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NXT Notes for April 10

Tiffany Straton facing Gigi Dolan in the first round of the Woman’s Tournament to crown a new Woman’s Champion. Tiffany with the win.

NXT Tag Team Gallus put the tag belts on the line against The Dyad

New Comer Eddy Thorpe facing Damon Kemp. Eddy with the win.

Dijak is in the ring waiting for his opponent Illja Dragunov

Duke Hudson in action

Charlie Dempsey gets the win over Tyler Bates.

Josh Briggs/Brooks Jenson defeat Hank Walker/Tank Ledger

Lyra Valkaryia moves on in the Women’s tournament beating Kiana James

Bron Brekker defeats Trick Williams and then takes out Carmello Hayes

Backlash 2023

Taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico

I have a feeling that a couple of matches will go the way I expect them to but other matches I refuse at this point to make a call. I am taking the wait-and-see-what-happens view.

**MATCH 1 — Bianca Belair defending the RAW Women’s title against Iyo Skye. (let’s see if Damage Control show up at ringside ) This is becoming quite the dog fight. this has become the match it should be, with no interference from Bayley or Dakota. Figures, here comes Bayley, Dakota to spoil things. Bayley tried to hold Bianca’s braid to help Iyo but the ref caught her. (It was one hell of a match, if it wasn’t for Bayley sticking her nose in where it didn’t belong, Iyo just might be the new champion)

**MATCH 2 — Seth Rollins facing Omos. OK, I just don’t get this one. there has not been any storyline between them or anything. I just don’t think they know what to do with Omos. I would rather see Omos in a match with Braun Strowman. Omos took a cheap shot at Seth even before the bell rang. Well, this is one surprise. After getting rid of M.V.P. for interfering. Seth with a giant stomp from the top rope. It took 3 stomps to finally Seth with the win.

**MATCH 3 — United States title is on the line in a triple threat match with the current title holder Austin Theory going up against Bobby Lashley and from Blackforrest, South Australia Bronson Reed (Blackforrest is a suburb of Adelaide where I am currently living). I am not sure how a big guy like Bronson is able to do some of the things he is but he will one day be a champion. I hope this match will take place again. It was actually pretty good. Austin keeps the title.

****Night of Champions will take place on May 27th from Jeddah Saudi Arabia.

**MATCH 4 — Smackdown Women Title is on the line with the current champion Rhea Ripley defending against Zelina Vega from the L.W.O. It’s going to be a tough match for Zelina, she doesn’t have the strength to match Rhea but she has speed. I wish the match would have gone longer but it was nice to see Rhea leave the ring area to give Zelina the chance with the crowd. They gave her a standing ovation.

**Match 5 — San Juan Street Fight between Bad Bunny facing Damien Priest. I was a fan of Damien until his heel turn and joining Judgement Day. There are no rules here, anything goes. You know you will see Judgement Day come out to help Damien but who has Bunny’s back? OMG Bunnies can FLY. Finn and Dom did arrive to help Damien but Rey also came out to help. Carlito comes from nowhere, didn’t recognize him with the beard. Dom gets a face full of Apple for his trouble. Savio Vega has also come to help, keeping Finn and Dom from retreating. L.W.O also backing Savio, Dom and Finn are outnumbered. Bunny with the win. It looked like a version of the finishing move called Poprocks that Roxanne Perez uses.

**Match 6 — 6 Man Tag Team has The Usos/Solo Sokia vs Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens/Matt Riddle. this match could go any way. There will be dirty play in this, you know that from the past matches. I am hoping that Sami/Kevin/Matt can do this but I have a feeling that Solo with the spike will steal the win. (at the title of this PPV Roman holds the title for 973 days)

**Match 7 — Cody Rhodes facing Brock Lesnar. I have no clue what to expect. I do expect this to get ugly. Cody needs to conquer Brock to keep his story alive. Cody has made Brock bleed, Brock’s head to an exposed turnbuckle. WOW, Cody in the Kamora lock, popped his hips, rolling Brock on his shoulders, pinning him for the win.

Thanks for checking this out. See you on Monday/Tuesday here in Australia for RAW

Smackdown in Puerto Rico

Today is the first show post the draft, they are in Puerto Rico getting ready for Backlash which is tomorrow.

The announcers were also, traded with Mike Roam going to Smackdown and Samantha Irvin on RAW. Sam’s current partner is Ricochet.

It’s nice to see that they have booked good matches so far, Here is hoping Vince stays out of it.

Boy is it loud there, Rey and the L.W.O. are opening the show. It was going fine until Judgement Day walked out. Every time Dom tries to speak he gets booed. There has been a challenge, Rey/Selina vs Rhea/Dom. Adam made it official. I wont spoil things but Bad Bunny lends a hand.

