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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (1/30/18)

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All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter.

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • WWE United States Championship #1 Contender Fatal 4 Way: Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS Zack Ryder VS Rusev w/ Aiden English VS Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh; Rusev wins and will challenge Bobby Roode for the US Championship next week.
  • The Bludgeon Brothers VS It Doesn’t Matter; Bludgeon Brothers win.
  • Tye Dillinger VS Baron Corbin; Corbin wins.
  • Breezango VS Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin; Gable & Benjamin win.
  • AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn; Styles & Nakamura win.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown welcomes the Men’s Royal Rumble Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura!

The King of Strong Style outlasted even the likes of Finn Balor, John Cena and Roman Reigns to earn his main event spot at Wrestlemania 34! Not only that, but he didn’t wait long to name who he wants to face, either. He wants the WWE Champion, AJ Styles! The fans of Philly welcome him with a standing ovation and chanting his name. Nakamura speaks, “At Royal Rumble, Sami Zayn: Knee to the face. John Cena: Knee to the face! Roman Reigns: Knee to face!” And at Wrestlemania, it will be him VS AJ Styles, and a “KNEE, FACE, new WWE Champion!” However, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn come out to respond.

“Give it up for your 2018 Royal Rumble winner, Shinsuke Nakamura!” Kevin says he can point at the sign and talk about beating Styles all he wants, but #Kami believes they were screwed over. Yep. Sami & Kevin should be co-champions but are instead losers because of a “controversial” call. They claim Shane McMahon’s vendetta still holds them down. The referee has one job: protect the integrity of the match at all costs. Yep. And clearly Kevin didn’t tag in. Kevin’s strong passion coupled with incompetence of the referee has put us in this situation. “Styles pinned the wrong man!” Therefore, #Kami should be given a second chance. That means it won’t be Styles VS Nakamura, it’ll be #Kami VS Nakamura. YEP, YEP, YEP! Nakamura says Styles is a winner, and #Kami are losers.

Philly says “YEP!” to that. However, #Kami decides to intimidate Nakamura, only for AJ Styles to appear in person!

Styles speaks now, saying #Kami can complain all they want, but they’re still getting the dream match at ‘Mania, and that’s Styles VS Nakamura. But as for tonight in Philly, in the “House that AJ Styles Built”, the Dream Match shall become a Dream Team! Styles & Nakamura VS Sami & Kevin tonight!

However, #Kami seems to say NOPE to that, as they take their leave. Though, on second thought, if Styles, Nakamura and Philly want it that badly, still NOPE! In that case, Styles and Nakamura knock #Kami down! Kevin & Sami may not feel like in a fighting mood, but then how are they to get the title from Styles?

 

Kevin & Sami visit SmackDown General Manager, Daniel Bryan.

They need to talk. Well he wanted to talk to them too. He reminds them that Styles doesn’t have match-making power, but Bryan does. The dream team match will happen.

This is almost as bad as the Rumble’s “single biggest blown call ever”! Bryan says the footage could not overturn the ruling, the referee made a mistake and they have to live with it. Mistake? No, a mistake is when you set your alarm for 7PM instead of AM! This was for a title! C’mon, Daniel! He has to fix this, they can’t be pushed to the back of the line, and Bryan knows it! Bryan agrees, but their opportunity at the title will happen next week. See? Voice of Reason right here! Yes, next week, major main event, and the winner of that match moves on to Fastlane! It’ll be Kevin Owens VS Sami Zayn 1v1! That’s great, right? Bryan can’t wait for that! But #Kami can’t believe they’ll have to fight each other now. Will their friendship survive?

 

WWE United States Championship #1 Contender Fatal 4 Way: Kofi Kingston VS Zack Ryder VS Rusev VS Jinder Mahal!

The GLORIOUS One has a lot of eyes on him now that he’s champion, and he joins commentary to watch this personally. Will the high-flyer of the New Day, the Long Island Iced Z, the Bulgarian Brute or the Modern Day Maharaja rise up to challenge him along this Road to Wrestlemania?

The bell rings and while fans chant “Rusev Day!”, Rusev comes under attack from Ryder. Meanwhile, Mahal goes after Kofi and we have a pair of brawls. Ryder and Rusev spill out to the outside while Mahal keeps Kofi inside. Mahal whips, Kofi evades and sunset flips, but Mahal sits down. TWO, and Kofi rolls Mahal, TWO. Kofi keeps moving but runs into Mahal’s stiff knee! Ryder returns in the ring and slips out of Mahal’s scoop to dump Mahal out. Rusev returns but Ryder is ready, except for running into Rusev’s body attack. Big E serves pancakes aggressively at Corey Graves while Rusev stomps out Ryder.

Mahal keeps on Kofi on the outside then puts him inside, also stomping away. Roode is honored to have so many contenders and vows to be a fighting champion. Rusev and Mahal keep on Kofi and Ryder, but Kofi fights back as the fans rally. Mahal and Rusev coordinate and go to whip Kofi and Ryder at each other, but Ryder reverses and Kofi knocks Rusev down with a dropkick! Mahal runs but misses, Ryder knocks him with a lariat. Kofi goes after Ryder now, but his suplex is countered with a neckbreaker, Mahal breaks the pin. Mahal drags Ryder up for crossface punches and stiff elbows. He whips Ryder but Ryder counters with a facebuster, then clotheslines Mahal out of the ring. Ryder builds speed and hits Mahal with a wrecking ball dropkick. Kofi sees a target, and FLIES! Big E throws more pancakes! Rusev gets in the ring, he builds speed, but Sunil trips him up! Aiden English comes over and threatens him, then shoves him, and causes Big E to spill the pancake platter!

Sunil done done it now! The New Day argues with English and Singh, but the referee ejects all four of them! The arguing just gets worse while we go picture in picture.

With the four legal men the only ones left, Rusev fires up with the “RUSEV DAY!” chants. He slips out of the ring to throw Ryder into barriers. Rusev puts Ryder into the ring but Mahal and Kofi have also returned. Kofi breaks Rusev’s cover, then goes back to Mahal. Mahal and Rusev keep control, but Kofi reverses a buckle bump to give a bump. Ryder fights back on Rusev and gives him corner punches while Kofi stomps on Mahal. Kofi walks off tot he side, to then run in and rock Mahal with a dropkick! Ryder covers Rusev, ONE, Kofi goes after Mahal’s leg. Rusev kicks Ryder right in the head! Ryder rolls out of the ring while Mahal turns things around on Kofi. Mahal chokes Kofi at the ropes, then Rusev comes over to help out. Rusev drags Kofi up while Mahal goes after Ryder. Ryder reverses Mahal and bumps him off the apron, Rusev covers, TWO. Mahal grinds a knee into Ryder, Rusev rams shoulders into Kofi. Mahal throws Ryder out then rejoins Rusev to bully Kofi. They double suplex Kofi, then Mahal drops a knee. Rusev adds an elbow drop, then they both drag Kofi up to throw him back out. Mahal and Rusev stick together as they go out of the ring, embracing the heat. Mahal grinds his knee into Kofi  then rocks him with a right and we go back to single picture.

Rusev keeps on Ryder while Mahal whips Kofi at steel steps, but Kofi leaps up and over them! Kofi returns but Mahal evades, to then send Kofi into those steel steps. Then Mahal turns on Rusev with a right hand and a bump off a post. He puts Ryder in the ring and covers, TWO. Roode touts the accomplishments of Mahal while Mahal lays into Ryder with springboard knee drops. Rusev returns and Mahal is right upon him, but the fans cheer Rusev on. Rusev fights back, brawling with Mahal. Haymaker after haymaker, then a pair of big roundhouses. Rusev fires up, and runs corner to corner to ram a shoulder into Mahal!

Mahal escapes the ring, so Rusev goes after Ryder. Ryder knees Rusev away, then hits a missile dropkick. He goes corner to corner, forearm smash and more forearms, “WOO WOO WOO!” Broski Boot! But Mahal wipes Ryder out with a boot of his own, TWO! Ryder rolls away while Mahal covers Rusev, TWO. Mahal grows frustrated but Kofi flies in to knock him down! The fans fire up for Kofi as he hits the Boom Drop. Kofi gets the fans going again, but Ryder returns, Kofi hits SOS! Mahal breaks the cover, then lariats Kofi inside-out. Rusev gets up and throws Mahal out, before seeing he has his pick between Ryder and Kofi. He chooses both for a Stack-olade! However, Mahal returns to roll Rusev up, TWO! Mahal hits the big knee strike on Rusev, then calls for his finish. He drags Rusev up, but Rusev resists and throws him off. Ryder comes in, pop-up for the Rough Ryder on Mahal! Rusev rocks Ryder with another roundhouse, then he blocks Kofi’s SOS into the Accolade!

