Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (10/2/18)

Published

6 years ago

October 2, 2018

After the last SmackDown ended with frightening video from Samoa Joe, GM Paige has no choice but to address the escalating feud between Joe and AJ Styles!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

R-Truth & Carmella VS Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega; Truth & Carmella win.
Tye Dillinger VS Randy Orton; No Contest.
Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Bryan; Benjamin wins.
Asuka w/ Naomi VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay; Asuka wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown GM Paige is already in the ring!

The Glampire in Chief admits that when she first took this job, she was told it would be “exhilarating, emotional exhausting,” but to think it’d turn out like this! What Samoa Joe did was completely out of line! Joe committed one of the most dastardly crimes in WWE History. Paige was going to debate this, but she needs everyone to see the footage that shows the gravity of this situation. We relive last week’s video chat Joe started with the titantron. He poetically depicted his visiting the Styles Family home in Georgia while Styles was miles away. Joe says Styles stole the title from him, and this was the consequence. Ding dong, “Daddy’s home.”

Paige assures us the Styles Family is okay, and authorities were called. Joe did not enter the home, but charges were pressed. Paige thought it over and talked to WWE Management. The decision was unanimous: fire Samoa Joe. Fans are conflicted, but Paige says she gave someone else a call. She called AJ Styles to personally let him know things were okay. But she could feel his emotion through the phone. No one should go through what Styles did. But then Styles surprised Paige: he dropped the charge, and begged her not to fire Joe. Termination would be too easy, and Paige agreed. Styles then told her he’d want to had out the punishment personally. Therefore, the WWE Championship No Holds Barred match will still happen! But before tonight, Styles also wanted us to see something.

Styles films himself in his living room as he apologizes for not being present tonight in Portland. He cannot find it in himself to perform just yet. “This is bigger than WWE.” He doesn’t want to something he’d regret. Styles is home, and will not leave until he knows Joe is on his way to Australia. Styles has four amazing kids and they all need him. He’ll go to Australia, but he needs to be here right now for his daughter Annie. She hasn’t been able to sleep because she’s afraid of her “Uncle Joe”, like he’s the Bogeyman. And to Joe, Styles says that “This is going to end. This needs to end. You’re not coming back from the Land Down Under, because that’s exactly where I’m gonna put you.” He won’t take a limp body and put it in a casket, he will bury him ALIVE!

R-Truth & Carmella VS Andrade “Cien” Almas & Zelina Vega!

The #FABULOUSTruth is “What’s up?!” and prepare to take on the Tranquilo Duo in this SmackDown exclusive Mixed Tag Match. Will Truth & the Princess of Staten Island prove they’re better than El Idolo & La Muneca? Or will Almas & Vega earn themselves points towards respective singles titles?

SmackDown returns as Almas & Vega make their entrance. The bell rings and the ladies start. Carmella and Vega trash talk then tie up. Vega gets the headlock but Carmella reverses. Vega powers out but also yanks Carmella down by her hair! Fans boo while Vega does a bad moonwalk. Carmella dropkicks Vega down, then shows her how it’s done! Vega gets mad and yanks Carmella into buckles, then gives a jump kick! Fans rally for Carmella while Vega swings into a chinlock on the ropes! Vega lets go at 4 then drives Carmella down with a facebuster. Cover, TWO! Vega toys with Carmella but Carmella jawbreakers back! Hot tags to the men, and R-Truth rallies on Almas! Almas kicks low then runs, but into the huricanrana!

Truth asks “What’s up!?” and Portland responds. He runs but misses in the corner. Almas has the waistlock but Truth pries his way out. Truth standing switches and shoves, but Almas goes tranquilo with Vega. Carmella comes in to show off the splits, then Truth adds his! Fans like the splits better. Almas & Vega run in but then run away from the haymakers. Dance break! Flossing and high-fiving, fans love Fabulous Truth. They chant for “Truth TV! Truth TV!” Almas and Vega are upset, but Almas baits Truth into a chase. They go back in the ring and Almas pounces with double ax handles. Almas brings Truth up and to a corner to then whip corner to corner. Truth dodges and Almas tumbles all the way out! We go picture in picture while Truth catches his breath.

