Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (10/23/18)

Published

5 years ago

October 23, 2018

We get a rematch from SmackDown 1000 as AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan try to work together again against The Usos! Can champion and challenger redeem themselves?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS The Big Show w/ The Bar; No Contest.
AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan VS The Usos; The Usos win.
Rusev w/ Lana VS Aiden English; Rusev wins.
Rey Mysterio VS The Miz; Mysterio wins.
Naomi & Asuka VS Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville; No Contest.
Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton; Orton wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Awwww Newark~!

Don’t be sour, clap for your five-time champs, and feel~, the power~! The New Day are here with pancakes a plenty, but without the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. SmackDown 1000 saw The New Day take on The Bar in a stellar match, but the deciding factor was a surprise appearance and betrayal by The Big Show! Show choke slammed Kofi Kingston and Big E ate a Brogue and now Cesaro & Sheamus hold the titles.

Xavier Woods speaks on “ya bois” being cheated and defeated for those tag titles. Kofi adds that they didn’t just set the bar, they lowered the bar. But that’s what they do, taking advantage of the situation. The part Kofi can’t understand is… Big Show?! Big Show?! Yes, Big Show. So then, he’s the Bar Tender? Nice pun. But Show, we thought you were cool! But this fool flips back and forth more than flapjacks! So tonight, Kofi wants payback! Whether it’s Cesaro, Sheamus or Big Show, Kofi don’t give a damn. Tonight, somebody’s getting that work! Speaking of The Bar, The Bar is here! The Swiss Cyborg & Celtic Gladiator wear the newly won SmackDown Tag Team Championships, but they’re also bringing The Giant! Big Show leads the way down to the ring as The New Day keep their eyes straight ahead.

The New Day and The Bar agreed to put up one member each for a singles match up next, and Kofi made it clear he wants this fight. But who from The Bar will meet him? Sheamus looks to take the lead, but then they change their mind and say Cesaro is the one. But then they change their minds again, and say it’ll be The Big Show!

Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS The Big Show w/ The Bar!

The bell rings and this is official! Kofi dropkicks Show to a corner but Show turns it around to CHOP Kofi’s chest! Show stalks Kofi to another corner and whips him corner to corner hard. Kofi scrambles but Show is on him again for another chop! Show tosses Kofi across the way while The Bar enjoys the fun. Show drags Kofi up, for the Giant Choke Slam! But he’s not done, he gives Kofi another Choke Slam! And then, a third! The Big Show is merciless, he drags Kofi up again, but now The Bar and New Day run in! A brawl breaks out and the referee throws this match out.

No Contest

Woods and Big E throw The Bar out and go after Show, but The Bar comes back. Cesaro throws Woods and Sheamus knees Big E in the face. Show keeps on Kofi as The Bar stomp out Woods and Big E. Show puts Kofi into a post, and then Big E is fed to a Giant Choke Slam! The Bar go after Woods now, and feed him to Big Show’s knockout right hand! And then a Choke Slam! Giant, Gladiator and Cyborg stand tall, but will there be giant consequences come Crown Jewel?

AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan VS The Usos!

The Phenomenal WWE Champion and the Goat #1 contender didn’t quite mesh last week against former tag team champions in Jimmy & Jey. They want to show they can still be respectful in their rivalry by trying again this week. Can Styles & Bryan redeem themselves? Or will they still end up on #LOCKDOWN in the Uso Penitentiary?

The bell rings and Bryan starts against Jimmy. They circle and tie up, and Bryan gets the headlock. He grinds Jimmy to the mat, but Jimmy comes up and powers out. Things speed up and Bryan runs Jimmy over. Bryan keeps on Jimmy with another headlock, but Jey tags in as Jimmy powers out. Bryan clotheslines Jey out and Styles dropkick Jimmy! Together, Styles and Bryan slingshot plancha onto the Usos! Champion and challenger have a better start this week as we go picture in picture.