Kofi endures, but taps! Rusev wins! The Bulgarian Brute shall challenge Roode for the US Championship next week on SmackDown! And he gets out of the ring to stare right at the champion. The GLORIOUS One is ready, but will he still be CRUSHED on Rusev Day?

 

The Usos speak.

“Since Day One, the Usos have had the SmackDown Live Tag Division #OnLock.” Every other tag team in the WWE better pay attention to them. They’re going to put everyone on notice, “live and in color”, after the break.

 

The Fashion Police are in Fashion HQ.

They finish power-ranking their favorite looks before checking in with the Ascension and the #AskBreezango Twitter questions. The questions keep pouring in! First up, “What kind of conditioner do you use for your hair?” “What is your favorite thing about Viktor?” But before they can cover any more questions, Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin enter. What even is this? The Fashion Files still exists? These “clowns” are embarrassing the SmackDown Tag Team Division.

As embarrassing as losing to the Usos twice in a row? Gable & Benjamin have a question: Do they really think they can beat the team of Benjamin & Gable? The answer: No. Then they throw the table over! The Ascension keep the Fashion Police calm, they’ll settle this in the ring.

 

The Usos come to the ring.

The Usos won against Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin in a Best 2 out of 3 Falls tag team match for the SmackDown Tag Team titles, keeping the Uso Penitentiary open for business. Philly is the City of Brotherly Love, so show some love to the championship brothers! They got silly up in Philly, they beat Gable ‘n’ Benjamin 2-0, “back to back!” But that’s nothing new, the Usos have always dominated SmackDown. “Y’all don’t remember, huh?” They go on a trip of memory lane! American Alpha: LOCKED DOWN! American Alpha 2: LOCKED DOWN! Hype Bros: LOCKED DOWN! Breezango: LOCKED DOWN! NEW DAY~: LOCKED DOWN! And even The Bar, from Raw, but at Survivor Series: LOCKED DOWN! They lock ’em down and this Day One Ish isn’t just merch, it’s a lifestyle! It’s real, true, being 100 and being UCE! Day One is the struggle, and everyone knows about that. Bills, work, grades, staying otu of trouble, but remember this: all those struggles will only make you stronger. That’s why the Usos go to war side-by-side. That’s what makes them different, because they share struggles, Uce. They get stronger together, so it won’t matter where you’re from, what Club you’re in, what Bar you are, what Day you are, it doesn’t even matter if you’re other brothers! The Usos may not be the best tag team, but they’re the best in WWE! “Run up ‘n’ get done up!”

Philly is fired up alongside The Usos, but before the Usos can leave, out come a certain pair of brothers.

Yes, Harper & Rowan have returned, and these Bludgeon Brothers are ready to show why everyone should be worried about them.

 

The Bludgeon Brothers VS ???

Like any other Bludgeon Brothers match, they come out hard at the bell as Harper runs over ? then puts him in a corner to chop stiffly. He tags in Rowan, Rowan whips Harper right in for a big back elbow, then Harper feeds Rowan’s tackle. They tag back, and Rowan hauls up the carcass and walks over to the opposing corner. Harper keeps “Mr. Amazing” from running, Rowan makes ? tag him in, only to use ? as a weapon! Harper runs “Mr. Amazing” over with a boot! Rowan then throws his partner, and the two small men end up in a corner. Harper tags Rowan back and and whips him in for a big corner splash sandwich. Then, with the full-nelson lift, Rowan assists Harper in the sit-out powerbomb! And for the legal “Mr. Amazing”, Bludgeon Bomb! The Bludgeon Brothers win! Will these brothers in destruction soon challenge the Usos for SmackDown tag team gold?

 

Daniel Bryan speaks.

“On SmackDown Live, we’re always exploring new and different ways to make the show more interesting for our fans and more engaging for our superstars.” That’s why Bryan himself is proud to announce the first ever, official SmackDown Top Ten List! The stars of SmackDown will vote on who they think are the most deserving. It is all based on locker room leadership, talent and skill. There are ground rules, however. Shane and Bryan won’t have a vote, it is all for the superstars. The other rule is that you can’t vote for yourself! Bryan is so excited and knows this will go a long way to helping make SmackDown better!

 

Shane McMahon speaks on the Royal Rumble.

Everything was so exciting, but now Tye Dillinger walks in. On any other day the Top Ten List would be priority, but they both now what this talk is about. The Perfect Ten was going to be entry 10, but Sami Zayn took taht form him. Baron Corbin comes in to complain about the Top Ten List and about #Kami. Shane agrees on the latter, and Corbin wonders who is really in charge. Is Shane a McMahon or what? Shane is a McMahon. Tye speaks up, and riles Corbin up but Shane calms them down. Tempers are running wild but things are settled in the ring. The Lone Wolf and the Perfect Ten will face off, which one of them will revitalize themselves on the way to Wrestlemania?

 

Charlotte Flair heads to the ring!

The Queen of Flair and SmackDown Women’s Champion will speak after the break.

SmackDown returns and we have an in-ring interview conducted by Renee Young. What was it like to watch the inaugural Women’s Rumble in person? It was incredible. Charlotte was so proud of the women in that match, but was also itching to compete. It was the first time that she didn’t want to be champion, because she’d rather test her mettle against the legends. Charlotte wanted to see if she could be like a certain Nature Boy she knew. Then there was a surreal moment where she stood in the ring with the Raw Women’s Champion and Asuka, the winner of the Rumble. And of course, there was “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. All Charlotte knows is that she will still go to Wrestlemania as SmackDown Women’s Champion, but who will be her opponent? The Riott Squad comes out!

Ruby speaks, saying Charlotte needs to forget about Asuka and Ronda. Does Charlotte hear herself putting herself over? Her ego is big as her father’s. The fans let out a “WOO~” in agreement. Of course Charlotte thinks she would’ve won the Rumble and handpick her opponent. Ruby has met Charlottes all over the world. So talented, yet so entitled and unoriginal. There is only one Riott, from the way she talks to the way she acts to the way she looks. But Charlotte? She’s a cheap imitation of Ric. Ruby is out here to say that Charlotte’s time is over, because if the Squad had their way, she wouldn’t even make it to ‘Mania. Charlotte asks if Ruby’s done talking, then lets out a “WOO~” right in her face. Ruby goes to swing, Charlotte fights her and the Squad off! She knocks Ruby out, kicks Liv out and then throws Sarah out! The champion wants to fight, but the Squad has her surrounded! They club away on the Queen, and Philly boos and jeers as they stomp her out. Sarah drops a cartwheel knee, and then Ruby kicks her while she’s down. Liv gives the springboard double stomps in the corner, then she and Sarah bring Charlotte over for Ruby. They stand her up, Ruby gives her the Riott Kick! Philly boos and jeers but The Squad stands tall. Will they make good on their words and take that title from Charlotte before Wrestlemania?

Forget the Squad, here comes Ms. Money in the Bank!! Carmella rushes the ring with her briefcase, then makes sure Charlotte is good and done. Then she gives the case over to the referee! She sees Charlotte get up and panics! Carmella goes to dropkick Charlotte, but Charlotte evades and the referee takes the hit!

He tumbles down, Carmella freaks out, but Charlotte gets to her feet. Carmella shrieks for the referee to get up and activate the contract, but too late. She grabs her case and runs now that Charlotte is capable to fight back. Maybe not today, but when will Carmella finally make good on her MITB contract?

 

Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles talk backstage.

Nakamura knows what they have to do, right? Yes, they’re meeting at Wrestlemania. No, tonight they face #Kami! Yes, they meet at ‘Mania. Is he messing with Styles? Of course he’s messing with you. They’ll be fine, just listen to Nakamura out there. Styles listen to Nakamura? Will this Dream Team really work out?

 

Backstage interview with Carmella.

A bit of bad luck kept her from cashing in. Bad Luck? Carmella says that went as planned. She simply wanted to remind everyone that she has the MITB contract, and that makes Carmella the most dangerous woman on SmackDown. Plus, she broke a nail. Well, best of luck next time.

 

Tye Dillinger VS Baron Corbin!

