Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/4/21)

Bloodlines battle over belts!

Published

3 years ago

June 4, 2021

Steven Mitchell

SmackDown pits history against history!

Jimmy and Jey want to reign alongside Roman, but they have to get those SmackDown Tag Team titles off Rey & Dominik Mysterio first! Will the Usos put Friday nights back on lockdown?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

SmackDown Tag Team Championships: Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Usos; The Mysterios win and retain the titles.
Carmella VS Liv Morgan; Carmella wins.
King Corbin VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs; Corbin wins.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews VS Kevin Owens; Crews wins and retains the title.
SmackDown Tag Team Championships (redo): Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Usos; The Mysterios win by disqualification and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown opens with Roman Reigns!

The WWE Universal Champion walks out on stage, Paul Heyman carrying the title for him. Heyman hands the belt over so that Roman can hold it up under the pyro. The introductions are made before Roman hands the belt back to Heyman and they go to the ring. Heyman then hands the belt back so Roman can lift it back up and enjoy his second round of pyro. Heyman now hands Roman the mic, and he takes a moment before speaking as the ThunderDome fans boo. “I believe in being very direct about how I’m feeling. Last Friday, by the end of the night, I wasn’t happy.

“But with the counsel of a wise man,” with a wink and nod to Heyman, “and a full week to chew on it, I changed my position on this tag team championship opportunity that my cousins, the Usos, have tonight.” Roman is THE centerpiece of the WWE, but he is a giver. He is allowing this to happen. But to be very clear, Roman tells Jimmy that he said it all last week and is feeling it right now. If Jimmy says they’re going to win, then they better win. As a matter of fact, why waste any more time? There’s a lot on Roman’s plate. Wise Heyman, bring Roman’s cousins out. Heyman shouts to the ring announcer to hit the Usos’ music, the music plays and the Usos make their entrance.

Jimmy & Jey are fired up as they join Roman in the ring and get mics for themselves. Jey says, “OG, Tribal Chief, what up, Uce?” Jimmy isn’t as cordial but Roman tells him it’s his turn to acknowledge him. Jimmy thought he did. Hell in a Cell, when Roman choked him and Jey out. But that’s not what this is about. Tonight is about becoming SEVEN TIME tag team champions! Tonight is about putting SmackDown back on lockdown! Tonight is about making the whole family proud! What we gonna do, Uce? Gon’ get ’em! That’s right! SEVEN TIME champs, coming soon! Roman nods and smirks, and wishes them luck.

Jimmy called their shot, he gets that. Roman does that, too. But Roman gets the job done. So again, if Jimmy says they’re winning, then they better win. And remember, Jey knows this, but their whole family is watching. Get the job done. Bring Roman the titles when it’s over. Oh yeah, Uce! Seven time champs, coming soon! Welcome to the USO! PENITENTIARY!! Roman nods and takes his leave with Heyman following behind. The Usos are ready but here come the Mysterios! Will the first-ever father-son tag team champions lose in only their second defense?

SmackDown Tag Team Championships: Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Usos!

SmackDown returns, the teams sort out and Dominik starts against Jimmy. The titles are raised, the bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Dom puts Jimmy in a corner but Jimmy turns it around to headlock. Dom powers out, Jimmy runs him over, and Jimmy fires up. Things speed up, Dom hurdles to dropkick and arm-drag! Dom has an armlock, Jimmy fights up but Rey tags in. The Mysterios double whip and double hip toss! Rey runs and Dom helps out, POWERBOMB SENTON! Cover, TWO! Rey keeps cool and KICKS Jimmy. Rey throws hands, Jey tags in and Jimmy reverses the whip. The Usos double back elbow then double elbow drop! Jey covers, TWO!

