written by the winners. Hermanos, go out there and write the next chapter. Elektra Lopez says after WarGames, Legado will be draped in gold! That #1 contenders match happens after the break!
MSK are on their way!
Their rental car with its GPS says they’re almost there. Nothing will get in their way. Wait, why did Nash Carter have to say that? Wes Lee is sure something will go wrong now! Nash says Wes should drive next time, then. But the car corrects “dipsh*t” Nash, he’s turning left when he should be turning right. Wait, did the car just- You’ve arrived. About damn time. It only took you five weeks. “The Shaman is inside. Go forth and find your destiny.” Well no idea where this GPS came from, but it better watch its ass. How about Wes watch his? Nash has Wes calm down, they’re here. They exit the car, and they are fired up!
They go up to the building, they have the supplies and each other. Wes, you knock. Nash is all nervous. The door opens, and standing there in the light is… “It’s him.” But who?! Who is the Shaman?!
WWE NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner VS Legado Del Fantasma!
Controversy in their previous showdown is why the question remains: Who is worthy of the opportunity? Will the rag tag duo of Kyle & Von make it work? Or will this be Wilde’s & Mendoza’s time?
Von starts against Mendoza and fans rally up. They tie up, Wagner tosses Mendoza to a corner then dares him to come back. Mendoza steps up, catches the arm and wrenches to YANK. Wagner CLUBS the arms, Mendoza CHOPS and kicks but Wagner reverses the whip. Mendoza goes out, ENZIGURIS, springboards but Wagner gets under. Mendoza comes back, tilt-o-whirl but Wagner blocks the kick to whip and shoulder tackle Mendoza down! Mendoza goes to a corner, tag to Kyle, Kyle KICKS and Wagner HEADBUTTS, repeat! Kyle drags Mendoza up, wrenches and hammerlocks then headlocks. Mendoza endures the grind, fights his way over and tags in Wilde.
Kyle gets Wilde with a headlock but he powers out. Legado DOUBLE SPINEBUSTERS, then split the wishbone before double basement dropkicks! Cover, ONE! Deep leg hook cover, TWO! Wilde knees, shoves and CLOBBERS Kyle! Cover, TWO! Another deep hook, TWO! Wilde seethes, but he RAMS Kyle into the corner. Tag to Mendoza, he stomps Kyle then CLUBS him. Mendoza CLUBS Kyle again, talks trash, but Kyle trips Mendoza to get the foot! Mendoza gets the ropes then kicks Kyle away. Mendoza kicks Kyle to ropes, whips him to ropes but Kyle reverses. Mendoza sunset flips but Kyle stays up to get the ARMBAR! Mendoza makes it a cover, TWO!
Mendoza kicks Kyle but Kyle boots back! Tag to Wagner, Mendoza whips but Kyle reverses. Mendoza goes up but Kyle stops that for Wagner to LEAP FROG ATTACK! And then waistlock SLAM! Wagner rolls to a cover, TWO! Wagner has a bearhug, and here comes Xyon Quinn? Quinn stares at Escobar and Lopez from across the ring, but Wagner still has Mendoza down as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns while Wilde has Kyle down with a chinlock now. Escobar and Lopez see Quinn approaching, but Escobar puts Lopez in the way. Quinn and Lopez lock eyes as they circle, but Quinn fires off on Escobar! They brawl, Lopez hurries after them. Kyle fights up to thro body shots and ROCK Wilde! Kyle runs but Mendoza is there. Wilde dropkicks Kyle down! Clothesline and tag! Mendoza runs in, clothesline and tag! Wilde runs in to clothesline and tag, then Mendoza does the same! Wilde goes again, then Mendoza tops it off with a GAMANGIRI! Tag to Wilde before Mendoza snap suplexes! Kyle gets up, Wilde SWANTONS! Cover, TWO!