The Perfect Ten and Lone Wolf have had problems with each other for a long time, and now they must settle a whole new grudge. Corbin rusehes in, Tye SUPERKIKCS him back then unloads left hands on the outside before throwing him into a barrier! The fans fire up for Tye as he hits Corbin with a flying forearm!

Tye keeps on Corbin then puts him in the ring, running chop in a corner before Perfect Ten corner punches! Corbin pushes Tye back, gets him with a knee, then pounds him with forearms on the mat. The fans boo, Corbin tells them to “Shut up!” Corbin whips Tye corner to corner, then runs in for a big corner clothesline. He drags Tye up, Tye fights back with body shots and forearms. Tye runs, kicks Corbin back, but Corbin rocks Tye with a right hand. The fans troll Corbin with “You Need Hair Plugs!” but Corbin ignores them to drag Tye up again. He throws Tye right out over the top rope and embraces the heat while we go picture in picture.

Tye writhes while Corbin grins, then Corbin goes out to fetch him. He brings Tye around the corner to then throw him into more barriers. Corbin walks around while Tye writhes again, then Corbin drags Tye up fore more stiff shots. He lifts Tye and drops him on the announce table face first! The referee keeps counting, things return into the ring. Corbin stalks Tye to ropes and rocks him with more right forearms, but then Tye fights back with chops! Corbin drives a knee in then whips Tye to a corner, but Tye evades, only for Corbin to slide out then in and run him over with a lariat! Cover, TWO, and Corbin grows annoyed. He keeps on Tye with a half-nelson chinbar while we go back to single picture.

Tye endures while the fans rally. Corbin keeps the grip on tight but Tye starts firing up. Tye gets up to his feet and fights back with body shots. Corbin drives in another knee then whips Tye, Tye goes up and over while Corbin slides out again. He sees Corbin coming, evades again, and then sends him into a post! Tye sees this is his chance, and fires himself up again. Corbin staggers over and Tye rocks him with southpaw haymakers and right hand chops. Tye rallies with forearms, and evades a pop-up knee to give a boot of his own. Tye knees and lariats Corbin down, then brings him back up for headbutts and chops. Knee pad comes down, Tye lifts Corbin up, but Corbin slips out to shove and clobber Tye down. The fans boo and jeer while Corbin gives Tye the Choke Slam Backbreaker! But Corbin isn’t done there, he brings Tye up again for End of Days! Corbin wins! The Lone Wolf won’t let opportunities slip through his fingers again, will he finally sink his teeth into a WWE Championship match?

 

Rusev speaks.

And Aiden English magically appears! The spotlight is on them, as next week is going to bring victory on Rusev Day~~~ “Bob Roode” loses his title while Rusev “Machka”!

However, Roode has a response.

The US Champion has marked his calendar for next week’s “Rusev Day”. But when you’re Bobby Roode, the schedule fills up very quickly.

Which man will have his day with SmackDown sees this GLORIOUS United States Championship match?

 

Kevin & Sami prepare backstage.

The good news: at least one of these best friends gets a title opportunity. Yep. But a shame it’s against each other. Yep. Though, an opportunity is all either has ever needed, right? Yep. Unless, Sami fails. Much like how Kevin was the one pinned in their match. And like how Sami was eliminated in the Rumble. Well, the important thing is, Sami won’t fail tonight in the tag match because he has Kevin. Right, Sami won’t fail tonight. Is tension already mounting between these reunited friends?

 

Breezango VS Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin!

The bell rings and we have Fandango starting against the Gold Standard. They circle, but Benjmain gives a cheap shot to Prince Pretty! Fandango rocks Benjamin with right hands and chops in return, but Benjamin reverses the whip. Fandango evades, but then runs into a spinebuster!

Benjamin drags Fandango up for a seated hammerlock. The Ascension watch backstage and are worried for their “best friends.” Gable tags in and gets the hand-off to then flip Fandnago with the kitchen sink knee, ONE. Gable goes after the arm, but Fandango gets to ropes. Fandango evades Gable and hits a wheelbarrow bulldog! Cover, TWO, and Fandango keeps on Gable with chops. He whips Gable but Gable slips out to trip up Breeze! Gable then shoulders his way in and slingshots, but into a backbreaker! TWO, and Gable backs up to hit the rolling kick! Cover, TWO, and Gable grows frustrated. He drags Fandnago up into the keylock, but fans rally for the Lord of the Dance. Gable whips, Fandango rolls him, TWO! Tag to Breeze! Breeze rallies on Gable and Benjamin, then gives Gable a forearm smash. Gable reverses the whip and Benjamin tags in. Fandango runs in but Gable tackles him out of the ring. Breeze hits Benjamin with a mule kick, then tries a spinning headscissors, but ends up in the Doomsday!

Benjamin & Gable win! Can “American Alpha 2” make a comeback and take on the Usos again?

 

AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn!

A dream team takes on a duo of best friends, but they all want to hold the WWE Championship. Which team will keep it together long enough to win tonight before facing their partner on the Road to Wrestlemania?

The bell rings and Kevin starts against Styles. Keivn gets a waistlock but Styles gets the standing switch. Styles tries to lift Kevin, but Kevin trips him up first, only for STyles to headscissors Kevin to his corner. Sami tags in, and so does Nakamura.

The Rockstar and Underdog tie up, Sami gets the armlock. He puts on a wristlock and then armbar but Nakamura rolls and cartwheels to reverse it. Sami gets to ropes for the break, so Nakamura rests on Sami’s abs. Kevin gets annoyed for both of them, but then even more when Nakamura says “C’MON!” Sami rushes in and takes the knee, then Nakamura drops a knee. He puts Sami in a corner for Good Vibrations! Nakamura drags Sami over and Styles tags in. Styles throws hands but Sami kicks back and puts on a headlock. The fans cheer for Styles while Sami grinds him down. Styles powers out, things speed up, Styles rocks Sami with a dropkick! He won’t let Sami get away, he brings Sami back and Nakamura tags in. Nakamura is pushed into #Kami’s corner and Kevin stomps away. Sami gets a cheap shot while Kevin says “And that’s why this is MY show!” Kevin keeps on Nakamura with stomps and right hands, then crossface punches and kicks. He drags Nakamura up and puts him in a corner, then tags Sami back in. Sami gives Nakamura punch after punch, and even a chop. He tags Kevin back in, the best friends mug Nakamura. Kevin brings Nakamura up and chops him, then whips him to ropes. Nakamura reverses, Kevin kicks back, but Nakamura gives him the strike fest.

Nakamura drives knees into Kevin’s ribs, but then Sami comes in. Sami gets thrown out but that allows Kevin to pounce on Nakamura. Kevin sees where Sami ended up and gets mad. “Are you my partner or not?” Kevin lariats Nakamura down then orders Sami to get back to his corner. Cover, TWO, and Sami looks to be just as annoyed with Kevin as Kevin is with him. Nakamura fights back and Kevin escapes the ring. The friends argue, the Philly fans boo and jeer them, and the referee starts a ring count. Sami starts to leave?! “See how well you do without your guardian angel!” Is this becoming a handicap match?!

SmackDown returns and Kevin has Styles in a chinlock. Sami stays on the stage and watches while Styles gets to his feet. Styles fights back but Kevin clubs him before going for a back suplex. Styles gets out and gives Kevin the Phenomenal Blitz and sliding forearm! Kevin crawls to a corner and Styles comes in for a big clothesline, then tries the fireman’s carry. Kevin slips out, but Styles still hits the wheelbarrow facebuster!

Cover, but Sami returns to break it up! Seems Sami wasn’t going to give up on this match after all. He gets to the corner and Kevin tags him ni. Sami fires off crossface punches on Styles while the fans sing “Ole~ ole~!” Sami whips and body drops Styles, then covers, TWO. Kevin wants back in already but Sami says he has this. “Tag me dammit!” Sami lets go of Styles, and tags Kevin like he wanted. Kevin stomps on Styles, then hits the back senton, TWO. Now Sami wants a tag, and Kevin gives it to him, with a bit of attitude… Kevin lets Sami handle Styles, but then Sami tags him back.