Jey drags Rey up, scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Jey glares then covers, TWO! Jey runs to a corner and runs back, but the falling headbutt misses! Rey throws hands, whips, but JEy reverses. Rey slides under, tilt-o-whirls and arm-drags Jey into ropes! Jimmy gets to check but Rey gets Jey up for knees. Rey whips, Jimmy tags in and Jey reverses. Flapjack HOTSHOT from the Usos! Jimmy covers, TWO! Roman watches backstage as Jimmy hammers on Rey. Cover, TWO, but Jimmy wraps on a chinlock. Jimmy grinds Rey down but Rey reaches for Dom. Rey fights up as ThunderDome fans rally, and he JAWBREAKERS free!

Jimmy wobbles, but he kicks Rey. Rey blocks but gets the DRAGON WHIP! Cover, TWO! Jimmy grows annoyed but he chokes Rey on ropes! The ref counts, Jimmy lets off, and Jey gets a cheap shot in! Dom protests but there’s nothing he can do. Tag to Jey, the Usos split the wishbone! Jey stays between the Mysterios as he talks trash. Rey bails out, Jey pursues, and Jey gets Rey up for a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Jey hauls Rey into the ring, drags him over, and anchors a leg to tag in Jimmy. Jimmy stomps Rey, digs his boot in, then stomps again! Jimmy sits Rey up and clamps on a chinlock. Rey endures, fights up and throws elbows, but Jimmy shoves.

Rey KICKS Jimmy, gets around, but Jimmy goes to ropes. Jey tags in as Jimmy bucks Rey away, Rey dodges Jimmy and DECKS Jey! Rey springboards backwards to get on Jimmy’s shoulders! Rey headscissors Jimmy out of the ring! The Usos regroup as Rey builds speed, and Rey slides, into a fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP to the announce desk! It was double-edge for Jey but the Usos are back on top of things as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Jey is stomping a mudhole into Rey! The ref counts, Jey lets off but then Jey gets in Rey’s face and pulls at the mask! Jey sits Rey up for more stomps, then taunts Dom before running in to HIP ATTACK! Tag to Jimmy, he climbs up and Jey stands Rey up. They coordinate, AX HANDLE BACKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Jey tags back in, the Usos mug Rey, and Jey taunts Rey as he crawls. Jey clamps on a camel clutch then focuses on just the chinlock. Rey endures, fights up, and throws elbows. Rey throws hands, Jey shoves him away but runs into a drop toehold! Jey eats buckles, Rey crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Jimmy and he CLOBBERS Rey!

Jimmy drags Rey away, tags Jey back in, and Jey runs for a FALLING HEADBUTT! Jey stays between the Mysterios again and dares Rey to get up. Rey slowly rises, Jey stands him up and ROCKS him with an uppercut! Jey and Jimmy coordinate, but Rey dodges the splash! Jimmy tags in, Jey keeps Rey cornered, but Rey fights back with elbows and boots! Rey BOOTS Jimmy AND dodges Jey! Jey POSTS himself, Jimmy is down on the apron, and Rey crawls to the far side! HOT TAG! Dom DIVES and takes out BOTH Usos! Dom puts Jimmy in, springboards, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dom hits Jey with a NECKBREAKER! Jimmy mule kicks and stops the rally!

Jimmy whips Dom to a corner, Dom goes up and over and kicks low. Dom knuckle locks, CHOPS, and goes up and up for a FLYING TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives but Dom hasn’t lost focus. Dom goes up the corner, but Jimmy ROCKS him with an uppercut! Jimmy throws headbutts, climbs up to join Dom, and gets Dom up. Dom fights the superplex but Jey tags in! Dom shoves Jimmy and elbows Jey! Dom leaps but Jimmy goes under! Dom runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and the Usos can’t believe it! Dom gets to ropes, Jey tags in Jimmy. The Usos aim at Dom, but Dom ducks the superkicks! Dom dumps both Usos out!

Rey is there and he LEAPS to Seated Senton Jey! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Rey down! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS Dom, but Dom drop toeholds him to ropes! Dom dials it up, but into a SUPERKICK! Jimmy climbs, aims, USO SPLASH onto knees! Dom gets a victory roll, the Mysterios win?!