The fans chant “YES! YES!” with Bryan while The Usos regroup. Styles tags in and waits as the Usos talk strategy. Jey returns, and circles with Styles. Fans rally up as they tie up, and Styles gets a waistlock. Styles snapmares and kicks Jey, then brings him to his corner. Tag to Bryan and Bryan goes up while Styles has the wristlock. Bryan aims and drops double ax handles on Jey’s arm. Bryan keeps on that arm with shoulder breaker and hammerlock. Jey backs Bryan down and Jimmy tags in to mug Bryan in their corner. The referee counts and Jimmy lets up at 4. Jimmy tags Jey back in, and the Usos split the wishbone. Jey stalks Bryan as he writhes in a circle. Jey grabs a leg, tags Jimmy back in, and they split the wishbone again.

Jimmy taunts Styles a bit before stomping Bryan’s hand. Tag to Jey and the Usos mug Bryan with headbutts. Jey gives Bryan a big back suplex, then covers. TWO, but the Usos keep their cool. Jey watches Bryan closely, then tags in Jimmy. Jey stretches Bryan out for Jimmy to stomp. Jimmy wraps Bryan in a chinlock, but Bryan feeds off a fan rally. Bryan gets up and fights back, but runs into Jimmy’s back elbow! Jimmy stalks Bryan to the Uso corner and tags in Jey. The Usos stomp a mudhole into Bryan as we return to single picture. They back off at the ref’s count of 4, but tag back. Jey lifts Bryan and Jimmy climbs, for the backbreaker and ax handles! Cover, TWO! Jimmy keeps on Bryan with a chinlock but fans rally up again.

Bryan endures as Styles coaches him up. Bryan gets up and fights back again, hitting both Usos for good measure. He ducks Jimmy but double crossbodies take both men out! Fans continue to rally and Bryan crawls. Jimmy crawls, too, hot tags to Styles and Jey! Styles rallies with a phenomenal blitz! Then he slingshots to the apron to give Jimmy a sliding knee! He shoulders into Jey then slingshots over to come back with fireman’s carry to Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! Styles keeps his cool as he drags Jey back up. He wants the Clash, but Jey counters to a fireman’s carry. Styles slips out and catches Jey into the Calf Crusher! Jey is stuck but Jimmy clobbers Styles.

Bryan and Jimmy brawl, Jimmy mule kicks but Bryan slips out of the suplex. Bryan dumps Jimmy out, but Jey staggers up. Phenomenal Forearm almost hits Jey! Jey goes after them both, Styles aims a Pele, but it hits Bryan! SUPERKICK for Styles! Deja vu as Jey tags in Jimmy! Jimmy climbs, Uso Splash! Cover, Usos win again!

Winners: The Usos, Jimmy pinning

Two times in a row, Styles and Bryan fail to work as a tag team! This benefits The Usos greatly, will they make big leaps back towards the tag titles? Will this be what finally makes Styles VS Bryan anything but respectful?

Backstage interview with Styles and Bryan.

Was what just happened an accident? Or on purpose? It was just like last week, at least. Well of course it was an accident, just like last week. Bryan can definitely vouch for his. So is he saying Styles is a liar? Well, it’s hard to be sure, did they hit Styles in the face? Or is his nose growing? Like Pinocchio? Bryan says it was an accident, but he makes a nose growing gesture. But then he gives up a Too Sweet. Isn’t that how it is? Bryan suspects Styles, but will it matter if they respect each other or not when it comes to the WWE Championship?

WWE and SmackDown share Performance Center footage.

Charlotte Flair was speaking to the new prospects of the Women’s Division and assuring them to do their best and make the best of their opportunity. “This business is built on respect.” Respect for yourself and for others. Have pride, but don’t walk all over others. With WWE Evolution this Sunday, Charlotte will do her best not to cry, but she knows it’s happening because of what all of women’s wrestling has built in the ring. She is proud of them to be standing here, and hopes they’ll be with her in the ring one day.