The friendship is tearing, but while they argue, Styles bumps Kevin into Sami, rolls up, TWO! Kevin clobbers Styles with a lariat! Sami gets mad at Kevin for that, and now he truly leaves this match. The fans boo while Kevin shouts at Sami, but Styles comes back! He forearms Kevin away, but Kevin blocks the springboard with a fireman’s carry and gutbuster! Then a banzai splash! TWO!? Kevin takes his frustration out on Nakamura, then whips Styles, Pop-Up avoided for a PELE! Styles tags in Nakamura, and Nakamura runs to hit Kevin with the dynamic dropkick. Nakamura unleashes kicks, then hits a corner knee. He hoists Kevin up, Top Shelf knee! Now Nakamura fires up and fans know what’s next. So does Kevin, he goes to run away, but Styles puts him back in the ring. Nakamura knocks him down, then finishes with a KINSHASA! The Dream Team wins!

Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.

Is this the end of their friendship already? NOPE! This isn’t about friendship, this is about opportunities. Kevin has had his time, now it’s Sami’s! Sami won’t just be Kevin’s Best Friend, he’ll be the #1 contender and the future WWE Champion! Will it really just be business after next week’s SmackDown?

 

My Thoughts:

Like Raw last night, this post-Rumble SmackDown was pretty darn good. SmackDown works towards their final stop before Wrestlemania, aka Fastlane. The opening fatal 4 way was great and it really boosts the profile of the US Championship. Everyone was great in their character work, especially Big E on the outside with his constant pancake antics. Rusev getting the win is great because fans really do love the Rusev Day gimmick, and because there seems to be a New Day VS Mahal & Singh(s) program building. Rusev and Roode both do great to speak on their match for next week with those smartphone video promos, their match is going to be great but I don’t think Roode would lose so soon after winning the title. Tye VS Corbin on the heels of this new Top Ten List concept is an interesting bit. Corbin wins to keep himself strong in spite of his “falling short” trend, but I would love to see his Heel reaction to the other superstars not voting him into the Top Ten. The SmackDown Tag Team Division keeps going strong as Gable & Benjamin get back on winning ways by making the Fashion Police job out again. Then the Usos tear it up with a great promo, as always, to then be followed up by Harper & Rowan again mauling jobbers they don’t even give time to be introduced. There may be a #1 contenders match before Fastlane, but finally seeing Usos VS Harper & Rowan seems the more logical choice and a very entertaining one given how smash-mouth both teams have shown they can be.

The Women’s Division gives us an interesting bit with The Riott Squad taking the fight to Charlotte and unwittingly setting her up for Carmella’s cash-in attempt. I had mixed reactions about Carmella still being denied her chance, but it happened in a very unique way so I’ll let it slide. Carmella did well to play it off, too, and could still cash-in at Fastlane, or copy Rollins and cash-in mid-match at ‘Mania. Kevin & Sami logically continue where they left off last night with protesting a “controversial” ending, but in similar fashion don’t want to fight it out unless they have to. Then they start getting on each other’s nerves, which is a bit of a shame since they just became friends in kayfabe again rather recently. Of course, the WWE Championship is a major prize, they’d both want to hold it all by themselves. The tension and bickering was good character work, though, and in reality helps give Sami reason not to overdo it since he had a Mixed Match Challenge match to worry about right after this. The arguing of course costs them the match, which keeps Styles and Nakamura strong while they each head for ‘Mania. Kevin VS Sami could go either way, but I really hope the two don’t kayfabe break up over this. Unless it’s to then long-term swerve where the loser appears to help the winner at Fastlane.

My Score: 8/10


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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/19/24)

Prepare for Backlash!

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Did you know that challenger in French is still “challenger?”

In a WrestleMania rematch, AJ Styles takes on LA Knight in a #1 contender’s match, to challenge WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Backlash in France!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight; Styles wins and will challenge Cody Rhodes for the title at Backlash.
  • SmackDown/WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma; The Profits win and will challenge A-Town Down Under for the titles.
  • Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez; Santos wins.
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi; Bayley wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s match: AJ Styles VS LA Knight!

After fighting their way through Triple Threats, the Phenomenal One and the Mega Star meet again, YEAH! It’s a WrestleMania Rematch, the winner moving on to Backlash, YEAH! Will AJ Styles avenge his loss at the biggest WrestleMania ever? Or will everyone from here to France know whose game it is?

The bell rings and the two step to each other. The fans in Pittsburgh “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” and Knight lets Styles know it. Styles snarls, they tie up, and they go around. Knight puts Styles in a corner, the ref counts, but Knight lets off slowly. Styles kicks low! The fans boo but Styles headlocks. Knight pulls hair, throws body shots, then headlocks in return. Styles pushes Knight to ropes, powers up and out, then hurdles, drops and DROP- NO, Knight avoids the dropkick to BOOT, and LARIAT! Knight then TOSSES Styles out of the ring, storms out after him, and brings him to commentary. Knight SMACKS Styles off the desk! And again! And again!

The fans chant “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” with every SMACK, then Knight tops it off with one last SMACK! Knight drags Styles up and into the ring, storms in, but Styles KICKS Knight in the ropes! Styles reels Knight in, but Knight back drops Styles up and out! Styles flounders on the floor, Knight runs to WRECK him with a dropkick! Styles hits desk again and Steel City is loving “L! A! KNIGHT, YEAH!” as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Styles soaks up the heat as he taunts Knight. Styles brings Knight up, but Knight fires haymakers! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight backs Styles down, whips, but Styles ducks ‘n dodges! Knight ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both men are down and the fans fire up. Both men slowly sit up, crawl around, and then stand. Styles fires a shot, but Knight gives it back! The haymakers go back and forth, “YEAH! BOO! YEAH!” Styles staggers but he still ROCKS Knight! Knight ROCKS Styles again and again, but Styles throat chops! Styles fires off the Phenomenal Blitz, but Knight ducks the lariat!

Knight JABS, JABS, JABS, and DECKS Styles! Knight stomps a mudhole in at the corner, “YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner to KNEE Styles down! The fans fire up, Knight puts Styles up, and Knight ROCKS Styles. Knight climbs, but Styles ROCKS him back! Knight staggers away, but returns to spring right up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives that crash but both men are down again. The fans rally as Knight rises, and he brings Styles around. Knight reels Styles in, suplexes, but Styles slips free! Styles goes to a corner, ELBOWS Knight away, then goes up to QUEBRADA DDT! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Knight stays in this and Styles starts losing his cool. The fans rally for Knight but Styles looms over him. Styles brings Knight up and in, but Knight RAMS him into a corner! Knight then scoops Styles, but Styles slips free to roll up, TWO!! Knight escapes, swings, but Styles dodges to PELE! Knight ends up in a corner, Styles runs in, but Knight puts Styles on the apron! Styles ROCKS Knight, springboards, but Knight gets under! Styles comes back, into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Then JUMP ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up with with Knight as he storms around. Styles rises, Knight winds up, B F- NO, Styles bails out!

The fans boo but Knight storms over. Knight drags Styles up but Styles HOTSHOTS him! And pokes him in the eyes! Then ROCKS him! And springboards, to PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the Undisputed WWE Championship)

Styles bent the rules, but a win is a win! He will get his shot at the American Nightmare in Lyon, France, will this year’s Backlash be phenomenal?

 

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

The car pulls up, Solo Sikoa steps out in a suit, and Paul Heyman is there to greet him. Nice threads, Solo. Tama Tonga walks over and Solo says meet the newest member of The Bloodline, Solo’s MFT. The Wise Man is stunned. But Solo cuts him off to ask if Kevin Owens is here. Heyman hesitates and Solo asks again, is Kevin here? If he is, he’s probably already in the locker room. Then take them to him. Heyman obeys and leads on. There have already been changes to the chain of command, is there about to be a change to the landscape of SmackDown, too?

 

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

In a familiar scene to Monday Night Raw, there is a podium with something under a satin sheet. The SmackDown General Manager welcomes to Pittsburgh the Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque! The fans fire up as The Game makes his way to the ring! HHH joins Aldis in the ring, gets a mic, looks around at the crowd as he revels in the cheers, then says, “On the heels of the biggest, most epic, history making, record breaking, epic, unbelievable WrestleMania of all time, we are here tonight, sold out, 15 thousand strong, Pittsburgh, PA! So let me say, welcome to SmackDown!” The fans cheer that!

HHH wants to take a moment to say that he thinks Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are both doing great jobs at leading their respective brands into the future. Thank you to both of them. And when we talk about the future, we have to talk about the history made coming into the future. So when history is made, HHH wants it to be represented here befitting of those that make it. So Aldis, if we could, let us bring the… champions out here. Aldis says without further ado, the NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Austin Theory & Grayson Waller. The fans boo as A-Town Down Under make their way, blue belts in hand.

