Coverage

Andrew’s TNA Sacrifice Results & Match Ratings: 3.8.2024

Sacrifice is tonight! Hammerstone vs Josh Alexander 2! Moose vs Eric Young for the World Title and Nic Nemeth vs Steve Maclin kicks off the show!

Published

2 months ago

March 8, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Even though we only had like two weeks to set up this card, No Surrender fed into things well and most of the matches make sense. Are there matches which I don’t think anyone really asked for? Of course! (Looking at you PCO vs Kon & Jordynne v Xia v Tasha)

But hey, who knows, maybe the expected lowlights will surprise us tonight. We don’t have Steiner Math for this year’s Sacrifice, but hopefully its a great show.

Predictions:

Digital Media Championship: Crazzy Steve (c) vs Joe Hendry – Steve should win here since Hendry has had no build and is in a storyline completely divorced of championship gold.
The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs Speedball Mountain (Trent Seven & Mike Bailey) – Speedball Mountain should get that win I expected them to get at No Surrender here, especially since Maclin has his own stuff to worry about tonight.
Steve Maclin vs Nic Nemeth – Nemeth should win this, but Maclin will call bullshit in the coming weeks, so things won’t be over.
Knockouts Tag Titles: MK Ultra (Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich) (c) vs Jody Threat & Dani Luna – Jody and Dani may have gotten the solo wins to solidify their challenge, but they should be outclassed. MK Ultra should retain here.
NO DQ Match: PCO vs Kon – Much like No Surrender, who cares? I’d prefer to see PCO win this only because Kon is hot garbage and somehow has less upside than a nearly 60 year old Frankenstein.
TNA Tag Team Championship: The ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) vs The System (Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards) w/Alisha Edwards – I can see The System winning this one because I see the faction as a Four Horsemen style of team, so they need to be draped in gold.
Josh Alexander vs Alexander Hammerstone – Hammerstone is my choice here, Josh had his left knee worked over last night, so this should just be a win for Hammerstone with an asterisk; and then we can get a rubber match a little later down the line.
Time Machine (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin & Kushida) vs Mustafa Ali & Grizzled Young Vets – I see Ali and the GYV winning here because of the continued implosion of Time Machine. Shelley will snap, Sabin will snap after he fails his rematch and we probably culminate all of this with a MCMG vs Intergalatic Jet Setters at Slammiversary or something.
Knockouts World Title: Jordynne Grace (c) vs Xia Brookside vs Tasha Steelz – Jordynne is the only won deserving of the title, so she should retain.
TNA World Championship: Moose (c) vs Eric Young – EY was such an ass pull of a challenger, I can’t see him winning. Kaz will play a part one way or the other in costing EY…most likely.

.@MeanGiaMiller caught up with @SuperChrisSabin, @AlexShelley313, and #KUSHIDA to talk their differences ahead of their 6-man tag team match! #Sacrifice pic.twitter.com/0IYjSOR03u

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 9, 2024

Ratings:

Nic Nemeth vs Steve Maclin: Nemeth wins via Danger Zone – *** 3/4
TNA Tag Team Titles: The ABC (c) vs Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!
NO DQ Match: PCO vs Kon: PCO wins via PCO-Sault – *
Knockouts Tag Titles: MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) (c) vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat): Jody wins via Roll Up – * 1/2 – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Josh Alexander vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Nightmare Pendulum – *** 1/2
Mustafa Ali & Grizzled Young Vets vs Time Machine (Kushida, Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin): Ali & GYV win via Grit Your Teeth + 450 Splash – *** 3/4
Knockouts World Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs Xia Brookside vs Tasha Steelz: Jordynne wins via Juggernaut Driver – ** 1/2
TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Moose vs Eric Young: Moose retains via Lights Out – ****

Results:

I don’t cover the Countdowns to the PPV usually, so I can say that both Steve and Speedball Mountain won, so I’m off to a solid start for predictions.