Charlotte allows the prospects to ask questions. What is the main difference between NXT and main roster? It’s about reintroducing yourself to the audiences, because every city is different. But she’s sure they’ll all be fine. What about the Last Woman Standing Match? Charlotte is honored. But Becky interrupts. These ladies should be listening to the real champ. Don’t listen to Charlotte, because not everyone makes it. Don’t make friends because they’ll hold you back. Do what Becky does and strike first. Watch Evolution to see what Becky does to Charlotte. Nothing will prepare Charlotte for what’s coming. And Becky also means right now!

They fight and scrap, and the prospects do their best to stop it, but neither woman backs down. Becky puts Charlotte into the steel steps, “That’s retribution! You’re never getting the title back!” Charlotte shouts “Who are you!?” but Becky says “I’m the Women’s Champion!”

Charlotte speaks.

“Becky, after all of the attacks, after all of the insults, what you did at the Performance Center was unforgivable!” She “disrespected the foundation that got us to where we are today.” That attack proved this isn’t just about titles or friendships, it’s proved Becky has changed. Becky keeps crossing lines and there’s no going back. Charlotte vows not to just stand over a defeated opponent, she’ll be standing over a friend who lost her way. This feud has gotten as personal as possible, who will be THE Last Woman Standing?

Rusev w/ Lana VS Aiden English!

The Bulgarian Brute wants revenge on the Drama King for acting like there was something between him and the Ravishing Russian. English wants Rusev to admit Lana was the problem, but English made things worse by screwing Rusev out of the WWE World Cup. Now English sings that “instead of a short Rusev Day, you could’ve had a hot, long Aiden Niiiight~!”

The bell rings and Rusev chases English around the ring! Lana blocks English’s path and Rusev clobbers him! Rusev throws English into the barriers then back into the ring. Newark is on Rusev’s side as he enters, but English kicks him and hits a swinging neckbreaker. English stomps a mudhole into Rusev, then seethes as he stares at Lana. He still blames her for everything, but then Lana throws a shoe at him! MACHKA KICK! Rusev roars and vows to CRUSH! He stomps English and put shim in the Accolade! English taps, Rusev wins!

Winner: Rusev, by submission

Rusev Day triumphs over Aiden Night, and now both Mr. & Mrs. Machka can move on from their former friend. Can Rusev find his way back to a title opportunity?

It’s time for Miz TV!

The Most Must-See WWE Talk Show is actually Truth TV, but Miz ignores that to start his show. SmackDown 1000 was just a week ago, and some of the most memorable moments in recent memories were made. Becky Lynch cut down Edge on his own show, and the team known as Evolution reunited. Oh and Miz defeated Rusev in record time to qualify for the WWE World Cup to determine the best in the world today. And of course, a future hall of fame wrestler returned and defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to also join the World Cup. Miz’s guest tonight is Rey Mysterio!

The King of Lucha joins Miz in the ring and Miz can’t help but be a bit curious as to why Mysterio is back. Mysterio says that first, it feels great to be back home. But the reason why– That wasn’t a question, Miz knows why. Miz knows Mysterio wants to show the world that the “little engine can climb up that hill” and all dreams can come true at Crown Jewel! How ’90s of him. But Mysterio has been gone for awhile. Fans aren’t into the underdog, they want larger than life stars like Miz. Fans boo as they disagree.

But Miz continues to say that while Mysterio was away, Miz became the most must-see superstar of all time. Miz has beaten big men, middle men and little men, he is the multi-talent of the WWE! In 10 days, Miz will advance out of the SmackDown bracket to the finals and face whoever Raw has. He’ll beat them and then prove to the world that he is the Best in the World! Fans boo because they doubt that. But Miz apologizes to Mysterio. Yes, Mysterio is disappointed. He thought he was going to be on Truth TV. Truth TV? Really? Is that a joke? Does Mysterio want a dance break? Newark does. But Truth was full of jokes and then Miz beat him to cancel Truth TV. Last week’s Truth TV was an illegal broadcast. Miz will easily cancel Mysterio’s appearance.