The O.C. facing the Viking Raiders. Viking Raiders heading to RAW

Starting this Monday on RAW the Heavyweight tournament begins. There will also be a tournament on Smackdown. the winner of those two tournaments will meet for the title at Night at Champions.

Bianca Belair on her new home of Smackdown. She and Rhea will have to exchange titles at some point, but that won’t happen until after Backlash. Bianca meets Iyo Sky for the title at Backlash. Of course, Damage Control is out to spoil things.

Karron Kross facing Shinsuke

Street Profits on the Way to the Ring to Face Imperium.

Cody Rhodes is in the ring for a chat.

NXT Post Draft

Not sure what will happen with today’s show, with the women’s Tag Team and Women’s NXT title holders all being drafted, (Indi Hartwell, Isla Dawn, Alba Fyre) I’m looking for titles to change hands. Normally those titles would stay put. Dawn/Fyre keep the belts.

Wes Lee (Tyler Bates) putting the title on the line once again facing, Drew Gulak (Charle Dempsey). At least the numbers are even. Even with the dirty tricks, Wes was still able to hold on to the title.

***BattleGround is May 28

Gigi Dolan facing Jacy Jayne. This is an all-out war. It’s time that Jacy was knocked down a couple of pegs.

Watching J.D. McDonough in a battle with Dragon Lee. What a match, well all-out war. With J.D. I expect nothing less. It was an amazing match, as much as I don’t like the guy, he is good. RAW needs to pay attention to this guy.

Indi Hartwell in the ring. Currently on crutches due to an ankle injury. Indi has left the title in the ring as she reports to RAW. Dexter Lumas helped Indi get out of the ring, carrying her off with him to RAW.

WWE Draft Part 2

Part 2 of the draft tonight, if anything like Smackdown there will be surprises in store. Raw Heavyweight Champion will be exclusive to RAW.

Fort Worth, Texas

Brock Lesnar is a free agent who can drift from show to show.

New rosters will go into effect on May 8

Also drafted to RAW from night one — Zoey Stark, JD McDonagh, Apollo Crews

**ROUND 1

**Raw — Rhea Ripley Woman’s Champion

**Smackdown — Austin Theory the United States Champion moves

**RAW — Seth Rollins

**Smackdown — Charlotte Flair (I can see a storyline with Bianca)

Jimmy Uso facing Matt Riddle in a single match but you know Jey will be around. Kevin/Sami are at ringside at least for now. Kevin/Sami set up Jey, getting him tossed from ringside. Kevin saw Jimmy take the pad off the turnbuckle, making him pay with help distracting the Ref (thanks Sami). Matt with the win.

Paul Heyman spewing dribble, starts running off at the mouth about Seth, who interrupts Paul. Seth going one on one against Solo Sikoa. Here comes the Usos, along with Kevin/Sami/Matt to the ring.

Bayley/Dakota Kai against Liv/Raquel the Women’s Tag Team Champions.

**ROUND 2

**RAW — Kevin/Sami — Tag Team champions

**Smackdown — The Usos

**Raw — Judgement Day — Damien, Finn, Dom

**Smackdown — L.W.O

Alpha Academy facing Braun/Ricochet.

**ROUND 3

**RAW — Liv Morgan/Raquel, the Women’s Tag Team champions

**Smackdown — Asuka

**RAW — Xavier Woods/Kofi Kingston

**Smackdown — The Brawling Bruits — Pete, Rich, Sheamus

**ROUND 4

**RAW — Trish Stratus (Storyline with Becky)

**Smackdown — Karrrion Kross/Scarlet

**RAW — Shayna Blaszler/Ronda Rousey

**Smackdown — L.A.Knight

Miz TV hosting Shinsuke

Omos is a Free Agent (In my opinion, Omos need to go, they don’t seem to book him in matches when it’s a level playing field, put him in a match with Brock or Braun. That could be interesting)

**ROUND 5

**RAW — Braun/Ricochet

**Smackdown — Shotzi

**RAW — Bronson Reed

**Smackdown — From NXT Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince, Kit Wilson)

L.W.O. facing Judgement Day one last time before the new rosters take effect. Intergender match.

**ROUND 6

**RAW — The Alpha Academy

**Smackdown — Rick Boogs

**RAW — From NXT — Katana Chance/Kayden Carter

**Smackdown — Cameron GrimesRAW Talk had the final draft news.

**RAW — Dana Brooke, Nikki Cross, Johnny Gargano

**Smackdown — Tamina

**FREE AGENTS — Barron Corbin, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Elias, Xyon Quinn, Von Wagner, Mustafa Ali, Dolph Ziggler

**RAW — Akira Towaza, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo, Piper Niven, Xai LiTegan Knox, Emma, Riddick Moss.

**RAW — Indus Sher, Odyssey Jones,

**Smackdown — Grayson Waller

WWE Draft 2023

This is the start of changing everything. It’s a 2 show event.