Wilde grows frustrated but Wilde clamps on a chinlock. Kyle fights up but Wilde knees low to turn him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wilde drags Kyle up, tags Mendoza, they double whip Kyle corner to corner. Kyle boots Mendoza back, then puts Wilde on the apron. Wilde ROCKS Kyle, but Wagner BOOTS Wilde! Kyle crawls, Mendoza anchors a foot! Kyle hops up, tag to Wagner! Wagner fires off on Mendoza, reels him in and LARITS! Then a LEG LARIAT! Wagner whips Mendoza for a POWERSLAM! Wilde gets in, for a COMPLETE SHOT! Wagner gets Mendoza up, OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, TWO!!
Wagner drags Mendoza up, whips him to a corner, then runs in, but Mendoza dropkicks legs out! Wagner hits buckles, but he pops Mendoza up. Mendoza lands on the ropes to springboard missile dropkick Wagner down! Fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as both men crawl. Hot tags to Wilde and Kyle! Kyle fires off forearms but so does Wilde! Wilde gets the edge but Kyle comes back with more! They keep going, back and forth, faster and faster! Fans are loving it! Wilde gets the edge but Kyle KICKS, KNEES and sweeps! Wilde jumps that and ROCKS Kyle! Kyle yoyos but Wilde dodges! Wilde blocks a kick to DDT!
Fans fire up for “LEGADO! LEGADO!” but Wilde SLAPS Wagner! Wagner gets in, the ref has to keep him back! Wilde signals to Mendoza, he runs in, but Wagner dumps him out! Kyle knees Wilde, tags Wagner in, and Wagner pops Wilde up for the KICK! Then HIGH LOW!! Cover, Wagner & Kyle win!!
Winners: Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships)
Wagner may be green but he’s got a THREE-TIME tag team champion to guide him! Will they bring that #TotalAnnihilation to Imperium at WarGames?
Backstage interview with Imperium.
They just learned who their challengers will be. Their thoughts? They both answer in German and Italian but realize “these people” need a chance to understand. So in English, Marcel Barthel says “It does not matter.” But Kyle & Von show up to say they’ve bounced back. These misfits are ONE WIN AWAY from those titles. See you at WarGames, dumbasses! Barthel keeps Fabian Aichner calm, but will Kyle & Von unleash on Imperium and take those titles away?
NXT, here’s another Tiffany Epiphany.
Tiffany says that since she was born, her daddy called her a princess. A princess should always have the best cars, shop at the best boutiques, and wear the best clothes. Who looks at the price tags anyway? It’s just numbers. And where she shops, Black Fridays and Cyber Mondays don’t exist. Daddy says she can have anything she wants. Tiffany Stratton is on her way, but how will she fare actually putting in the work?
All-Inclusive Invitational: Joe Gacy w/ Harland VS ???
Gacy and his hulking cohort are in the ring as he introduces himself. Standing here is how they believe the future of the NXT Cruiserweight Division will be. They believe the reign of Roderick Strong has created a “toxic and unrealistic environment,” for both the fans and the competitors. In the world of Gacy, this division won’t be about specific height requirements, weight shaming, or even gender bias standing in the way of progression. Tonight, he invited three competitors to give them his best in front of the world as he prepares to dethrone Strong at NXT “Conflict Resolution.” So please, sit back, relax and enjoy your glimpse at the future.
Gacy first starts against #ThaKid. They circle, tie up, Gacy facelocks but Tha Kid slips right out. They tie up again, Tha Kid headlocks but Gacy powers out to run him over. Things speed up, Tha Kid tilt-o-whirls but Gacy stays up. Tha Kid facelocks, Gacy shoves him away but Tha Kid mule kicks then dropkicks! Gacy gets mad and BOOTS him down! Then stomps him to a corner! Gacy clotheslines, reel shim in and hits an URENAGE! Gacy hauls Tha Kid up, and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS! Cover, Gacy wins this first round!
