DEFY Wrestling 4/4/2024 DEFY Can't Deny It

DEFY Wrestling 4/4/2024 DEFY Can't Deny It

This is at least my first show of Wrestlemania Weekend 2024 (there were some yesterday but one was intergender and one didn't air). This one will be a live review.

Schaff is riding a dirt buggy says he's the baddest mofo in wrestling and wants all of the baddest mofos in the battle royale. He said he's coming for Philly.

DEFY Tag Team Title Match - The Bollywood Boyz (Gurv Sihra & Harv Sihra) (c) vs. Man Like DeReiss and Michael Oku

MLD does his usual rap during his entrance. He has cool light up sunglasses. He said Leon Slater didn't make it due to travel issues and brings out Michael Oku.

MLD and one of The Boyz lock up. They trade shoulders. MLD hits a headlock takeover and takes a headscissors. Skipping ahead, Oku takes an armlock then his arm is double axe handled. MLD does a springboard moonsault on one of the Boyz. Oku leapfrogs MLD and legdrops one of the bros in the nuts.

Oku takes a back bump on the apron and is sent into the seats. MLD has his head banged off the seats. Oku gets stomped on. Oku is lifted up and takes a back elbow off the top. One of the bros hits a spinning heel kick. Oku takes a back elbow. Oku is thrown out. He gets back in and hits a top rope froggy crossbody.

MLD gets the hot tag in and release germans one of The Boyz. He then hits a fallaway slam and a back body drop. Oku does a nice fosbury flop over the top. Oku hits a corner dropkick on one of The Boyz then that one gets powerbombed. MLD and Oku do stereo half-crabs.

The Boys do stereo sharpshooters. One of The Boyz takes something like a 3D then The Boyz take another 3D. MLD goes for a top rope frogsplash and one of The Boyz gets thier knees up. MLD takes a demolition decapitation and is pinned.

It was a long and slower opener and not how I would have done this. I would have just done a quick sub-10 minute spotfest with some flips and a fast pace.  DeReiss and Oku had multiple sloppy moves here.

CCK (Chris Brookes & Kid Lykos) vs. Moonlight Express (MAO & Mike Bailey)

Kid boots Mao then Mao hammerlocks him. Mao jumps over and goes under him then rolls him up. CB and Mike try to do a test of strength but CB is too tall. CB shoulders him over then is chest kicked over. Kid hits leg kicks on Mike and Mike checks one of them, hurting Kid.

Kid stomps Mike's foot and takes a push kick. Mike kicks him in the chest then hits a kick combo. CB grabs both opponents by the nose and rakes it then takes a double dropkick out. Mao and Mike get on the top rope, grab each other and moonsault out together.

Kid takes a double spinkick and Mao is back body dropped out. Kid gets on CB's shoulders and hits an electric chair off of it. CB hits a senton and Kid topes out. CB camel clutches Mike and with Kid, he puts his spit in Mike's ears.

Mike cradles Kid. Mao top rope kneedrops Kid then rolls into a stunner on CB. Mao shotgun dropkicks Kid then step up knees him. Mao corner face kicks Kid then running shotei's him for 2. Mao uppercuts Kid then is tripped int o 2nd rope CB double stomp. Kid slingshots into a pin attempt on Mao.

CB spin kicks Mao then Mao superkicks him. CB step up enzugiri's him then Mao corkscrew kicks him. Kid corkscrew crossbodies Mike then high kicks him. Mike spin kicks, axe kicks and chest kicks Kid. Mike running ssp's him for 2.

Mike triangle moonsaults outside then Mao misdirection punches CB. Mao and Mike each miss 2nd rope ultimate weapons. We get stereo standing spanish flies. Mike spinning corkscrew kicks Kid. Mike and Mao get on the buckles then do a top rope moonsault + ultimate weapon combo at the same time. Mao misses a top rope 450 while Mike hits a top rope moonault outside. Mao jumps over the ref and hits a stunner. Mike moonsault double knees Kid  the Mao corkscrew kicks CB.

Kid takes a double high kick then hits a canadian destroyer off the coriolis.  Kid brainbusters Mike for 2. CB top rope double knees Mike. Kid is back body dropped to the outside . Mike is in the gori bomb position and takes a springboard diamond dust. Kid's team wins it.

It was a fun match. Not a lot of logic or selling but they had some creative spots and didn't overdo it too much.

They had some music producer named Mega Ran come out to do commentary. They say he does "nerdcore".

DEFY Women's Title Three Way Match - Vertvixen (c) vs. Trish Adora vs. Sawyer Wreck

I didn't get to see all of this but it didn't look bad and got lots of time.

BMF Battle Royal

Luke Jacobs, Galeno Del Mal, LJ Cleary and Charles Crowley were the first four in. Crowley did his dancing entrance with a hat with jorns. Cleary came in and did flips. Shota comes in and hits back elbows then step up enzugiri's Crowley. Shota hits a tornado ddt then jawbreakers Galeno before getting hit. Gene Munney gets in. He hits a slingshot spear and kicks LJ in the crotch.

Gene eye pokes and headbutts Galeno then does a nice coast to coast twisting groin headbutt. Ricky Knight Jr. came out next. Ricky hits a springboard twisting crossbody then lifts 2 wrestlers on his shoulder for a samoan drop.

Schaff comes out next. He lariats Ricky and Shota then uranage's Gene. Gene superkicks Crowley in the gut then LJ 2nd rope canadian destroyers Gene. Gene then gets lariated out for the first elimination. LJ hits kicks on Crowley then they fight on the apron. LJ and Crowley both get crotched on the ropes by Gene and roll out to the floor for the elimination.

Shota double foots Schaff in bthe corner. Schaff blocks his tornado ddt then gorilla presses him out onto LJ and Crowley. Galeno dropkicks Schaff then lariats Ricky off the apron, eliminating him. Schaff forearms Galeno then Ricky ddt's him. Ricky hits a corner forearm. Luke top rope superplexes Schaff.

Luke hits forearms on Galeno and is slapped. Galeno takes a pop-up bomb then lariats Luke over the top. Glaeno and Schaff are the last two. They shove and forearm each other. Galeno headbutts him in the chest. Galeno is nearly pulled out and they trade forearms on the apron. Schaff death valley drivers Galeno on the apron and eliminates him. Schaff wins.

It wasn't bad here with the heavies getting some time and nobody really getting a chance to overdo it too much. As with most battle royales, it was 2 people going at it and everyone else tucked in the corner. Galeno didn't get to do most of his cool stuff here and Shota got little in.