Nic Nemeth vs Steve Maclin

Quick opening flourish from both men, that start off in favor of Nemeth until Maclin posts him. After the posting, Maclin smacks him around a bit on the outside, heads back into the ring and hits a Butterfly Backbreaker for 2. Maclin starts mouthing off, calling him Dolph and Nemeth starts to fire out of irritation. Flurry of attacks drops Maclin, 9 Standing Elbow Drops and the 10th is punctuated with the Flying Elbow from the top rope for a near fall. Nemeth looks for the Fame-Asser, Maclin gets away from it, catches Nic on the rebound and just dumps him to the outside in a not so pretty way. Scud Missile Dive from Maclin, he throws him back in quick, Jarhead Butt, misses, Fame-Asser connects, cover, 1-2-kick out!

After a small breath, Maclin retreats to the corner, Stinger Splash from Nemeth, but Maclin counters the next move with sending Nemeth head over heels into the corner, Caught in Crosshairs attempt…NEMETH SITS UP and Maclin goes flying through the ropes and into the ring announcer’s table! Referee gets to 6, Nemeth goes to collect Maclin cause he doesn’t want to win by Count Out, rolls Maclin back in and then eats a Busaiku Knee out of nowhere! Near fall, Buckle Bomb, looks for a second Buckle Bomb, Nemeth counters, Maclin counters into a Tombstone Piledriver and connects! Only a 2 count though.

Maclin sets up for the KIA, Nemeth spins out and tries the Superkick but Maclin catches the foot, spins him around and hits the KIA but Nemeth rolls out of the ring. Maclin goes out to collect Nemeth, Nemeth tries KIA, but Maclin hits the Superkick and then Danger Zone for 2! After a little yelling at the crowd, Nemeth tries the Superkick but when it gets blocked he immediately hooks in the KIA and both men are playing mind games. Lariat from Maclin, Nemeth sells into the ropes to bounce off, two quick Superkicks and Danger Zone pick up the win!

TNA Tag Team Titles: The ABC (c) vs Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers w/Alisha Edwards

Myers and Ace start, but ABC keep the fluidity of their MCMG style to hit Myers with a flurry of kicks and tandem strikes. Myers manages to tag in Eddie, but Eddie meets the same fate of eating a ton of strikes and tandem offense. Eddie’s Kobashi trained Chops finally start to give The System some offense. Ace does his Handstand dodge and as a great callback, Myers hits the Spear while Ace is upside down, but this one looks good. More crazy offense on the outside, Bey goes for a dive but Alisha steps in the way and Chris can’t hit Lish. Eddie takes advantage and bounces Chris’ face off the top buckle and now the system is taking over.

Bey is isolated, and we get Eddie feeding him into the bottom rope, distracting the ref and then Lish chokes Chris. Bey tries to turn things around, but Myers tags in and cuts him off. Myers tries to suffocate Bey but a Flapjack gets us to the simultaneous tag spot, Ace comes out hot on Eddie, Click Click Boom, Wrecking Ball Dropkick into a Crossbody to the outside. Ace ducks Myers’ offense, spins off Myers, kicks Eddie, dodges Myers again and kicks him to the side when Eddie rolls back in…Triangle Kick from Ace to get a near fall! Elbow Drop/Back Body Drop combination from ABC, Myers breaks up the pin but ABC deposits him outside. 1-2-Sweet gets caught by Eddie, Blue Thunder Bomb stops Bey, Superkick rocks Eddie, Knee Lift drops Ace, Roster Cut attempt but a Cutter from Bey takes out Myers. Everyone is in regroup mode.

Lish gets on the apron, Bey finally has enough of her, goes for the Tope but Lish ducks and he lands on Eddie and Myers. Ace fighting both men after Bey gets dumped out, Backpack Stunner + Elbow combo from the System, but Bey makes the save. Then Bey tries to fight them off, but they hit a tandem Tiger Driver, Ace fights valiantly, Lish trips Ace, Roster Cut + Boston Knee Party for the win!

