Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (2/11/22)

Will Charlotte Feel the Glow?

Published

2 years ago

February 11, 2022

Steven Mitchell

The SmackDown Women’s Championship is on the line!

To keep Naomi from going after Sonya Deville, Adam Pearce gives her a SmackDown Women’s Championship rematch with Charlotte Flair! But will Sonya keep herself from interfering?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

The New Day VS Los Lotharios; Los Lotharios win.
Hart Dungeon Style Match: Natalya VS Aliyah; Natalya wins.
“Happy” Corbin VS Cesaro; Corbin wins.
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair VS Naomi; Charlotte wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Sonya Deville is in the ring!

And she welcomes us to Friday Night SmackDown’s incredible show here in New Orleans. Her arm is still in a sling, and she first wants to acknowledge the “unprovoked, unprofessional, egregious attack” on her by Ronda Rousey. People like Ronda and Naomi think they can do whatever they want with no consequences, because they have no respect or regard for authority! Sonya is here to say it doesn’t matter if you’re Ronda, if you’re Naomi, or any other superstar on this roster. There will be consequences for their actions! That said, Sonya petitioned upper management to have Ronda fined $100,000 and effective immediately, suspended indefinitely!

But Adam Pearce counters Sonya! He realizes she isn’t checking messages in the ring, but upper management just responded to all that. This comes direct from the Chairman, Vince McMahon! It reads, “Sonya, it has come to my attention that you have been taking matters into your own hands and abusing your power. If there is one thing I can’t stand, it is a WWE official who abuses their power. So now, I will exercise some of mine. Your petition to fine and suspend Ronda Rousey is declined!” Fans cheer that but there’s more! “As for your inappropriate treatment of Naomi, you must face the consequences of your actions.

“You are not to lay a hand on Naomi in any way tonight, especially as it pertains to the championship match with Charlotte Flair.” And it concludes, “If you disobey me, your job will be in serious jeopardy.” And with that, here comes Naomi! Naomi is all smiles hearing Sonya is on thin ice. Naomi gets a mic to tell Sonya, “What’s the matter, Sonya? You never got ripped a new one by your boss before? You know, the funny thing is, Mr. McMahon says you can’t lay a hand on me. But he never said I can’t lay a hand on you.” SLAP! That didn’t feel good, did it?! Sonya tells Naomi to back up, but Naomi takes her leave. Will Naomi make sure to give Charlotte a few of those tonight?

The New Day VS Los Lotharios!

Kofi Kingston & Big E had a good time at the expense of Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo, both in the ring, and backstage when they ruined that vain Valentine’s Day photoshoot. Will they do it all over again this week? Or will they be eating their hearts out when Angel & Humberto get even with them?

SmackDown returns as Kayla interviews “two of the most handsome competitors” on SmackDown. Garza thanks Kayla for telling us what we already know. Garza and Carrillo are not only the most sensual Latin lovers ever, but they are the most fierce competitors. Last week, they almost defeated Kofi & Big E. Tonight, there won’t be an “almost.” They are lethal lovers, Los Lotharios! They make their entrance, mocking the fans who are less attractive than them, and then they debut the Los Lotharios Kiss Cam! The cousins look for someone to kiss, and find a young lady right at the corner of the front row. They both give her a kiss on the cheek, then go to the ring.

The teams sort out and Garza starts with Big E. Fans rally, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” but Carrillo helps Garza tune that out. Garza and Big E circle, Garza gets to ropes for defense and Big E has to back off. They tie up, Big E gets the headlock. Big E grinds and cranks the hold to the rhythm, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Garza kicks free, waistlocks, but Big E is too much for Garza to lift. Big E shakes his head, pries free, and hip tosses Garza down! Cover, ONE, but Big E stays on Garza. Tag to Kofi, Big E snapmares and Kofi leap frogs for the SENTON! Cover, ONE! Kofi keeps on Garza with a wrench and wristlock.