C4XKC (Cody Chhun, Guillermo Rosas & KC Navarro) vs. Sovereign (Evan Rivers, Judas Icarus & Travis Williams) vs. Team Dragon Gate (Kzy, Ho Ho Lun & Shun Skywalker)

It started off slower than yo uwould expect. KC is flipped by Kzy. KC flips over Kzy. KC takes a stiff lariat. KZY is brought down by both arms then takes a stomps/boots to the back. Rivers hits a stiff lariat to the back of Kzy's neck. Rosas hits a back body drop then hits corner moves.

Rosas takes a double enzugiri in the corner. Williams springboard dropkicks Cody then Williams topes outside. Judas plancha's outside then Rivers dies outside. Williams handspring lariats Rosas. Rivers belly to belly suplexes Rosas for 2. Williams stomps on Rosas.

Judas falls from an electric chai outside. Rosas and Judas lariat battle then Judas is flipped with one. Cody hits forearms and single leg dropkicks. He then does a spinarooni. Cody hits corner splashes then does jabs on Judas. Cody ddt's Judas then KC top rope splashes Judas for 2.

Kzy is monkey flipped into two opponents then Lun suplexes Cody. Shun standing moonsault double knees Cody.  Shu is popped up into a german. Shun is held in the air and Rivers top rope moonsaults him. Rivers and Cody trade then Rivers pump handle emerald flowsions him. Priest works Rosas' arm then Lun leg lariats the back of Rosas's head. KC ddt's Lun.

Williams rolls Shun into a suplex. Williams back elbows Cody. Cody gets throgu ha double lariat then hits a double oscutter. Rosas hits a double spear then pulls the straps down. Rivers rolls in and gets fliipped then KC hits a shiranui on him. Rivers takess a high low and Cody's team picks up the win.

It was weird with only 2 men being instead of 3. It was flippy and spotty and of course but these large matches cover some of the limited selling. I'm not sure what went on with the electric chair spot outside here. We didn't see a ton of the Dragon Gates in this one. I did kind of end up liking this, but you know the deal with this one.

Cody's team does spinarooni's after.

DEFY World Title Match - KENTA (c) vs. Gringo Loco

They trade basic holds. Loco flips out of the corner. Loco hits him in the gut then they shoulder battle. Kenta pulls him down by the hair. Kenta diving hurricanrana's him off the apron to the floor. Kenta hits punches on Loco in the crowd. Loco hits chops then takes punches.

Loco's head is banged off the post. Kenta snapmares Loco then kneedrops his head. Kenta eye pokes him. Loco kicks him in the gut then handspring back elbows him. Loco hits an emerald flowsion for 2. Loco snapmares Kenta then kicks him in the back. Loco ties up Kenta's legs then armlocks him and poses on him.

Loco double jump corkscrew moonsaults him for 2. Loco chops Kenta then Kneta running knees him in the gut. Kenta hits a nice lariat then hits a kick combo. Kenta fisherman suplexes him. Kenta tornado ddt's him over the top rope then top rope lariats him. Kenta stf's him

Kenta hits uraken's on Loco and Loco sitout powerbombs him off a poisonrana. Kenta ddt's him on the apron. Kenta dropkicks him in the corner then top rope double stomps him. Loco has him up for an emerald fwlosion the spins him around into a ddt. Kenta hits forearms on Loco then Kenta falcon arrows him.

Kenta goes up top and is hit. Loco does a top rope falcon arrow. Loco is thrown into the ref twice and the ref goes down. Kenta ddt's him then chairs him. Kenta misses a tile belt shot then takes a pop-up fire thunder driver. The ref is out though so there's no pin. Loco corkscrews off the top and takes a knee from Kenta. Kenta busaiku knees him for 2.

Ketnta hits hard slaps then hits a go to sleep. Kenta then wins it.

It started off not that bad, but still kind of slow. Then it kept going with a ref bump and them doing too much as usual. I was not a fan of this.

Overall thoughts: I will try to catch the women's match later. It was a longer and slower show despite having a lot of more indy style wrestlers. There were 3 matches I somewhat liked here and I would recommend either Mike Bailey tag or the 3 way tag if you wanted to see something from it. It wasn't must see but had a lot of people on the show and was better than I had expected.

WWE Main Event 4/3/2024

WWE Main Event 4/3/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/wwe-main-event-3272024.html

Natalya vs Chelsea Green

Green pokes at her and they push each other. Nat rolls her up and Green calls for time out. Nat stomps the hand and Green stalls outside. Nat chases her to the entrance way and hits her out there. Green's head is banged off the rails.

Nat goes after her on the ropes, the ref stops her and Green zig zags Nat. Green snapmares Nat then Nat hits back elbows out of the corner. Nat comes off the top with a crossbody then lariats her. Nat spinning lariats her. Green goes for the sharpshooter and gets rolled up. Green then rolls her up with the tights and gets the win.

I thought Green did a good job here being a cowardly heel and eventually outsmarting Natalya. Not fantastic or anything but a decent heel vs face match.

Jinder Mahal vs Akira Tozawa

Akira evades Mahal to start and celebrates. Akira dodges punches and goes up and over in the corner. Mahal shoulders him over.

Mahal slams him and armlocks him. Akira 2nd rope hurricanrana's hin. Mahal catches his tope outside and throws him into the rails. We go to break and return. Mahal backdrops him then drops knees on him. Mahal knee chokes him.

Mahal chin and arm locks him then Akira ddt's him off a pop-up. Akira shining wizards him then hits a top rope dropkick for 2. Akira spin kicks him and hits a corkscrew kick. Akira rips his shirt off then misses a top rope senton. Mahal face kicks him then hits a cobra clutch slam to win it.

This was a fine little match. No, there weren't any big moves or spots here but it was basic heel and face stuff with Mahal picking up the win. Akira had fun little comebacks before being put down. 

Overall thoughts: There were only two matches as usual here, but both were fun little midcard matches. They were nothing you would remember or go to seek out, but they filled the time well. If you want to watch like 20 minutes of wrestling, there's worse options out there.

AEW Dynamite 4/3/2024

AEW Dynamite 4/3/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/aew-dynamite-3272024.html

Next week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/aew-dynamite-4102024.html 

Adam Copeland comes out. The mic has issues multiple times. He says it's a great time to be a wrestling fan. He says if you go on social media to complain about wrestling, you are a fan of wrestling. He said he grew up watching WWF and the crowd booed it. He talked about watching other promotions and said he loves wrestling. He said AEW is where he needs to end his career. He said he will put the locker room up against anyone and talks about people he wants to wrestle. He said he's having the most fun he had in his career. He said AEW is where the best wrestle.

He brings out Will Ospreay for some reason and the segment ends.

I don't know what the point of this was.

Will Ospreay vs Powerhouse Hobbs

Hobbs pushes him back before the bell then pounces him. Hobbs hits him in the gut. Will dropkicks him in the knee then Will is popped up and dropkicks Hobbs. Will hits kicks to the leg. Hobbs grabs the leg and lariats him. Will hits forearms then Hobbs lariats him over the top. Will plancha's him outside.