NO DQ Match: PCO vs Kon

Kon throws the time keeper around before PCO even gets an entrance, and then he…talks. WHY. Kon thinks he’s a monster and calls out PCO…calls out a man who was already coming out. Lights go off and PCO just appears, he doesn’t even do the whole entrance gimmick.

Stupid…stupid, they hit each other with trash cans, stupid, Russian Leg Sweep from PCO into a can. PCO sets up chairs on the outside, tries to grab Kon but Kon punches him and PCO falls back into the chairs. Kon with strikes, PCO fights back and then drives Kon back first into the post a few times, bounces Kon’s head off a trash can a few different ways, PCO connects with a rough middle rope dive, then they both go under the ring at the same time for a bake off, trading cookie sheet attacks up the ramp. Kon drops PCO onto the stage, PCO fires up and then another Back Body Drop. And a third one since PCO isn’t staying down.

PCO slowly gets up, so Kon gets on top of him, clubbing blows, another Baking Sheet, goes for the Neck Snap but PCO grabs the sheet and cracks Kon a few times, Chokeslam off the stage through a table. PCO walks down to the ring and finds more chairs under the ring and starts throwing them in. Kon with a comedically lame looking sell, Reverse DDT from PCO into the pile of chairs, PCO-Sault…connects on the pile of chairs. PCO ends our misery hopefully. This was carny bullshit at its zenith.

.@AJFrancis410 battles @joehendry THURSDAY on #TNAiMPACT! #Sacrifice pic.twitter.com/fuGlqmjtev

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 9, 2024

Knockouts Tag Titles: MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) (c) vs Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat)

Jody and Dani get a team name and MK Ultra come out of the cuts and gank them during their entrance. Dani manages to drop Masha while Kelly is choking Jody with their kinky steel chain. Masha hits the Russian Death Device on the Dani on the floor but Jody is in the ring.

Bell rings, Masha charges and Jody counters and starts fighting off Masha. Jody looks for a rope run but a Thrust Kick stops Jody in her tracks and Masha starts landing a ton of strikes. Jody fires and just lays in a bunch of Short Arm Lariats before a Spinning Backfist into a Gutwrench Powerbomb from Masha stops Jody once again. Russian Death Device attempt, Jody slips it, Kelly tags in, Dani comes to and drags Masha out of the ring and Jody rolls up Kelly for the win?!

Masha isn’t happy with Kelly losing the belts, so there’s a rift there. But that was just poorly caught by the camera so it just ended in a mess.

Josh Alexander vs Hammerstone

Bell rings and Hammer goes for the Carbon Footprint immediately but Josh dodges. Josh grabs the head and wrestles Hammerstone to the ground but they get up, Hammerstone turns the headlock into a Backdrop, but Josh never lets go. Hammer tries to get in some elbows to the ribs and shoot off, but Josh keep the Headlock in. Josh finally lets go, goes for an Ankle Lock but Hammer shakes it off. Josh charges and Hammer throws him over the top and starts to get a rhythm, 10 count lariats into the corner, Josh turns it around, 10 count Knife Edge Chops from Josh, Hammer changes positions and goes back to Lariats, then Josh changes again and its a bit of an exchange until Josh hits the German Suplex out of nowhere, Hammer no sells and Lariats Josh to the outside.

Josh baits Hammer for a little chase and starts rocking him before Hammer trips him onto the apron and then a big Apron Bomb. Hammer drives the Forearm into the small of Josh back a few times before Josh tries to fight back, Hammer catches the arm and connects with a Backbreaker. Heavy Irish Whip launches Josh from corner to corner as he bounces out. Went back to the well for a second one but Josh fights back a bit until Hammer hits the Hulk Hogan-esque Big Boot. Hammer keeps the clubbing blows, Josh tries to fire out, but Hammer grabs him into a Bear Hug and looks to squeeze his breath out. Bell Clap from Josh gives him a small chance but an Overhead Belly to Belly keep Hammerstone in control. Hammerstone focused on the shots to Josh’s back, another Back Breaker, and just a deliberate pace to work over Josh.