Winner: Joe Gacy, by pinfall
Gacy helps Tha Kid up, and gives him a hug to show no hard feelings. Gacy gets the mic to say, “Now, I would love to give this young lady an opportunity.” Tesha Price steps into the ring, the bell rings and they circle. This is historic in that it’s co-ed, but here comes the Diamond Mine! Malcolm Bivens says Gacy didn’t need to create this spectacle. But y’know what’s missing? Legitimacy! So how about a legitimate fighter, like teh NXT Cruiserweight Champion, steps up? What Gacy’s done is saying this is history tonight, because this is the first, and the very last, All-Inclusive Invitational. At WarGames, Strong and Diamond Mine shut Gacy up for good!
Gacy tells Mr. Bivens that there is no need for this aggression. Gacy respects the passion, but please leave the others outside so that Gacy can talk to Strong person to person. Oooh~! Bivens and Strong step up to the ring and Bivens says Gacy’s done messed up now. Gacy asks Mr. Strong if he allows Mr. Bivens to always speak for him. Strong says he’s done with talking. Strong DECKS Gacy, the invitational is done, and Strong even decks Gacy’s heavyweight guest! But Gacy handsprings and LARIATS Strong down! Harland gets Gacy out of the ring before the Creed Brothers rush in, and fans want to see this fight one way or another!
Will Gacy open the gates when he wins the title? Or will Strong slam them shut when he retains?
Backstage interview with Solo Sikoa.
McKenzie asks him about his mask with Endris Enofe, and how Endris made reference to him. Solo says he gets it. Endris is from the streets of Inglewood. He was in the military, too. But this ain’t the military or Inglewood. Endris steps to the Street Champion of the Island. That right there is a challenge. But Boa walks up, straining to keep the power of Tian Sha contained. Solo says sorry, he can’t understand him. Boa’s on his own with this one. Solo heads out, will he prove there is a difference between him and the rest?
Solo Sikoa VS Endris Enofe!
Both men have been fighting against doubt and the odds for their whole lives, but the difference between these two is that only one can win! Who lives up to their own expectations as they collide here tonight?
The bell rings, Solo and Endris circle. They tie up, Endris headlocks but Solo powers out to run him over. Endris gets up, Solo eggs him on. Endris comes back, Solo gets the arm and wrenches to an elbow breaker! Robert Stone is watching from the ramp now as Solo has a chinbar. Solo sees Stone taking notes, he wrings Endris but Endris gets up to waistlock. Solo gets free, KICKS a leg, and then runs to FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Solo drags Endris back up, to KICK him back down! Solo stomps away, Stone likes what he sees, but Endris throws body shots. Solo CLUBS Endris, whips him to ropes but Endris dodges to jump, into a SWINGING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up with Solo and he stomps Endris down. Solo CHOPS Endris down, but Endris avoids the elbow drop to PENALTY KICK! Endris shouts out his frat, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, ONE!! Endris hurries to run and BASEMENT BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Endris snarls, drags Solo up, but Solo tosses him away! Endris rebounds but into a KICK! Solo snarls, fans fire up with him, and he body shots, haymakers from all sides, then URAKENS! KICK to the leg, BUZZSAW to the head! Then the SENTON! Cover, TWO! Endris survives the onslaught but Solo runs in at the corner, only to miss! Endris dodges to fire off haymakers!
Endris has Solo in a corner but Solo shoves him down! Endris dropkicks back! Endris runs in to KNEE Solo, then he hops up and leaps, CROSSBODY! Endris fires up, he brings Solo up, DDT! Endris then hurries to a corner, climbs up, 450, but Solo dodges! Endris rolls through and Solo gets him for a SAMOAN DROP! Solo climbs now, FLYING SPLASH! Cover, Solo wins!
Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall
But BOA attacks! He’s in full Tian Sha form as he HELL STABS Solo’s neck! Endris CLUBS Boa but Boa just grabs Endris! Solo runs back in but Boa retreats! Solo wins tonight, and he shows respect to Endris. Will they both have to watch out for Boa creeping in the shadows?
Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta talk backstage.
