Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (3/10/22)

Will the Iron King finally have a throne?

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2022

Steven Mitchell

The Scottish Supernova defends his Heritage Cup!

Joe Coffey has his first British Rounds Rules Match EVER, and it’s already for Noam Dar’s NXT UK Heritage Cup! Will this finally be Gallus’ Kingdom?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

A-Kid VS Charlie Dempsey; Dempsey wins.
Symbiosis VS Josh Morrell & Danny Jones; Symbiosis wins.
NXT UK Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar w/ Sha Samuels VS Joe Coffey w/ Mark Coffey; Dar wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT UK Media interviews Charlie Dempsey as he heads to gorilla.

He’s about to face off with the Spanish Sensation, but where is the rest of Die Familie? Dempsey doesn’t need them for this. This is just between him and A-Kid.

A-Kid VS Charlie Dempsey!

Speaking of the Spanish Sensation, he will be visiting NXT in the US very soon, but he has business to take care of first! Will he and the gritty Dempsey settle things mano a mano, just as Dempsey promised? Or will Teoman & Rohan Raja be lurking in the shadows?

The bell rings and the two circle. They feel out the grapple, Dempsey shoots in but AK stays clear. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Dempsey gets around to waistlock then full nelson then cravat and snapmare, only for AK to handspring through. Dempsey nods, that was a good escape. The two feel things out again, tie up, and AK gets to a waistlock. Dempsey wrenches free to have the standing armlock, then he arm-drags AK down to a cover. ONE, and AK slips out to facelock. They gator roll, AK forces Dempsey to a cover, ONE as Dempsey bridges. They reset and AK smirks his respect in return.

They feel out a knuckle lock now, and Dempsey facelocks. AK slips out to wrench and wristlock, Dempsey spins through and bridges back. Dempsey flips through, gets under and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Dempsey has the armlock, and he digs a knee into AK’s face. AK endures, Dempsey starts bending the fingers! AK fights to his feet, arm-drags Dempsey, but Dempsey holds onto those fingers! Dempsey gets an armlock and adds a chinlock. AK fights up, Dempsey wrenches again, but AK rolls and bridges to then turn, and fireman’s carry takeover! AK has the headlock but Dempsey kicks around. Dempsey chinbars to get the headscissors!

AK tries to kick free but Dempsey holds tight. AK moves around but Dempsey pushes up. AK still gets around to headstand, turn Dempsey over and tie up the legs in a figure four knot. AK gets the chin, Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! But Dempsey pops right out to a cover, ONE! The two reset and Dempsey eggs AK on. They go around, Dempsey pushing forward. They knuckle lock, go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. Dempsey has the advantage here but AK bridges! Dempsey jumps on to push AK down for a cover, TWO as AK bridges back up! Dempsey tries again but AK uses that to go up and monkey flip!

AK rolls back to a cover, ONE as Dempsey bridges! AK works on the legs but Dempsey stays up. AK hops on but Dempsey stays up! AK tries to kick Dempsey down but Dempsey still holds the bridge. AK lets off the knuckle lock to stand on Dempsey, but no! Dempsey is still bridging! AK hops off, Dempsey gets to his feet, and the two go again. Clinch and a whip but AK handsprings. Dempsey counters hip toss to a backslide, and a bridge, ONE! AK has a cradle, TWO! They get up, Dempsey knees low then EuroUppers AK out of the ring! The ref has Dempsey stay in the ring while the ring count starts.

AK gets up at 4 of 10, and takes his time returning. Dempsey and AK circle again, knuckle lock but AK mule kicks! AK arm-drags to a double wristlock, and headscissors! Dempsey tries to kick free but AK holds tight! Dempsey pulls on AK’s arms to bring him around, and Dempsey escapes the headscissors to now have a hammerlock! Dempsey wants the other arm but AK shields it. Dempsey rear mounts and has a chinlock, knee digging into AK’s back! AK pries the chinlock off and gets a FUJIWARA! Dempsey rolls, AK keep son him and bends the fingers! Dempsey claws at AK, fights up, but AK wrenches the arm.

