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Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 33 Results & Report! (7/26/23)

C & D, round 4!

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The Front Man and the Imperial Unit meet again!

They’ve battled over the NJPW World TV Championship a few times already, but now Zack Sabre Jr. and Jeff Cobb clash in the G1 Climax!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • G1 Climax 33, C Block: HENARE VS EVIL; Evil wins.
  • G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Alex Coughlin; Coughlin wins.
  • G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Mikey Nicholls; Takagi wins.
  • G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins.
  • G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins.
  • G1 Climax 33, D Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Shante Haste; Shane wins.
  • G1 Climax 33, C Block: David Finlay VS Tama Tonga; Tama wins.
  • G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current C Block standings.

David Finlay: 3-0, 6 points
EVIL: 2-1, 4 points
Tama Tonga: 2-1, 4 points
Eddie Kingston: 2-1, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-2, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-2, 2 points
Shingo Takagi: 1-2, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 0-3, 0 points

 

Here are the current D Block standings.

Jeff Cobb: 3-0, 6 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 3-0, 6 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-1, 4 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 1-2, 2 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-1, 4 points
Shane Haste: 1-2, 2 points
Toru Yano: 0-3, 0 points
Alex Coughlin: 0-3, 0 points

 

G1 Climax 33, C Block: HENARE VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!

The Face of Fury is certainly furious after losing to the Mad King, and now he’s up against The King of Darkness! Will Henare go on a Rampage to stay alive in the block? Or will even Henare see Everything is Evil?

Wait, where is Dick? He’s supposed to be by Evil’s side. WAIT, Dick attacks Henare during his entrance! And with a chair, no less! Fans boo as Dick SMACKS Henare, and SMACKS him again! Evil keeps the ref from doing anything about this and Dick JAMS Henare with the chair! Dick drags Henare up and puts him in the ring. Fans tell Dick to go away but the bell rings. Evil covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is upset with the ref but fans rally behind Henare. Evil drags Henare up, puts him through ropes, and then bends him back! The ref reprimands but Evil pushes him away!

Fans boo more, the ref reprimands again and now he counts! Evil lets off at 4 and argues with the ref. Henare flops out of the ring so Evil goes out after him. Evil RAMS Henare into the timekeeper! Fans boo as Abe-san goes down pretty hard! Evil CHOKES Henare with the mic cable and tells him to give up, but Henare can only shout and cough! Fans boo but Evil finally lets off to drag Henare to the crowd! They go right up the bleachers and fans move out of the way. Henare blocks the bump off the West sign! And he fires off shots! Then Henare SMACKS Evil off the West sign! Fans cheer for Henare as he does it again! And again!

Henare drags Evil up, brings him back down the bleachers and a ring count starts. Henare throws headbutts as he keeps Evil moving. Henare puts Evil in at 8 of 20 and he stalks Evil to a corner. Evil stands, Henare fires body shots and another HEADBUTT! Fans rally as Henare snapmares and KICKS Evil, to then SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Henare as he looms over Evil. Henare drags Evil up, but Evil swings, into the ULTIMA! But Evil fights the full nelson and elbows free! Evil runs in, into an ELBOW! Henare goes up but Evil ducks the Flying Chuck! Henare comes back, into a boot! But he still clotheslines in the corner!

Henare whips Evil to ropes, scoops and BERSERKER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Evil survives but Henare aims from the corner. Fans rally up, Evil rises, but then Evil bails out to avoid the Rampage! Fans boo, but then Henare goes out after Evil. Dick creeps up but Henare scares him off, only for Evil to attack from behind! Evil then whips Henare into railing hard! Henare tumbles up and over! The ref reprimands but Evil goes out to fetch Henare. Evil drags Henare up and RAMS him into the barriers! The ref reprimands, he wants this back in the ring, but Evil opens the gate to go up the stands! And all the way to the back aisle!

Evil brings Henare up, FISHERMAN- NO, Henare fights that! Henare throws body shots, but then Evil grabs the ref! Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Fans boo but Henare powers up! Henare pulls the choker away, and he BOOTS Evil! And ELBOWS Dick! And then sends Evil into Dick! Henare DOUBLE LARIATS them down! Fans fire up for Henare as he looms over Evil. Henare drags Evil up, CLUBS him, and brings him back down the stands, to RAM him into those same barriers! Fans fire up and Henare drags Evil back up. Henare puts Evil in the ring and fans cheer. Henare drags Evil up and fireman’s carries, for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!

Henare sits Evil up, and he clamps on a half nelson! And then goes for the full! Evil fights up, fights the full nelson, and he stomps Henare’s foot! Evil whips Henare into bare buckles! When did Dick do that?! But Henare just runs at Evil to BUSAIKU KNEE! Fans fire up while both men are down! Fans rally up, Henare goes to a corner, and he aims as Evil rises. Henare runs back in, but Evil sends the spear into a buckle pad! Evil then runs in to clothesline, and FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Henare is still in this and fans rally up. Evil rises, he drags Henare up, and he fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Henare survives!

Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Evil stands up as we pass 10 minutes, and he slashes his throat! Evil drags Henare up, for EVERY- NO, Henare fights it! Evil tries again but Henare CLUBS him! Evil kicks, Henare blocks, and steps over to WHEEL KICK! Evil goes to a corner, Henare runs in, SHINING WIZARD! Henare pushes Evil down, takes aim again, and RAMPAGE!! But Henare isn’t done there! He drags Evil back up, fisherman’s, but Evil fights the lift! Evil wrenches, clinches, but Henare fights out! DOUBLE LAIRATS hit, and Henare HEADBUTTS Evil down! And then PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!!