Garza knees low, CLUBS away on Kofi, then mocks New Day’s chant. Garza grins, drags Kofi into a Camel Clutch, and throws crossface forearms! Tag to Carrillo, they mug Kofi, and Carrillo CLUBS away on Kofi. Carrillo whips, Kofi reverses and then slides to trip Carrillo! Kofi drags Carrillo around, puts him on the apron and CLUBS away! Tag to Big E and he already has a target! APRON SPLASH! Carrillo flops down, but Garza runs in, only for Kofi to dump him out! Tag back to Kofi, he runs and Big E gives him a boost, BIG crossbody takes out Los Lotharios! New Day is fired up as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Garza tags in. He struts then KICKS Big E in the back. Garza clamps on with a chinlock to keep Big E down, but fans rally and Big E fights up. Big E throws body shots, shoves Garza away, but Garza SHOTGUN dropkicks! Garza swivels his hips, then OFF COME THE PANTS! Garza throws the pants on to Big E, runs side to side like Big E, but then stands Big E up to whip. Big E reverses and clinches, Belly2Belly! Fans rally up, Big E and Garza stir and head for their corners. Hot tags to Carrillo and Kofi! Kofi springboards in to ax handle Carrillo! Kofi DOUBLE CHOPS and DROPKICKS!

Fans fire up as Kofi runs to LEAPING LARIAT! Kofi fires up, Garza runs in but Kofi throws him out! Kofi then hits the NEW~ DAY~ BOOM DROP! Kofi claps, Carrillo slowly rises. Kofi spins, Carrillo ducks and rolls him up! TWO, and Kofi dropkicks Carrillo! Tag to Big E, and Big E gets Carrillo up. Kofi goes up but he has to leap over Garza! FLYING RANA! Garza goes into barriers, but Carrillo RAMS Big E into a corner! Carrillo rains down fists, Kofi KICKS Carrillo! Kofi tags in, Big E carries Carr1illo while Kofi climbs, DOUBLE STOMP BOMB!! Cover, Garza breaks it! Fans can’t believe it!

Big E gets in, Garza dodges, then BACKSTABBER! Carrillo BOOTS Kofi down, Garza runs in and coordinates with Carrillo. Garza goes up, SUPER MOONSAULT onto Big E! Carrillo goes up, MOONSAULT onto Kofi! Cover, TWO!! Kofi survives and Los Lotharios can’t believe it! Fans are thunderous but Garza tags back in. Carrillo Electric Chair Lifts but Kofi fights free! Kofi shoves Carrillo into Garza! Carrillo swings, into TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Kofi aims at Garza, but Garza dodges the double stomps! Kofi goes up, sunset flip, but Garza pushes through and high stacks! Los Lotharios win!!

Winners: Los Lotharios, by pinfall

They snatch victory from the jaws of defeat! New Day can’t believe it, but will they have to get a tiebreaker out of Garza & Carrillo?

Backstage interview with the Viking Raiders.

Erik lost to Jimmy Uso, but how will they rebuild momentum? Before Erik can really answer, the Usos jump Erik & Ivar! Jimmy & Jey aren’t going to let them get back up! They’ll see the Viking Raiders at Elimination Chamber! The Usos take the Viking Raiders’ headdresses, will Erik & Ivar have to fight to get those back, too?

Roman Reigns has a sit-down interview with Michael Cole.

Paul Heyman is of course just behind Roman as Cole thanks Roman for this time as he prepares to defend his title at Elimination Chamber. Last week was the reemergence of an icon. Heyman says you don’t need to call Heyman an icon, he’s just the Special Counsel to the Tribal Chief. No, Cole meant Goldberg. Goldberg? Really? Yes, the Hall of Famer, the man who once won 173 straight matches in WCW and defeated Hulk Hogan to become WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Wow, 173 straight? Wow. Roman says that’s pretty good. If he was in WCW back then, everyone would be winning, because they’d still be in business. Next question.

Cole points out that Goldberg has twice won the WWE Universal Championship. In fact, Goldberg a few years ago defeated The Beast, Brock Lesnar, at Survivor Series in just 86 seconds. A highlight reel shows that it took just a few spears and then the Jackhammer to win. Roman laughs that off. We still talking about Goldberg? Lesnar is old news, anyway. That guy is in Roman’s shadow. Does anyone even care about him anymore? Heyman doesn’t, he only cares about the Tribal Chief. “Weigning, defwending~!” Who wants Heyman to do that kinda intro anymore anyway? The ego that man has!

Two-time Universal Champion Goldberg? No one cares. Because Roman is here now, and is the greatest Universal Champion of all time. No one has done what Roman has done in the 35 years Goldberg’s been around. And if that Goldberg came back around, Roman would smack him in the face and run him outta here, too. Does Cole understand? Next question. Well, this match of Roman VS Goldberg was supposed to happen two years ago at WrestleMania. But finally, we’re getting it next Saturday. Is there any added pressure on Roman? Not at all. All the pressure is on Goldberg.