Theory & Waller join Aldis and HHH in the ring, mics already in hand, and they soak up the heat from Steel City. Waller says this is huge. Monday, we saw the second place champions get new belts. And now A-Town Down Under will be presented new titles! Theory says speaking of truth, didn’t Truth think HHH was a magician? Well, who knows what magic trick HHH has to make these guys look better than they already do, but hey, give it a try. HHH says congratulations on becoming tag team champions, so he will show them what they will wear going forward. From now on, they will be the WWE Tag Team Champions.

Reveal! In the style of the Attitude Era and Ruthless Aggression Era belts, the solid gold shines. HHH offers a handshake, but Waller leaves him hanging to shake Theory’s hand! Aldis makes it clear to them. They ever pop off and disrespect HHH like that, here’s a real magic trick: A-Clown Down Under will disappear, permanently! The fans like the sound of that! Aldis snatches the blue belts away since they won’t need them, and speaking of disappearing, there’s a chance one of the following four teams will make their title reign disappear. That #1 contenders match starts right now! The fans fire up, but which team defies the odds to get some golden tickets to France?

 

Backstage interview with Naomi.

Kayla Braxton is with The Glow and says last week, she beat Tiffany Stratton to get this title opportunity tonight. Will the friendship with Bayley get in the way of this match? Naomi says no, of course not. Bayley’s her sister, and she needed help against Damage CTRL, so Naomi was more than happy to help. But in no way will friendship get in the way of this opportunity. It has been over two YEARS since Naomi’s last WWE singles championship match, and there is nothing that will get in the way of making the most of this moment. Now last week, Tiffy Time felt the glow, so that same energy keeps going tonight.

Naomi is also looking forward to next week’s WWE Draft, where she will walk in the NEW WWE Women’s Champion. Naomi is ready, but will she be able to best Bayley in Bayley’s first title defense?

 

WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Street Profits VS New Catch Republic VS The Authors of Pain VS Legado Del Fantasma!

SmackDown returns as Legado makes their entrance, followed by Akam & Rezar with the Final Testament. Waller & Theory are on commentary, Waller admitting he wants any team but AOP, and Theory saying these teams are fortunate to have real superstars leading their division. In this form of Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are active, so the Big Strong Boi, Tyler Bate, starts against Montez Ford. They circle, tie up, and Ford headlocks. Bate powers up to pry at the hold but Ford clamps on tighter. Bate powers up and out, drops, but Ford leaps over! The fans cheer, things keep moving, Bate feints high to drop low!

Bate shows knuckle lock, Ford obliges, but Bate wrenches, baits and double pump handles to FLIP Ford! Cover, TWO! Ford gets up to sweep and cover, TWO! Bate steps over, La Magistrol, TWO! Ford gets up, dropkicks cancel out, and both men kip up! The fans fire up and the two reset. But then Humberto Carrillo sneaks a tag, before he DECKS Bate with a sucker punch! Ford dodges Humberto but Angel Garza holds the ropes open! Ford tumbles out,  Garza tags in, and Humberto sits Ford up. Garza runs in to KNEE Ford down! The fans boo, Garza drags Ford to a cover, TWO! Garza back suplexes, Ford lands out!

Ford tags Dawkins and he dodges Garza to FLYING ELBOW! Garza tags out to Akam, but then the Bruiserweight, Pete Dunne, tags in off Dawkins! Rezar tags, Dunne runs up but Akam LARIATS him down! Rezar DECKS Dawkins, then the AOP start clearing the corners! But Ford goes up to leap, but into an URENAGE! The fans boo but the AOP roar and soak up the heat. Waller’s worst case scenario might end up reality, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and the fans rally as Ford endures a facelock. Ford fights up, pries at the hold, but Rezar shoves him to ELBOW him down! Rezar talks trash, Waller taunts the Steelers players sitting in the front row that they don’t really know what championships are, and then Rezar sucker punches Dawkins down! Rezar stands Ford up, Canadian Racks and bends him! Ford endures, the fans rally, but Rezar thrashes Ford around! Ford kicks and flails, he gets free, hot tag to Dunne! Bate sneaks a tag, Dunne GAMANGIRIS Akam and then NCR fire off on Rezar! The fans fire up, Humberto runs in, but Dunne dodges to SNAP GERMAN!

Bate & Dunne STOMP Humberto’s hands! Then BASEMENT DROPKICK! Garza runs up, but into the REBOUNDER GERMAN COMBO!! The fans fire up with NCR, but Rezar runs up! He grabs Dunne, but Bate says Bop up, BANG! Bate fireman’s carries Rezar?! But Rezar ELBOWS right free! Dunne GAMANGIRIS, Ford SUPERKICKS, and Dawkins ENZIGIRIS! Rezar wobbles, and everyone helps Bate gets Rezar up! BIG STRONG AIRPLANE SPINE! But then Legado CLOBBER Bate and Rezar! They BOOT Dunne, whip the Profits but the Profits reverse to TOSS Legado out! Ellering coaches Rezar while the Profits regroup.

Bate gets up, Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins brings Bate to the very top, but Dunne CLUBS Dawkins! NCR mug Dawkins but Ford joins in! They brawl, but AOP add on! Humberto finds Rezar to tag in, before the DOUBLE TOWER OF DOOM!! Bate’s the only one left up top, so Legado mug him! They double trophy lift Bate, to DOUBLE ROCKET LAUNCH him onto everyone!! Humberto then finds Bate, sunset flips and rewinds, Garza jumps, MISSILE DROPKICK DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! “This is Awesome!” as all eight men are down around ringside, and Waller says this is gonna be easy pickings for A-Town Down Under now.

Dunne grabs Garza, Bate has Humberto, STEREO ANKLE LOCKS!! Grapevine for Garza! But Humberto BOOTS Bate onto Dunne! Legado is free, Ellering has AOP regroup, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Rezar CLUBS Dawkins down. Rezar soaks up heat, taunts the other teams, then CLUBS Dawkins again. Rezar brings Dawkins up again, but Dawkins fires off body shots! Rezar KNEES low, reels Dawkins in, talks more trash, and lifts Dawkins up, to POWERBOMB! But then Dunne runs up to ROCK Rezar! Akam gets in to scoop Dunne and SLAM him on Dawkins! Cover, TWO! Rezar looks to Ellering and he coaches AOP. Rezar HAMMERS Dawkins, Akam tags, and AOP get NCR up! The fans boo but NCR RANA free to send AOP into each other! Ford jumps in, as does Garza.

All the teams realize, they gotta do something about AOP. So they all mug AOP! The fans fire up as AOP tumble out, but now who strikes first? Dunne runs up but Garza SUPERKICKS him first! Bate waistlocks Garza and Ford winds up, but Garza ducks so the BACKHAND hits Bate! Garza SUPERKICKS Ford, but Dawkins DECKS Garza! Humberto springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO!! Theory says if A-Town Down Under were in this match, he’d knock everyone out and Waller could just sneak in to cover. Humberto and Dawkins rise and go to corners. Humberto runs up, but Dawkins POUNCES him away!

Dawkins gets Humberto up, Ford returns and tags in! Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Humberto and Ford climbs! The stars are out for the BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY! Cover, DUNNE BREAKS IT! Another save from the Bruiserweight and Ford is frustrated. Dunne drags Dawkins up to CHOP, but Dawkins ROCKS him! Dawkins whips Dunne out of the ring, but Dunne grabs the arm! And he pulls off the glove so he can SNAP fingers! The fans fire up, but Ford ENZIGIRIS Dunne down! Ford brings Humberto up, Humberto JAWBREAKERS! Bate tags in off Ford, BOOTS Garza, then runs up, but into a POP-UP! But Bate RANAS Humberto!!

Bate then DUMPS Garza out, goes to the apron, and Dunne lines up targets. Bate and Dunne climb, Ford runs in, NCR DOUBLE ARIHARA MOONSAULT while Ford FLIES over the corner post!! Down goes Legado and AOP!! The fans are losing their minds as Bate hurries to get Humberto up. Bate puts Humberto in, reels him in, underhooks, but Humberto fights it! Humberto back drops but Bate lands on his feet! Humberto cradles, TWO! Humberto LARIATS Bate, tag to Garza! Legado gets Bate up, feed to the POP-UP KICK!! #FTY! Humberto then DIVES to take out Dunne! Garza goes up the ropes to LIONSAULT!!