Carmella and fans cheer for Truth while Vega coaches Almas up. Almas gets up but Truth goes after him with haymakers. They go around the corner and back into the ring, Truth whips Almas corner to corner. Almas reverses and Truth goes up and over, to then kick down Almas’ handspring. Cover, TWO! Truth brings Almas up for a suplex, but Almas resists. Truth throws body shots and suplexes Almas to the apron, but Almas hotshots him back! Almas has Truth now but Truth fights back with body shots. Truth runs but into the boot fake and elbow strike! Cover, TWO! Almas and Vega grow frustrated. Almas stomps away on Truth, but fans rally up. Truth gets to ropes but Almas chokes him. Almas brings Truth out for an armbar on the mat.

Truth endures while Almas wrenches. Carmella rallies the fans and Truth feeds off the energy. Truth stands and fights out with body shots. Almas knees low, then covers, TWO! Almas argues with the ref but goes back to putting the armlock on Truth. Truth endures again while Almas pulls back on an almost Fujiwara armbar. He gets up while we go single picture again with chants of “Truth TV!” giving him life. Truth fights but Almas chops. Almas runs but into the calf kick! Both men are down, and fans fire up. Carmella and Vega coach their partners on, hot tags to the ladies! Carmella rallies on Vega with lariats! Atomic drop and boot bump in the corner! Then a flying headscissors sends Vega across the way. Carmella fires up, runs in, FABULOUS Bronco Buster to Complete Shot! Cover, but Almas yanks her off!?

Carmella glares at Almas while Almas says to tranquilo. She goes to kick, but he blocks that. Truth unloads with haymakers! He clotheslines Almas out, then slingshots for the plancha! But Vega tries to sneak on Carmella. Carmella bucks her off, but the kick misses. Vega jackknifes but gets caught in the Code of Silence! Vega taps, FABULOUS Truth wins!

Winners: R-Truth & Carmella, Carmella pinning

Fabulous Truth still needs a win on Mixed Match Challenge, but this Mixed Tag win here could be a good start. Can they turn it around and take the SmackDown Block in MMC Season 2?

Paige encounters Tye Dillinger backstage.

The Perfect 10 wants after Randy Orton. Oh, and hi, Paige. Tye wants Orton. Well, Tye won against Nakamura- yes, Nakamura is for later, but Orton attacked unprovoked. Is Tye sure about that? Has anyone seen Jeff Hardy since Hell in a Cell? Good point, but this is something Tye feels he has to do. Paige will never understand men. But she will give this man what he wants, he gets his match. But will Tye regret it?

Awwww Portland~!

Feel the power as the New Day head to the ring! They and Bootysworth head out with pancakes and chef hats, because they promise us something special just days before Super Show Down and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship match. We’re going to learn what is in a New Day Flapjack, after the break!

SmackDown returns and everything is set up in the ring, from the batter to the griddle. Big E and the New Day proudly present the pilot episode to #NewDayCooks! But first a word from our sponsors: You trying to get swole? No, no, no. This Saturday, “ya bois” defend the W, W, E, SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Super Show Down live on the WWE Network! But these past couple of weeks, the New Day haven’t been hitting. They’ve been hit, but The Bar has their number. We need a strong dose of positivity! Thus, Mr. Bootysworth, and his bowl of batter. Bootysworth cooks all the pancakes they give out to the WWE Universe every week! Every week. And tonight is extra special because he will share the special recipe with everyone in the WWE Universe! “Boo! Tysworth!”

And now, let the “buttery and syrupy voice” be heard. But then The Bar interrupts! “Well, well, well.” Another week, another segment with The New Day “acting like a bunch of children.” Instaed of preparing for a match, they’re playing with food. This pilot is for Guy Fieri and now it’s ruined! How cna you ruin what’s already awful? The Bar is here to help. In case everyone forgot, Cesaro is from Switzerland, and the Swiss know pastries. Cesaro is quite the chef. Chef Cesaro and even Sheamus know how to make this more efficient. They tip the table! It’s a battle now, but Sheamus gets thrown out. Cesaro gets double whipped into Kofi’s double kicks, but then Sheamus throws flour in Kofi’s face! Cesaro throws Big E to a post and Sheamus throws Woods. They double backbreaker Kofi, then go back to Big E for the A-Swiss-ted White Noise!