They have to focus. They can’t lose like last week. But then a phone rings and Indi answers. Is this Indi Hartwell? Yes. This is Parker Sullivan, from the hospital. Dexter Lumis is… missing. What?! Well they can’t find him, he’s gone. Is Persia gonna have to do a handicap match? Indi says no, she’ll be fine. But what about Dexter? Persia’s sure he’ll be fine. For now, they have their match! They gotta go! Indi hurries off with Persia, but will she have problems focusing on anything other than Lumis?
NXT Media interviews Xyon Quinn.
How’d that fight with Santos earlier end? “End? The way I see it, it’s only just begun.” But Lopez finds him. She tells him to relax, she’s here alone. She wishes he wouldn’t mess with Legado. But she admires someone who marches to the beat of their own drum. She wishes him luck against Escobar next week. He’ll need it.
Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta VS Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon!
First Lumis gets hurt and now he’s gone missing! Will Mrs. Lumis be able to focus? Or will love cost her another win?
Indi starts against Feroz but she’s spacing out again. Feroz shoves her so Indi shoves back. Feroz fires off forearms and kicks, but Indi shoves her away again. Feroz leaps, Indi catches her, but Feroz slips out to KICK a leg out! Feroz shoves Indi down, has the leg and DDT’s the foot! And then again! And then she twists the foot in a standing toehold. Indi endures, kicks free, but Leon tags in. Feroz gets Indi up, Leon climbs up, missile dropkick! Leon does a dance before the STANDING MOONSAULT! Leon gets a leg and turns Indi for the HALF CRAB! Indi endures, Persia coaches her up, Indi reaches out. “Do it for Dexter!” That gets Indi to fire up!
Indi powers out, tag sin Persia, and Persia BOOTS Leon! She CLOBBERS Feroz, CLOBBERS Leon, then scoops and SNAKE EYES Leon! Leon staggers into a fireman’s carry and SIT OUT FACEBUSTER! Cover, Persia & Indi win!
Winners: Persia Pirotta & Indi Hartwell, by pinfall
Now that was impressive! Indi is still worried, but will she and Persia be able to fight up towards the tag titles #ForDexter?
“Those who talk the most usually have nothing to say.”
But in NXT, it’s different. A locker room full of stars who back it up. He won’t talk about what he’ll do, he’ll just show us. He isn’t what NXT wants, he’s what NXT needs. He is Draco Anthony, and his actions will speak louder than their words.
Men’s Advantage Ladder Match: Johnny Gargano VS Bron Breakker!
Johnny Wrestling got the “Big Booty Nephew” to do things his way, and this will truly be 1v1! Will Gargano continue to show why he is the heart of NXT? Or will Bron break Gargano and take the advantage for the new school?
NXT returns and Bron makes his entrance. The bell rings and Gargano eyes the briefcase while he and Bron circle. They tie up, Bron shoves Gargano down and flexes. Gargano smirks and nods as he and Bron circle again. Gargano rolls to get a leg, but Bron headlocks back. Gargano brings Bron down, steps over, headlocks but Bron powers up and powers out. Bron rusn Gargano over again and runs, but Gargano stays low. Bron facelocks, gator rolls and deadlifts to a suplex! Bron even holds Gargano up with one arm as he walks around before the SLAM! Bron fires up, fans fire up and bark as he puts Gargano in a corner.
Bron RAMS his shoulder in, and again, and again. Fans duel, Bron whips but Gargano RANAS! Bron staggers up into a dropkick! Bron bails out, Gargano hurries to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Bron! Fans fire up as Gargano goes to get the big ladder on the ramp! But Bron CLUBS him and the ladder falls. Bron scoops Gargano to SNAKE EYES him off the apron! Bron fetches the ladder now, puts that in the ring, but he avoids the baseball slide! Bron SMACKS Gargano with the ladder, puts the ladder back in, then stands it up. Gargano gets in to climb the ladder! Bron shakes Gargano off, pushes the ladder down but Gargano fires off forearms!