Evil survives but Henare throws off the shoulder tape. Fans rally behind “HE-NA-RE!” as he hauls Evil up. Fisherman, but Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil grabs the ref, and Dick has a chair! Dick JAMS Henare, but then Henare PUNCHES the chair apart! Dick throws the frame to Henare then runs away! The ref sees just Henare and what’s left of the chair, so the ref takes the chair away. Evil LOW BLOWS Henare!! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!!! Cover, Evil wins!!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Henare earns 0)

Once again, the Spoiler saves his King of Darkness! Will anyone ever stop the House of Torture from stacking the deck? Or will Evil take the G1 Climax by any means necessary?

 

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Hirooki Goto VS Alex Coughlin!

It was only three weeks ago that The Fierce Warrior and the Deadeye Dreadnought battled over the tag titles. The War Dogs won the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships but Bishamon held onto the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Who wins a golden ticket to a rematch for the Fall?

But as Goto takes off his coat, Coughlin attacks! Fans boo but Coughlin throws Goto out as the bell rings! Coughlin RAMS Goto into railing, and he throws up the Too Sweet. Then Coughlin jumps the railing, takes someone’s seat, and he storms over to Goto. The ref tries to stop Coughlin, but Coughlin shoves the ref aside and JAMS Goto! Fans boo but Coughlin just soaks up the heat. Coughlin then tells the ref to count Goto out. Fans boo but Coughlin just throws up the Too Sweet. The count climbs while Goto writhes, and Goto is still down at 10 of 20. Goto sits up at 13, drags himself up at 15, and slides in at 16, only for Coughlin to stomp away!

Fans boo more as Coughlin stands on Goto! The ref counts, Coughlin steps away, but he stomps Goto more. Coughlin drags Goto up, but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Coughlin kicks low and gets the bad ribs, as beat up by Shane Haste. Goto bails out but Coughlin pursues. Coughlin drags Goto up to RAM him into railing! Fans boo but Coughlin puts Goto back in the ring. Coughlin covers, TWO! Coughlin argues the count but the fans rally for Goto. Coughlin clamps on a chinlock, then shifts to a seated cobra twist. Coughlin throws punches into the ribs, but Goto moves around! Coughlin makes it a COBRA CRADLE! TWO, but Goto is still in the twist!

Fans rally, Goto reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Coughlin lets go quickly, and he eggs Goto on. Coughlin drags Goto up, but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Coughlin knees low! Coughlin wags his finger, but Goto turns things around to fire off forearms in the corner! Coughlin turns it around to CHOP! Goto sits right down and fans do cheer that chop. Coughlin stands Goto up to whip him corner to corner, but Goto reverses! Goto runs in, blocks a boot, puts that leg in the ropes, and then KICKS the knee! Then MURAMASA! Fans fire up while Coughlin staggers, into Goto’s SAIDO!

Both men are down and Goto crawls after Coughlin. Cover, TWO! Goto grits his teeth, too sore to be upset. Fans rally up, we pass five minutes, and Goto drags Coughlin up. Coughlin fights the fireman’s carry with elbows, then runs, but Goto follows! Only for Coughlin to CHOP him down! Coughlin powers up and fans can’t help but fire up as he drags Goto back up. Coughlin suplexes, but Goto slips free to shove and fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI throw and then a SLAP!! Goto dragon sleepers, but Coughlin claws at Goto’s face! Coughlin elbows free, then KNEES hard and low! Coughlin powers up again and he storms up on Goto.

Coughlin deadlift suplexes Goto! And then JACKHAMMERS! Cover, COUGHLIN WINS!!

Winner: Alex Coughlin, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)

The Dreadnought sinks Goto and gets his first win in the G1! Sure, he had bad ribs, but Goto isn’t the kind to make excuses. Then will he just have to fight even harder to keep from having a losing record in the block?

 

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Shingo Takagi VS Mikey Nicholls w/ Kosei Fujita!

The Rampaging Dragon finally got on the board after he broke through the Stone Pitbull, and Mad Mikey’s been on a bit downward trend. The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will Takagi make Mikey tranquilo?

The bell rings and the fans rally for “TA-KA-GI!” as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Takagi pushes Mikey back. Mikey applauds and resets to circle with Takagi again. They knuckle lock, but Takagi kicks low! Takagi headlocks, Mikey powers out, and they RAM shoulders! Mikey runs and RAMS Takagi, but Takagi fires a forearm! Mikey gives it back, they go back and forth and the fans fire up, but then Takagi JABS, JABS and JABS! The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Mikey runs Takagi over! Mikey runs again, Takagi ELBOWS, snapmares and runs to SLIDING- NO, Mikey avoids the lariat and fans cheer the standoff!

Takagi and Mikey reset and circle again. They feel things out, Mikey toys around with the knuckle lock then kicks low. Mikey headlocks, Takagi powers up but Mikey holds tight! Mikey thrashes the hold to grind Takagi, but Takagi pries at the hold. Mikey puts the hold on tighter so Takagi throws body shots! Takagi pries the hold open again, wrenches out, and headlocks. But Mikey hits a BIG back suplex! Mikey dusts off his hands, goes out after Takagi, and RAMS him into railing! Then APRON BACK SUPLEXES! Fans fire up and Mikey grins while Takagi flops to the floor. Mikey slides into the ring and lets the count handle this.

Takagi stirs and fans rally up. Takagi sits up at 8 of 20, stands up at 12, and slides in at 14. Mikey is on him to suplex! And stall! Fans rally as Mikey holds Takagi for TWENTY before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Mikey drags Takagi around into a partial Camel Clutch! Mikey fishhooks the face and the ref reprimands. Mikey lets off, changes arms in the stretch, but then BITES Takagi on the forehead! The ref reprimands and counts, Mikey lets go and kicks Takagi around. Mikey slaps Takagi around, so Takagi ROCKS him with forearms! Mikey knees low, snapmares and runs, but Takagi avoids the sliding lariat!

Mike comes back but Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! Fans fire up as Takagi goes to a corner. Mikey flounders and Takagi feeds off the energy from the fans. He doesn’t say “it” yet, but he runs Mikey over to SENTON! “Mada mada!” Takagi drags Mikey up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi looks to the cameras, and NOW it’s time! Fans fire up with that and Takagi drags Mikey up to whip him to a corner. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot and clotheslines through! Takagi runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as we pass five minutes. Takagi starts up the “OI! OI! OI!” and the fans join in!