Tonight it starts on Smackdown, the show is in Corpus Christi Texas

**The main event is the Rematch for the Tag Team Belts between Kevin/Sami facing the Usos. At this point, Solo is not there, but that can change at any moment. Roman did make the call to Paul telling him to send Solo to the ring but it was Matt Riddle who stopped him. Kevin/Sami keep the belts

Triple H opens the show. 50% of the roster will be drafted tonight with the other 50% on Monday night’s RAW show. Select superstars from NXT are available to be drafted. New Rosters will be in effect on Monday after Backlash May 8.

Pick 1 — Smackdown — Drafted as one, Paul Heyman Solo Sokia, Roman. (the new belt goes to RAW along with a new champion)

Pick 2 — RAW — Cody Rhodes

Pick 3 — Smackdown — EST Bianca Belair

Pick 4 — RAW — Becky Lynch

**ROUND 2**

Pick 5 — Smackdown — Street Profits (Angelo/Montez)

Pick 6 — RAW — Imperium (Gunther, Kaiser, Vinci)

Pick 7 — Smackdown — Edge

Pick 8 — RAW — Matt Riddle

**ROUND 3**

Pick 9 — Smackdown — Bobby Lashley

Pick 10 — RAW — Drew McIntyre

Pick 11 — Smackdown — The O.C. — Aj Styles, Michin, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows.

Pick 12 — RAW — The Miz

**ROUND 4**

Pick 13 — Smackdown — Damage Control — Bayley, Dakota Kai, Io Sky

Pick 14 — Raw — Shinsuke Nakamura

Pick 15 — Smackdown — NXT Women’s Tag Team — Alba Fyre/Isla Dawn

Pick 16 — RAW — NXT — Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell

WWE Notes for RAW and NXT

****Backlash on May 6th from Puerto Rico

***RAW

From Chicago, Illinois

Cody Rhodes opening the show. Finn interrupted Cody, asking Cody to join the Judgement Day. “Thanks but No Thanks” was Cody’s response. Cody is medically cleared to compete tonight, challenging Finn to a match. Finn is actually coming to the ring alone, for now. Cody is on his way to the ring.

Bloodline vs LWO

Bianca Belair facing Io Skye at Backlash. Bianca has been challenged by Damage Control. Waiting to see who her teammates are, Women’s Tag Team Champs Raquel/Liv

We know the Draft starts this week on Smackdown but Triple H has another announcement. Finally, the belts are getting split. Night of Champions there will be a new World Heavy Weight Champion. Roman will be drafted but ONLY take the undisputed title with him. (New Belt) the show that Roman does not get drafted to will get the new Champion/Belt.

Damien Priest facing Rey Mysterio. Bad Bunny is in the building. Bunny is no longer hosting Backlash, it’s now a Street Fight with Bad Bunny against Damien Priest.

***NXT Spring Breakin

The Family Facing Pretty Deadly in a Trunk Match. the only way to win is to put your opponents in the trunk of a car. the Family win the match driving off with Deadly in the car.

Andre Chase facing off against Braun Breakker. No surprise that Braun takes the win.

Lyra Valkyria taking on the resident bad girl Cora Jade. Getting the ref out of the way, Cora took a cheap shot on Lyra, stealing the win.

Carmello Hayes defending the NXT title against Greyson Waller. Waler is not on the same page as Hayes. No matter what Waller tried Carmello had an answer. NO title change. Thank Goodness. I can’t stand Waller, can you tell.

Josh Briggs/Fallon Henley facing Brooks Jenson/Kiana James. IMO thanks to Kiana splitting up Briggs/Brooks. I am clueless about this storyline for now. Fallon/Josh with the win. It was dirty on Jenson/Kiana’s part but what else is new. Kiana blamed Josh for the loss, went to slap him, and then walked away.

Oba Femi to face Oro Mensah. Both are new in NXT Oba is the bigger of the two.

MAIN EVENT is a triple threat match for the NXT Women’s Title with Tiffany Strahn vs Roxanne Perez vs current champion Indi Hartwell. Even after going to the trainer’s room to get her ankle tapped up, Indi will continue as the NXT women’s Champion

WWE Notes ending April 22

RAW is in Arkansas tonight.

Bloodline opened the show, BUT Judgement Day just walked out.

OK, this is getting to be really out there, Kevin, Sami, and Matt are in a tag team against Judgement Day. The next match is Solo Siaki against Rey Mysterio. OMG, Please, wondering if Judgement Day is staying at ringside, if so, this match just became a total joke. The Ringside has been cleared out. I can’t wait until this storyline ends once and for all.

Cody is not medically cleared but Adam has made the match for Backlash official. Brock walked out but said nothing.