Fans boo and jeer while The Bar fist bump. But then they spot Bootysworth and his batter! Fans beg The Bar not harm Bootysworth. The Bar take the batter, and pour it in Bootysworth’s hat. Then they make him wear it… Fans boo and jeer more because The Bar keeps bullying Bootysworth, with a whole heaping helping of the batter on his back. The Bar then shout for Bootysworth to get out of the ring, “you joke!” Bootysworth does, and then The Bar hold up the tag title belts. Will The Bar regret spoiling the fun? Or will they have fun becoming the new champions in Melbourne?

Tye Dillinger VS Randy Orton!

The Perfect 10 has a win over the King of Strong Style, but only because The Viper decided to strike. Tye doesn’t want to go after the United States of Nakamerica just yet, he wants revenge first! Will he get it? Or will he get a Perfect 10 RKO instead?

But as Orton makes his entrance, Tye goes on the attack! Tye clothesliens Orton down then put shim in the ring. Orton fires back with European Uppercuts and headbutts. Orton has Tye reelign around the ring but then Tye fires back with forearms and chops! Tye clotheslines Orton back out of the ring, then keeps on the pursuit. Orton kicks back and bounces Tye off the desk! Orton then back suplexes Tye, but Tye fights out! Tye fires off elbows and then back suplexes Orton on the desk! The Perfect 10 throws angry haymakers. Orton might have been annoyed by Tye’s gimmick, but Tye is pissed off, too! Tye goes to throw Orton over the barriers but Orton turns it around! Tye lands on his feet, only to get a haymaker! Orton drags Tye out, draping DDT to the floor!

The referee tries to get Orton to stop, but there’s no stopping the Apex Predator now. Orton moves steel steps around and takes aim at Tye. Tye crawls over, but Orton puts the steps down. Orton instead bares a turnbuckle’s crossbar, and laces a finger through it! And then he pulls!! Tye screams in pain from the excruciating innovation! Orton could very well break Tye’s finger like this! The ref tries to reason with Orton while Tye resists, and Orton finally lets the finger go. More referees appear, and they order Orton to back off. Tye grimaces, clutching his tortured finger. Orton decides to leave, perhaps feeling he taught Tye a lesson. Will Orton move on to his true prey?

No Contest

The Miz talks with Shelton Benjamin backstage.

And Miz says “You’re welcome.” For what? Well everyone saw Benjamin’s tweet. Miz agrees, Benjamin is overlooked, Benjamin is the “real deal.” Miz put in a call and that’s why Benjamin gets a match with “Goat boy.” Will Benjamin beat Daniel Bryan tonight? Yes. Of course he will. But maybe Benjamin should make a statement. Benjamin should hurt Bryan, maybe rip that beard off and feed it to him! Benjamin’s statement is that he’s been waiting for a chance to show the world who he is. Bryan is casualty number one. Miz will be on commentary to see it all happen. Miz thanks Benjamin now, and they shake hands. Will Benjamin do Miz’s dirty work for him this close to Super Show Down?

Aiden English prepares for his segment up next.

The production truck is ready, and what the Drama King reveals to us, “this needs to be in high-def.” What is the scandal English is ready to reveal in #OneNightinMilwaukee?

But Rusev and Lana head to the ring first!

Mr. & Mrs. Machka show a united front against this supposedly scandalous secret English is willing to reveal. Fans still chant for “Rusev Day!” in support of the husband and wife duo. Rusev notes that English attacked him and ended the friendship first. Then English took a step forward, saying there is footage of him and Lana in Milwaukee. That makes Rusev want to tear English’s pale body apart! But, Rusev is willing to see what “bogus evidence” English claims to have. English appears, and knows this is the evidence we’ve all patiently waited to see. But before getting to that, some backstory. Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin, and borders two Great Lakes. Stop stalling, English! Just admit you have nothing. Lana, don’t be rude, he’s providing context.

Milwaukee isn’t so forgettable, it has history, science, culture. It was the location for many unforgettable movies and television shows, like Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, Love Actually and Baseketball. But tonight, more than all of those combined, this is the most anticipated premiere of the last decade! “One Night in Milwaukee!” Roll it!

English apparently recorded himself rehearsing his Milwaukee introduction. He couldn’t find the right lyrics, and a knock came at the door. English saw it was Lana and answered the door. Lana walked in and fans immediately anticipate something is up. Lana told English that she’s been thinking about something for a long time. It’s important that she says it out loud. “I want you.” And that’s where it ends! Fans lose their minds, is this what it looks like? English wants to show us the rest, but legal obligations of SmackDown and all. Plus he’s courting TMZ, and he wouldn’t want to cheat on them. Rusev asks Lana if this is true, but Lana denies it. That’s not all. There’s more? Rusev rushes English and they run to the back! Will Rusev get his revenge on the Drama King for (supposedly) seducing his Ravishing Russian?