Takagi rises, he brings Mikey up, but Mikey fights the fireman’s carry! Takagi powers through but Mikey slips out. Takagi waistlocks, ducks Mikey’s elbow, but Mikey DDTs! Mikey aims from a corner, and he mocks Takagi by headbutting the buckles! Mikey runs to clothesline, then whips corner to corner! Mikey runs in, Takagi BOOTS him, but Mikey still clotheslines! Mikey puts Takagi up top, climbs up after him, and fans rally up as he goes to the very top! SUPERPLEX!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Mikey and Takagi crawl to each other, and they give junkyard dog headbutts!

They stand, and the forearms start flying! But then Takagi HEADBUTTS! Mikey throws another forearm, Takagi throws another headbutt! They go back to throwing forearms, but Takagi throws boxing elbows! Mikey SLAPS Takagi! Takagi rebounds, into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BOMB! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up again! Mikey drags Takagi up, whips him to ropes, but Takagi holds ropes! Mikey runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Mikey’s back up, he LARAITS! Cover, ONE?!?! Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Cover, ONE?!!?

Fans are thunderous as both men are still in this! Takagi runs in again, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And then DOUBLE LARIATS again! Takagi swats a lariat but Mikey CHOPS! Takagi JABS! Mikey UPPERCUTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS! Takagi runs, RAMS shoulders, then fires a forearm! Takagi runs again, Mikey HEADBUTTS! Mikey throws a forearm, headlocks, but Takagi powers out! Takagi then dodges, PUMPING BODY CHECK!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Mikey earns 0)

It’s hard to say what really happened at the end there, but it was effective! Will Takagi continue to throw everything he has into winning the G1?

 

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Toru Yano VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

Oh no! The Joker and the Ace, who have teamed together in World Tag League the last few years, are now battling each other here in the fourth! Will Tanahashi thwart whatever tricks Yano has up his proverbial sleeve? Will they both be able to laugh it off if he can’t?

The bell rings and fans rally up, and then Yano squats at the center of the ring! So Tanahashi squats with him! They both fire up, but Yano rolls Tanahashi up! TWO!! Yano says sorry, he was just joking around! Tanahashi says yeah right. Tanahashi wants the ref to do a more thorough check. Tanahashi says there’s something in Yano’s waistband! Yano says no, that’s just his belly. But if you look closely… Yano says fine, and he throws out the roll of tape he was hiding! Fans cheer, but Yano says hush. But wait, there’s another roll! Yano is clean now, and he and Tanahashi circle. Tanahashi offers a handshake and Yano takes it.

Fans cheer as the two tie up and Tanahashi puts Yano on ropes. Tanahashi then lets off and the two go again. They tie up, Yano puts Tanahashi on ropes, and then Yano lets off. Fans cheer the clean break as the two reset again. They tie up, Yano waistlocks, but Tanahashi switches. Yano switches, Tanahashi pries the waistlock open and wrenches, but Yano facelocks to a takedown! BRIDGING COVER, TWO!! Tanahashi headlocks for a takeover, Yano headscissors, and Tanahashi kips free! Fans cheer and the two bump shoulders. The forearms start flying and fans fire up as they go back and forth!

Tanahashi fires the strike fest, then whips! Yano reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up with The Ace and he eggs Yano on. Yano rises, Tanahashi ROCKS him with a forearm and throws body shots. Tanahashi scoops to SLAM Yano into the drop zone! Fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up, to SUNSET- NO, Yano dodges and Tanahashi lands on his back! Maybe he hesitated? Yano drags Tanahashi out and then whips him into railing! Tanahashi hits hard and falls in a heap! Yano then goes to look under the ring, and he brings out spare tape! Of course he has a secret stash!

Yano storms up on Tanahashi, but Tanahashi kicks low! Tanahashi CLUBS Yano down, and Tanahashi has the tape! To give to a fan as a souvenir! Fans cheer and Tanahashi drags Yano up. Tanahashi puts Yano in the ring, and then drags him back up. Tanahashi throws body shots, whips corner to corner, but Yano reverses! And then he unties the buckle pad! The ref says don’t do it, but Yano swings! Tanahashi blocks! Tanahashi says how dare Yano try this on him! Yano says come off it, and then he DRAGON SCREWS the buckle pad and somehow throws Tanahashi with it! Fans fire up and we pass five minutes.

Yano drags Tanahashi up, whips him and Tanahashi hits bare buckles! Then Yano atomic drops, trips Tanahashi, and CATAPULTS him into the bare buckles! Tanahashi staggers into a lift, ONIGO- NO, Tanahashi fights free! Yano swings, misses, and Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! But Tanahashi blocks the low blow! ARM SCREW! Yano staggers up, kicks, but Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Fans rally up as Yano writhes. Tanahashi runs as Yano rises, SLING- NO, Yano gets around and shoves Tanahashi at the ref! Tanahashi stops himself but Yano runs to TACKLE Tanahashi into the ref! Yano hurries to grab his red chair!

Yano waits on Tanahashi to rise, and he runs in, but Tanahashi dodges! DRAGON PALM through the chair! Tanahashi gets the chair out of the ring, and he eggs Yano on. Fans fire up as Tanahashi runs again, SLINGBLADE! Tanahashi goes to a corner and fans fire up as he climbs! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Yano earns 0)

The Ace was ready for all the Joker’s tricks, and now he has broken even. Will Tanahashi be able to keep this hot hand rolling and head for the top of the block? As for Yano, he’s 0-4, will he ever even get points?

 

G1 Climax 33, C Block: Eddie Kingston VS Tomohiro Ishii!

The Mad King slayed the Rampaging Dragon, and he practically knocked out the Face of Fury, but he once again meets the Stone Pitbull. Will Eddie be able to break through for another win? Or will Ishii avoid going 0-4?