AK ROCKS Dempsey with a EuroUpper, but Dempsey ROCKS AK back with a EuroUpper of his own! AK gives another EuroUpper but Dempsey comes back with his own! AK throws another EuroUpper, then catches Dempsey’s into a backslide! Dempsey fights that off with his height advantage, but AK uses that to slip around and IRON OCTOPUS! Dempsey walks forward, ROPEBREAK! AK lets off to KICK Dempsey in the chest! Dempsey is furious and fires off forearms, knees and elbows! That next KNEE takes AK down! Dempsey paces around him, stomps him, but AK has the foot! Toehold from below!

AK has Dempsey down now, standing toehold but Dempsey boots with the free leg! AK still has the foot! AK twists the ankle, shifts his grip and turns Dempsey over, but Dempsey counters with a headlock. AK keep son that foot, but Dempsey gets AK’s arms to drag him down. Dempsey isolates that arm, wrenches it and he goes for the FUJIWARA! AK rolls, Dempsey rolls with to get a leg! AK gets up to STOMP Dempsey down! Both men are down but Dempsey gets to ropes. AK hobbles over, brings Dempsey up to DECK him with a forearm! Dempsey headbutts low! AK kicks but Dempsey blocks for a DRAGON SCREW!

Dempsey holds onto the leg and drags AK around. AK hops up on the good leg to SLAP Dempsey, SLAP him again, but Dempsey hits another DRAGON SCREW! Dempsey ties the legs up and has the crossface! AK endures, Dempsey digs elbows into AK’s back! Dempsey then gets the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION! And around and around, then the FUJIWARA! AK endures, rolls, Dempsey goes for the leg again! But AK gets up to get the arm! Dempsey tries to clasp his hands, he pushes up to make it a cover, TWO!! AK goes to kick but gets caught, PERFECT PLEX! Cover, TWO!! These two are gasping for air after that exchange!

Dempsey hurries to clamp onto AK again with a headlock. AK gets up, Dempsey waistlocks but AK switches. Dempsey switches back, goes for a full nelson, but AK uses his leg for leverage and breaks free. Dempsey CLUBS AK, pushes AK, but too far and his dropkick misses! Dempsey hurries to get AK in the corner, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! AK escapes but barely! Dempsey crawls over to drag AK up but AK wrenches to a facelock. AK gets Dempsey up but Dempsey blocks the suplex. AK wants the arm, then he gets chicken wings! TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Dempsey escapes, but AK has the omoplata! He wants the other arm! RINGS OF SATURN, but Dempsey is fighting! Dempsey ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! But he deadlifts AK for a SLAM! Both men are down but Dempsey gets his bad arm working. Dempsey CLOBBERS AK into a cover, TWO! Dempsey clamps right back on for a facelock, but AK wrenches and ELBOW BREAKER, to PELE! Dempsey is down, AK gets to a corner! They rush each other, DOUBLE FOREARMS! Dempsey CLOBBERS AK out of the ring! The ref again keeps Dempsey back, but in the distraction, Rohan Raja jumps the barriers!

Rohan POSTS AK, then puts him in the ring! No one else saw it, Dempsey hurries to get the leg and head! INVERTED BOW ‘N’ ARROW!!! AK taps, Dempsey wins!!

Winner: Charlie Dempsey, by submission

Did Dempsey know his Die Familie brother helped him win this? Or was this all Raja doing Dempsey a favor? Either way, will the family continue on to take over NXT UK?

Sid Scala speaks.

The Assistant General Manager has a huge announcement! NXT UK will have a guest coming all the way for the United States- Someone knocks on Sid’s door. He lets them in and it’s Wolfgang. Is this a bad time? Uh, no, this is fine. Okay, then Wolfgang needs something that’ll take him to that next level. Something- Say no more. NXT UK management has noticed the momentum Wolfgang’s been building. And as Sid was about to announce, this works perfectly. Wolfgang will be facing Roderick Strong! Wolfgang likes that, and shakes Sid’s hand. Will the Last King of Scotland be able to put the pressure on Diamond Mine’s Savior of the Backbreaker?

Next week starts a special start time!

With Daylight Savings coming to the States, NXT UK will be 4 PM EST, 8 PM GMT for the next couple of weeks.