Winners: The Mysterios, by pinfall (still SmackDown Tag Team Champions)

Wait, wait, wait! Did Jimmy get out or not? He had a shoulder up on one side, but the side the ref wasn’t watching! Jey saw it, too, but “the referee’s decision is final.” Will the Mysterios be champions much longer with this close of a victory?

Roman is not happy, either. “Bring ’em to me now.” Heyman hurries off while the Usos still argue the controversy. Will justice be served? Or simply the punishments for failure?

SmackDown returns as the Usos talk with Roman.

Jimmy explains that they got cheated! The shoulder was up, and Jimmy knows Roman was watching. Roman shouts, “I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT!!” To Roman, a loss is a loss. And they lost to a child! Jimmy called his shot but he lost and embarrassed the family! What did Roman say about that? The only thing they’re lucky about is that there’s still time left in the night. So go to Adam Pearce, Sonya Deville, whoever, and correct this mistake. Roman wants this fixed TONIGHT.

And before they go, they need to understand Roman’s position. “You guys are six-time tag team champions, who made the WrestleMania show once. And in less than a year with the Universal Champion, with the Tribal Chief, with the Head of the Table, Jey closed the show, walked out with his head held high, holding our culture, our heritage, our family above his head for the whole world to see.” Does Jimmy understand his position? Roman is looking at Jey… Oh, right. But the way things are going, does it matter anyways? Roman keeps rubbing salt in the wound, but will Jey stand for it much longer?

Kayla Braxton sits down for an interview with Seth Rollins.

She introduces him as a man who has had quite the impression on the WWE Universe lately, and he thanks her for having him. She asks about what he did to Cesaro a couple weeks ago. What explanation does he have for his actions? That is to say, a blindside attack on an already damaged Cesaro, then shouting in Cesaro’s face as he was being stretchered out of the building. Rollins sees the footage and just shrugs. Kayla says Cesaro always comes back and is very resilient, and Rollins stops her there. He sees how she’s faming things. “Please remember: I don’t owe you or the WWE Universe anything. Certainly not my time or an answer to your leading question.”

She admits he has a point there. But this doesn’t take away from Cesaro never giving up or backing down. What will Rollins do when Cesaro returns? Rollins takes the lapel mic off, holds it out to her, then drops it on the floor. In other words, “no comment.” Will he uses his actions to respond whenever it is the Swiss Superman returns to SmackDown?

The Street Profits speak.

“Father and son tag team champions.” The Usos di good, but- Oh, Chad Gable walks over and says he is compelled to advise them on their downward trend. He’s been doing some tape study and it is obvious. The Profits are down. For example, Montez Ford has lost at least 6 inches on his splash. And Dawkins’ “Sky High” spinebuster is more like a grounded median. But just look at what Gable has done for Otis! He can do this for them, too! They need management from an Olympian! Are they ready to unleash their inner alphas? Can Gable get the smoke? Wow he did not just… But how insulting! To think they’d need him. That’s a no from them, fam. A hard one. Will Gable make the Profits pay for passing on his offer?

The Usos find both Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce in the office.

Jimmy & Jey know they saw what they saw! They got CHEATED! The ref ain’t got it right! Yes, yes, there was a mistake. But again, referee decisions are final. Sonya agrees there, but also agrees with the Usos about there being a clear mistake. So they’re going to get a rematch? Well, Sonya and Pearce will review the footage, talk it over, and get back to the Usos before the night is over. Fair enough, right? Alright, so long as management makes it right. Which way will Sonya and Pearce go knowing the Usos and Roman want answers?

Carmella VS Liv Morgan!

Mella is money and always feeling herself. But will the UNTOUCHABLE and self-proclaimed most beautiful woman in all of the WWE have to get ugly to win against the rebel without a riot?