The bell rings and fans rally up for “I-SHI-I!” as he and Eddie step up. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Eddie finds a point of leverage given he’s taller. Eddie has Ishii on the ropes, but he lets off, only for Ishii to dodge his chop! But then Eddie dodges Ishii’s chop! Fans fire up and Eddie takes a moment to do some stretches. Eddie calls for a knuckle lock and Ishii obliges. They tie up, go shoulder to shoulder, and Ishii powers Eddie down to his knees! Fans cheer, and then Eddie fights up to his feet. Eddie powers Ishii down to his knees! Fans rally, Ishii fights back up, and Ishii kicks low! Ishii whips, Eddie reverses to knee low!

Eddie whips, Ishii reverses but Eddie knees low! Eddie then GOURD BUSTERS! And DOUBLE STOMPS! Fans rally but Eddie still hobbles a bit from all the damage he’s taken in the past matches. Eddie rallies for Ishii as much as the fans do, and Ishii rises. They step up again, and Ishii CHOPS! And CHOPS! Eddie laughs it off so Ishii CHOPS again! Eddie CHOPS! Ishii felt that one but he still shakes his head. Ishii CHOPS, so Eddie CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS again! Fans rally as Eddie felt that. Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, repeat! Eddie gets Ishii with a good one, then CHOPS him again! And another! Eddie runs, but Ishii runs him over!

Fans fire up and Ishii stalks Eddie as he crawls. Ishii sits Eddie up to KICK him! Eddie goes to stand, but his back brings him down! Ishii KICKS Eddie again and again, then drags him up. Eddie throws body shots but Ishii doesn’t budge. Fans rally, Ishii CHOPS again! Eddie falls right over! Ishii eggs Eddie on, gives him toying kicks, then stands Eddie up to CHOP against ropes! And again! And again! Eddie staggers but he still has his dukes up. Ishii brings Eddie around but Eddie fights the saido with elbows! Eddie whips, but Ishii reverses then reels Eddie in, SAIDO! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Ishii sees Eddie drag himself to ropes and shake out the bad arm. Fans rally for Eddie, and Ishii runs in, but into a BOOT! Ishii runs in again, into an ELBOW! Eddie goes up, FLYING KNEE! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Eddie rises, Ishii goes to a corner, and Eddie runs in to clothesline! Eddie fires up and MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans cheer and Eddie reels Ishii in, EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Ishii is still in this and the fans rally up as Eddie shakes out the arms. Ishii rises, Eddie reels him in but Ishii fights the suplex with elbows. So Eddie CHOPS! Ishii doesn’t react?! Ishii just CHOPS in return!

Eddie nods, and CHOPS again! Ishii CHOPS again, and Eddie scowls. Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, repeat! Fans rally as the CHOPS keep going back and forth! Eddie brings down the straps and fans fire up! Ishii CHOPS, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! Eddie takes a second and fans fire up! Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, and Eddie is starting to get frustrated. Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, and Eddie shouts as he CHOPS! Ishii CHOPS, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! Both men start feeling the stinging, and fans fire up as Eddie nods again. Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, and Eddie grits his teeth! Eddie CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, repeat!

Wait, now Ishii is wobbling! So Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!! Ishii falls!! Eddie rests against ropes while fans are thunderous! Eddie hobbles around, brings Ishii up, and half nelsons! Ishii fights the nelson, but Eddie RIDGEHANDS over and over! Ishii fires boxing elbows! But Eddie gets around to HALF ‘N’ HALF! And SLINDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and fans are thunderous again! We reach 10 minutes and both men drag themselves up. Eddie powers up his hand, but Ishii SWATS the Uraken! To GERMAN SUPELX! But Eddie’s right up! Eddie swings, but into another GERMAN SUPLEX!

But Eddie stands up! Only to flop right back over! Fans are thunderous again as both men are down! Ishii sits up in a daze, flops over and he rolls towards a corner. Eddie is by the ropes, Ishii waits on him to sit up. Fans rally and duel, Ishii runs, but Eddie swats the lariat! Ishii SOUTHPAW LARIATS! Eddie ENZI- NO, Ishii ducks it! But then Eddie avoids the sliding lariat to LARIAT Ishii! Fans fire up and Eddie drags Ishii up, to SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Ishii is still in this and Eddie is again frustrated! But the fans are loving it as Eddie steps over! STRETCH PLUM!! Ishii endures, even as Eddie twists him!

Fans rally, Ishii reaches out but he’s already fading! Eddie twists Ishii even further! Ishii is fading, so Eddie covers! TWO!!! Ishii gets his arm up with nanoseconds to spare and the fans rally back up! Eddie shakes out his arms, drags Ishii back up, but Ishii ducks the Uraken to HEADBUTT low, HEADBUTT high, then RUNNING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!!! Eddie survives the onslaught and fans are thunderous again! Ishii drags Eddie up, but Eddie CHOPS! Both men wobble, Eddie chops again but there’s no power behind it. But then Eddie powers up to CHOP! Ishii ENZIGURIS! Ishii roars and fans fire up!

Ishii runs, into Eddie’s ENZIGURI! But he comes right back to LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!?!? Eddie shakes his head and fans are electric! Ishii runs to LARIAT again!! Cover, TWO!?!?! The fans are electric again as Ishii roars! Ishii drags Eddie up, suplexes, but Eddie fights! Eddie SLAPS, then URAKENS!! Ishii staggers, roars, but Eddie URAKENS again!! Cover, TWO!?!?? Not even going Backfist to the Future twice can stop Ishii, and we pass 15 minutes! Eddie is beside himself, and the fans are rallying as hard as they can! Eddie stands, he roars, and he drags Ishii back up. Eddie scoops, but Ishii slips free! Ishii hits a CODE BREAKER?! And a SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?!?!