Will sends Hobbs into the steps. Will is sent into the rails but walks over them thne Hobbs suplexes him on the step. Hobbs slams him on the apron then fallaway slams him on the commentary table. We go to PiP break and return.

Will flips off of him then hits a handspring corkscrew kick. Will hits a springboard forearm then slaps him. Hobbs gets mad at him and tells him to do it again. Hobbs bearhug suplexes him then blocks a tornado ddt. Will cutters him out of the suplex. Hobbs lariats his neck then powerslams him for 2.

Hobbs misses a top rope splash then Will os cutters him. Will cradles him and hook kicks him. Hobbs hits a big lariat. Hobbs corner lariats him then 2nd rope twisting powerslams him for 2. Hobbs lifts him up and takes a ddt then Will hits a corkscrew moonsault off the top. Will hits a hidden blade and wins it.

It wasn't bad. Will didn't overdo it here thanks to Hobbs and the two worked over together. It would have been better as a traditional david vs goliath match but they didn't go that route. The result was a lose-lose here though as neither guy needed to lose this one.

Don Callis tries to raise both their hands after then Hobbs bats it away and goes after Will.  

Will poses on the ramp then Bryan Danielson's music hits. Bryan passes him and says something.

Bryan Danielson vs Lance Archer

Lance hits and stomps on him to start. Lance rakes Bryan's face off the middle rope then foot chokes him. Lance throws him on a suplex. Bryan dragon screws him and hits shots to the chest. Bryan works on Lance's legs with kicks and a dropkick.

They go outside. Lance catches Bryan's tope and chokeslams him on the apron. Lance beats up a crew member then slams him on Bryan. We go to PiP break and return. Lance hits chops on Bryan. Bryan flips over him using the ropes then Lance flying crossbodies him. Lance foot chokes him in the corner. Lance walks the top rope and Bryan crotches him on the rope.

Bryan hits flying kicks then Bryan lebell locks him. Lance ropebreaks. Bryan dropkicks him through the ropes then flying knees him off the apron. Bryan top rope dropkicks him then hits kicks to the chest. Lance chokeslams him for 2. Bryan sits on the ropes and Lance step up knees him. Lance goes for blackout and Bryan sleepers him while on his back.

Lance throws him over then Bryan flying knees him. Bryan buzzsaw kicks him several times then flying knees him to win.

It was a good with Bryan beating beaten down, trying to work the leg some and making his comeback to win. It made sense and they didn't overdo it here. Lance lost again as he usually does. 

Renee interviews Chris Jericho on the ramp. The crowd seems to make a groaning sound. Chris said he had a proposition for Hook to be his mentor. Chris said he wants to bring him out to clarify something with him. Hook comes out. Chris brings up Hook saying, "I know who you are". Chris brings up him turning on former allies. Chris says the rules are different when you play the game at the highest of levels like him. Chris asks him to believe in him as much as he believes in him.

Hook said he believes in him and got them a match. Hook said he will keep his eye on him and they pound fists.

Shane Taylor and Lee Moriarty do an interview. They say Massachusetts has a great history of great fighters. Shane said he and Lee will add their names to that list. All they have to do is knockout Jericho and Hook. He said LionHook gets their @ss beat by Shane Taylor Promotions.

Billy Gunn vs Jay White

Billy nails Jay while he does his entrance. Billy throws him into the rails and forearms him in the spine. Jay is sent over the rails and Billy bangs Jays head off a trash can in the stands. Billy sends him into the rails at ringside then Jay sends Billy into the rails. Jay is sent into the steps and begs off. Jay crawls around then Billy lariats him over the top. We go to break and return.

Jay euros him in the corner and hits corner spears. Jay dropkicks him in the knee and tilt-a-whirl slams him. We see The Acclaimed down in the back on the tron. Billy hits a cobra clutch slam. Billy fameassers him and hits another. Billy gets a chair then Austin and Colten try to stop Billy. Jay low blows Billy and wins via disqualification.

I was not a fan of this at all. Billy was allowed to beat up Jay before the bell. They fought for a long time outside and weren't counted out. And Billy beat Jay like a dog all throughout this. Jay White is supposed to be this big star and he's taking a beating from a 50+ year old man. The finish was lame as well.

The Acclaimed recover from being donw in the back and save Billy from a 3v1. Jay tries to run and trips. The Acclaimed beat up on The Gunn's. Colten and Austin save Jay from going through a table.

We see The Young Bucks arrive earlier. We then see Best Friend's arrive with Trent's mom.

Willow, Kris and Stokeley are interviewed on the ramp. Willow says she's feeling "mother-fluffin great". Willow said she busted her butt in this town and drove up and down the highways. She said this is a home away from home and where she figured out who she was. She asked if she belonged in wrestling. She called herself a chubby, curly haired freak. She said she knows she can beat Julia Hart and will be the face of TBS.

Stoke said Willow had a banger last week and knocked it out of the park. He said she's something special.

Mercedes Mone comes out. She said she can't wait to watch Willow tear it up at Dynasty. She said she gets next on whoever is the TBS champ at Double or Nothing. She said money changes everything in Vegas.

AEW World Tag Title Tournament Semifinals - The Young Bucks vs Best Friends (Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta)

Trent's mom is out for this. Trent and a Buck shoulder battle then Trent knocks him over. A Buck takes a double shoulder then OC suplexes him. A Buck takes a double suplex. Trent crossbodies the ropes when one of The Buck's move.

Trent takes locomotion northern lights suplexes then Trent hits a tornado ddt. Trent hits a double knee press then he ispulled down onto the apron. OC gets his tope caught and is powerbombed on the apron. Trent then gets an apron bomb. The one Buck gets on commentary and says to cut to break.

We go to break and return. The faces get some offense in and OC top rope crossbodies a Buck. OC top rope lariats a Buck then takes a ddt. OC gets lariated and The Bucks do OC's slow motion kicks. The Bucks miss an EVP trigger then OC ddt's both of them. OC dives off the top with a ddt for 2.

A Buck is crotched up top then the other Buck takes a spike tombstone. A Buck takes a soul foot + release german. OC is superkicked then Trent takes a superkick + code red. Chuck gets superkicked outside and Trent's mom nearly is superkicked too. Trent mom does a slow motion slp then Oc hits an orange punch on a Buck. OC topes a Buck outside then a Buck takes a b-driver + top rope double stomp. OC hits another tope outside. Trent is catapulted into an exposed buckle and is pinned.

It wasn't that bad. OC didn't do comedy here and they just had a normal match for the most part. They also did not overdo it here which was a shocker. 