SmackDown returns as Liv makes her entrance. The bell rings and Mella talks trash then pie faces Liv around. Liv chases Mella out of the ring, around the ring, and back into the ring. Liv catches the sneaky stomps and drags Mella out to TOSS her into barriers! The ring count starts, Liv gets Mella up to THROW her again! Liv refreshes the count, dribbles Mella off the apron, and then taunts her before giving one last bump! Liv puts Mella in the ring at 6 of 10, but Mella goes to the other side of the corner. Liv storms over but into a kick to her leg! Mella then gets Liv with a mule kick to the face! Liv flounders to the corner, Mella talks trash and throws elbow after elbow!

Mella lets off as the ref counts, and she brings Liv up to snapmare. Cover, ONE! Mella is annoyed and talks more trash as she pie faces again. Mella whips Liv to a corner but Liv reverses. Liv runs in to back body block, then goes again, Mella dodges but Liv gets her for a WING SNAPPER and a BOOT into buckles! Liv fires up, runs and goes up the corner to STOMP Mella down! Cover, TWO! Liv keeps going, but Mella dodges ObLIVion and throws Liv down! Liv flounders up into Mella’s drop toehold! Mella floats to the CODE OF SILENCE! Liv taps, Mella wins!

Winner: Carmella, by submission

Mella calls the ring announcer over to add “the most beautiful woman in all the WWE” to her title. Looks aside, will Mella look to go back after the title soon enough?

The Mysterios are heading out.

They have their luggage ready but Pearce and Sonya find them just before they get to the door. Pearce explains that going over the footage again and again made it clear, the ref made a mistake. That match shouldn’t have ended that way, and the Usos deserve another shot. The titles will be on the line again, tonight. Seriously? Yes. Dom’s fine with that. Rey goes with Dom on this one, and they head back to the locker room. Will the Mysterios make sure they get a more definitive win over Jimmy & Jey this time? Or will the Usos redeem themselves in the eyes of Roman?

Bianca Belair heads to the ring!

The SmackDown Women’s Champion gets a mic to say, “Ever since I beat Sasha Banks and won this title at WrestleMania, Bayley has been so pressed.” But the only thing Bayley’s done about it is laugh. So you’d think Bayley would realize that the fans aren’t laughing with her, they’re laughing at her. And what is so funny? Bianca will admit that Bayley’s laugh is getting to her. And that in itself is funny. Do we really think Bayley is the first person to try her? Gurl, uh-uh. People have been keeping her down since she was three feet tall. They want her to shrink herself to help their own insecurities. They’ve been playing mind games, saying she’s doing too much and showing off.

Oh and let’s not forget when some would say she was “mannish” for being muscular and athletic. But guess what? Bianca left all those people in the dust as she won trophy after trophy and championship after championship. So yeah, Bianca’s dealt with teasers, doubters and bullies. But after it all, Bianca has never had anyone laugh at her. “That’s utter disrespect, and I’m not standing for that.” This is what Bianca proposes to Bayley: If Bayley can’t stay fresh her whole life, but if she’s that committed, then BET. Bianca wants Bayley to take her cackling self to HELL IN A CELL, and then we’ll see who laughs last! So Bayley, what’s good?

Bianca waits, watches the ringside area for any ambushes, but still no Bayley. We don’t have all night! What’s Bayley going to do about the challenge? Bayley laughs and laughs and laughs. But where is she? Oh, now she’s on the titantron! DING DONG, HELLO~! You want Bayley to go out there? When is Bianca going to learn that the whole world doesn’t revolve her? Bayley’s been laughing at people like that her whole life! And she’s obviously not at the ThunderDome, she’s here via satellite! Bayley has her Wall of Bayley, where she goes to clear her mind and find peace so that she doesn’t go blabbing her mouth like some people she knows.