Two years ago, maybe Goldberg had a chance. “Everything’s different now. The whole world’s changed, I’ve changed. I’m Head of the Table now. Your Tribal Chief is untouchable, Cole. I’ve smashed everyone. Like I said before, the Greatest of All Time.” Roman will smash Goldberg, and has Heyman add on, “Ladies and gentlemen, what you’re about to hear is not a prediction, it’s a spoiler.” Roman looks at the camera to say that he’s gonna Goldberg Goldberg. Is Roman going to make sure that he’s not just next, but that he’s the last opponent Goldberg ever has?

Hart Dungeon Style Match: Natalya VS Aliyah!

First, the Queen of Harts’ ego gets the better of her and gives rise to #Aliyah3:17. Second, Natalya’s anger got the better of her and gave Aliyah a win by disqualification. Third, a bit of both ego and anger got the better of Natty and she lost by count-out. But now, they face off in a match that can only be won by pinfall or submission! Will Natty be able to win now that we’re playing by her rules?

SmackDown returns as Natty makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Natty headlocks to a takeover, and denies the headscissors. Aliyah gets it on the second try, but Natty kips free. Natty poses, then kicks Aliyah low. Natty headlocks, Aliyah powers out but Natty runs her over. Cover, TWO! Natty says Aliyah will never be as good as her, but Aliyah headlocks back. Natty powers out, Aliyah goes up and over in the corner, then handsprings over Natty’s drop down. Aliyah blows a kiss, Natty whips then hurdles, but Aliyah leaps over. Aliyah comes back, but Natty lifts her up! Aliyah sunset flips, TWO!

Natty KICKS Aliyah down, rubs in that she’s a three-time Guinness Book of World Records record holder, and Aliyah is “just a piece of crap!” Aliyah hits low but Natty CLUBS her down. Natty scoops, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Natty argues the count, then she drags Aliyah up. Natty scoops again, Aliyah slips off and O’Conner Rolls! TWO, but she hits a THESZ PRESS on the return! Natty shoves Aliyah away, Aliyah dodges to wheelbarrow, BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Aliyah grows frustrated, she pushes Natty around and gets the leg. HALF CRAB! Natty endures, powers out and throws Aliyah down!

Natty gets Aliyah’s legs, steps through, SHARPSHOOTER! Aliyah endures, crawls for the ropes, ROPEBREAK! There are no disqualifications, though! Aliyah realizes this, and TAPS! Natty wins!

Winner: Natalya, by submission

Natty doesn’t let off, though, she fires off fists and stomps at the ropes! Natty drags Aliyah back, but here comes XIA LI! The Protector won’t let Natty bully Aliyah any longer! Xia fires off fast forearms, then brings Natty around for a JUMP KNEE! SOBAT! HEEL KICK! Natty bails out before Xia cuts her down any more! But will the Queen of Harts have to face Xia head-on at some point?

WWE celebrates Black History Month.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson narrates as WWE looks back on the career of his father, Rocky Johnson. “Power and charisma. A Herculean physique with unparalleled athleticism. That was the Soul Man, Rocky Johnson. And that was my dad.” Rocky Johnson & Tony Atlas became the Soul Patrol, the first African-American WWF Tag Team Champions. Outside the ring, Rocky married Ata, daughter of Peter Mavia, and then they would have a son, “Dewey.” The Rock’s father trained him in the world of sports entertainment, and he carried on the legacy by entertaining the millions (and millions!) of fans around the world.

In 2008, Rocky Johnson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by The Rock. Rocky was one of the most dynamic performers of all time, and is remembered for paving the road for all athletes, no matter their race, color or creed. His legacy will be remembered for generations to come. “Thank you, Dad, for paving the way. I’ll see you down the road.”

Sami Zayn heads to the ring!

The Great Liberator is ready to try another episode of his new talk show, InZayn! But will it go any better than last week’s premiere when he has Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs on as guests? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and Sami is sitting at the table, mic at the ready. SmackDown shares footage of Johnny Knoxville using big pink highlighter to deface Sami Zayn’s merchandise. And also, he calls copyright infringement on the Sami Zayn Forever shirts being just like Jackass Forever merch. So, to the woodchipper with the shirts! Knoxville vows that Sami is going down! Sami wants fans to calm down, and says he will not dignify “Jackass Man” with a response. Sami is going to focus at the task at hand: reclaiming HIS Intercontinental Championship! And in the short term, hosting his live podcast!