Ishii can’t believe that Eddie is still in this! Ishii fires up, the fans are electric again, and he suplexes Eddie, for a BRAINBUSTER!!! Cover, Ishii wins!!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Eddie earns 0)

The Mad King may be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, but he wasn’t able to deny the Stone Pitbull! Ishii is finally on the board with this win, but will he and Eddie meet again down the line?

 

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Tetsuya Naito VS Shante Haste w/ Kosei Fujita!

The Uncontrollable Charisma snatched the win from the Clown Prince, Toru Yano, but he might need to take “Hysterical Haste” a bit more seriously. Will Naito keep things tranquilo? Or will Shane show him that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

As is Naito’s way, he takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. Shane is patient, we’ve all seen this before. Naito puts the pants away, and then Naito wants to trade hats? His baseball cap for the orange top hat? Shane and Naito put the hats on, then Naito asks to see the top hat. Shane hands it over, Naito puts it on, and Shane says it looks good on him. Naito compares the two, then TOSSES the top hat away! Free souvenir? Shane runs in, Naito CLUBS him and throws him out at the bell! Naito then puts his baseball cap on and poses. Fans cheer “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” while Shane keeps his cool.

Shane rushes in but Naito CLUBS him! Naito claws Shane’s face, lets off as the ref reprimands, and then whips. Shane reverses to DROPKICK Naito down! Shane then takes Naito’s hat, and he puts it! Fans cheer, Shane runs to UPPERCUT, and then he snapmares Naito to a basement dropkick! Shane turns that hat around and mocks the LIJ fist. Fans still cheer, and then Shane tosses Naito’s hat! Another free souvenir? Shane kicks Naito, reels him in, but Naito blocks the suplex! Naito throws body shots, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane whips Naito to a corner, runs in but only gets buckles! Naito returns, and blocks boots!

Naito puts Shane in the ropes for a DRAPING BACKBREAKER! Naito then climbs up, stands Shane up, but Shane swings on him! Naito avoids the punch to HOTSHOT and DROPKICK Shane down! Fans rally while Naito goes out after Shane. Naito drags Shane up and whips him hard into railing! Shane goes down in a heap but Naito storms up on him. Naito drags Shane into the crowd area, CLUBS him down, then goes back to close the gate? Naito drags Shane up turns him around, NECKBREAKER into the railing! The ref reprimands and Kosei checks Shane while Naito leaves him behind.

The ring count starts, Shane stirs at 5 of 20. Shane sits up, checks his neck, and crawls back to ringside. Shane stands at 13, hobbles, and slides into the ring at 16! Naito drags Shane up, cravats and cranks the neck. Shane endures, but Naito snapmares Shane down, still keeping on the neck wrench! Shane endures, even as Naito thrashes him! Shane reaches back to the ROPEBREAK! Naito drags Shane up to NECKBREAKER! Shane flounders to ropes but Naito keeps after him. The ref checks Shane but he’s okay to continue, so Naito stomps him! Naito drags Shane up, has the cravat again, and he cranks on the neck wrench!

Naito thrashes Shane, but Shane fights up and scoops! But Naito slips free to headlock, and he goes back to the cravat! Naito grinds Shane down to the mat, Shane endures again, and fans rally up. Shane pushes up, throws body shots, and he arm-drags Naito away. Naito kicks low, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Shane crawls over to Naito, waits on him to stand, and Shane KICKS! BOOTS! And back suplexes so hard, Naito lands face down! Fans fire up as Shane paces around, then deadlifts Naito for a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Naito is still in this but Shane has a wild look in his eyes.

Shane makes Naito do the LIJ fist, then he KICKS Naito in the back! Fans fire up as Shane aims from a corner and Naito rises. Shane prepares his foot, and runs in, but Naito blocks the kick! Naito shoves, Shane blocks the hip toss to body shot! Shane runs, into an arm-drag! Naito ELBOWS and BASEMENT DROPKICKS! Fans rally while both men slowly rise. Naito shakes out his head and stands up. Naito drags Shane up, and throws heavy back elbows! Shane drops to his knees but Naito drags him back up. Naito throws more of those back elbows! Shane falls over and fans rally up again!

Naito goes to a corner, climbs up, and he reels Shane in. ESPERANZA!! Fans fire up while Shane flounders away! Naito aims from the corner, runs in, CORRI- UPPERCUT! But Naito’s right up to ENZIGURI! And then he headlocks, but Shane deadlift BACK SUPLEXES! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Shane and Naito stir and we pass 10 minutes. Shane throws a forearm, but Naito hits back! Shane throws another forearm, but Naito gives it back! The forearms fly faster and faster, the two stand up, and Naito SPITS at Shane! Naito fires forearms, but Shane fires UPPERCUTS and PALM STRIKES!

Shane UPPERCUTS Naito, then whips! Naito reverses, reels Shane in, TORNADO DDT! And a stiff one! Fans fire up again as Naito drags Shane up. But Shane wrenches out, kicks the leg out, then hits a SWINGING SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and fans fire up! Shane fireman’s carries, BOMB VALLEY- DESTINO!! Naito hits one outta nowhere, and now he wants another! But Shane slips free to LARIAT Naito inside out!! Fans are thunderous as both men are down! Naito and Shane stir, Shane crawls over after Naito, and Shane drags Naito up. Shane fireman’s carries but Naito fires off elbows!

Naito throws more heavy elbows, but Shane fireman’s carries! Naito slips free, CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTINO!! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives again and fans are thunderous! Naito stands Shane up, wrenches, tilt-o-whirl- BOMB VALLEY DEATH!! Cover, SHANE WINS!!!

Winner: Shane Haste, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Naito earns 0)

Naito got greedy, wanting to put a punctuation on the match, but ended up getting caught! Shane has the last laugh, will this be the loss that keeps Naito from the semifinals?

 

G1 Climax 33, C Block: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS Tama Tonga!