But if Bianca wants to clear her conscience and have a fair rematch, Bayley accepts. Then Bayley will win, and laughing. But not alone! Bayley laughs and laughs again, but Bianca holds up her belt. Wait, the ThunderDome screens are being hijacked by Bayley! Who’d Bayley pay to do that for her? But will Bayley be laughing much longer with Hell in a Cell on the horizon?

The Street Profits talk again.

Bayley is always getting at Bianca. But now Otis comes storming in? The Dozer says they’re out of line. Gable is trying to help them and yet they mock him? They need to apologize! Whoa, Otis, they aren’t letting anyone tell them what they need to do. Ford says to calm it down and handle this like adults. The Profits don’t owe anyone an apology. But Otis, Gable is holding you back! What has Otis really done since he and Gable teamed up? Maybe Otis should get a refund. Otis SLAPS Ford and SHOVES Dawkins down!! The Dozer is dedicated to a dangerous degree! Will the Profits get back up to knock these “alphas” down?

King Corbin VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs!

The Wolf King and the King of Strong Style are tied 1-1, and the crown is still with Nakamura! With his electric guitar playing bard still by his side, will Nakamura once again rock Corbin and roll in style?

The bell rings and Corbin rushes Nakamura. They tie up, go around the ropes and end up in a corner. Corbin fires off body shots and haymakers, the ref counts and Corbin argues with him. Corbin glares at Boogs, runs in but Nakamura dodges to ENZIGURI! Nakamura puts Corbin up for a TOP SHELF KNEE! Cover, ONE!! Corbin ROCKS Nakamura, gets him up for a TWO HAND SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Corbin rains down fists on Nakamura, but swings into an ARMBAR! Nakamura pulls but Nakamura scrambles around. Corbin gets a ropebreak, the ref counts and Nakamura lets off fast. Nakamura KICKS Corbin, throws knees, and gets him up.

Nakamura whips, Corbin reverses and runs in but Nakamura dodges. Corbin slides out, DECKS Boogs, then gets in, but into Nakamura’s STO! Cover, TWO! Nakamura aims and kicks but Corbin ducks and throws Nakamura down by his hair! Prawn hold, Corbin wins?!

Winner: King Corbin, by pinfall

The king grabs his crown, but Boogs anchors Corbin’s feet! Nakamura ROUNDHOUSES Corbin down, and gets the crown back again! Nakamura puts the crown back on and Boogs plays him off! Will we ever get to the bottom of who is the rightful ruler of SmackDown’s kingdom?

Kevin Owens is preparing backstage, as Azeez attacks!

With the commander banned from ringside, he’s getting in the screwjob early! Azeez rams Kevin into the wall, bounces him off a road case, then rams a road case into Kevin! The refs and officials rush in before a Nigerian Nail can finish Kevin off! Apollo passes by, smiling and laughing, will he even have to defend his title now?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews VS Kevin Owens!

SmackDown returns and Apollo is already in the ring. He is still all smiles, thinking he’ll win by forfeit now. Kevin’s music still plays, and Kevin still walks out! Kevin wants to #JustKeepFighting, but will he #StunTheWorld by overcoming what Azeez just did to him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the fists start flying! Apollo throws body shots and then stomps Kevin down! Apollo scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kevin sputters as he goes to a corner but Apollo drags him out to stomp him more. Apollo gets Kevin up, kicks and throws hands then stomps a mudhole. The ref counts, Apollo lets off, and Kevin kicks back! Apollo ROCKS Kevin, and snap suplexes! Cover, ONE!! Kevin is tough but Apollo digs elbows into the ribs! Apollo drags Kevin up, whips but Kevin blocks. Apollo kicks and CLUBS Kevin, whips again, and kitchen sink knees Kevin down! Apollo grins and looms over Kevin as Kevin sputters and gasps.