This is InZayn, welcome to the show, this is Sami the host. No booing! That ruins the audio. Fans just boo harder, then. Now, they will discuss intellectual subjects, such as human consciousness. But Sami is dumbing it down for New Orleans, while also offering vegan Creole recipes, too. Food good, right? But then Boogs shreds on his guitar! He gets some call ‘n’ response with the fans, then introduces himself, and the Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke… NakamurrrrAAAAAAAA~! The King of Strong Style makes his way out and he heads to the ring with Boogs. Sami seems to have a headache already.

Sami has Boogs stop there. Sami welcomes Shinsuke and has him take a seat. Sami’s shocked that, despite the rude interruption, that Nakamura showed up. Because for over six weeks, Sami has been #1 contender, and Nakamura has been ducking him! But it doesn’t matter, because next week, they finally go 1v1 for the title. Sami can’t wait to see the look on Nakamura’s face when Sami beats him and reclaims HIS title! Sami knows what Nakamura’s been doing, too! He’s been working with Knoxville to distract him! Nakamura holds up a hand to disagree. Sami tells fans to be quiet again.

Nakamura asks Sami if he saw the movie. Jackass Forever? No, Sami got thrown off the red carpet. No, the movie they’re making next week: Jackass Defeated! Boogs says, “Nice! He means you, Sami!” Oh, that’s funny, huh? Sami says this IS funny. He used to have so much respect for Nakamura, and Sami was in Nakamura’s corner. Now, Nakamura goes from the Great Liberator to BOOGS?! Some meat head gorilla with a guitar? Sami tells Rick “Boobs” that he can lift all the weights, do his presses and benches and play his guitar- Oh for God’s sake, would you shut up!? Fans cheer Boogs getting in Sami’s face about it!

Boogs gets closer, but he gets ZAPPED by the mic?! Sami mockingly asks if Boogs is oaky, then he BOOTS Nakamura down! Sami laughs while trying to act dumb. He calls for medics to help these two. “That’s a shame. That’s really a shame.” Sami then leaves Nakamura and Boogs behind, but will he be ending next Friday night as Intercontinental Champion?

Happy Corbin checks on Mad Cap Moss’ eye.

It’s still a really bad shiner. But Corbin’s match with Cesaro is up next. Let’s rock ‘n’ roll! Moss says he’s going to skip this one tonight. Claymore? He needs clay less. Corbin cracks up, that’s a good one. No, Moss is being serious here. Corbin can handle Cesaro. Moss needs to get his eye looked at. Who knows? Maybe he won’t be medically cleared at Elimination Chamber. That’d be a shame, right? Hehehe… Moss might need some ice. But will Corbin end up with a bruised ego after facing the Swiss Cyborg?

“Happy” Corbin VS Cesaro!

SmackDown returns, Cesaro’s in the ring and the bell sounds. Cesaro rushes Corbin, Corbin picks Cesaro up but Cesaro fights free. Cesaro whips Corbin to a corner, runs in and EuroUppers, but Corbin comes back to back suplex and THROW Cesaro into the buckles! Corbin CLOBBERS Cesaro, then stomps away! Corbin stands Cesaro up, throws body shots, then bumps him off more buckles. Corbin paces, comes back to throws body shots, then reels Cesaro in for a suplex! Corbin stands over Cesaro and mockingly applauds, before he rains down elbows over and over! Corbin clamps on a half nelson chinbar but Cesaro endures.

Fans rally, Cesaro fights up and pries the hold. Cesaro throws body shots, powers out and whips, but Corbin reverses to DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Corbin seethes but he drags Cesaro up. Corbin puts Cesaro on the top rope, but Cesaro throws forearms in return! Cesaro ROCKS Corbin, Cesaro reels Corbin in, TORNADO SNAP SUPLEX! Both men rise, Corbin clinches but Cesaro EuroUppers! Corbin knees low, whips Cesaro, run sin but has to slide out. Corbin slides back in, Cesaro dodges to EuroUpper! Cesaro clotheslines Corbin out of the ring! Corbin drags Cesaro out, but Cesaro whips Corbin into barriers!

Corbin winces, Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper! Cesaro puts Corbin in, dodges him and springboard FLYING UPPERCUTS! Cover, TWO! Corbin is still in this but Cesaro reels him right in! Gotch hold, but Corbin back drops free! Cesaro lands on his feet but runs into an elbow! Corbin uppercuts, Cesaro BOOTS him! Corbin rebounds to LARIAT! Corbin reels Cesaro in, END OF DAYS! Cover, Corbin wins!