Best Friends go to hug and Trent flying knees OC in surprise heel turn. Best Friends is maybe over! YESS!!!!

Thunder Rosa vs Mariah May

Rosa hits forearms on May and chops her. Toni Storm is on commentary. Rosa corner splashes May and May hits forearms on Rosa in the corner. May hits a corner hip attack then a low shotgun dropkick for 2. May goes for a spinning side slam but Rosa turns it into a headscissors.

Rosa dropkicks May through the ropes and May forearms her on the apron. May kicks her then Rosa hurricanrana's her on the floor. Rosa crossbodies May against the rails. We go to break and return.

Toni welcomes us back. May and Rosa trade shots and slap each other. Rosa release germans her. May backdrops her. Rosa takes a running knee for 2. May headbutts her then Rosa hits a backstabber. Rosa hits a packade side bomb and wins it.

They had the obligatory women's slop here with them having some messy spots, but I liked the general idea of it. I dare say I even somewhat liked it at times.

Rosa tries to challenge Toni after to a match right now.

Penta El Zero Miedo and Alex do a promo. Alex said the people are for Penta and Penta is for the people. Alex said the people want Penta to have gold. Penta I think challenges Adam Copeland for next week. Penta said the people need a champ that has zero miedo.

Swerve Strickland and Samoa Joe come out to sign a contract for their match. Joe said Swerve hanged Page with a chain and it helped him in his rise to championship opportunity. Swerve appears to be wearing purple eye shadow. Joe said signing this contract is a big mistake and a career defining mistake. He said he will beat him so severely that he will be mentally scarred like he left P. Diddy's party too late.

Swerve said he wanted this moment all his life and dreamt about it as he didn't think it was possible. Swerve said they are building a dynasty in AEW. Swerve said the title is bigger than both of them. hE says Joe is the definition of a killer and so is he. Swerve said he turns AEW into his house at Dynasty then punches him. He chokes Joe with a chain and Joe just gets mad and headbutts him. Joe punches him with the chain many times, busting him open.

The refs break it up and Joe goes up the ramp. Swerve gets the mic and says he loves this sh!t. He said if that's all he's got that he's taking the title from him. He then signs the contract in his own blood. Joe runs down the ramp and uranages him through a table. Joe then puts his foot on Swerve's chest and poses.

I liked this segment and thought it was good. I do think multiple chain punches should have knocked Swerve out though.

Overall thoughts: I thought it was a good show. They limited the comedy and the moves and this made most of the matches good. I really didn't care for the Billy Gunn vs Jay White match though as it made Jay look real weak and I didn't get what Adam Copeland's segment was supposed to do other than respond to CM Punk.

New Japan Pro Wrestling 4/3/2024 Road to Sakura Genesis Day 2

New Japan Pro Wrestling 4/3/2024 Road to Sakura Genesis Day 2

Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Oleg Boltin, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Toru Yano vs. Just 5 Guys (DOUKI, SANADA, Taichi, TAKA Michinoku & Yuya Uemura)

Taguchi and Taichi start us off. Taichi avoids leg takedowns and Taguchi screws around. Oleg is tagged in and his opponents all back off the apron. Taka gets forarmed then eye pokes him. They shoulder battle and Oleg karelin's lifts him. Oleg crabs Taka then Yuya chops up Oleg. Teznan and Douki go at it. Tenzan shoulders him over then hits mongolian chops.

Tenzan corner splahes him and suplexes him. Sanada dropkicks Tenzan and Oleg. Taguchi goes for the paradise lock on Sanada but can't get it on then Sanada paradise locks him. Sanada mongolian chops Tenzan then takes a lariat. Yano takes off the turnbuckle pad then Sanada rolls him around the ring. Yano pulls Sanada down by the hair.

Yuya and Tiger go at it. Tiger does a rings of saturn. Yuya takes corner attacks then Tiger hits a tiger driver on Yuya. Tiger crucifixes Yuya then Yuya backdrops him for 2. Tiger takes a 5 person boot then Yuya top rope crossbodies Tiger to win it.

It wasn't good with too many different types of wrestlers involved and not enough time. I thought it was just all over the place from the start.

El Desperado & YOSHI-HASHI vs. BULLET CLUB (Chase Owens & Taiji Ishimori)

The heels get hit by the faces before this even starts in true face fashion. Yoshi foot chokes Chase in the corner then Yoshi sends him into the rails. Yoshi gets sent into the rails. Inside, Chase lariats Yoshi from behind.

Despy side headlocks Taiji then headlock takeovers him. Despy side headlocks him then Taiji flips him over by the arm. Taiji beats up on Despy then Chase slams Despy. Yoshi gets tagged in and hits back elbows. He headhunters Taiji then neckbreakers Chase.

Chase and Yoshi trade forearms then Chase is knocked down. Chase STO's Yoshi then elbow drops him. Despy blue thunders Taiji when he gets in. Taiji codebreakers Despy's arm for 2. Despy goes for a hold but is rolled up then Despy spinebusters him.

Taiji eye rakes Yoshi then takes a big lariat. Despy suplexes Taiji for 2 then pumphandle drivers him for 2. Taiji pops Despy up and low blows him with the back of his leg. Taiji then wins it.

It was very average pro wrestling with limited thrills. There was nothing special or interesting about this along with a dirty finish. 

Gauntlet Match -  BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Gedo)

Leg 1 - United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira & TJP) vs Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA) & Tomohiro Ishii

Akira and Kevin start us off. Kevin leapfrogs him then takes a double hiptoss. Kevin then takes an elbow drop and a low headhunter. TJP knee drops Kevin then CN face kicks Ishii off the apron when he gets in. Akira chops Kevin then Kevin takes a double back elbow. TJP lifts Kevin for a cutter from Akira.

TJP facewash kicks Kevin then Kevin hits a big dropkick on him. Kush top rope chops TJP then hits leg kicks. Kush crossbodies him then hits a pele kick. TJP is tripped into a Kevin frogsplash on the back. Kush puts TJP on his shoulders then Kevin dropkicks him while he's up there. Kevin hits a nice dropkick on Akira then TJP takes a double kick in the corner. Kevin gets put in tree of woe and TJP double stomps him from the top for 2.

Kush handspring kicks Akira then TJP final cut's Akira. Kevin superkicks TJP then Akira rolls Kevin into a double stomp. Ishii and CN trade forearms then CN just running headbutts him on accident. CN snapmares him then hits a PK for 2.

Ishii release germans him twice. The feed cuts ahead and Kush double handspring back elbows UE. CN sweeps Kush then double stomps his back. CN drops Ishii with a forearm. Kevin springboard lariats CN then Ishii sliding lariats CN for 2. CN high kicks Ishii then Ishii flips him with a lariat for 2. Ishii suplexes CN and gets the pin.