Apollo gets Kevin up, reels him in for body shots, but Kevin CHOPS back! Apollo kicks low and Kevin goes to a corner. Apollo wrenches, whips corner to corner hard, and Kevin bounces off buckles! Kevin writhes as so much of his body hurts, but Apollo paces around him. Apollo is a shark with blood in the water, or perhaps a vulture picking at the bones. Apollo gets Kevin up to throw body shots, whips Kevin to ropes, but Kevin kicks back and CLOBBERS Apollo! BACK SENTON! Apollo gasps now as he gets to ropes. Kevin runs over and gets Apollo up to whip, but the ribs affect the pop-up! Apollo mule kicks the ribs!

Apollo runs but Kevin dumps him out! Kevin hurries to get back up, and build speed?! But the ribs hurt just from hitting ropes that hard! Kevin goes to the apron and Apollo trips him up! Kevin hits apron, Apollo hits an OLYMPIC SLAM to the floor! Apollo gloats and Kevin gasps while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Apollo RAMS Kevin into a corner! Kevin flounders and rolls, Apollo takes his time stalking Kevin so he can soak up the heat. Apollo stomps Kevin, gets him up, whips him to ropes and KNEES him against the ropes! Apollo throws hands, gets Kevin up, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Kevin writhes his way to ropes, but Apollo drags Kevin up. Kevin throws hands but Apollo kicks low and CLUBS him down. Apollo gets Kevin up for another OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Apollo gloats again as he stalks Kevin to ropes. Apollo gets Kevin up to waistlock for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives but Apollo dares him to keep trying.

Kevin slowly rises, Apollo waistlocks again, but Kevin standing switches and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Kevin still has power despite his bad ribs! But he might have paid for it as he’s slow to stand up. Kevin throws haymakers and forearms but Apollo RAMS him into another corner. Apollo hoists Kevin up top, climbs up to join him, but Kevin holds off the superplex! Kevin throws body shots, and even headbutts, and Apollo falls back! Kevin adjusts, for a SWANTON BOMB onto knees! Apollo was ready, and he ENZIGURIS Kevin, into a STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives but Apollo hits a STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!

Kevin is still in this and Apollo is growing frustrated. Apollo goes to a corner, climbs up top, and FROG SPLASHES but flops! Kevin SUPERKICKS from a corner! And then dodges Apollo to POST him! SUPERKICK again! Whip and POP-UP POWEBOMB!!! But Kevin has to crawl to the cover, TWO!! Apollo lives and Kevin is furious! But Kevin gets to the apron. The ribs slow him down as he tries to climb, but he fights through the pain. Apollo bails out to the apron but Kevin just adjusts course. Kevin throws hands from above, only for Apollo to fireman’s carry! APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Apollo shoves Kevin to a cover, and wins!

Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

The Pride of Nigeria may have won, but it took this much to do it, and that includes Azeez’s ambush! What will it take for anyone to have a fair fight with Apollo?

Sami Zayn runs into the ring! HE is the vulture as he gives Kevin a HELLUVA KICK! “Doesn’t feel good, does it, huh?! You’re already hurt, and then someone comes along and makes it worse!” That’s what Kevin did to Sami! Sami says he didn’t just kick Kevin, KARAM kicked Kevin!! But Sami isn’t done, he stomps Kevin down! Will Sami and Kevin ever settle things?

The Street Profits again try to have a conversation.

Otis just walks up and says they disrespected Gable, but Gable is the one being disrespectful. Otis wasn’t feeling their advice so there’s only one thing left to say: The Alphas better stay away and mind their own business. Because it doesn’t matter what kind of bulldozer or crane or whatever Otis thinks he is, they’re going to send him back to the dump, along with his partner, where they both belong. The Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke. Will Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins look to tear down the Alpha Academy to get back to the titles?

SmackDown Tag Team Championships: Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS The Usos!

Twice on one Friday night, all because management wants to make it right! Jimmy & Jey got Sonya and Pearce to hear them out, and we settle score based on the controversial call! Will this be when lucky number seven becomes a reality? Or will the historic father-son duo finish it definitively?