There seems to be a subtle them of facing familiar foes tonight, as the Rebel is the man who brutalized the Good Bad Guy and dethroned him as NEVER Openweight Champion back at Wrestling Dontaku. But will Tama get payback on Finlay here tonight? Or will Finlay just repeat the same savagery from the Spring?

But since there’s no love lost, Tama jumps out of the ring and goes after Finlay at the ramp! They brawl by the crowd, fans fire up and the bell rings as Tama SMACKS Finlay off the upper level! Tama throws more punches, then brings Finlay up into the crowd! Finlay hits back but Tama RAMS him into the wall! Fans fire up as Tama stomps Finlay down! Tama stands on Finlay and fans cheer! Tama then drags Finlay up, CLUBS him on the back and brings him down the stands, to ROCK him and SMACK him off the bleachers! Red Shoes reprimands, fans move aside, and Tama leaves Finlay behind.

Fans cheer as Tama sticks to the “good” part, but then decides to be the “bad” part and he goes back for more! Fans cheer Tama as he punches away on Finlay! Red Shoes reprimands, Tama lets off and fans fire up with him! Red Shoes warns Tama, but Tama drags Finlay up. Tama has Red Shoes move aside, and he brings Finlay up! Finlay fights the suplex desperately, then throws body shots! Finlay shoves Tama to the floor! Tama clutches a leg, Finlay hurries down to stomp away! Finlay confiscates a fan’s chair to JAM Tama with it! Finlay drags Tama up by his hair while Red Shoes returns the chair.

Finlay beats Tama down, then paces. Finlay drags Tama up, SMACKS him off the apron, and fans boo. Finlay looms over Tama while a ring count starts. Finlay stomps Tama’s leg, the count hits 10 of 20 but Finlay puts Tama in at 12. Fans cheer but Finlay drags Tama to ropes. Finlay HIP DROPS the bad leg! Finlay drags Tama out, SLAMS the leg on the apron edge, and fans boo while Tama writhes. But Finlay just SLAMS the leg on the apron again! Finlay slides in, puts the leg back on the ropes, and fans boo again. Finlay flips them off, then HIP DROPS the leg! Tama writhes, Finlay drags him around, and turns Tama!

Tama fights but Finlay still steps over for the HALF BOSTON CRAB! Tama endures, fans rally, and Tama turns over to kick away! Finlay DDTs the leg! Tama writhes and Finlay mocks him. Finlay then drags Tama up, but Tama throws body shots! Finlay DECKS Tama, then CLUBS away on him! Finlay drags Tama up, scoops, but Tama slips free to waistlock. Finlay throws elbows, Finlay runs, but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up as both men are down! Tama clutches the leg, crawls to ropes, and he storms up on Finlay in the corner. Tama throws an elbow, whips Finlay back into the corner, and clotheslines!

Fans rally up, Tama drags Finlay up and throws haymakers! Tama fires shots, whips Tama corner to corner, but Finlay reverses! Tama comes back to CLOBBER Finlay! And OFF COMES THE VEST! Fans fire up with Tama as he glares at Finlay. Finlay crawls to a corner, Tama runs in, STINGER SPLASH! Scoop and POWERSLAM! Then cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and Gedo coaches him up, but Tama looms over him. Tama CLUBS Finlay down, then throws down elbows! Fans rally, Tama ELBOWS Finlay in the head! Tama paces, drags Finlay up, but Finlay snapmares free! Tama runs in, but Finlay avoid the Gun Stun!

Tama runs back in, but into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tama hangs tough but Finlay drags him back up. Finlay gut wrenches for the Canadian rack but Tama slips out! Finlay spins things around, Tama fights the suplex but Finlay ROCKS him! Tama PELES! Fireman’s carry, S R C! Fans fire up and Tama goes up the corner! SUPREME FLOW onto knees!! Finlay saves himself but perhaps a bit double-edged! Gedo is happy either way that Finlay’s still in this. Fans rally, both men stir, and Finlay stands first. Finlay drags Tama up, scoops and SLAMS him into ropes, just to tweak the legs!

Finlay steps through, turns Tama over as we hit 10 minutes, and he has the SHARPSHOOTER! Tama endures and fans rally up! Finlay sits deep on the hold, but Tama fights his way forward! Finlay sits down all the way, it’s almost a deathlock! Tama reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Finlay lets off in frustration but Gedo smiles, he is sure this is in the bag. Finlay drags Tama up, but Tama fights the lift! Tama back drops Finlay outta the ring! Fans fire up as Tama rises again! Tama hurries to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Finlay! Tama hurries to put Finlay back in, and he goes back up the corner! SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO!!

Finlay survives but Tama says he’ll finish this! Finlay stands, but turns Gun Stun to backslide! Roll through, INTO- NO, Tama slips free to underhook! But Finlay slips out to get around, BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Tama survives and Finlay is furious! Finlay gut wrenches, Canadian DOMINATOR!! Cover, TWO!!! Tama survives, and was that a low blow kick out!? Did Tama borrow an idea from the Tribal Chief? Finlay hobbles up, he still wants to end this! But Tama cradles!! TWO!!! GUN- NO, Finlay spins Tama around, gets him up, but Tama fights free! They brawl with forearms and fans fire up!

Finlay gets the edge, UPPERCUTS, Tama SUPER- NO, Finlay ROCKS him! And ROLLING ELBOWS! And ROLLING ELBOWS again!! Fans are thunderous for Tama but Finlay aims from a corner. Tama flounders but stands, Finlay runs in to SPEAR!! Finlay vows to end this now! POWER- RANA!! Cover, TAMA WINS!!!

Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Finlay earns 0)

Vengeance, thy name is Tama! Tama gets the better of The Rebel, is now the top man in the block, and that pisses Finlay off! Finlay attacks like a sore loser and fans boo! Gedo tosses the shillelagh in, but Finlay says hold on. POWERBOMB!! Fans boo, and now Finlay has the shillelagh! Gedo drags Tama up, Finlay aims, SHILLELAGH SHOT!! Fans boo as The Rebel still stands tall, and he flips everyone off. Tama didn’t have back-up, but will he be rolling three Guerrillas deep when he and Finlay meet again?