Strike exchange seems to not phase Hammerstone much, rocking Josh, Heavy Irish Whip with a unique little flourish, and Josh looks dead after he bounces out. Josh finally blocks the next Heavy Whip, Front Kick into a King Kong Knee as both men are selling for the Standing 10. They get up, Josh explodes with Forearms and Vader Hammers, Hammer tries to counter after an Uppercut, missed the Carbon Foot Print and Josh hits 10 German Suplexes in a row. Hammer powders to be seated on the apron for Josh’s Low Crossbody spot. Josh tries to throw in Hammer, but Hammer hits the Elbow, tries the apron Gorilla Press Slam, Josh slips it, drives him into the apron, Tope con Hilo from Josh. Both are back in the ring, Western Style Lariat for 2. Some fighting in the corner, big right from Hammerstone knocks the mouthguard out, Missile Dropkick gets caught for the Ankle Lock. Hammer tries to fight it off with Up Kicks twice, Josh almost kills the official, Hammer charges, Josh moves and the referee is squashed. Hammer just kind of shrugs, Josh manages to Grapevine the leg and get the Ankle Lock in. He taps, so Josh thinks he won but notices the referee is still down. Punch fake out, Low Blow since there’s no referee, Nightmare Pendulum for the win!

The right man won.

Mustafa Ali & Grizzled Young Vets vs Time Machine (Kushida, Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)

Ali and Sabin look to square off to start, but Ali immediately tags out to Gibson. Arm Wringer control spot, Drake tags in, continues the Arm Wringers and Sabin has to break into the ole World of Sport rolls and counter chain wrestling spots. So Chris tags out to Shelley continuing the Arm Wringer thing and Shelley also seems uninterested in even participating until someone annoys him and gets his fire going. Ali calls for the tag and Kushida wants a tag, the crowd chants for Kushida and Shelley accepts the request.

Quick spots, Kushida lands a big Arm Drag, goes to the Arm Wringer spot to tag in Sabin, but Ali scatters and tags out to Gibson. Time Machine triple team with Baseball Slides to Gibson in the tree of woe, but Gibson does manage to fire out and he and Drake hit that Poetry in Motion style move to take out the non-legal members of Time Machine. Ali is the legal member now that Sabin is on the receiving end of things, rubs in the losing end a bit, Ali is getting redundant with his “You Are Not the Leader that We Need” line. It’s like his only taunt and he’s on NPC auto pilot. Sabin finally gets a big overhand chop to Ali’s chest and Gibson demands a quick tag from Ali so they keep Sabin isolated. Drake tags, but Sabin fights out of the corner and Ali refuses to get his hands dirty when Sabin is fighting back. Sabin dives right after Ali decides to tag in, Kushida tags in and lands a lot of his signature offense on Ali. Cartwheel Dropkick, Arm Breaker, but Gibson slows things up, Shelley comes in, Time Splitters tandem action. Ali tries to intercept Kushida, Superkicks Sabin off the apron, fights off the Hoverboard Lock and looks for an Os-Cutter style move, but the Tanaka Punch lays out Ali, Hoverboard Lock! Gibson tries to break it, but Kushida no sells the offense, gets in a Double Hoverboard on GYV before Ali counters. Triple Team moves eventually take Kushida down a peg, Doomsday Device gets hit, but Kushida kicks out!

Sabin intercepts Ali trying to 450 Splash Kushida’s arm and now he’s fighting all three members. Tornado DDT takes out the GYV, Ali tries to powder but Sabin just Dives out to attack Ali. The Good Hands come down to get beat up, Sabin turns around and connects with Clothesline from Hell, Michigan on Ali. Gibson tries something but Time Machine is cooking, All Cylinders High Speed Dirt. Ali crotches Kushida, Shelley tries to save the set up, Sabin goes for Cradle Shock but Ali slips it, Shelley tries to grab Ali but the Yakuza Kick from Sabin connects on Shelley! GYV deposit Sabin on the outside, GYV Grit Your Teeth into Ali’s 450, Time Machine loses and Shelley eats the pin.