NXT UK Media catches up with Aleah James.

With Meiko Satomura VS Isla Dawn on the horizon, who does Aleah think should be next for the NXT UK Women’s Championship after that? Aleah would love to face Meiko in the future, but at this point in time- Stevie Turner interrupts, and she can’t believe Aleah brought a camera crew here just to say the same empty words. Uh, first of all, Aleah didn’t bring them, they brought her here. So instead of worrying about Aleah, maybe Stevie should- Stevie is always two levels and two steps ahead of everyone else. Aleah doesn’t know what Stevie’s going on about so she leaves. Don’t walk away, she has important things to say.

Oh, NXT UK Media wants to talk to Stevie now? Well they had their chance. Stevie walks off, but will either of these two be waiting in the wings after the Final Boss takes on the Wicked Witch?

Symbiosis VS Josh Morrell & Danny Jones!

Eddie Dennis has helped Primate & Tyson T-Bone reload and refocus. Will they finally get a step closer to their prey that is the NXT UK Tag Team Championships?

The teams sort out and Primate starts against Morrell. They approach, tie up, and go around. Primate hip tosses Morrell down, then corners him to throw haymakers! Primate digs his palms into Morrell’s chin, throws a heavy body shot, then throws Morrell! Morrell tries to hip toss back but Primate blocks, so Morrell whips, only for Primate to run Morrell over! Things speed up, Primate shoves, but Morrell jumps up to dropkick Primate down! Tag to T-Bone, and he rushes in, but Morrell jumps over! Morrell CHOPS and CHOPS, then headlocks. T-Bone powers up but Morrell lands out of the back suplex to dropkick T-Bone!

Tag to Jones and he rams shoulders with T-Bone! T-Bone knees low, CLUBS Jones on the back then CLUBS him again. T-Bone whips, Jones ducks and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Jones wrenches, tags Morrell, and Morrell goes up to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Morrell runs in at the corner but is put on the apron. He ROCKS T-Bone with a right, slingshots, but into T-Bone’s arms! BACKBREAKER! And FALL AWAY SLAM! T-Bone snarls, drags Morrell up and over to tag in Primate. Symbiosis double whip Morrell backwards into the corner, then they throw him down by his head, and DOUBLE STOMP him together! Cover, TWO!

Primate keeps between Morrell and Jones and BOOTS Morrell down! Primate drags Morrell up to DECK him, bumps him off buckles, and tags T-Bone. T-Bone whips Primate in to RAM Morrell, then Primate feeds Morrell to T-Bone’s LARIAT! T-Bone drops a BIG elbow, then deadlifts him to a Canadian rack! T-Bone RAMS Morrell into a corner, then KNEES him down! T-Bone drags Morrell over, puts him on the ropes and CLUBS him on the back. Tag to Primate and T-Bone holds Morrell out. Primate springboards for FLYING AX HANDLES! Primate whips Morrell to ROCK him in the back, then adds a BIG back suplex!

Primate roars and stands on Morrell. He steps on Morrell, hauls him up and DECKS him with a EuroUpper! Primate stomps Morrell to the corner, drag shim up and tags in T-Bone. Symbiosis work together again, but Morrell goes up and Primate gets POST! Morrell rolls under T-Bone to hot tag Jones! Jones rallies on T-Bone with big forearms and uppercuts! T-Bone wobbles, Jones LARIATS him down! Jones run sin to SHINING WIZARD in the corner, but T-Bone fights off the clinch. T-Bone KICKS the leg and KNEES Jones in the head! T-Bone hauls Jones up, puts him in a corner, but Jones back elbows! ENZIGURI!

Jones clinches for an EXPLODER! Tag to Morrell and Morrell gets on Jones’ shoulders! MARIPOSA!! Cover, TWO!! T-Bone survives but Morrell gets going, into a back drop! T-Bone drags Morrell back up, scoops him, and then tags in Primate. T-Bone gives Morrell a POWERSLAM, and then DECKS Jones off the corner! Primate is up top and he hits a DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, Symbiosis wins!