Rusev continues to hunt for English.

A staffer directs the Bulgarian Lion, but then Lana comes in. There’s more to the video, she needs to explain. But Rusev says they’re not doing this here. He continues his search, will he find the Drama King before the night is over?

Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Bryan!

The Gold Standard clearly feels under appreciated since going solo again. The former WWE tag team, United States and Intercontinental Champion wants to finally get his Grand Slam, but it’s the Yes Man who gets the #1 Contender’s match against The Miz in Australia. Can Benjamin prove he’s worthy of his own championship chance? Or will Bryan keep his momentum going towards Melbourne?

SmackDown returns as Benjamin makes his entrance and Miz joins commentary as promised. Miz is intrigued by the drama of English, Rusev and Lana, but then he immediately focuses on the match when Benjamin runs Bryan over at the bell! Benjamin drags Bryan up to whip and throws in a knee. Benjamin whips Bryan again to give him another knee. Miz likes what he sees from this “elite level of talent”, and Benjamin whips Bryan again for a third knee! Benjamin drags Bryan around for a fireman’s carry. He pops Bryan up for a big gutbuster drop! Miz knows Benjamin needs to make that statement. Benjamin stomps Bryan but fans rally for Bryan. Benjamin puts Bryan in a corner but Bryan fights back with haymakers! Bryan bumps Benjamin off buckles then fires off kicks!

Bryan whips but Benjamin reverses, only for Benjamin to run into a boot. Even so, Benjamin counters Bryan with a flapjack toss! Cover, TWO! Miz wants Benjamin to keep on those ribs. Benjamin wraps Bryan in a chinlock and squeezes tight. Fans rally and Bryan feeds off the energy. Bryan stands and fights out, but Benjamin knees low again. Benjamin whips but Bryan kicks him away. Bryan gets Benjamin’s arm and brings him down, YES LOCK! Miz doesn’t like this, but Benjamin gets a ropebreak. Bryan lets go and Benjamin bails out. Bryan runs, but misses the dropkick. Benjamin puts Bryan into the barriers, then the apron, then the barriers, and back again! HE does not let up on those ribs, and Miz really likes that! Benjamin picks Bryan up to snake eyes him on the barriers! The Gold Standard has control while we go picture in picture.

Miz watches intently as Bryan clutches his ribs. Miz tries to quiet the fans while Benjamin recovers int he ring. Benjamin comes back and fetches Bryan, for another barrier snake eyes! Bryan winces from the rib pain while Benjamin leaves him behind. The ring count climbs but Bryan crawls his way over. Bryan makes it to the ring, but Benjamin is on him with haymakers. Benjamin headbutts Bryan on the apron and puts him back in the ring. He drags Bryan up for forearms and then a whip. Bryan holds ropes to then toss Benjamin out! Bryan goes back to the apron, for a flying knee! Both men are down, but Bryan is fired up! He puts Benjamin in then climbs up top. Bryan aims while we go single picture, for the flying headbutt! It just barely hits, but it’s still double-edged!

Miz is laser focused as both men are down. Miz vows to bring prestige back tot he WWE Championship, because that’s not what Bryan will do. Benjamin drags Bryan up for a bearhug. Fans rally up as Bryan endures. Bryan elbows back, then gives EuroUppers. He whips but Benjamin reverses. Bryan goes up and over and keeps moving, but gets caught into a German Suplex! Cover, TWO! Benjamin grows frustrated but keeps his focus. He gets to a corner, aims at Bryan across the way, and runs back in, to get a drop toehold into buckles! Bryan gets himself going, runs corner to corner, and htis the dropkick! He keeps going, but Benjamin counters with the knee, then another German Suplex! Bridge cover, TWO!

Benjamin drags Bryan up and over to a corner. Benjamin puts Bryan up top then climbs up. He wants a fireman’s carry, but Bryan resists with elbows. Bryan keeps going an then adjusts, SUPER STEINER! Bryan fires himself up again, and gives YES Kicks! Miz says those are the It Kicks, but then Benjamin ducks. Benjamin misses the dragon whip kick to get Bryan’s enziguri! Bryan and the fans chant “YES! YES!” but Miz goes over to distract. Bryan hits Miz, but then Benjamin hits Pay Dirt! Cover, Benjamin wins!!