Winner: “Happy” Corbin, by pinfall

Corbin has the ring announcer rub in that since his return to fortune, he’s undefeated! But is Corbin’s luck going ot run out again like it did last year?

Moss gets checked out.

He doesn’t know, Doc. He has trouble seeing, there’s spots on the right side here. As much as it pains him to say it, they may have to cancel his match with McIntyre at Elimination Chamber. The doc says he’ll have to properly test Moss’ vision first. Close both eyes. Open just the right eye and say what you see. A sword. WAHT?! McIntyre! Got him. Hey, Moss. McIntyre knows Moss is just fine, so he’s perfectly good to go at Elimination Chamber. Well, um, yeah, the vision is miraculously better… McIntyre pretends to be relieved. He was worried! He was just talking with Adam Pearce, and it isn’t just a normal match anymore!

See, it’s Elimination Chamber, so it has to be big! McIntyre VS Moss, Falls Count Anywhere! You never know, maybe McIntyre will Claymore the other eye so it evens out. Or, since it’s anything goes, Angela the sword can join in. McIntyre leaves, will Moss have nowhere to run from the Scottish Warrior?

Charlotte Flair speaks.

“Tonight, I’m snuffing out Naomi’s glow.” The Queen is very confident, but will she be able to stay on the Road to WrestleMania without Sonya Deville’s insurance policy?

Michael Cole has a sit-down interview with Goldberg.

Goldberg knows Cole has to do his job, but Goldberg wants him to know, he loves him like a brother. Well, there are very few who have accomplished what Goldberg has in this industry. These two have known each other a long time. But people are saying this could be one comeback too many. That’s the problem. The problem over the last number of years is that Goldberg’s listened to a few of those people. It’s taken Goldberg outta his game. But then he turned the page and finally realized he doesn’t give a damn what anyone thinks. Not Cole, not Roman Reigns, no one. So as far as comebacks go, this one’s gonna stick. It’ll be everlasting, and will call upon the old Goldberg.

Cole notes that this was meant to happen two years ago at WrestleMania, but it didn’t. And Roman said Goldberg is facing a much different world. It might be for Roman, who is calling himself The Tribal Chief, Head of the Table, all the other monikers with his entourage. But for Goldberg, nothing’s changed. he’s still Goldberg. And Roman will get what he deserves. It’s taken two years, 10 years, 15. it’ll finally happen. Cole notes that Roman believes he’ll A) make Goldberg acknowledge him at Elimination Chamber, and B) “Goldberg Goldberg.”

Firstly, Roman must have a short memory. Goldberg did acknowledge Roman, as his next victim. And what’s about to happen at Elimination Chamber, when Goldberg destroys him, is that Roman will acknowledge Goldberg as the NEW Universal Champion. Goldberg will take that title, walk into WrestleMania, and face Brock Lesnar. Then Lesnar’s ass will be next! And as far as “Goldberging” Goldberg, good luck with that. There’s only one Goldberg. It ain’t gonna happen. The Icon is focused, but will time catch up to him at Elimination Chamber?

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair VS Naomi!

The Queen had “Cruella” Deville watching her back the last time we saw this showdown. But Adam Pearce has ensured Naomi gets a fair opportunity against “THE Opportunity.” Will Charlotte keep her plans for facing Ronda at WrestleMania going? Or will everyone have to #FeelTheGlow?

SmackDown returns and Charlotte makes her entrance. She gets help with the ropes, and with her robe. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Naomi gets to feel the gold in New Orleans!

The two circle, tie up, and Naomi powers Charlotte back but Charlotte puts Naomi in the corner. Charlotte pie faces Naomi then taunts her. Naomi keeps cool, circles with Charlotte and ties up again. Charlotte headlocks, Naomi throws body shots and powers out. Charlotte runs Naomi over, dusts off her hands, then speeds things up. Naomi drops, hurdles, but Charlotte throws Naomi by her hair! Charlotte soaks up the cheers and jeers but Naomi kips up! Naomi pie faces, dodges, and headscissors Charlotte away! Charlotte staggers up, Naomi is after her with a whip to the corner. Charlotte tumbles up and out, but Naomi ENZIGURIS!