The introductions are made again, the titles are raised again, and one way or another, someone’s walking out of here with the tag titles!

Dom and Jimmy start again in a true restart of the first time around. The bell rings and the fists start flying! Dom backs Jimmy down, whips but Jimmy reverses to CLOBBER him! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! A third try, ONE and referee Charles Robinson is watching the shoulders carefully. Jimmy CHOPS Dom to the corner, tags in Jey, and Jimmy digs his shoulder in so Jey can hit a forearm smash! Jey brings Dom around to scoop and SLAM! Jey covers, ONE! Jey shoves Dom to the corner, Dom hits back and hits Jimmy, too! Dom swings but Jey dodges and back suplexes to a NECKBREAKER!

Dom bails out but Jey builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the desk! The Usos are on top all over again as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Jey rains down furious fists on Dom! Dom can only guard but Jey goes for a cover, TWO! Jey snarls and he clamps on a chinlock. Jey squeezes tight and thrashes Dom around but Dom endures. Rey coaches Dom and the ThunderDome fans rally. Dom fights up, throws body shots and gets free, only for Jey to ROCK him with an uppercut! Jey gets Dom up and whips him, but Dom reverses to a wheelbarrow that sends Jey into buckles! Dom crawls for his corner, Jey crawls for his, hot tags to Jimmy and Rey! Rey dodges, hits Jey and then rallies on Jimmy! Rey whips, Jimmy reverses but Rey dodges and springboards for a CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!

Rey throws hands, whips again but Jimmy holds ropes to elbow Rey back. Jey tags in and gets Rey in position. Jey brings Rey up, Jimmy tags back in, but Rey RANAS Jey! Jimmy rolls Rey up, but Rey rolls through to KICK Jimmy out! Rey WRECKS Jimmy with a dropkick, then builds speed. SLIDE and SPLASH hits this time! Dom coaches Rey up as he and Jimmy go to the ring. Jimmy is in at 5 of 10, but Jey rushes Rey! Rey dodges and Jey gets post! Rey hurries back in and up the corner to hit a FLYING RANA! Jimmy staggers into ropes, Rey CLUBS him then dials it up! 619!! Dom wants in and Rey gives the tag!

Dom climbs up like Latino Heat, but ROMAN REIGNS gets in!? And SUPERMAN PUNCHES Dom down?!?

Winners: The Mysterios, by disqualification (still SmackDown Tag Team Champions)

Roman shouts, “What do you think this is?!” but Rey goes after Roman for that attack on Dom! Roman shoves Rey away to then SPEAR him down!! The Tribal Chief just ruined his cousins’ chances, just because he assumes they were going to lose! Roman is upset that they’re embarrassing the family, but he makes Rey pay by TOSSING him out of the ring! Roman goes out, sees Dom getting back up, and RAMS him into steel steps! Roman drags Rey up to RAM him into barriers! Dom gets up only for Roman to THROW him into barriers! Roman goes back for Rey and gets steel steps! Roman sees Dom getting up and tells Rey to watch what happens to his boy! STEEL STEP BATTERING RAM!

Roman goes back to Rey, and RAMS him with the steps! The ref shouts at Roman to stop this but he drags Rey up to toss him OVER the barriers! Roman storms back over to where he left Dom, gets him up and throws haymakers over and over! Roman gets Dom up, puts him in the ring, and scowls at Jimmy as he rains down fists on Dom! Heyman can’t even bring himself to watch but the Usos gets back in the ring. Roman drags Dom up into the GUILLOTINE! Dom flails but he’s turning red as he fades out! Jimmy says that’s enough, Roman’s made his point. Roman refuses to let Dom go until he is satisfied. Jimmy tells Jey they should get going. “Not like this, bruh.”