But Ford flies in FROM THE HEAVENS!! The fans are thunderous as everyone is down again! Bate flounders, Dawkins tags in! Dawkins whips Legado, Ford joins in, THE REVELATION!! Cover, PROFITS WIN!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Championships)

Waller & Theory are relieved it isn’t AOP, but they still look a bit annoyed that it is Ford & Dawkins. The Profits are Triple Crown Tag Team Champions from Raw to SmackDown to NXT, but will they soon add the WWE Tag Team Championships to make it a grand slam?

 

Backstage interview with Bayley.

Byron Saxton is with The Role Model, and brings up the emotional moment from Monday Night Raw where Rhea Ripley had to relinquish her title. But let us focus on Bayley’s title, as she defends it for the first time against Naomi. Where is her head at ahead of the main event? Bayley says after seeing Rhea vacate the Women’s World Championship on Raw, Bayley appreciates her reign more. She is focused, and she has realized she’s THE Women’s Champion in WWE right now, something she does not take for granted. Because we all know that with the WWE Draft, things are bound to change.

And as excited as Bayley is to face her friend, Naomi, one thing that won’t change is her as THE WWE Women’s Champion. Bayley is just as confident at Naomi, so something’s gotta give! Will The Role Model #FeelTheGlow? Or will she still be shining with gold after tonight?

 

Paul Heyman talks with Solo Sikoa.

The Wise Man apologizes that they haven’t found Kevin Owens, but he has to be here somewhere. Just look at the time. They will find him, somewhere. Solo stops listening and heads to gorilla. Heyman follows after, but Solo gives him a look. Heyman says he isn’t trying to upset Solo. Please believe him. The last person on this planet Heyman wants to piss off is Solo. But respectfully, Solo is making decisions that are not his to make, yet. One day, these will all be Solo’s decisions. But not now, not here! These are decisions that can only be made by one man. Solo asks Heyman if he’s done talking. Heyman asks if MFT is coming with Solo.

Solo just gives a thumbs up, with that taped thumb. The music hits and Solo makes his entrance, Heyman still following all the way into the ring. What does the Enforcer have planned? We’ll find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Heyman has the mic to give his usual introduction. And he doesn’t know if there is a list of the most brilliant backstage maneuvering politicians int he history of the WWE, but if there were, Heyman would have to think that he personally is in the top… Well, permit Heyman, with Solo’s permission, to explain what’s going on right now within The Bloodline, “the premier act in the history of WWE.” The fans chant, “We Want Roman!” but Solo shrugs that off. Heyman assures us that as The Wise Man for… Heyman gets emotional, so Solo just snatches the mic! The fans boo but Solo paces.

Solo tries to talk but the fans boo. Solo says last week, he had to lose a brother! He had to! It was in order for him to find a new one! His MFT, Tama Tonga! And with that, a bloodied Kevin Owens is tossed out, by the Good Bad Guy! Tama shoves Kevin down the ramp, stalks behind him, and referees rush out to stop him from doing anything further! Kevin can’t even sit up, but Tama steps over him to go to the ring. The fans boo as Tama joins Solo in the ring while the refs help Kevin to his feet and to the back. Tama raises his finger to the sky, because he acknowledges Solo! Heyman has no choice but to go along, but wait! Kevin is heading back down the ramp!?

The fans fire up as Kevin shows his grit and defiance! He drags Tama out to fire off hands!! The fans cheer but then Solo whips Kevin into steel steps! Solo drags Kevin back up, puts him in the ring, but now security rushes in! Tama storms in after Kevin but Kevin TACKLES Tama! The security gets Kevin away from Tama, but Solo SAMOAN SPIKES Kevin down!! The fans boo but then Tama SPLASHES Kevin! Tama rains down fists on that bloody wound, then he DECKS guard after guard! Producers try but Tama is a madman! Tama shoves everyone away so he can slip out of the ring, to grab a chair!!

The fans boo as Tama storms back in, but now Aldis steps up! Aldis warns The Bloodline here, and Solo has Tama stand down. Solo takes the chair from Tama to show they’re done here. The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but the damage is done. Solo & Tama are a dangerous duo, will nothing and no one stop them from taking over SmackDown?

 

Heyman goes to the parking lot.

He’s in shock, but Aldis finds him and pulls him along. Was Heyman aware of this? Aldis shows Heyman the aftermath of one car T-boning another! And in case Heyman can’t guess, the struck car was Kevin’s. The attacking car was Tama’s! Heyman says this wasn’t authorized! No, Heyman, Aldis is speaking now. He gets this is a conflict within The Bloodline, but on his show, things are settle din the ring. Next week is the Draft, a lot of eyeballs on it, and a lot top brass are gonna be here. So Aldis will not tolerate this behavior. So make sure The Bloodline understands. Because, Heyman, if you don’t, the repercussions will be equally savage.

Aldis brings Heyman in close to tell him losing isn’t the only thing that has consequences. Will the Wise Man be able to rein in such an unruly force as Solo and Tama?

 

Carlito w/ Zelina Vega VS Santos Escobar w/ Elektra Lopez!

The LWO still doesn’t believe Legado’s claims that they had nothing to do with Dragon Lee going down before WrestleMania, so they’re going to get to the bottom of this one themselves! Will Caribbean Cool make the Emperor of Lucha confess his crimes? Or will Santos prove he was right all along?

The bell rings and the two talk trash. Then they start throwing hands! Carlito backs Santos down but Santos gets around to whisper something in Carlito’s ear. Carlito ELBOWS Santos away, runs up and hits a THESZ PRESS! Carlito then bumps Santos off buckles, fires hands, then has him in another corner. Carlito whips corner to corner, runs up, but Santos BOOTS him! Santos runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Vega coaches Carlito to stay on Santos and he brings Santos up. Carlito ROCKS Santos, whips, but Santos KICKS him! Santos runs, but into a DROPKICK! Carlito kips up and the fans fire up!

Santos is on the outside, the ref won’t let Carlito go after him, but then Carlito WRECKS Santos with a dropkick! Carlito loads up to PLANCHA! Direct hit on Santos and Carlito hoists Vega up to celebrate! The fans cheer the LWO on as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Santos whips Carlito hard into buckles. Carlito falls over, Santos soaks up the heat, then Santos HEADBUTTS Carlito to a corner. Santos then CHOPS, gets space and runs in, to DOUBLE KNEE! Carlito slumps in the corner but Santos puts him up top! Santos GAMANGIRIS then climbs up! SUPER STEINER! Carlito flounders, Santos pushes him to a cover, TWO! Vega is relieved but Santos huffs and puffs. Santos rains down fists on Carlito, then clamps on a top wristlock. Carlito endures and Vega coaches him while the fans rally. Carlito rises, throws body shots, then LARIATS!

The fans rally as Carlito starts to rally with more clotheslines, and an ELBOW! Carlito kicks, runs, and KNEE LIFTS! Santos wobbles, Carlito LARIATS again! Cover, TWO! Santos is tougher than that but Carlito says he’s going up! Carlito climbs, but then Lopez gets on the apron! Vega storms right over to YANK her down! The fans fire up as Vega goes up, and RANAS, only for Lopez to block! Lopez SWINGS Vega into barriers! Carlito ROCKS Santos, steps in, but the ref is reprimanding Lopez so he misses Santos KICK ropes to jam Carlito low! Santos reels Carlito in to POST him, then brings him back for the fireman’s carry! PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Santos wins!

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall

La Madrina helps The Emperor steal this victory, them taking down the Caribbean Cool and La Muneca! Whether or not Legado beat down Dragon Lee, will nothing stop them from conquering SmackDown?

 

VIP Skybox interview with Damage CTRL!

Kayla is with Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane & Asuka as they sit way up in the back. What made the former WWE Women’s Champion and crew want a special view of this main event? Dakota takes offense for Iyo with the use of “former” there. Is Kayla trying to disrespect them? Iyo will take that title back when they’re good and ready. But for now, they’re here to watch two people they can’t stand tear each other apart! Does Dakota need to remind everyone here that DMG CTRL is still the most dominant force in the WWE!? The fans boo but Dakota says the Kabuki Warriors are STILL the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and that will not change-

WAID! Jade Cargill is here! She makes her entrance from the other skybox, with Bianca Belair alongside her! The strongEST duo argues with DMG CTRL, their own title intentions clear. But for now, it’s time for the main event! Who shines with gold here in the Steel City? We find out, after the break!

 

Cody Rhodes speaks.