 

G1 Climax 33, D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb!

At Wrestling Dontaku, the Front Man held onto the NJPW World Television Championship because of a time limit draw. At Dominion, ZSJ was able to wrap things up much faster than 15 minutes. But the bottom line is that Cobb is 0-2 against ZSJ this year. Will the Imperial Unit be able to finally take ZSJ on a Tour of the Island? Or will ZSJ finally get Cobb to #JustTapOut?

ZSJ takes a moment to walk through the crowd so the adoring fans can cheer him on even more. ZSJ even goes up into the stands, but Cobb waits patiently as ZSJ makes his way back down. ZSJ then steps into the ring, the bell rings and ZSJ actually has some breathing room since this is a 20 minute time limit, not 15. Fans rally as the two circle, feel things out, and then circle some more. ZSJ keeps away from Cobb, and Cobb gets annoyed. Fans cheer as the two tie up, and Cobb headlocks. Cobb grinds then hits a takeover, and he shrugs the headscissor off. ZSJ keeps trying, and succeeds on the third time, but Cobb kips free.

ZSJ headlocks, but Cobb blocks the takeover. ZSJ keeps trying, and again succeeds on the third time! But Cobb headscissors on his first try! ZSJ kicks and kicks and kips free on the third try! Fans cheer but Cobb frowns. The two reset, circle, and feel things out. They knuckle lock and ZSJ rolls to wrench and wrangle Cobb! Cobb rolls to his feet, wrenches through and wristlocks. ZSJ rolls, spins, spins and bridges to then slips through and wristlock! ZSJ wrangles Cobb again and fans cheer. But Cobb stands, rolls, kips up, and he slips through to wrench back! Cobb WRINGS ZSJ out, but ZSJ kips up to WRING Cobb, but Cobb handsprings!?

Fans fire up as Cobb shows his agility! Even ZSJ says that was amazing! Fans rally, the two reset, and they tie up. ZSJ clinches, waistlocks, but Cobb smirks. Cobb pries the hold open, wrenches but ZSJ shifts around to headlock. Cobb powers out, they RAM shoulders, and ZSJ staggers back! Fans fire up and ZSJ goes again. ZSJ RAMS Cobb but ZSJ’s the one falling back! Cobb acts like he doesn’t know what happened. Cobb eggs ZJS on, ZSJ runs again, but Cobb drops, then hurdles! ZSJ RAMS Cobb, Cobb rebounds, but Cobb runs ZSJ over! Fans fire up while ZSJ goes to the apron. Cobb goes out and he drags ZSJ off the apron, to ROCK him with a right!

Cobb HEADBUTTS ZSJ against railing, right in front of commentary! Cobb apologizes, drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Cobb DECKS ZSJ with a forearm! Fans fire up again but Red Shoes wants this back in the ring. Cobb stands ZSJ up to CLUB him on the back! Cobb then brings ZSJ around, to ROCK him again! Cobb whips ZSJ as we hit five minutes, and ZSJ hits railing hard! ZSJ flops down, Cobb refreshes the ring count. Cobb drags ZSJ up to whip him the other way! ZSJ hits railing, but comes right back! GUILLOTINE! But Cobb BACK DROPS ZSJ to the floor!

Fans rally and the ring count starts again. Cobb refreshes the count again, and he drags ZSJ up. Cobb puts ZSJ in the ring and fans applaud. Cobb drags ZSJ up, brings him around, and RAMS into him at the corner! Cobb digs his shoulder in, then RAMS in again! Red Shoes counts, Cobb whips corner to corner hard! ZSJ bounces off buckles and falls to the mat! ZSJ writhes, Cobb paces, and then Cobb drags ZSJ up. Cobb bumps ZSJ off buckles, then HEADBUTTS him! And HEADBUTTS! Cobb wrenches, whips corner to corner hard and ZSJ bounces off buckles again! Fans rally while ZSJ slumps against ropes.

Cobb mocks ZSJ, puts him near the ropes, and jumps on! Cobb stands on ZSJ’s back, Red Shoes counts, and Cobb lets go of the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands and Cobb “realizes” the problem! Cobb steps off ZSJ’s back and “apologizes” to Red Shoes. Cobb stalks ZSJ as he crawls, and brings him up. ZSJ HEADBUTTS low, HEADBUTTS low again, but then Cobb KNEES him down! Cobb stalks ZSJ to a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in corner to corner, but ZSJ avoids the back elbow! ZSJ comes back, goes up and around to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Cobb and ZSJ rise, and Cobb staggers around. ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! And UPPERCUTS again! And again! And again! And again! And again, and again, and again! ZSJ runs, but Cobb reels him in to CLUB him on the back! Cobb runs, into a DROPKICK! Cobb goes to a corner and fans fire up! ZSJ runs in, to UPPERCUT! But then Cobb TOSSES ZSJ to the corner! Cobb runs in, blocks a boot, but ZSJ brings Cobb down with a headscissors, to NECK TWIST! Cobb writhes and goes to ropes, but ZSJ storms up on him. ZSJ whips, Cobb wrenches and reels ZSJ in! ATHLETIC- SLEEPER! ZSJ turns things around, but then Cobb BACKPACK SENTONS!

But ZSJ sits up to SLEEPER again! Cobb pushes back but ZSJ shifts around to an ARMBAR, and we’re at 10 minutes! Familiar territory for ZSJ as he pulls on the arm, but Cobb reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Cobb escapes by a literal foot and the fans rally up. ZSJ brings Cobb up, tries to scoop, but Cobb’s too big! ZSJ lifts Cobb on the third try! But Cobb fights free! And CHOPS ZSJ down! Cobb brings ZSJ up to CHOP him again! ZSJ shakes his head, stands back up, so Cobb CHOPS, but ZSJ blocks! ZSJ UPPERCUTS the arm, but Cobb DOUBLE CHOSP! ZSJ PALM STRIKE! And then hops on for a GUILLOTINE!