Leg 2 - Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA) & Tomohiro Ishii vs BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Gedo, Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney)

The heels jump the faces to start. Kush and Drilla brawl outside and Gedo throws Ishii out. Clark chokes Kevin with a shirt. Gedo hits Ishii with a bell hammer. Clark pounds on Ishii then chinlocks him. Clark elbow drops him then bangs his heads off Bullet Club's feet.

Gedo bullies Ishii around then eye rakes him. Gedo hits punches then Ishii suplexes him. Ishii shoulders over Drilla and Clark. Kevin gets the hot tag in and slams the heels. Kevin sky high's Drilla then corner splashes Clark and Drilla. Kevin spears both in the corner. Kush hiptosses Geod into a basement dropkick. Kevin jumps over a double clothesline then hits a double pele kick.

Drilla blocks a top rope frankensteiner from Kushi then Kevin jumps from the mat to frankensteiner him. Kevin and Kush hit plancha's outside then Kevin jumping ddt's Gedo to win it.

All 3 teams involved in this play tug of war over the belts after. Kevin Knight gets on the mic after and said his team beat all of them. Kevin says he wants a tornado tag match at Sumo Hall. Kushida then translates it. Drilla gets on the mic and neither I or Kevin understand what he said. Clark accepts the challenge though.

This was unusual as it wasn't a dogfight, where all 3 teams face each other, but a gauntlet where the winner of the first match faces the third team. I'm not real sure what the explanation or reasoning for it was as there's no benefit to being in the first match while there's a lot of benefit in being in the second match.

Bullet Club looked stupid here as they only had to be in the second match, cheated and still lost. The UE/Jetsetters portion of this was good and the Bullet Club/Jetsetters portion of this wasn't bad. Ishii and Newman seemed to have some trouble getting on the same page here which is a problem since they seem to be building up a singles match between them.

United Empire and Jetsetters push each other after.

Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Shingo Takagi

YK beats up on Shingo before it even starts then throws him into the rails. Shingo shoulders, slams and elbow drops him in the ring. YK hammerlocks him out of the chinlock. Shingo hammerlocks him and is pulled outside on it. Shingo is then sent into the rails and post shoulder first. YK bangs Shingo's arm off a chair.

Yk works the arm more then Shingo slams him. YK armlocks him. Shingo lariats him and ddt's him. Shingo hits a punch and chop combo in the corner then corner lariats him. Shingo suplexes him then slams him.

YK ddt's him then dives off the 2nd rope with a ddt. Shingo headbutts him in the chest and sliding lariats him. Shingo corner lariats him then pop-up death valley drivers him. Shingo running lariats him. YK grabs the ref and ends up hitting a step up enzugiri on accident. YK pushes Shingo in the ref. YK spits whiskey at him and calls out House of Torture.

Shingo is group stomped then takes a chop to the crotch. Another ref comes out, somehow not seeing any of it. He counts a 2 count on a pin attempt then YK punches him and rips his shirt off. YK is then disqualified.

HoT beat up on Shingo after.

This was the usual HoT BS. Shingo got hit before the bell and the ref didn't care. YK cheated throughout, hit the ref and pushed Shingo it and then a second ref came out but didn't see any of it. YK was finally DQ'd after hitting the second ref.

Evil said after that Kanemaru will be the special ref for the Never Title match between Evil and Shingo. If you are wondering how or why, it wasn't explained.

Shota Umino & YOH vs. House Of Torture (Ren Narita & SHO)

Yoh gets near the entrance area and gets Sho to chase him. Yoh then grabs the mic. He said he didn't plan on stealing the title from Sho but just wanted to wrestle him for the title. Yoh says he will give the title back if he promises a clean match between them. Sho just ends up jumping him before the bell.

Yoh dropkicks Sho then hits shots on him. Shota stomps Sho then Yoh stomps Sho. Yoh is sent into the exposed buckle. Yoh and Shota get sent into the rails at the same time. Ren stomps Yoh then Sho chokes Yoh with something outside. Sho footchokes Yoh and Yoh hits forearms. Yoh is sent into the exposed buckle again then Ren suplexes Yoh.

Ren crabs Yoh. Ren eye rakes him then takes a dragon screw. Shota gets the hot tag in. He slams Sho and dropkicks Ren. Sho then takes a basement dropkick. Shota slingshot ddt's Ren on the apron. Shota top rope dropkicks him and hits a fisherman suplex for 2. Shota STF's him.

Ren knee presses Shota then suplexes him for 2. Shota dropkicks Ren then Yoh flying forearms Sho. Yoh hits a corner back elbow then neckbreakers him. Yoh then hits an underhook suplex for 2. Yoh misses a vader bomb elbow on Sho. They jumping knee each other and Yoh is sent into the exposed buckle. Yoh is held for a neckbreaker.

Sho grabs a wrench. The ref takes it and Yoh superkicks Sho. Yoh hits a falcon arrow for 2. Sho low blows Yoh. Ren blocks the ref from moving then Yoh superkicks Sho. Shota tornado ddt's Ren then Yoh hits a double underhook suplex on Sho to win it.

It was long, it had the usual HoT BS and it wasn't any good. This one really dragged.

Yoh tells Sho that Sho has to fight fair in their match after.

Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI & Yota Tsuji) vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito)

Yota and Naito go at it. Naito side headlocks him. They evade each others moves and naito poses. Bushi and HT go at it. Bushi flying headscissors him. HT corner lariats him then is pulled out. Bushi goes for a dive and also gets pulled out. Yota and Bushi are then sent into the rails. Bushi takes a double clothesline.

Naito wraps his legs around Bushi's head and Yota breaks it up with his boots. Naito stares him down for it. HT chops and corner lariats Bushi. He then basement dropkicks him. Naito hits forearms on Bushi then Bushi backcrackers Naito.

Yota hits forearms on Naito then flips him with a boot. He then boots HT hard in the chest. He shoulders Naito over. Naito has trouble hitting combinacion cabron in the corner. Yota drives Naito's head in the mat with his feet then Naito neckbreakers him.

HT hits chops Yota then takes a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Bushi top rope dropkicks Hiromu then topes him into the rails. Bushi works HT's knee then Naito sends Yota into the rails outside. Everyone starts getting a move in then gets hit with a move. All four men end up down.

Bushi rewind kicks HT then takes a step up enzugiri. HT deth valley drivers HT into the buckles then Bushi takes a dynamite plunger. Naito tornado ddt's Yota then Bushi backslides HT to win the match.

I didn't think they made the most out of the LIJ vs LIJ concept as they could have. There was some story there to be told. Yota had some real stiff shots here but other than that, it just kind of felt like another match for these guys.