ASH by Elegance walks out to watch the match, such a great gimmick so far.

Knockouts World Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs Xia Brookside vs Tasha Steelz

Tasha looks like her gear is kind of Scar from Lion King inspired again. Which even though I hate 80% of Tasha’s wrestling matches, she does have great style.

Xia looks to shake hands with Jordynne, but Tasha kicks the shake, tries another kick and Jordynne just catches the foot, hands it to Xia and they team up a little on Tasha. Jordynne chucks Tasha outside, the two Babyfaces shake hands and then start a little one on one. Xia lands a Headscissors Takedown on Jordynne, but then Tasha pulls Xia out and tries to take advantage of the situation but yeah, that doesn’t work super well. Tasha only finally gets something going when she claws Jordynne’s eyes and pushes her into Xia, so the incidental contact seems to keep Jordynne reeling a little. Stupid looking strike combo from Tasha, attempted Shiranui but no, Uppercut levels a charging Xia, Kinniku Buster set up, Xia tries again but Jordynne Lariats her and connects the Kinniku Buster for 2.

Jordynne tries to stack the two smaller women, but Xia catches Jordynne and the numbers seem to be always causing Jordynne an issue every other move attempt. Someone gets a foot up or connects on a strike. Jordynne catches both women in an Airplane Spin style move, then puts Tasha in a Standing Indian Deathlock, while Xia puts on an Octopus Stretch so a double submission spot, but Tasha manages to get to the ropes and cause the whole thing to break up.

Struggles on the apron, Xia with a Foot Stomp between the Shoulder Blades as Jordynne recoils into Tasha and eats a Codebreaker. Jordynne falls off the apron, and a Xia takes out Tasha then takes out Jordynne. Xia reverses Tasha spills the champagne into ASH. ASH freaks out and walks away, Iceman slips up the ramp, which is perfect comedy. Xia hits a Tornado DDT on Jordynne into a Brooksie Bomb using Tasha to crash into Jordynne, but only a two count. Jordynne fires, Double Knees into Xia’s back, Vader Bomb, but Tasha breaks the pinfall with a Frog Splash. Locomotion pinfall attempts, Tasha tries a Springboard move after doubling over Xia, Jordynne places her on top of Xia, Lariat creates a Code Red, Juggernaut Driver on Xia to retain.

TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Moose vs Eric Young

While I like EY having his ribs taped after the beat down yesterday, the tape/compression job looks stupid as well.

Moose charges on the bell trying to hit Lights Out immediately, EY moves and 10 Count Punches after Moose posts himself, then goes to the next corner and bounces Moose’s face off the top buckle for a 10 count as well. Moose powders, EY follows and 10 count head smashes into the apron! EY is really on an old school doing the move 10 times streak. EY throws him in, Moose rolls all the way back out, Knee Lift into the bad ribs and then a Scoop Slam onto the ramp as Moose is besides himself still collecting himself from the 10x move flurry he absorbed early. Moose wants the Jacknife Powerbomb but EY Back Body Drop counter, and then Plancha from the ring to the outside. The typical devil may care offense even though he’s got the obvious injury.

Kitchen Sink from Moose has EY selling, Moose rips off the tape, stomps and punches to the ribs and then runs down the crowd. Moose uses the rib tape to choke EY and the ref kinda has to allow it since EY introduced it. Irish Whip to the corner, Moose powders out and starts running down the fans and continues to dismantle EY slowly on the outside. Young finally ducks a chop so Moose chops the post, and now EY starts a little something, but Moose counters by bouncing EY off the top rope and he flips back into the ring.