Winner: Shelton Benjamin, by pinfall

The Gold Standard cashes in on the A-Lister’s distraction! Bryan’s momentum is now slowed going into Super Show Down, but Miz won’t let it end there. Miz takes off the jacket and the glasses and drags Bryan to the outside. Miz throws knee after knee after knee into the weakened ribs, then rams Bryan body first into the desk! And again! Miz rakes the face, then rams Bryan in again! They go into the ring, even as the referee shouts for Miz to stop. Fans boo and jeer while The Miz pulls up his sleeves. Miz drags Bryan back up, in the full nelson, for the Finale! “See you at Super Show Down. Good luck, you’re gonna need it.” The Miz already feels like he’s won, but will he win a shot at the WWE Championship with the Goat in his way?

Asuka w/ Naomi VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay!

Just days before their Super Show Down showdown, the Empress of Tomorrow takes on the Aussie Venus Fly Trap 1v1! Which side will gain some last minute momentum before Melbourne sees the Empresses of Glowmorrow battle the IIconic Duo?

Before the match, Naomi reminds us that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. WWE is proud to team with Susan G. Komen once again. Join the fight against this #Unacceptable disease. And in the ring now with Naomi is Dana Warrior, and three special guests who are the true champions in this fight. Naomi and Dana introduce us to Dr. Toni Storm-Dickerson, fundraiser Janine Wolf, and survivor Lt. Caprice Massey! Do what you can to help in this fight, because it can’t be done alone, it takes a team.

Asuka finally makes her entrance, followed by the IIconics, and we get to tonight’s fight. Peyton & Billie are so excited to be going to their hometown, which means they can’t lose. They’ve practiced their victory dance, too! The Aussie Flossie! Will they be celebrating tonight? Or will they have to wait for Super Show Down?

SmackDown returns and Peyton throws forearms on Asuka. Peyton runs to boot Asuka down, and Billie likes what she sees. Peyton throws more forearms, runs, but then Asuka follows. Auska dodges but runs into a kick. Peyton kicks but Asuka counters to a roll up! TWO, and Peyton dodges a kick. Asuka dodges a kick but then Peyton gets Asuka into the Widow’s Peak! Cover, TWO! The IIconics are frustrated, and Peyton trash talks Naomi. Asuka gets to a corner and climbs up, but misses the missile dropkick. Cover, TWO! Peyton grows frustrated, so she puts Asuka in a chinlock. Fans rally up for Asuka and she feeds off the energy. Asuka fights back with body shots, then kicks away at the leg! Peyton falls, Asuka runs but Peyton ducks. Peyton rolls Asuka, TWO, and she clotheslines Asuka down. Cover, TWO!

The IIconics are shrilly frustrated, but Peyton puts Asuka back in the chinlock. Naomi coaches Asuka up and Asuka gets up again. Asuka throws more elbows, then puts Peyton in a corner. She throws more forearms then whips corner to corner. Peyton reverses but Asuka goes up to hit the missile dropkick this time! Cover, TWO! Asuka brings Peyton around and wants the German Supelx, but Peyton reverses to get the waistlock. Asuka reverse for the body scissor roll, into an ankle lock! Peyton crawls to ropes and Billie helps her BFF. Naomi kicks Billie away! Asuka reels Peyton into a modified Asuka Lock! Peyton taps, Asuka wins!

Winner: Asuka, by submission

The Empress wins again and celebrates with Naomi. Team Glowmorrow rolls on to Melbourne, will they prove they’re more than IIconic?

Becky Lynch heads to the ring!

The Straight Fire SmackDown Women’s Champion prepares to defend her title at Super Show Down against The Queen, Charlotte Flair. But before then, she promises to share a special surprise with us tonight. Becky has Portland on her side as she stands with a covered poster in the ring. Six weeks ago, Becky stopped waiting and started taking. And since then, the champ has been the best thing about the Blue Brand. And since Becky has ran through the entire roster, she runs the division! Becky has made this division the most relevant thing in all of WWE! Becky learned that being kind and patient gets you nothing but stabbed int he back and treated like a fool. But not anymore, no no. Now she is Relent-Lass. She strikes first, strikes often, kinda like this.