Jimmy exits, Roman seems offended that Jimmy would even suggest this. Jey is heading for the ropes but Roman gets in his face first. Roman is questioning Jey’s loyalties, and Jey is frozen in place. Roman goes back to raining fists down on Dom! Jey just watches as Roman dead lift POWERBOMBS Dom!! Roman’s brutality knows no bounds, will it scare Jey into obedience?

My Thoughts:

What a wild episode for SmackDown this week. It was rather clever for them to have the SmackDown Tag title match open the show just so there could be a way to have it still main event, too. With Roman being a tyrant, it makes sense that he wouldn’t accept excuses as well as demand the Usos do something about it. I find it surprising that management went with it, but I do get that Sonya wanted to use this moment to undermine Pearce again. Both the opener and the main event were great matches, even though Roman “ruins” the main event just because it looked like the Mysterios were winning. He doesn’t know if Jimmy was going to take the frog splash, or if Jey wasn’t going to make the save, but this could still be Roman refusing to let anyone else in the family have a spotlight. This also furthers that Roman VS Jimmy is coming, and Jey’s loyalty will be tested.

With all the releases, Ruby Riott included, Liv Morgan has no choice but to go solo again. I would’ve thought for that reason, they’d give her a better showing against Carmella, but nope. Mella comes out the winner, she’ll be waiting on the other side of HIAC and face Bianca for the title, I’m sure of it. Bianca’s promo was a bit shaky at first, maybe she wasn’t sure how to go that long without fans there actually cheering her on, but she found her footing. Bayley literally laughing at Bianca and then getting all the screens to be her was strange. Is Bayley becoming SmackDown’s Joker? This might be a weird step for Bayley’s Heel persona. Just put them in the Cell and let them steal the show.

The Profits and the Alpha Academy had perhaps one of the weirder ways of getting into a match with each other. The Profits were just trying to have their conversation style promos but kept getting interrupted. Actually, that much makes it creative. But they could’ve done all of it in one section: both Gable and Otis talk with the Profits about how Gable wants to “help” the Profits; the Profits get upset and make their jokes, Otis gets upset and attacks; match is announced. I fear with all the releases both in-ring and backstage, and whatever reason for it that’s coming down the line, the flaws of Raw are invading SmackDown and dragging it down slowly but surely.

This third Corbin VS Nakamura was the worst of the bunch this week! Yes, we get it! They’re fighting over the crown. Boogs continues to be a great sidekick but he should really be showing that he can compete in the ring. Corbin VS Nakamura needs to finish with the crown officially on the line, in a Ladder Match. Maybe Corbin wins the crown back officially, maybe Nakamura wins it to keep it once and for all and forcing Corbin to change his gimmick again. Maybe someone random takes it away, spurring on a new King of the Ring Tournament, which should happen period. It’d be the thing WWE RawDown has needed to get ratings back up and get fans watching now that they’ll be back on the road. Of course, releasing people cuts down the field considerably…

Rollins’ interview promo was actually well done because it didn’t really go through. Rollins is playing this pseudo politician character very well, and he is certainly going to explode when Cesaro returns. I don’t know how many Cell matches are planned this year, but it’s not like Rollins VS Cesaro has to be in one. But at the same time, if they’re going to have more than a normal match, just going with No Disqualifications seems underwhelming. Roman VS Jimmy has to be a HIAC match to bring things full circle from Roman VS Jey. The world title, Lashley VS McIntyre, doesn’t have to be in the Cell, either, but something on Raw is getting one, and it’s either them or Rhea VS Charlotte.

The Intercontinental Championship could probably be put in the Cell this year. The match was still great, and it was clever for Azeez to get around the ringside ban by attacking backstage, and that was the key to Apollo winning this week. Sadly, with Aleister Black among the released, he could’ve been the way around the ringside ban and he’d get himself in on this title, as he should have a long time ago. Big E is without anything now other than to default back to Apollo, but at least Kevin and Sami have more. I wonder if they’d be the third Cell match and let the other titles be singles matches.

My Score: 8.4/10

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

15 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!