Abdominal Stretch from Moose, he tries to add some pressure with a claw to the face but EY bites the already injured hand, tries to fight from underneath but Moose lands the Uranage to maintain control. Moose talks smack, Paintbrushes EY a few times, EY fires, Moose looks concerned but then grabs him into a Bear Hug. EY breaks out with clubbing blows, hits the ropes but then gets caught again with a Bear Hug. Back Elbows, into a Release German Suplex might finally give EY some real offense. Vertical Suplex attempt from EY, but he sells the ribs, eats a Pump Kick and gets perched. Moose looking for the Superplex and connects, hold on and EY counters with his own Vertical Suplex after Moose says “I can do this all fucking day”. Eric connects with like 4 Right Hands, Moose tries to fire with a “Fuck You” Discus Punch, but eats a Scoop Slam. EY looks for the Macho Elbow but they’re back on the top, Moose is pushed off, but he re-scales quickly, gets dropped again, Macho Elbow, 1-2-KICK OUT!

EY is calling for the Piledriver finish, Moose blocks him back into the corner, perches him and hits the GO TO HELL! I love that move, but only a near fall. Right hand from EY, and we go into a Fighting Spirit spot, fuck the Fighting Spirit, Hockey Fight spot! Vader Hammers from EY, Thumbs to the eyes from Moose, Lights Out counter, Pump Kick, rope run into a Discus Lariat from EY, PILEDRIVER FROM EY! 1-2-foot barely lands on the bottom rope! Piledriver attempt 2, blocks, throats EY over the top rope, LIGHTS OUT! But EY kicks out! Moose is shocked, looks for a Jacknife on the apron, but EY says no, Piledriver on the apron! They both spill to the floor.

Another Piledriver, this time on the floor mats! EY finally rolls Moose back in and calls for 1 more Piledriver. Eddie and Myers start running down the ramp but EY dives to meet them, Avalanche Canadian Destroyer hit on Moose! 1-2-Myers pulls the referee out! EY stops the ref, tells him to kick them out instead. While the ref is kicking out Eddie and Myers, Kaz, dressed as ring crew chokes EY with a camera cable, feeds him into Moose and LIGHT OUT allows Moose to retain!

Overall Score: 7.75/10

Now this was a fairly fun card, and my predictions went 9-1…so I’m a little mad at Spitfire seemingly causing the soon to be demise of MK Ultra; but lets be serious for a second, who really cares about the Knockouts Tag belts? Kon vs PCO was the massive low light but at least the right person one and the Triple Threat was at least passable, like I wasn’t offended watching it. But there is an issue when the highlight of the match is the comedy spot with ASH and Iceman spilling the champagne and then Iceman slipping up the ramp.

The System holds as much gold as is really available to them (no Alisha should not wrestle, so I don’t consider her a contender for the Knockouts title), Kaz may be headed towards a partnership, Shelley is about ready to explode, Nemeth comes out looking good even if the feed was complete garbage for the first 40 minutes of the show and Hendry versus AJ keeps some heat. It should be interesting to see what direction these stories go, since Rebellion is 4/20, so we have plenty of time to slow build something. Moose doesn’t really have a babyface challenger especially with Hammerstone showing heel or at least opportunistic qualities in his match with Josh. Yes I’m aware Nemeth is probably the one that makes the most sense with how this card played out, but that seems entirely too soon.

My biggest fantasy book coming out of this, is if MK Ultra break apart, catapulting Masha to #1 Contender and having her dethrone Jordynne would be great, especially since I believe Masha is 0-4 against Jordynne. So Masha has the built in reason to beat Jordynne and Kelly would have the easy angle on why she’d want to take out Masha for pinning blame on her or whatever. Very easy booking for the next few months, oh, and throw the Knockouts Tag into the Upside Down or lose them in Space Time like around the Decay vs Hardy’s silly crap. Those Knockouts Tags are an albatross to a decent division watered down because of too many belts.

Either way, nit picks aside, it was a fun show and outcomes seemed to generally make sense. If only the feed wasn’t in 140p streamed on dial up through a ColecoVision for the first 40 minutes.

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

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

9 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

1 day 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!