Bushi talks about Best of the Super Juniors after. Yota said this was the first time he faced Naito since he was a young lion. He said his time as a young lion went by and said he's a different man than he was then. Yota said this is about defeating the past.

Overall thoughts: It wasn't a good one. There was too much heel cheating on this one for me with the heel pulling various stunts in 4 straight matches. The main could have been something but they just had a normal match instead of getting creative with it. I don't recommend this.

WWE Speed 4/3/2024 Debut Episode

WWE Speed 4/3/2024 Debut Episode

This is the debut of WWE Speed on X/Twitter. The matches will all have 3 minute time limits.

There was no intro, and just a quick graphic for the people in the first match.

WWE Speed Title Tournament Round 1 - Ricochet vs Dragon Lee

 

Ric misses a pump kick then flips out of a headscissors. Ric flying headscissors him. Lee goes for a leapfrog but Ric drops down. Lee rolls him up

Ric gets on the apron then springboard lariats Lee. He gets a 2 count then standing moonsaults him. Lee hits elbows and a knee. Ric spinning forearms him then Ric flips out of a rebound german. Lee superkicks him then Ric back elbows him. Lee pumping knees him then poisonrana's him. Ric lariats him for 2.

Lee superkicks him while he's in a handstand on the ropes then he sitout powerbombs him for 2. Lee gets caught in a project dragon attempt then takes a single leg codebreaker. Ric wins with 3 seconds left.

It was only 2 minutes and 57 seconds long. It was rushed and they had trouble due to hurrying through so fast. What we got was just all flips and fast paced stuff here. 

About a half hour later, they aired this match:

WWE Speed Title Tournament Round 1 - Cedric Alexander vs Bronson Reed

 

Ced dropkicks him then Reed body blocks him. Reed misses an elbow then Ced hits kicks and a knee out of the corner. Ced asai moonsaults him and Reed rolls out. Ced tope con hilos him.

Ced handsprings and enzugiri's him off of it. Ced springboards and is caught with a death valley driver for 2. Reed lariats and sentons him. Reed then hits a top rope splash and wins is it.

This went 1:51. They definitely did a very short version of the match they would have done and they obviously didn't get enough time.

Reed says after that "Speed is made for Reed" and he said he only needs 3 minutes to make people his victims.

Overall thoughts: Both matches were under 3 minutes here. They were rushed and not particular that great, but how great can these matches really be under these conditions?

Look, we kind of knew this was made for younger people who have short attention spans and TikTok users, but this was ridiculous. I guess it did a good job of getting me to watch the full match but what does that accomplish really?  

If it were me, I'd have the show be two 5 minute matches. I'd air the show everyday, maybe live from the Performance Center or something and make sure the title is defended each show. I think it could get a few fans to watch, would be as easy to watch and might get a following. I would also not separate the matches like they did here but air them together.

WWE NXT 4/2/2024

WWE NXT 4/2/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/wwe-nxt-3262024.html 

We see Carmelo Hayes arrive with guards and we see Trick Williams arrive.

Winner Challenges for the Tag Titles at Stand and Deliver - Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs The LWO (Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro) vs The OC 

NF and Cruz tope Luke Gallows as he comes in. Luke face kicks Ax. Karl pops up Ax and Ax dropkicks Luke off of it. Wilde rolls up Ax then throws him into a hurricanrana on Karl. Ax standing spanish flies Wilde for 2. NF spinning enzugiri's Karl then hits a ddt + reverse ddt combo on Karl and Wilde. Wilde upkicks NF then neckbreakers him for 2. Wilde slams and stomps NF. The LWO double dropkick Luke off the top. Wilde does a top rope skytwister press outside.

We go to break and return. Ax spanish flies Wilde for 2. NF and AX top rope splash Wilde then Karl is hurricanrana'd into the post by Ax. Luke face kicks NF, who is doing a springboard. Luke takes a double superkick then Wilde is springboard launched into a ddt on him.  NF top rope flip dives on Luke and Wilde outside then Ax is pushed backwards off the top onto Luke. Karl flip dives people outside then Cruz walks up the buckles and tornillos outside.

Cruz top rope walks into a dropkick then misses a phoenix splash. Cruz takes a magic killer. AX topes Luke outside then NF springboard 450's Cruz for the win.

It was a fast paced spotfest as expected. Some of the dives were silly here as people ended up doing dives on their own partners. It was a fine opener though with lots of flips and dives.

Ax and NF are interviewed in the ring. NF said they have never slowed down since they started this team. NF said if you thought they did crazy stuff tonight, just you wait. Ax says they are unstoppable then they see The Wolfdogs on the riser.

Lexis King does a promo. He said it's a brutal business and not everyone is cut out for it. He talks about Mr. Stone and Von Wagner. He said he is baffled that Von wants another shot at him. He said Von says he will take care of him but can't even take care of himself. King said Von couldn't put one foot in front of the other if it wasn't for Stone. He said he can't hang with the king and said everyone will be happy when they see the king's hand raised in victory.

Ilja Dragunov is interviewed while leaving the arena. He sees his car has a boot on it with a flat tire. One of Tony's crew tells him to get into the car and says not to keep The Don waiting.

Fallon Henley vs Jacy Jayne

Thea hail and Kelani Jordan are with Fallon and in cowgirl gear. Thea's acting a fool as usual.

Fallon and Jacy lock up and Jacy drags her down. They keep the lock up on and roll on the mat with it. Fallon back elbows her, trips her then does a kick to the side of the face. Fallon back elbows her then Jacy nails her from behind, sending her over. Kiana James had distracted her. Kiana, Izzi and Nyz are with Jacy. Thea goes nuts and Kelani has to hold her back.

Jacy neckbreakers Fallon. Fallon sunset flips her then Jacy chinlocks her. Fallon headbutts her then punches and lariats her. Fallon bangs Jacy's head off her knee. Kiana gets on the apron then Thea topes her. Fallon facebusters Jacy and Kelani gets thrown into the rails outside. Fallon goes out to help. She comes back in and takes a pumping knee. Jacy then wins it.

There wasn't a lot of wrestling here due to all of the shenanigans so this one wasn't that great. Jazmyn Nyx had an arm sling on here and I'd hope she didn't get injured during her first tv match.

Jacy and friends go to the back. She talks trash. She said she pretended to be her friend and classmate. She said she was never her friend. She said she saved Chase U just to regain the spotlight that shouldn't have been taken off of her. She said she's back where she should be. Ava tells her to move it along. Thea and friends come in. Thea said she wants her hands on her and Ava makes a 6-woman tag for Stand and Deliver. Thea goes nuts for this. 

We get a video package on Josh Briggs. He says he's the man of mayhem and says this is NXT where he throws hands. He said JBL gave him some good advice and we see JBL asking him who is Josh Briggs. He said he will stand on his own and deliver the fight of his career at Stand and Deliver for the North American title.