Winners: Symbiosis, by pinfall

Headmaster Dennis is proud of his pack, because they’re doing just as he promised. But wait! WILD BOAR gets in the ring and SMACKS Primate with a chair!! And then he JAMS and SMACKS T-Bone! Primate gets up, Wild Boar CLOBBERS him! Wild Boar then fires off fast hands on T-Bone! And he shoves Dennis down! Dennis wants mercy, but T-Bone gets him out of the ring! Wild Boar returns and is ready to hunt Symbiosis! Will Dennis and his team have to worry about the past catching up to them before they can look to their future?

It’s the Nina Samuels Show!

Nina Samuels welcomes us back and she says we lucky fans are getting a tour around the UK Performance Center. Nina stops when she spots “poor lonely” Emilia McKenzie. Has Meiko realized that it isn’t worth her time to help the dead weight? Millie snatches the mic to tell Nina that she wants to ask her a question. “How does it feel to be so desperate for attention that you have walk around dressed like a flamingo at 9 AM? Hmm? And that’s enough of the Nina Samuels Show today.” Emilia gives the mic back and Nina is at a loss for words. She has her cameraman cut, but will she figure out a response in the ring?

NXT UK Media spots Ashton Smith & Oliver Carter arguing with Moustache Mountain.

Smith spots the cameraman and asks them to come over. Then he tells Moustache Mountain to tell everyone what he just said about backing out of giving them the rematch! Whoa, they are NOT backing out! Tyler Bate & Trent Seven are noble men and men of their words. They’re going to give Smith & Carter a chance, but the titles need to go on the backburner. Listen to the deal. How about they have two singles matches instead. Therefore, they could potentially earn the rematch at the NXT UK Tag Team Championships. Deal?

They’ll take that deal, easy! One of them will beat Bate, the other will beat Seven, and then they’ll have earned taking those titles away. Well, we’ll see. They now argue about the 1v1 combinations, but management puts that together for them! Next week will be Tyler Bate VS Oliver Carter! Will the hottest tag team on the brand get a leg up on Moustache Mountain from the get-go?

NXT UK Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar w/ Sha Samuels VS Joe Coffey w/ Mark Coffey!

The Scottish Supernova loves to joke around, but not when it’s at his expense. He didn’t appreciate Gallus Boys On Talk taking over Supernova Sessions, and he really doesn’t like that Joe Coffey’s first match in British Rounds Rules is already for the title. But will he like it even less when this Gallus Boy is on top? Or will Dar deny the Iron King his throne?

The introductions are made, the cup is raised, and we see if Joe finally has gold here in NXT UK!

These two circle as the clock is ticking. They feel things out, tie up, and Joe throws Dar easily. Dar gets up and to the ropes, then cools himself off before circling with Joe again. They tie up, Dar gets a leg but Joe throws him way again. Dar cools off again, they circle, and then tie up. Dar goes for the arm, he wrenches to a wristlock, but Joe spins through to wrench and WRING Dar out! Joe holds onto the arm, Dar fights up but Joe has the wristlock. Dar rolls but Joe wrangles him back down! Joe has a top wristlock but Dar gets up. Dar gets to ropes, the ref counts the ropebreak, and Joe lets off.

Dar eggs Joe on as they circle again. Joe corners Dar but the ref has him back up. They circle more, feel things out and Dar waistlocks to get a mat return. But Joe slips right out to get the wristlock! We’re under a minute in the first, Joe wrenches the arm more, but Dar rolls. Joe wrings Dar again, sidesteps him and whips, but Dar sunset flips! Joe rolls through to get the legs. Dar rolls through to throw Joe away but Joe cartwheels through. Joe roll Dar up and has the leg, HALF CRAB! Dar rolls through but Joe holds on! Sha keeps Dar aware of the time, and we’re at 10 seconds! Joe wants the Crab but Dar scrambles around! The time is up, Joe has to let go!