The American Nightmare is in the UK as part of Raw’s tour, but he still took time to say, “What is the task? Run up the score, leave no doubt, right? Formerly, the task was ‘win the big belt, in the big place.’ We’ve done that. Now, it’s a whole new frontier for us, undiscovered country.” There’s an old expression: the title can make the man, or the man makes the title. Which will it be for Cody? He’s in London tonight, the O2, 16 THOUSAND, then it’s on to Belfast, Ireland. Cody is keeping his promise to bring this title all around the world. Back home, AJ Styles has emerged the #1 contender to this championship.

So then, it will be two Georgia boys duking it out in Lyon, France. The first time ever, at that. Styles has an unprecedented reputation in pro-wrestling. The modern day Excellence of Execution, if you will. Styles rarely misses. But the same goes for Cody. So Backlash in France, Cody looks forward to it. The contract signing is next week, even as the WWE Draft is going on! Will things be explosive when American Nightmare and Phenomenal One meet face to face?

 

WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi!

SmackDown returns and Bayley makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and either we shine or we glow!

The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. The two tie up, go around, and Bayley headlocks. Naomi powers up but Bayley wrenches to wristlock. Naomi slips through, rolls Bayley up, ONE!! The fans rally as the two go again. Naomi waistlocks, Bayley headlocks to hit a takeover, and she makes it a cover, TWO! Naomi fights up to her feet, powers up but Bayley wrenches gain. Naomi waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, ONE! Both women get up, Naomi ducks the boot but Bayley arm-drags her around! Bayley has the cording hold, the fans rally up, and Naomi fights to her feet. Naomi whips Bayley away, but Bayley runs her over!

The fans cheer and Bayley tells DMG CTRL she’s watching them, too. Things speed up, Naomi does the splits to duck under, then she comes back to kick from below! She drags Bayley into a cradle, ONE!! Bayley hurries to step over, LA MAGISTROL! ONE!! Naomi and Bayley get up, Naomi trips Bayley to jackknife, ONE!! Ghost pin, TWO! Both women hurry up, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans rally while both women are down, evenly matched in this chess game so far. Both women rise, and Naomi SHOTGUNS first! Then she runs up, uses the ropes to slingshot and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Naomi is frustrated but keeps her focus.

Naomi drags Bayley up, Bayley shoves her away. Naomi dodges the lariat to hit REAR VIEW! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Naomi lets her know it was that close, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Bayley whips Naomi to a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Bayley gets up, Naomi runs up, JAWBREAKER! Bayley ends up in a corner now, Naomi runs in, and she forearm SMASHES! Naomi then runs Bayley corner to corner for a BUCKLE BULLDOG! Naomi slips out to the apron while Bayley flounders, and Naomi climbs. The fans duel as Naomi CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Naomi knows that. Naomi keeps her focus while DMG CTRL, Bianca & Jade all focus on them. Naomi ROCKS Bayley, tries the ropes again, but Bayley stops the bulldog to SMACK Naomi off buckles!

Bayley then reels Naomi in, SAIDO! High stack, TWO! Naomi is still in this and Bayley remembers Naomi’s tougher than that, too. Bayley drags Naomi into a drop zone, then goes up the corner! Bayley aims, to MACHO ELBOW onto knees! Bayley writhes, Naomi goes to the apron. Bayley stands, runs up, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi slingshots, for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Naomi is stunned! Naomi refocuses, goes to the corner, and goes up to SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT onto knees! Bayley returns the favor and both women are down. Bayley shakes out the leg, stands and runs, to KNEE Naomi down!

Bayley hurries to put Naomi back in a drop zone, and then hobbles her way to a corner. Bayley climbs, to MACHO ELBOW!! Direct hit this time and Bayley covers, TWO!! Naomi survives and Bayley is frustrated. Bayley hobbles on the bad leg, leans on ropes while she catches her breath, and the fans duel even more. Bayley stalks Naomi, hooks her up, but Naomi PELES free! Naomi hurries to a corner, Bayley runs up, but Naomi goes up to sunset flip! TWO!! But into the BUTTERFLY LOCK!! Bayley endures, reaches out with her legs, but then she tucks to a cover, TWO!! Naomi gets up, both women throw forearms!

They both wobble, storm up, and Bayley eggs Naomi on. Naomi wants this, right? So hit her! Naomi fires a forearm, Bayley hits back! Naomi winds up to forearm, Bayley comes back with another! The fans fire up as the forearms go harder and faster! Bayley gets the edge, but Naomi SWATS one, to SCORPION KICK, and then JUMP KNEE! Bayley tumbles out of the ring, Naomi PLANCHAS! Direct hit and a hard one, both women are down on the floor! The ring count starts, Naomi stirs at 3 of 10. Naomi brings Bayley up, but BAYLEY2BELLY onto the desk!! The count is 7! Naomi flounders on the desk, but then TIFFANY ATTACKS BAYLEY!!!

Winner: Bayley, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Champion)

Tiffany makes herself the center of attention as always as she ruins this main event! She dribbles Naomi off the desk, then RAMS Bayley into steel steps! Then she drags Naomi off the desk to POST her! Tiff storms back over to Bayley, puts her in the ring, then adds Naomi in, too. Tiff says sorry not sorry, but it’s Tiffy Time! Tiffy goes to the corner, for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER! Tiff flexes over both champion and challenger, having upset Bianca & Jade but having entertained DMG CTRL. But will Wrestling Barbie pay for pissing off the Role Model?


My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown that also acted as a WWE Draft go-home. Great match from Styles and Knight to open the night but also follow-up their WrestleMania match. Naturally, Styles wins because then he and Knight are 1-1 in 1v1 matches, and also natural Face VS Heel right there. Good promo from Cody Rhodes, that title match is going to be awesome. Awesome new looks for the WWE Tag Team Championships, though maybe too much gold. Nothing really pops when it’s all the same color, so they should’ve had silver on the WWE logo and the words, “Tag Team Champions,” but it’s still a great redesign.

We also got an awesome Fatal 4 Way tag match, with Theory & Waller decent on commentary. And pieces are falling into place for what I was thinking: Profits win the right to face Theory & Waller, we’ll surely get Lashley wanting the US Championship, we’ll get a good faction feud there as we approach those title matches. Also good continuation of the LWO VS Legado feud with Carlito VS Santos, and distractions of course helped Santos win. There’s gotta come a point where Carlito reveals it was him, Dragon Lee, it was him all along! Now, that would make like the third turn since the start of this rivalry (Santos to Heel, Andrade to Face and Carlito to Heel) but hey, the drama is heightened each time, and maybe Dragon Lee will actually get a win in this feud.

Great stuff in Bayley VS Naomi, as well as all the promos. DMG CTRL watching from the skybox, same as Bianca & Jade, was good stuff. The tag title match is definitely coming for Backlash, that will be great stuff. But I should’ve figured Tiffany would “ruin” the main event so that there won’t really be a choice between Bayley and Naomi. The Draft is coming, hopefully they think to keep all three on the same brand, and probably here on SmackDown, so that those three can have it out. I don’t know the chances of a Triple Threat for Backlash but it still feels possible. Though  at the same time, I don’t think they’d take the title off Bayley after only a month, so she’d probably use Tiffany against Naomi to retain.

And what wild stuff with this new, more vicious Bloodline. Solo is in a suit because he certainly thinks he is Tribal Chief already, given Roman Reigns did give him the nod as “Tribal Heir” a few months ago. And while Tama is the MFT, which everyone is already wondering what that even means, it’s clear he’s also the right hand man and a loose cannon at that. Without the Draft, it’d be pretty wild for Jimmy to come back and help Kevin against this new Bloodline. With the Draft, we could get Jey back on the same brand as his family and then he and Jimmy stand against Solo and Tama. But either way, it’ll be a wild ride in this new chapter and I’m all for it.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.18.2024

Motor City Machine Guns either go out on their backs, or head to Rebellion as champs! Lets see how they finish their current run in TNA!

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No burying the lead here! The Main Event is The System versus Motor City Machine Guns, and it’s the Go Home episode before Rebellion! So we’re guaranteed a damn good tag match, and we should get either new wrinkles, or ways to keep the storylines cooking going into the Pay-per-View.

With all the rumors and innuendo about the Guns being on their way out, I think we all assume that MCMG is losing, but my inner fanboy is still excited.