Cobb drops ZSJ down, but ZSJ has a TRIANGLE! So Cobb deadlifts ZSJ, and shifts him around to a BRAINBUSTER! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Cobb goes to a corner and he watches ZSJ go to the other. Cobb locks ‘n’ loads, runs in as ZSJ rises, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Cobb stays up! Cobb eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! ZSJ runs, but Cobb LARIATS through ZSJ! Cobb drags ZSJ up, reels him in, but ZSJ wrenches and PELES! But Cobb DROPKICKS!! ZSJ flounders to a corner and fans rally up. Cobb storms over, drags ZSJ by a leg but ZSJ kicks at CObb.

ZSJ kicks and kicks, but Cobb YANKS ZSJ from the ropes, fumbles a bit, but reels him in! ATHLETIC PLEX!! Then a whip to ropes, for the scoop, TOUR OF THE- CRUCIFIX TAKEDOWN!! TWO!!! CLARKY CAT!!! ZSJ has Cobb caught, and even adds a leg for the BAD BALLOON REMIX!! Cobb endures, kicks with his one free leg, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans are thunderous as ZSJ lets Cobb go! ZSJ and Cobb rise, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! And UPPERCUTS again! But Cobb ROCKS ZSJ, whips him, but ZSJ BOOTS! Cobb sits down, ZSJ BLINDSIDE BASEMENT DROPKICKS!

ZSJ sits Cobb up but Cobb slides out the back and trips him! And body scissors, to steal EURO CLU- NO, ZSJ trips Cobb into a SLEEPER! But Cobb rolls back! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes but Cobb runs him over! GACHIMUCHI FLOP as ZSJ moves! NECK TWIST! Body scissors, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Cobb escapes and we hit the 15 minute mark! That’s the second time for these two but there’s still the home stretch to go! Fans are thunderous as both men stand, and Cobb says ZSJ ain’t sh*t! Both men run in, ZSJ BOOTS the lariat! And ROUNDHOUSES the haymaker! And then waistlocks, to GERMAN SUPLEX?!?

But Cobb rises! He deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES ZSJ! But ZSJ rises?!? PENALTY KICK!! ZSJ roars and fans fire up with him! ZSJ runs again, but into a fireman’s carry! F5 THOUSAND!! And then the ripcord, TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!! Cover, COBB WINS!!

Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ZSJ earns 0)

The Imperial Unit finally gets one over on the Front Man! The NJPW World Television Champion is not untouchable, will this damage his chances of staying champion?

As for Cobb, he gets the mic and wants everyone to calm down a moment. “Choto matte… <Wait a moment…>” Fans cheer as Cobb rests with an ice pack on his chest. Cobb then says, still in Japanese, “Today… Today, once again in Tokyo… It’s a scorcher!” Fans cheer that, it IS a hot summer. Cobb continues so that “But this G1 Climax is even hotter!” Fans cheer that, too! “Choto matte…” Cobb gets more ice packs, and fans cheer him on as he stands back up. Cobb tells Korakuen Hall, “DOMO ARIGATOGOZAIMASU!” Fans cheer in thanks back, and Cobb stands alone as the ONLY 4-0 on this side of the Climax! Will that mean he conquers the whole thing for the United Empire?

 

Here are the NEW C Block standings!

Tama Tonga: 3-1, 6 points
David Finlay: 3-1, 6 points
EVIL: 3-1, 6 points
Eddie Kingston: 2-2, 4 points
Shingo Takagi: 2-2, 4 points
Mikey Nicholls: 1-3, 2 points
Aaron Henare: 1-3, 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii: 1-3, 2 points

 

Here are the NEW D Block standings!

Jeff Cobb: 4-0, 8 points
Zack Sabre Jr: 3-1, 6 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 2-2, 4 points
Shane Haste: 2-2, 4 points
Tetsuya Naito: 2-2, 4 points
Hirooki Goto: 2-2, 4 points
Alex Coughlin: 1-3, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Toru Yano: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]


My Thoughts:

Another great round for the G1, and especially for these two blocks. Ishii and Coughlin each getting their first wins off Eddie and Goto was great stuff, especially since it doesn’t really hurt either guy, mostly because I don’t expect Ishii, Coughlin, Eddie or Goto to be the semifinalists. Of course Evil cheats to beat Henare, and then an awesome win from Tama over Finlay, now we have three 3-1 records to top C Block. In fact, Evil beat Tama, Tama beat Finlay, Finlay beat Evil, that’s a true tie right there, and it’ll really come down to these last three rounds. They could really milk this to where it all comes down to round 7.

Yano being winless so far feels about right. We all love Yano, and while he is the best comedy wrestler perhaps ever, he is still comedy wrestler. Though he could play a great spoiler at this point. And a great main event from Cobb and ZSJ, they’ve definitely got great chemistry as opponents. And an awesome move for Cobb to win, as he pretty much dominated this match, pushed ZSJ past the 15, and then took the win with minutes to spare. Cobb would be a great semifinalist from D Block, already having beat the big names of ZSJ, Tanahashi and Naito. Sanada feels primed to take A Block and Okada would take B, the C Block three way tie can go to anyone, and then Cobb probably still bulldozes whoever comes out of C Block to be a finalist.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

on

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

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

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

 

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

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

 

Corey Graves is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Triple H is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

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

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

 

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

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

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

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

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

 

Nick Aldis heads out.

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

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

 

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

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

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

 

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

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

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

 

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

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

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

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

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

 

The Dudley Boyz are here!

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

 

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

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

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

 

The Final Testament speaks.

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

 

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

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

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

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

 

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

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

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

 

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.8/10


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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!

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

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

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

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

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

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

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

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

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

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Overall Score: 6/10

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

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


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