Lexis King vs Von Wagner

Von runs to the ring and slams down King. Von lariats him over the top then sends him into the rails. Von bangs King's head off the buckles then throws him. King gets caught off the 2nd rope and takes a fallaway slam. Von spears the post when King moves then King pumping knees him.

King double foot chokes Von ala Katsuhiko Nakajima. They trade chops then King neckbreakers him for 2. King hits elbows on Von. King jumps on his back with a sleeper and is thrown down. King superkicks him then takes a powerslam. King kicks him as he bends over then Von face kicks him.

They fight on the apron and Von chokeslams him on the apron. Von clears a table off then King ddt's him on the floor. King hits a coronation neckbreaker and wins it.

It made sense with King getting thrown around and evading Von, but I don't like Von losing here and it wasn't a classic or anything.

Ava goes into Carmelo Hayes' locker room. Ava said she told the ref to be lenient in the Melo/Trick match. Ava said extra refs and security are here in case things get out of hand. Melo said to tell your boys to be ready because his will.

Karmen Petrovic talks to Natalya in the back. Nat said KP has this and to watch out for the kicks. Roxanne Perez comes in. She said she would have listened to every word of hers 3 months ago but now she doesn't need any of her former heroes. KP tells her not to worry about her.

Arianna Grace calls for Georgina but Wren Sinclair comes in. Grace said she has some of the finest gowns money could buy and has them for Georgina. Grace says she is nervous about how she will look in them. Wren said Gigi looks good as she is. She said she thought pageants were about being who you are. Grace asks if Wren is implying that she will change Georgina for the worse. Grace gets mad and tells her those are fighting words. She said these dresses are going to have to wait as Wren is shocked.

Lola Vice vs Karmen Petrovic

KP goes for kicks and Lola tries to take her down. Lola goes for the armbar and thye each duck high kicks. Lola hits a knee to the gut then takes an upkick. Lola hits her in the gut and KP jumping kicks her in the corner. KP spinning lariats her for 2 ala Natalya, who is with KP.

Lola spin kicks her in the gut then hits knees to the body. Lola axe kicks her for 2. Lola headlocks her then full nelsons her. KP drops down and upkicks her. KP kicks her off the ropes then hits kicks to the body. KP armwringers her down. KP screw kicks her in the back for 2.

Lola urakens her then does Natalay's sharpshooter while taunting her. Lola submits KP and Natalya is shocked.

I liked this one. They had more of a martial arts match here with lots of knees and kicks. Lola using Nat's finisher on KP was a nice touch too. Lola shakes her hips at Nat and KP after.

We see Ilja Dragunov in the car with Tony's crew. He goes into a guarder area and the door has to be rolled up for him. Two guys stare him down, one is cutting wood the other has a crowbar. Another guy in there is drilling into wood.

Tony and his crew walk in. They sit down at a table with the NXT Title. They stare down and it says to be continued.

Supernova Sessions

All of Meta-Four is there. Dar says we are a week away from Stand and Deliver. Jakara says they are the hostesses with the mostest. Dar brings out Roxanne Perez and Lyra Valkyria. Meta-Four tries to keep them apart.

Lyra says Perez isn't champ because Indi Hartwell climbed a ladder faster than her. Lyra said she blamed Lola Vice for another loss when she cashed in her contract. Perez says Lyra doesn't know her. She said she doesn't know what it is like to lose that title but will on Saturday. She said she will knock her off her high horse and see how good her moral compass is. Perez said what makes a champ isn't how you win it, but how you lose it. She said she didn't have it in her to snap her arm a few weeks ago, but now she does. She said losing my title didn't break her but made her dangerous.

Lyra said Perez didn't call it her title when Tiffany or Becky were champ. She said Stand and Deliver will be a fight. Lyra says she wins while Perez just b!tches. She said she will have a whole lot to b!tch about after Stand and Deliver. Perez said Lyra wants to be seen as the perfect champ but there is no perfect champ. Perez said she has a whole year of rage built up inside of her and will let it out at Stand and Deliver. She punches Lyra and Lyra spinning high kicks her. Lyra then hits an attitude adjustment on her through a coffee table.

Perez is doing better as a heel than a face but she's still doing pretty simple stuff and I'm not sold that it will have a lot of longevity to it on the main roster.

We get a Dijak video. He says he's the law in the ring and says he can break any man. He said he didn't come to NXT to make friends but to collect gold. He then says now I'm p!ssed off.

Oba Femi watches this on a video and says he will show why he is North American champ.

We see Ava Raine and a ref talk to Trick Williams in the back.

Joe Gacy vs Oba Femi

Shawn Spears hits Joe from behind with a chair. He asks if it's funny and tells him to laugh for him. Oba throws Joe in the ring. The ref asks Joe if he can still go and Joe said this is what he came for. Joe hits shots on Oba then takes a forearm to the spine. Oba uranage backbreakers him.

Oba elbow drops him. Oba pounds on him then throws him hard into the buckles. Oba running euros him and Joe goes out. Joe runs the apron and takes a very hard chop. Joe step up enzugiri's him then backdrops him. Joe asai moonsaults him then handsprings. Oba catches him and hits snake eyes. Oba throws him on a backdrop. The ref then stops the match as it seems Joe isn't getting up.

I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt here and assume Joe is injured. I didn't like the start of this here as Joe had already been chaired yet the ref just let it go on when Joe obviously would have been at a disadvantage. Oba's chop was nice here but someone getting injured in your match at NXT isn't something you want to happen.

Tatum Paxley talks to Lyra Valkyria in the back. Tatum asks what was that. Lyra said it was Roxanne pushing her to her limits. Tatum said that is not her. Lyra said maybe she's right but she's willing to do anything to keep the title at Stand and Deliver, even if it means not being herself.

Arianna Grace vs Wren Sinclair

They lock up. Grace wristlocks her then Wren headlock takeovers her. Wren shoulders her over then side headlock takeovers her again. Wren pushes Grace's face down into the mat and waistlocks her.

Wren atomic drops her and dropkicks her. Wren misses a dropkick then is booted in the corner. Grace shoulder throws her and hits elbow drops. Grace boston crabs her and Wren hits upkicks. Wren rolls her up for 2 then Grace is thrown off a boston crab attempt. Wren chops Grace then hits lariats. Wren flying lariats her then Wren crossbodies her.

Wren misses a splash. Grace backrolls her with a bridge and uses the ropes to pin her.

It wasn't great or anything and they didn't really intend it to be. They are having Wren do really simple stuff on purpose and Grace really only does simple stuff at this point. It was a very basic wrestling match.