Mysterio wants Miz to stay calm. He isn’t here to be on dusty talk shows. He’s here to compete. So if Miz has nothig more to say, then shut up and throw down! Mysterio wants to fight, but Miz assures him that Newark doesn’t want to see them fight. No, Newark does want to see them fight! Miz wants them to understand, he’s a changed man. But then he sucker punches Mysterio! Miz hasn’t changed at all! He drags Mysterio up, but Mysterio enziguris Miz to the rope! Then Mysterio runs, only for Miz to run away. No 619 here, but what about the match?

Rey Mysterio VS The Miz!

SmackDown returns as the bell rings. Miz rushes Mysterio but Mysterio ducks him to kick back. Miz shoves but Mysterio slides under, only to get a kick. Mysterio kicks Miz after the whip then headscissors him out. Fans fire up as Mysterio takes aim, but Miz grabs at his legs. Mysterio shoves Mysterio away, then hits the sliding low-pe splash! He puts Miz in the ring, then springboards for a crossbody! TWO, but Mysterio keeps on Miz with shoulders and punches in the corner. Mysterio gets all 10, then adds double ax handles. He backs off to run back in but Miz dodges the splash! Mysterio bounces off buckles, and Miz stomps away. Miz chokes Mysterio on the ropes, then runs to hit his straddle attack.

Fans boo and jeer Miz as he stalks Mysterio. Mysterio blocks Miz’s punches but Miz whips Mysterio into the kitchen sink knee. Miz drags Mysterio up for a knee to the back and a chinlock around the neck. Fans rally up and Mysterio fights out. Miz knees low then whips again, but runs into a boot. Mysterio wheelbarrows but Miz snake eyes him on the buckles. Mysterio arm-drags out of the Finale, but then Miz wristlocks. Rey kicks away then springboard headscissors Miz into place! He dials it up, but Miz dodges the 619! Kick, DDT! Cover, TWO! Miz can’t believe it, but this match continues as we go picture in picture.

Both men slowly stir but Miz sits up first. Mysterio bails out but Miz pursues. Miz brings Mysterio around to ram him into the apron, then puts him back in the ring. He stalks Mysterio into a chinlock clutch. Mysterio endures as fans rally up. Mysterio gets up and fights out, giving forearm sand chops. He runs but Miz slides him out to the floor! Miz catches his breath and soaks up the heat while Mysterio is prey to the ring count. Mysterio staggers over at 6 and manages to get in at 8. Miz looms over him, toying with him as we return to single picture. Miz gives Mysterio to the “It Kicks” but fans say “No! No!” He prepares the buzzsaw, but Mysterio rolls him up! Miz rolls through to boot Mysterio down, cover, TWO!

Miz keeps his cool while stalking Mysterio again. He shoves Mysterio into buckles, then climbs up. Fans chant “619!” as Miz brings Mysterio up. Miz wants the full nelson, but Mysterio resists the Finale to give a Victory Roll Bomb! Mysterio doesn’t cover, but he gets himself to the apron. He aims, springboards and hits the seated senton! He keeps moving, but Miz sunset flips. Mysterio rolls through to kick Miz in the head! Miz gets to a corner but he puts Mysterio on the apron. Mysterio shoulders and kicks in, but springboards into the A-List combination! Cover, TWO! Now Miz grows frustrated, and he whips Mysterio again. Mysterio goes up and over, but runs into another boot! Cover, TWO! Miz is furious, but two is a two.

Mysterio crawls and Miz stalks him again. Miz reels Mysterio in but Mysterio fights off the full nelson. Miz lifts Mysterio but gets another headscissors! 619!! Then springboard splash! Cover, Mysterio wins!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall

The King of Lucha is rolling in his return! But don’t call it an upset, he’s been here for years, and is one of the best in the world. Will he win the WWE World Cup to prove he is THE best?