Ratings:

  • Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – SQUASH
  • LSG vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – SQUASH
  • Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno: Ali wins via 450 Splash – ** 3/4
  • Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Rosemary wins via Spear – ***
  • Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4

 

Results:

So we kick off the match with Josh coming out to commentary again to watch Hammerstone’s match. They really need a new way to try and keep heat without reusing the same tired gimmick of “ring side seat” to a Squash match.

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone

Guido tries to shoot the half, but Hammerstone shrugs him off, lifts him like a child and runs him into a corner, few short shots and then just tosses him across the ring. Hammer gets a little distracted talking smack to Josh and eats a foot, but then tosses Guido with the ole Sack of Shit move and keeps working over Guido.

Hammer shoves Clayton, and provokes him to push him back right in front of the referee. She ejects them, Guido tries to take advantage but when he goes for the pinfall Hammer kicks out immediately and presses Guido out of thing through the ropes. Continues to dog walk Guido, puts the head gear on the ECW Original and then Torture Racks him while staring directly at Josh, and of course picks up the submission victory.

LSG vs Joe Hendry

Hendry cuts a little promo, mentioning the Fat Uncle Phil joke…something about shopping at the TOP Dollar Store. Solid mic work.

LSG is a damn good local talent, he’s been seen in ROH and AEW in the past (perhaps others, but that’s what comes to mind immediately for me), but we all know this is an enhancement match. A few nice chain wrestling spots early, but Hendry uses his power to stop the smaller wrestler, Sack of Shit into Standing Ovation and the match is over quickly.

Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno

Well okay, having Deaner ask the crowd if they wanted a 3v2 or their third member…RHYNO…is pretty much a no brainer in Philly. But at least the gimmick isn’t quite as cringe as I expected.

Jake starts with Zack Gibson and throws him around. Jake goes for the tag and Deaner asks the crowd who Jake should tag, and the crowd picks Rhyno. Rhyno Whips Gibson into a corner, Drake actually softens the impact, allowing Gibson to fire back, tag out, but Rhyno levels both GYV members and then even knocks Ali off the apron. Rhyno tries to call to the crowd to tag in Deaner and that goes over like a fart in church. He tags him in anyway, and the crowd is kinda dead and doing whatever it wants after the obvious ECW chants when Rhyno tagged in.

GYV take a couple lumps but they of course start to work over Deaner and capture some momentum. Solid tandem work from GYV, they cut off Deaner from making a tag and goad Jake a little to cause the ref to block off the babyfaces so the heels can take a few shortcuts. Cody eventually makes the tag to Rhyno, hot tag, he tries to set up the Gore but the GYV manage to stop him in his tracks and hit an Enzuigiri to daze the Man Beast, he falls to his corner and Jake tags himself in. Jake literally runs them all over, tags in Cody and Launches him from the Top Rope into Zack Gibson. Ali makes the save and Jake tries to get his hands on Ali, but the GYV keep throwing themselves at him, literally. The triple team finally gets the best of Jake, they hit 3 Dives and then post Jake, so they gather around Cody like hyenas.

They forgot about Rhyno, he’s set up for a Gore, he Gores Drake, Gibson and Ali take out Rhyno, but then Cody starts to fight back. Ali stops Deaner’s offense with an Avalanche Sunset Bomb, then hits his 450 Splash. Jake barely misses being able to break up the pin.

Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

Jody tries to start quickly with Shoulder Tackles, Lariats and Scoop Slams, and it does seem somewhat effective. Rosemary is having trouble finding offense against the intensity, but she keeps kicking out. Shotgun Dropkick finally gives Rosemary an opening, she goes into full mount and rains down strikes. Rosemary shoves Jody into a corner and Bites her in the corner. Jody tries to fight out, they go across and Rosemary catches her with the legs and puts her in the Upside Down. Splash in the corner from Rosemary, Exploder Suplex and Jody is eating a lot of offense.

Rosemary looks like she’s caught after she gets tripped up into the ropes and Jody goes for her Rope Knee into the German, but Rosemary dodges. Rosemary hits her own suplex and pulls out a beautiful Last Chancery! I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. Jody manages to fight to the ropes, Rosemary is a little slow to capitalize and eats a Pump Kick. Rosemary goes flying into the ropes, Jody hits the Double Knees into the German this time for 2, and they trade a few haymakers after that. Jody folds Rosemary with a low Lariat, Zombie rise spot a few times, Jody goes for a pinfall and Rosemary kicks out.

Havok jumps up on the apron, Dani meets her and they decide to step down, but the distraction was enough. Jody turns around and eats a Spear. Rosemary wins!

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards

Eddie and Shelley start off, and its a very simple slow start. Mostly an early stalemate, the typical Japanese style the TNA seem to love to employ. Starters tag out, but then Shelley with the blind tag, Sabin Baseball Slides out, picks Eddie’s ankle and sends his face bouncing off the apron, while Shelley sneaks up being Myers and they hit a tandem move before we cut to commercial. Off of the commercial it looks like Eddie and Myers regained control. But a nice Jawbreaker from Shelley sends Eddie falling back into the MCMG corner. Dragon Screws to both legs from Sabin and Shelley, and we get the Dragon Screw dissection spot for the Guns.

Myers gets sick of things, tries to get involved, but Simultaneous Figure Fours from the MCMG makes The System look silly. Alisha does the classic “push the rope forward” gimmick to assist Eddie in breaking the hold. She keeps chirping at Shelley until she finally grabs his foot. Shelley doesn’t take kindly, tries to grab her by the hair but she gets away, Shelley eats a strike and falls back to the ropes so Lish can just throttle him with the rope, Sabin walks over and acts like he’s going to PK her and the look of disgust on her face is hilarious, like “how dare he threaten to kick her”. Would I be mad is Masha decides to team with Lish and they win the Knockouts Tag titles? No, because the Knockouts Tags are trash. But I still prefer Lish as valet/manager.

Shelley starts fighting back after another commercial break, Eddie tries to cut him off, but Sabin clocks Eddie and Shelley manages to make the tag and Sabin comes in. Lights up both System members, Kick off Tornado DDT, into a Running Gamengiri. Eddie tries to counter but Shelley assists, tandem strikes, Double Baseball Slide into the classic MCMG spot 5 Hole Dive! Keeping up with the classics Shelley stacks the System members on each other and hit the Missile Dropkick/Flatliner spot. As the Guns are rolling, Sabin accidentally catches Sabin with his foot and The System take control! They hit their pieces of the System Overload spot, but Sabin kicks out. Roster Cut attempt from Myers, but Shelley is back. High Speed Dirt, Machine Gun Sandwich, but Lish grabs Shelley’s foot when they’re setting up Skull and Bones. Shelley gets dropped on the turnbuckle and thrown out, Sabin eats the Roster Cut followed up with Boston Knee Party and System retains!

Its a little weird to have had the two commercial cuts and the fact there’s still Nic Nemeth to follow. So it feels a little flat, I hope this wasn’t their swan song match, because it was nice to see some classic spots, but it was entirely too abbreviated. 

Nemeth comes out, goes into the crowd and finds a kid with a kendo stick and borrows a beer from someone, so he does a bit of a Sandman tribute. Moose cuts off his promo basically immediately. He throws out the “can’t beat the system” line again, and Nic rolls with the punches well. Moose uses a few cute analogies about Nic having a failure laden past, but Nemeth bites back and its really damn good. He says he can see it in Moose’s eyes that he thinks he’s getting in the ring with Dolph Ziggler, but no, there is no more old Dolph Ziggler, just the new Nic Nemeth. And Moose’s cool seems to be slightly shaken after those words. Good promo.

Overall Score: 6.5/10

So this was okay, if it didn’t end as strongly as it did, I would’ve rated this much lower. Two squash matches in the beginning, reusing the Josh comes out to the announce table to watch trope is boring, hell even Clayton’s shove to Hammerstone was super lame looking. The Deaner match was luke warm at best, but things picked up around the Rosemary match.

Lets also not overlook the segments with ASH & Xia, Jonathan Gresham’s whole deal and EY having to return to the violence/sickness/world class maniac, whatever you want to call it, were all great building blocks. This definitely wasn’t what I would call a strong Go Home, but it didn’t hurt things for Rebellion. The whole injury of Cardona was addressed, which honestly sounded weird since Jordynne basically said she was expecting them to have a backup plan so she has a backup plan. I don’t really like how that video package came across.

But who knows, all I know is, this wasn’t an awful episode, it just wasn’t really strong either.  Here’s to hoping Rebellion Saturday is still strong.


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