Dar: 0; Coffey: 0

Sha protests that Joe won’t back off, but Joe does go to his corner to refresh. Sha tells Dar to use that speed against Joe. The bell rings for round two and Dar circles with Joe again. Dar wants a test of strength so Joe knuckle locks with him, but then Dar KICKS the leg! Joe just shrugs that off and hits back! Joe headlocks for the takeover and he thrashes Dar around. Dar keeps his shoulders up, rolls Joe to a cover, ONE! Dar fights up, Joe holds the headlock but Dar puts him on ropes. The ref counts, Dar lets off, but Joe ducks the kick to hit the headlock takeover again! Dar gest headscissors but Joe kips free.

Joe gets up, he hits another headlock takeover! Dar moves around, gets up, and he brings Joe to a knee. Joe cranks the headlock but Dar powers out, only for Joe to run him over! Joe eggs Dar on, Dar gets up to KICK! Dar eggs Joe on, so Joe wrangles him down with a wristlock! Dar reaches up to headscissors, but Joe pops out and whips. Joe then goes the other way to CLOBBER Dar! Dar gets to a corner but Joe whips him corner to corner! SPLASH at a minute in the round, then Joe whips Dar the other way. Dar goes up then under, but Joe catches him with a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX!

Dar flounders and Joe runs in, GLASGOW SENDOFF! Dar is down, Coffey covers, Coffey gets the fall!

Dar: 0; Coffey: 1

With 45 seconds in the second round, the Iron King scores first! Is this already a bad sign for Supernova 11? Sha drags Dar to his corner while Mark helps Joe refresh. Sha says Dar’s been here before, he can make the comeback like he has before. The bell rings, time for round three! Coffey waits for Dar to get up and they go again. Joe waistlocks, SLAMS Dar down, then holds on. Dar fights up but Joe SLAMS him back down! Joe makes it part bearhug but Dar fights up. Dar stomps Joe’s feet, wrenches out and has an armlock, but Joe throws body shots. Dar throws knees in return, but Joe throws more body shots.

Dar throws more knees, but Joe blocks a kick. Dar ELBOWS Joe in the head! Joe gets to a corner, Dar runs in but Joe BOOTS him away! Joe goes up and up and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives but Sha distracts on the apron! Joe kicks at Sha to get him to back off, then he gets Dar back up. Dar wrenches out and sweeps the legs! Dar switchblade kicks then covers, TWO! CHAMPAGNE SUPER KNEEBAR! But Joe powers up and pries Dar off with a waistlock! Dar elbows free, drops to fire off kicks, then victory rolls, Dar ties it up!

Dar: 1; Coffey: 1

With a minute and 15 left, Dar gets things back to even, but give the East End Butcher the assist. Joe shrugs that off as he refreshes with Mark, now it comes down to the next fall. The bell rings for the fourth and Dar rushes Joe with forearms, Joe hits back with body shots, Dark kicks, feints, then KICKS again! Cover, ONE!! Joe sputters but Dar is after him. Dar wrangles Joe then stomps the arm! Dar flexes on Mark, then stomps Joe’s arm again! And then he stomps a leg! Dar puts pinkies out before he stomps Joe’s other leg! But Joe headbutts low, and again, only for Dar to knee him down! Cover, TWO!

Dar sees Joe get to ropes and he fires KICKS! And KICKS, and KICKS! Dar snapmares, covers, ONE! Dar is frustrated but he traps an arm. Dar mocks Joe’s scar by digging his finger along it. Dar then throws down elbows, stomps Joe to ropes, kicks him, but Joe kicks back! Joe goes to the apron, Dar brings him up but Joe headbutts back! Joe then SLINGSHOT SHOULDERS Dar down! We’re under a minute here, Joe hoists Dar up and tosses Dar for an uppercut! Then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Both men are down and Sha is worried. Mark coaches Joe, we’re under 30 seconds! Dar and Joe get up, Joe SPINEBUSTERS, to a BOSTON CRAB!!

Dar endures, crawls, ROPEBREAK! Joe lets off, we’re under 10! Joe swings but Dar throws him out! Dar pursues but he runs into hands! They brawl, and the bell rings! Sha and Mark have to separate these two, but Dar still gets a KICK in!