The Miz/Seth Rollins going at it

I don’t like Austin Theory, especially the attitude. He plays the part well. Bronson Reed showed up and took Lashley out. I can see Reed/Lashley having a match at Backlash.

Trish Stratus her way to the ring. Hopefully, some answers about last week, and why she turned on Becky.

The Main Event is a 6 man tag team with Kevin/Sami/Matt facing The Uso’s/Solo. Paul Heyman made the arrangements to make sure to get rid of Kevin/Sami/Matt before the titles are defended.

****NXT

Spring Breakin Card :

Carmello Hayes facing Greyson Waller for the NXT Men’s title

Andre Chase vs Braun Breakker

Pretty Deadly facing The Family in a Trunk Match

Indi Hartwell in a triple threat match with Roxanne Perez and Tiffany Stration for the NXT Women’s title

Lyra Valkyria facing Cora Jade

Brooks Jenson/Kiana James in an intergender match with Josh Briggs/Fallon Henley

Obi Femi is listed for a match but his opponent is still to be announced

****BACKLASH is May 6 in Puerto Rico

****Summer Slam is in Detroit on August 5

***SmackDown Live

****Monday Night RAW will be in Chicago this coming Monday

Tonight’s show is coming from my hometown of Columbus, Ohio on the Ohio State University

The show opened with a Tasg Team match with Damien Priest/Finn Balor facing Rey Mysterio/Santos Escobar.

****The Draft starts in one week on Smackdown

Women’s Tag Team Title Defense with Liv/Raquel putting the titles on the line against Chelsea Green/Sonya Deville.

Xavier Woods facing Gunther for the Intercontentional title.

Solo vs Matt Riddle in a No Disqualification Match. Of course, the Usos showed up

WWE Notes Week Ending April 15

**Smackdown — Tonight’s show is taking place at the University of Nebraska

Sami/Kevin opens the show. Here come the Usos with Solo Sikoa. Matt Riddle to make the numbers even. The main event is between Matt and Solo, both Kevin/Sami along with Jimmy /Jey have all been banned from ringside.

I can see a match coming between Judgement Day and the LWO.

Raquel/Liv celebrating their tag team win from this past Monday night.

***The Draft begins in two weeks on Smackdown, continuing on RAW

***BACKLASH — May 6 taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico

***SUMMERSLAM — August 5 in Detroit

Shinsuke Nakamura returns tonight.

****NXT

Indi Hartwell defended the women’s title against Zoey Stark.

Carmello Hayes talking with Braun Breakker but Braun turned heel. Fatal 4-way match for the right to meet Carmello at Spring Break. Carmello offered a spot to Braun in the fatal 4-way but he turned it down. I have no clue how Grayson Waller won the match.

Cora Jade is out to trash-talk the Women’s Division

****RAW

After Becky/Trish lost the Women’s Tag Team Belts, Trish turned heel on Becky. Lita could not compete, (most likely taken out by Trish) Trish replaced Lita in the match.

Rey faced Finn in a match but Judgement Day was at ringside.

Cody is back and issues a challenge to Brock for Backlash.

Triple H announces that the Draft is coming. All superstars are eligible.

WWE Notes

Our condolences to the Bushwackers family on the passing of Bushwacker Butch Miller

**RUMOUR — the powers that be want Roman to reach 1,000 days. the storyline between Cody/Roman is not over.

**Finn Balor is injured during the match with Edge. Medical was needed as Finn needed a wound closed. Waiting for an update on Finn’s condition.

**Indi Hartwell is the new NXT Women’s champion but everyone is coming for her. Cora Jade has returned. I think Roxanne Perez will get another title shot once her medical condition has improved. Braun Breakker has turned heel, I was surprised by that but going to watch and see how this plays out. I actually thought that the match with Carmello Hayes would have been better than it was. I was looking for Braun to get a call up to RAW or Smackdown. Here is hoping the feud between Braun/Carmello is far from over.

(Did you know, Indi Hartwell and Rhea Ripley both from Australia won WWE titles on the same day)

**Wes Lee is performing at top levels right now, for me I have no clue how he is doing it. He is producing some of the best matches of his career. I hope he doesn’t peak too soon, making it to RAW or Smackdown.

**MAY 6 is the next PPV Backlash taking place in Puerto Rico. Bad Bunny will be hosting.

**Did you notice how crap RAW was on this past Monday night? Vince stuck his nose in, where it didn’t belong changing things on the fly. I saw the hashtag #firevincenow

**Sheamus/Gunther’s feud needs to keep going, they are having some great matches.

**Brock’s heel turn is a possible storyline with Cody to fill in as Roman takes another break from the action.

**Triple H just announced that the Draft is returning in a few weeks. Everyone is eligible for the draft. He says it will change the game.

**The Bloodline has a new problem — Matt Riddle