Bron forearms back, breaks through the discus and then POWERSLAMS Gargano down! Bron throws Gargano out, gets the ladder again and stands it back up. Bron climbs, Gargano gets to the apron. Bron runs over, into the SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Gargano goes right up the ladder, paws at the briefcase, but Bron drags him down! Gargano dodges, swings through the ladder to dropkick, then shoves the ladder into Bron! Bron and ladder go down, Bron bails out> Gargano takes aim, builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Bron tumbles over the desk! Fans are thunderous as NXT goes picture in picture!
Gargano checks his leg, he didn’t have the best landing out of that, either. Bron drags himself up from the armchairs but Gargano sets the desk hood up against the desk itself. Gargano ROCKS Bron with a forearm, but Bron hits back! Gargano THROWS Bron onto the hood and cracks it! Bron flops to the floor, Gargano catches his breath, and he takes the desk hood to SLAM it down on Bron! Gargano drags Bron up to throw haymakers, then goes to the steps to walk up to the apron. Gargano gets in the ring, gets the ladder back up, but Bron crawls in. Gargano throws more forearms, Bron ROCKS Gargano back! Gargano staggers but he kicks low and throws more forearms.
Bron gets Gargano for a Belly2Belly! Both men are down but crawling for the ladder. NXT returns to single picture as fans are thunderous again! Gargano and Bron climb opposite sides, but they brawl up top! Bron gets the edge, knocks Gargano down, but Gargano comes back to tip the ladder! Bron tumbles through the ropes and to the floor! Gargano hurries to get the ladder back up as fans fire up again! But Bron returns to run and RAM the ladder into Gargano! The ladder even falls on Gargano! Bron drags Gargano up, clinches, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Fans say, “This is Awesome!” as Bron sets the ladder up against ropes.
Bron gets Gargano up but Gargano fires off forearms! Only to run into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly onto the ladder!! Fans lose their minds while Gargano writhes in pain! Bron snarls, gets Gargano back up, and sets him against the ladder. Bron goes around to the corner, climbs up and ELBOW DROPSÂ onto ONLY ladder as Gargano moves!! Bron writhes in pain now after that crash and burn! Gargano drags the ladder off the ropes, picks it up and sets it on the top rope. But Bron throws body shots and low knees! Bron choke grips Gargano to whip, but Gargano ducks the ladder! Gargano drop toeholds Bron into the ladder battering ram!
Bron is down, Gargano adjusts the ladder’s position, then climbs up. Bron stops Gargano with haymakers, and smacks him off the ladder. Gargano is across the ladder, Bron trophy lifts Gargano and ladder, but Gargano slips off! SUPERKICK to Bron and the ladder! And then another SUPERKICK! Bron drops the ladder, Gargano calls upon the powers of DIY! Bron flips Gargano off, so Gargano SUPERKICKS him even harder!! Fans are thunderous as Gargano gets up, hobbles over to the ladder, then drags Bron up. Bron RAMS Gargano into a corner, Gargano elbows away on Bron. Gargano goes up but Bron throws body shots. Gargano hits back but Bron still climbs the corner.
Bron brings the straps down, stands on the very top, SUPER STEINER! Both men are down and fans are electric! Bron gets up, goes to the ladder, brings it up and fans again declare “This is Awesome!” Gargano throws forearms to stop Bron from climbing, then ROLLING ELBOWS! And another ROLLING ELBOW! Bron stops the third to trophy lift Gargano, only for Gargano to hit a DDT!! Gargano crawls to the ladder, but so does Bron. They both climb, fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow. Gargano SMACKS Bron with the briefcase! Bron falls, Gargano steadies himself, but Bron is right back up! Bron yanks Gargano off to a POWERSLAM!!
Bron gets back up, goes up the ladder, and has the briefcase! Team 2.0 wins!!
Winner: Bron Breakker (Breakker, Hayes, D’Angelo & Waller have the advantage)
You can call him the Big Booty Nephew, but now the odds drastic go down for Team Black ‘n’ Gold! But speaking of, Ciampa, Knight and Dunne regroup with Gargano, and they rush the ring! WarGames comes early and the fans are loving this! But how much more insane will it get with these eight inside the double ring, double cage construct of destruction!?