Naomi & Asuka VS Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville!

WWE Evolution is coming, and it’s going to #FeelTheGlow! However, this first-time-ever match between The Empress & The Glow and the duo formerly known as Absolution will determine who rolls into the #1 Contender’s Battle Royal with momentum! Who comes away with an advantage before being part of history?

SmackDown returns as Rose & Deville make their entrance. The teams sort out, but the IIconics appear! Peyton & Billie are so excited. About Newark? No, no, not this place. She meant WWE Evolution! That’s where the IIconics will make history by winning the Battle Royal to then make the PPV IIconic! But wait, Lana appears? Well, the Ravishing Russian is part of that battle royal, but then she’s interrupted by the FABULOUS Carmella! The birthday girl apologizes, but no one here wants to see talking. What Newark wants is… a DANCE BREAK!

The ladies break it down, but then Zelina Vega comes out of nowhere to throw Carmella into the ring! And then Mandy and Sonya go after her! It’s a massive brawl among the women! Carmella gets Asuka with a FABULOUS Kick, but then Naomi roundhouses Carmella. Sonya tackles Naomi but Billie gives her the Kay Kick! Lana gives Billie a Ravishign Facebuster but Peyton gives her the IIconic heel kick! Mandy gives Peyton her golden knee, but then Vega throws Mandy out! Vega aims at Lana, for CIEN KNEES! La Muneca stands tall, but wait, Asuka’s back! And she gives Vega her Empress heel kick! Asuka stands tall, despite no tag team match happening. When it’s every woman for herself, will any woman be ready for Asuka?!

Shane McMahon is back again!

The Commissioner of SmackDown returned last week for episode 1000, but now he’s here for 1001, too! Shane O’Mac hits the ring to say “What’s up, Newark?” There are a lot of firsts happening right now, including the All Women’s PPV, Evolution. It is a momentous occasion, and for all the women of the past and present, he congratulates them, “well deserved.” And another first will be Crown Jewel’s inaugural WWE World Cup to determine the best in the world today. One superstar will be able to say they are the best in WWE. But who? Newark mentions a certain someone from the past, but he’s not in the tournament.

Shane knows there is such an immense amount of talent in the WWE and even just in the World Cup. He is confident one of the Blue Brand stars will be it. Will it be Jeff Hardy? The Miz? The returning Rey Mysterio? Or will it be Randy Orton? We’ll find out who at Crown Jewel. That’s later, this is now! Are you ready for the main event? Well here it is!

Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton!

The Charismatic Enigma and The Viper went to hell and back at Hell in a Cell, and Orton got the better of Hardy then. Hardy is back, and they’re both in the WWE World Cup, but there’s no guarantee they’ll meet again at Crown Jewel. Therefore, they give us the revival of their rivalry right here! Will Hardy get even? Or will Orton get even more vicious to finally finish Hardy off?

SmackDown returns once more, and the bell rings. Hardy and Orton circle as the fans rally up. They tie p and Hardy gets a headlock. Orton powers out but Hardy rums him over. Hardy says “DELETE! DELETE!” but Orton kicks low. Hardy comes back with a jawbreaker and the spinning back kick. He runs corner to corner but misses the splash. Orton gives “Brother Nero!” European Uppercuts. Hardy rolls out and Orton pursues. Orton bumps Hardy off the steel, then against the side of the steps. And again! And again! Orton backs off at 4, but comes back to drag Hardy up and into the ring. He covers, TWO, but he keeps his cool. Orton stomps Hardy limb after limb, then drags him up to scrape his laces on Hardy’s face. He covers again, TWO, but Orton keeps Hardy down with the chinlock.