We go back to the meeting with Tony D and Ilja. Tony said he took care of his parking situation. Tony agrees that this a very scary place. He said this doesn't represent the end of Ilja, just his title reign. Ilja said many men have said this but not been able to do this. Tony said he's not everyone. Ilja said Tony told him he's unbreakable. He said Tony is The Don but he is Ilja Dragunov and nothing will stop him from being champ at Stand and Deliver. Tony grabs Ilja's injured hand and tells him to look at the faces around him ready to pounce. Tony said he can do it to him right now, but says he will do it at Stand and Deliver. He said he will break the unbreakable and leave Stand and Deliver as the NXT champ. Tony says it's nothing persona, just business. Tony then gives him food and tells him to enjoy his last supper.

It was fun mafia related stuff as usual with Tony. 

Sol Ruca vs Blair Davenport

Blair flying dropkicks her to start then hits euros. Sol back elbows her and hits shots. Sol flips over her and superkicks her. Sol moonsaults over her and armdrags her. Blair hits forearms then Sol gorilla press drops her. Sol standing moonsaults her for 2.

Sol flips out of a hiptoss then facebusters her. Sol dropkicks her and lariats her out. Sol handstands on the apron then PK's her from there. Blair sends Sol into the steps then kneekbreakers her on the steps. We go to PiP break and return.

Blair has her leg and slaps her then Sol dropkicks her. Blair legsweeps her then is shouldered over. Blair kicks her in the gut. Sol suplexes her over the top to the floor and goes with her with both landing on the floor. Sol springboard splashes her for 2. Blair backdrops her then Sol armdrags her into the buckles. Sol pulls Blair's neck down over the top rope then Sol does a carthweel ddt off the top using the ropes. Sol goes for a sol snatcher but is pulled down hard backwards. Blair hits a falcon arrow type of move and Sol pins her.

It was an athletic match with Sol busting out stuff she hadn't done in a while or had never done at all. Sol impressed here like she usually does. The booking failed these two though. This should be a big feud yet has gotten little attention and seems like it is being blown off on TV instead of Stand and Deliver. i liked this one, but I feel that both girls were failed with the booking here.

Dijak talks to Josh Briggs in the back. They argue over who will be champ then Oba comes in and says he will remain champ.

Ava says the Stand and Deliver card is pretty good. Joe Gacy comes in. He said he wants Shawn Spears on Saturday. Ava agrees.

Carmelo Hayes comes out with the ring surrounded by security. Trick Williams then comes out. He says here we are, face to face. He said they should both be happy as they are main eventing the biggest show of the year. Trick said they built a bond so strong the whole world had to notice. Trick then brings up race, because it always has to be a race thing.

Trick says he's going to war with a man he used to call his brother. Melo says Trick came a long way. Trick said he didn't know if he belonged here but says Melo was there for him. Melo says it was them against the world at point but now it's  them against each other. They say the world will be watching and Melo said they saw Trick ruing everything for everyone.

Trick compares this to girlfriends and said Trick tried to take his girl in the NXT title. He asks if that's what brothers do. He said Trick went from his brother to his enemy. Melo said Trick will always take a backseat to him. He said everyone knows it and Trick needs to know it. Trick said his days of taking a backseat are long gone.

He said Trick has been hot for 6 months but he's been hot for 3 years. Melo said the fans love you when you are on the rise but will switch on him like Nintendo when it's the next guys turn. Trick says Melo is envious of him. Melo said when he shoots he don't miss. Trick says everyone will be chanting whoop that Trick at Stand and Deliver and he will whoop that @ss. They beat up security then beat up each other. Some of the wrestlers then come down to break it up and a battle royale breaks out to close the show.

It wasn't a bad final segment and I liked the big brawl at the end.

Overall thoughts: It was go home show for the PLE so we didn't get anything too crazy here. It wasn't must see and I think even if you didn't see this show, you'd probably have a good idea as to why the Stand and Deliver card is what it is. The opener was fine. Fallon/Jacy was short and had a lot of shenanigans going on. King/Wagner really didn't get its due despite being a longer feud at this point and it didn't even make the PLE. I liked Lola/Karmen as it was more martial arts focused. Lyra/Perez's segment was okay and I don't fully know what happened during Gacy/Femi. Grace/Wren was basic and Tony did the usual fun mafia stuff with Ilja. The ball really got dropped by the bookers with Sol/Blair as it should be a big match but also won't be on the PPV like King/Wagner. The final segment was okay but everyone fighting at the end was the fun part. I liked it overall but like a lot of Shawn Michaels era NXT cards, the PLE does somewhat feel like a one match show.

TNA Xplosion 3/29/2024

TNA Xplosion 3/29/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/tna-xplosion-3222024.html

They showed a Rhyno vs Rob Van Dam classic match with Tommy Dreamer as the guest ref and they showed Steve Maclin vs Chris Sabin from Impact this week, which I covered here.

The new footage here was:

Around The Ring with Gia Miller

Gia interviews Dani Luna. Dani has a tattoo of a beaver drinking a beer. She said it comes from a trip that her, Jody Threat and Subculture did. Dani said they decided they were best friends at the end of it and got tattoos. Gia said she has a ttoo on her ankle too. Dani also shows off a potion bottle on her arm. Gia said she respects people with turtle tattoos and talks about Dani having one.

Dani said she has a rose on her ankle and wants more. She said she's carefree and would just get something stupid. Gia said she has a magnolia on her ribs along with another one and she says we will never see them on TV.

They talk about drinking coffee. Gia said she has to let her try some of the coffee she has and said they have watch the movie "Steel Magnolias".

Tasha Steelz vs. Ava Everett

They lock up and Tasha throws her down. Ava side headlocks her, shoulders her over then does a dropkick that mostly misses. Tasha slides out to catch a breather. Ava takes a back elbow then gets chopped. Ava full nelsons her, Tasha tries to use the ropes then is dropped down.

Tasha hits a stiff pump kick. Tasha hits elbow drops. Tasha hits shots in the corner then rolling snapmares her into a PK. Tasha chinlocks her then suplexes her. Tasha holds on for another then gets suplexed.

Ava hits forearms to the chest and a boot. Tasha's head is banged off the buckle then Ava back elbows her. Ava hits a reverse ddt for 2. Tasha gets stuck on the 2nd buckle but blocks a codebreaker attempt. She 2nd rope meteora's her > superkicks her > then cutters her to win it.

Ava didn't have a good night her as she had some sloppy moments and moves didn't quite hit. It went longer than it needed to, the crowd wasn't into it and it just didn't work. 

Overall thoughts: There was only one new match shown here and it wasn't good along with a Gia Miller/Dani Luna interview segment. I'm not sure why they moved from two new matches to just one new match, but I hope they go back to showing us more new matches instead of old matches. I wouldn't recommend this.