My Thoughts:
This was a great go-home to WarGames for NXT, as well as still setting up things outside of the… Well, it isn’t a “TakeOver” because it’s not in the name, but it isn’t a PPV because you have to have the Peacock or WWE Network for it. “Special event,” I guess? Well anyway, bookending the episode with the ladder matches was the right choice. Gives you a reason to start, gives you a reason to stick around. Great brawl from the women’s teams, Dakota having the edge to start definitely felt like a set-up for KLR to win. The Faces winning here makes me think the Heels win at WarGames, thereby strengthening Toxic Attraction per Vince’s wishes.
Grimes VS Chase was definitely just tune-up filler so Grimes has momentum going into Hair VS Hair. The promos from Hudson and Grimes after weren’t that good, but you can’t really do a whole lot with Hair VS Hair other than saying, “You’re gonna be bald, loser!” Kinda wish Hudson had a tune-up, too, for Grimes to taunt him during. That would’ve been good build in the go-home. We’re being introduced to a lot of new people really quickly with Tiffany Stratton getting a second video, then being introduced to Draco Anthony, and then we met Endris Enofe on the same night he debuts and then loses to Solo Sikoa.
Boa going Tian Sha like a Jekyll & Hyde continues to be a pretty good story for him, and I like that he’s going after a guy with (at least in kayfabe) some real grit and fighting experience. Solo VS Boa is going to be a pretty good one to see. Also, I just figured out who that person napping on the couch is. That’s Karen Q. Since she’s not being Mei Ying anymore, she’s just snoozing until creative knows what the hell to do with her. Should’ve been her and Xia Li as a tag team while they were all still in NXT, but oh well. Indi & Persia get another quick win thanks to Persia, and I wonder if tension builds where Persia feels Indi is too hooked on Dexter to be a good tag partner or friend.
For that matter, I think Robert Stone could have a really interesting new Robert Stone Brand. He was scouting Persia before, he was scouting Solo this week, but he could easily switch and recruit Endris as a swerve. If not for WWE moving the pieces around, the Franky Monet Brand could’ve added more members, but maybe Stone gets a resurgence to give us another co-ed faction on the level of the Diamond Mine. Diamond Mine crashing the All-Inclusive Invitational is only a minor bummer, as I thought we’d at least see Gacy and Tesha Price tie up. I feel like Gacy is riding that Tweener line since Diamond Mine aren’t Faces, but I still don’t see Gacy winning to create some kind of NXT Open Division.
I think this week’s MSK segment was the best one because it was hilarious with the banter from the GPS. But what a tease to show us a silhouette but nothing else of “The Shaman.” Kyle & Von winning was of course going to happen, they’re Faces and Imperium are Heels. I wish Von had an insult in German ready just to throw it Imperium’s face that Americans can learn/know more than English. Xyon showing up to brawl with Escobar was great, and their match next week will hopefully be a very good showing for Xyon. Too bad we haven’t gotten Walter in NXT 2.0, we could’ve had 3v3v3 of Imperium VS Legado VS Quinn-Kyle-Von somehow.
Then the men’s advantage match was good stuff. Gargano was the natural choice, and then Team 2.0 had pretty decent promos to talk trash on the “Black ‘n’ Gold” team. Gargano had a great promo on Bron, though, and “Big Booty Nephew” was a great deep cut reference to Scott Steiner. They had a great ladder match, and I figured that with the Faces getting advantage for the women, the Heels (which yes, each member of 2.0 outside of Bron is a clear Heel) would win for the men. The brawl was a great way to end, fans ate the entire main event segment up, and it was a classic WWE way to end. But I can’t be sure who wins. Team 2.0 has advantage, the brawl keeps things even as far as the math, but I can’t be sure Black ‘n’ Gold wins if this is NXT 2.0 and it’s all about the new kids now.
My Score: 8.9/10
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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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