Hardy endures as fans build to a rally. Hardy feeds off the energy and fights out, but then Orton yanks him down by his hair! Orton takes his time bringing Hardy up and around for a dropkick! Cover, TWO, but he keeps on Hardy with a chinlock. Fans rally again and Hardy stands. Hardy fights back with elbows but Orton clubs him down. Orton whips Hardy to a corner but runs into an elbow. Hardy climbs but Orton trips him up! Orton puts Hardy in a Tree of Woe to stomp a mudhole into his ribs. Orton stops at 4, but rolls out to pull Hardy’s ear gauge hole! He stops at 4, but he then drags Hardy all the way out to bounce him off the announce desk. Orton then tosses Hardy with the back suplex onto the desk! Fans duel as some in Newark appreciate the violence.

Orton puts Hardy back in the ring, covers, TWO! Hardy survives but that just means Orton gets to torture him more. Orton stalks Hardy, and goes after the ear! Hardy fights him off with furious haymakers. Hardy whips but Orton reverses, only for Hardy to rally! He gets the atomic drop and leg-splitting leg drop! Dropkick on top, cover, TWO! Hardy keeps his cool while he and Orton slowly stand Hardy says “DELETE! DELETE!” and kicks low. Orton denies the Twist of Fate, but runs into boots. hardy up, Whisper in the Wind! Cover, TWO! Orton survives but Hardy still says “DELETE! DELETE!” He stalks Orton, kicks low, Twist of Fate! Off comes the shirt as Hardy climbs up. Hardy aims, but Orton bails out. Hardy won’t let him get away, he hurries to the apron. SWANTON FLOP! Orton moves, Hardy hits floor!

Both men are down and the referee checks on them. Orton sits up and goes over to Hardy. A ring count begins but Orton doesn’t hurry to put Hardy in. They do return, but Orton won’t cover. Instead, he hears the voices in his head! Hardy slowly stands and Orton aims. Orton wants it but is denied into a backslide! TWO, Twist– RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall

The Viper strikes with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment, and rolls on towards the World Cup! Will Orton and Hardy meet again in the SmackDown bracket? Or will one rise while the other falls?

My Thoughts:

This SmackDown was only okay. It was just barely a go-home for Evolution and just managed to build for Crown Jewel. I did like that The New Day didn’t even care what Big Show’s reasons for turning were, they just wanted to fight it out. The only reason Kofi didn’t lose is because that fight broke out, but it seems that Big Show, in his homestretch towards retirement, is getting to be the dominant giant again. I wonder if Big Show and The Bar will Freebird those titles, or Big Show is just insurance so that The Bar have a long(er) reign. And as I was thinking, Styles and Bryan are losing that respectful part of their rivalry and I’m betting this gets really physical really quickly with the go-home for Crown Jewel next week.

I liked seeing the Performance Center “incident” in full, and then Charlotte’s ultimatum after. That Last Woman Standing match is going to be great, probably going to be 20 minutes minimum, but if Charlotte is the last one to speak, I’m thinking Becky is the winner. Becky’s still been on fire as far as fans still cheering her, there’s no reason to stop her now. Then what was meant to be a singles match was suddenly made a tag match without little notice, but that’s okay because it just became a brawl of all the SmackDown women not in the title scene. Asuka stands tall at the end, though she did let everyone else take each other out first. As I said on the Raw article, I hope Asuka wins to turn herself around towards the title.

Miz TV was alright, Mysterio got to the fighting right away. I’m thinking between Mysterio VS Miz and Hardy VS Orton here, we’re not getting those match-ups at Crown Jewel. It’ll likely be Mysterio VS Orton and Hardy VS Miz, but I’m thinking we don’t get Orton VS Hardy again so Mysterio VS Miz rematch as the SmackDown block finals makes sense to me. Tonight’s matches of Mysterio VS Miz and Hardy VS Orton were good here, and it made sense for Mysterio to win against The Miz to keep his roll going. Orton winning was just a default decision it seems, because Hardy could’ve won and it’d still be a moot point given we’ve still got one more SmackDown before Crown Jewel.

My Score: 8/10

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

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Coverage

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

Prepare for Backlash!

Published

17 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

2 days 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!