Dar: 1; Coffey: 1

The ref reprimands, that was a cheap shot! But the damage has been done and Mark has to help Joe get to the corner. Will Joe be able to get past that as we enter the fifth? The bell rings, Dar runs in to dropkick at the corner! Dar keeps moving, BOOT! Dar pushes Joe out, runs in again and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Dar is beside himself, but he puts pinkies out. Dar aims from a corner, NOVA- GLASGOW SENDOFF!! Cover, TWO!! Joe drags Dar up, short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Dar survives and Sha is relieved. Both men are down but stirring. Joe gets up but he staggers. Joe gets a leg but Dar clamps onto Joe’s leg to deny the turn.

Dar kicks free with the free leg and even ROCKS Joe with a haymaker. Dar is up, but so is Joe. Dar KICKS, but Joe just shakes his head. Dar throws a forearm, but Joe just eggs him on! Dar fires more forearms but Joe just leans into them! Joe roars, Dar KICKS away on the leg! Joe blocks, Dar SLAPS but Joe just pulls Dar’s ear! Joe ROCKS Dar, fires off fast hands, and we’re under a minute! Dar ducks the discus but misses his backhand! Joe runs, ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! But Sha makes sure Dar has the ropebreak!! Mark storms after Sha, and he CLOBBERS him! We’re under 30 seconds, Dar waistlocks but Joe switches and rolls him up! TWO!!

Dar gets up, Joe ducks the heel kick but not the BACKHAND! ELBOW! Dar sets up, NOVA ROLLA!!! Cover, Dar wins!!

Winner: Noam Dar, by pinfall (still NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion)

With just SEVEN seconds left in the fifth, Dar survives the Iron King! And again, give the assist to his cornerman, Sha Samuels. Will Joe Coffey ever win the big one? Will anyone ever break through to take this cup from the Scottish Supernova?

My Thoughts:

A great episode here, with just three matches again. A-Kid and Dempsey had a very good opening match, as technical and gritty as expected. I figured someone from Die Familie would interfere, and it was hard to tell if Dempsey really did know Raja even got involved. I’m sure there will be a promo next week to point it out and they can go from there. And as we learned from NXT on Tuesday, A-Kid is going to be going to the States, I’m pretty sure he’s taken care of all Die Familie story segments by this point. And in return, Roderick Strong is visiting the UK. He’ll have a great match with Wolfgang, and this could even plant seeds for an eventual Diamond Mine VS Gallus story.

Nina Samuels and Millie McKenzie have a match set up through their promo segment, as do Aleah James and Stevie Turner. Meiko VS Isla is in two weeks, so these four future contenders can get their matches in before then. Symbiosis had a really good match with Jones & Morrell, and I am very excited to see Wild Boar came after them already. I thought there was going to be another vignette or even a sneak attack backstage, but he’s being bold enough to go right at them. Not sure how well he’ll do as one man against three, but maybe he gets allies that don’t like Symbiosis any more than he does.

Good promo segment from Smith, Carter and Moustache Mountain, and it does set up matches for the next few weeks. Bate VS Carter, Seven VS Smith, and I’m sure something happens to give Smith & Carter that tag team title rematch. Then we got a great Heritage Cup match, and Joe Coffey looks great again, but in the end, the still loses. Again, not sure what more Joe can do in NXT UK, so maybe that Diamond Mine VS Gallus thing happens pretty soon. As for Dar, he might be holding onto that cup for a long time while so many great singles guys are either tangled up in stories, or just not ready yet.

My Score: 8.4/10

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

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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

21 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…

The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?

Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?

Corey Graves is in the ring.

Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.

Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.

Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.

And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.

“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.

That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?

Triple H is here!

Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.

HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!

The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”

The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?

Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!

The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?

The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!

The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!

Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.

Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?

The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?

Nick Aldis heads out.

And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.

And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!

Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!

The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.

For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!

WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!

Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?

The Dudley Boyz are here!

The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?

Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.

WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!

It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?

The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!

Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!

Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!

No Contest

The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.

SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?

The Final Testament speaks.

Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!

Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.

Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?

There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!

Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!

Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!

Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?

Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.

Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.

Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.

Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.

My Score: 8.8/10

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

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024

We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.

Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.

Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.

Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.

OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.

Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.

Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!

Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.

Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth

A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.

Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!

Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!

Overall Score: 6/10

A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.

But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.

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