We review Summerslam and the attack heard around the world! Becky burned the bridge between her and Charlotte, and then burned it down in the ring at Hell in a Cell. Becky won, then left her former friend behind. The new champ demanded to be called the new Queen, but calling Charlotte a “bitch” was a step too far. Another brawl broke out, but Becky won that, too. Becky then added on as she attacked Charlotte during a photo shoot. This is Becky’s title, Becky’s division and Becky’s show. Fans enjoy it almost as much as Becky does. Time and time again, Becky has prove she owns Charlotte. But the more things change, the more they stay the same. The champ still doesn’t get the respect. Where’s Becky’s new merchandise? Instead, Becky suffers the indignity of the loser, Charlotte, posing for magazines.

But come Saturday, Becky’s face will be what’s on covers, billboards and posters! Becky’s face is the face of WWE Women’s Wrestling. And if no one’s going to give it to her, she’ll do it herself. Becky even went through the trouble of designing a new poster for Super Show Down. Drum roll please. Reveal! Becky standing over Charlotte! This is the poster for the show. It’s not about #OneLastTime, it’s about #TheFirstTime! But here comes Charlotte! And she doesn’t want to talk, she wants to fight! And it’s a fight we get! Becky has the edge and wants another Disarm-her, but Charlotte counters to SPEAR her! Charlotte glares at the poster, brings Becky up, and throws her through the poster with an exploder! But Charlotte isn’t done, she gets payback with a DRAPING figure four!

Charlotte pulls with the power of gravity, then lets Becky go to finish with a boot! Fans are torn as Charlotte lets out a “WOO~!” The Queen glares down at the Lass Kicker, but whose lass will get kicked come this championship rematch?

My Thoughts:

A really good go-home from SmackDown, but that’s par for the course. It seems mostly juts lip service that Paige had to address the issue of Samoa Joe (kayfabe) committing a crime, since nothing changes other than the intensity going into the No Holds Barred match. I was hoping Styles’ line about burying Joe alive in Melbourne meant this became a Buried Alive match, but I suppose that wouldn’t do any good if this feud is meant to continue. Either way, a No Holds Barred match with this much animosity is going to be great, and either man could come away the winner. Any combination of Joe/Styles VS Miz/Bryan will be fun, but with The Miz standing tall tonight after he helps Benjamin win, that has to mean Bryan wins, right?

Fabulous Truth VS Almas & Vega was pretty great, and I was surprised Truth & Carmella won. The moderate Mixed Match Challenge tie-in obviously helped, as Truth & Carmella can’t keep losing while trying to be strong contenders in the round robin. The Bar look strong as Heels going into Super Show Down, wrecking all three members of The New Day while humiliating “Bootysworth.” Again, pretty sure New Day wins, but it’d be quite the surprise if these titles changed hands at Super Show Down. I was surprised Tye VS Orton happened, as well as it becoming a brawl. Orton continues to find new ways to torture people, and that’s actually pretty good as a Heel. Paige brought up Tye would want a match with Nakamura, maybe we get that at Super Show Down as a way to keep Tye from going after Orton.

#OneNightInMilwaukee is obviously not that scandalous live on TV because of WWE PG ratings, but the implication is clear. At the same time, the explanation is that English cut it off there so that it sounds scandalous out of context. Surely Lana will find time to properly explain this to Rusev, but Rusev VS English will obviously still happen. I can’t be sure who wins, though, the math is still even. Asuka obviously was going to win against Peyton tonight, if only for her own singles record. The tag team match probably will go the IIconics’ way, so that Melbourne can be happy with their hometown heroes winning. Becky was the hero tonight, despite WWE’s narrative. She and Charlotte had a great brawl and this time Charlotte stands tall, so as I’ve been saying, Becky wins, retains, and goes into Evolution the champ.

My Score: 8.7/10

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

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

Prepare for Backlash!

Published

11 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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

Coverage

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

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!

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Andrew Balaz

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.

Part Three: Acceptance @TheJonGresham #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/NE9FPzCCz2

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

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.

.@XiaBrookside and @Ashamae_Sebera face off NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/Q0S3wSRpeu

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

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.

.@TheEricYoung channels "The Sickness" as he prepares for FULL METAL MAYHEM with @FrankieKazarian at #Rebellion! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/tm1TqxZBLo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

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.

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