Charlotte goes to the floor, Naomi TORNILLO PLANCHAS! Fans fire up with Naomi as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Charlotte bumps Naomi off buckles. Charlotte hooks Naomi’s arms in the ropes, digs a boot in and pulls the arms! The ref counts, Charlotte lets off to whip, but Naomi reverses to give Charlotte SOLE FOOD! Charlotte staggers back, but she puts Naomi on the apron. Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Charlotte, climbs up top, and Naomi leaps to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Charlotte flounders to ropes,. Naomi hurries over to waistlock. Charlotte holds the ropes, elbows free, but Naomi dodges to springboard, only for Charlotte to throw her down! Cover, TWO! Charlotte hurries to headscissor necklock, and she dribbles Naomi off the mat!

Charlotte squeezes the headscissors tight but Naomi endures. Fans rally for Naomi, and Naomi fights up, but Charlotte throws her away! Charlotte kips up, soaks up the cheers and jeers, and Naomi goes to a corner. Charlotte runs in, Naomi dodges the boot to KICK the leg! RUNNING JAWBREAKER! Roll up, ONE!! Naomi tackles Charlotte, jackknife bridge, TWO as Charlotte bridges up! Naomi and Charlotte spin around, Naomi slips off the backslide but Charlotte CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Naomi ducks, runs, tilt-o-whirls, but into a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Naomi is still in this and Charlotte grows frustrated.

Charlotte drags Naomi to a corner, and bends her against the post! The ref reprimands and counts, Charlotte lets go at 4. Charlotte against soaks up the heat, the ref has the ring count but Charlotte mockingly says he can continue. Charlotte gets in, Naomi BOOTS her! Naomi goes to a corner, Charlotte blocks boots but not the JUMP KICK! Naomi goes up top, BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and New Orleans is fired up! Naomi works to keep her cool, and she sees Charlotte go to the apron. Naomi heads out after Charlotte, but Charlotte whips her into steel steps! The ring count is climbing as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Charlotte has Naomi down in a chinlock. Fans rally up as Naomi endures. Naomi fights up, even as Charlotte leans on her. Charlotte thrashes Naomi around to keep her down, but Naomi keeps fighting up. Charlotte shakes her head, but Naomi JAWBREAKERS free! Charlotte staggers, Naomi runs, but into a scoop! Naomi slips off, comes back, tilt-o-whirl CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Naomi runs, ducks and dodges, springboard for the FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Naomi is growing frustrated now. Naomi has the fans rallying up as she nods.

Naomi gets Charlotte up, headlocks, and BUCKLE BULLDOGS! Naomi goes up while Charlotte is down, but Charlotte gets under the leap! Naomi rolls through, comes back, but the rana is blocked for a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Charlotte can’t believe Naomi survives! “This is Awesome!” and still not over yet! Charlotte scowls as she drags Naomi to a drop zone. Charlotte steps on Naomi on her way to the corner. Charlotte grins, climbs up the corner, MOONSAULT! Naomi moves, Charlotte MOONSAULT again, onto knees! REAR VIEW!! Cover, TWO!?!? Charlotte survives and now Naomi is shocked!

Both Naomi and Charlotte are down, catching their breath. Charlotte feebly says she’s still champion, but Naomi drags her to a drop zone! Up, up and SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT onto knees! Roll up, TWO!! Charlotte gets Naomi for a back suplex, Naomi lands on her feet! Naomi gets Charlotte for a full nelson, BUBBA BOMB!! Deep roll up, TWO!! Charlotte narrowly escapes! Naomi crawls over to Charlotte, fans are thunderous! Naomi headscissors and SPIKES Charlotte! Cover, TWO!!! Naomi thinks of what she has to do, so she just drags Charlotte back to the drop zone, Up, up, SPLIT LEG MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW!?!

Naomi is almost in tears over Charlotte surviving her best shot! Naomi tries another cover, ROPEBREAK! Charlotte goes back to the apron, but Naomi watches closely. Naomi drags Charlotte up, Charlotte HOTSHOTS Naomi away! Charlotte hurries back in, but Naomi deflects the boot to fire off forearm after forearm after forearm! Charlotte grabs Naomi’s hair to reel her in! Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Charlotte away! They both stagger, Naomi runs in, Charlotte avoids Rear View to CHOP BLOCK the leg! NATURAL SELECTION!!! Cover, Charlotte wins!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)

It was fair and square, and it was an instant classic! But wait, Sonya Deville appears and gets in the ring with Naomi. Sonya mocks Naomi’s pain, “Did you lose?” Sonya says Naomi will never be good enough. But Naomi fires off on Sonya!! Charlotte CLOBBERS Naomi! And BOOTS Naomi down! Sonya stomps away on Naomi now! But here comes RONDA! Charlotte dares her to do something, and the Baddest Woman gets in, to BOOT Sonya! Then she fires fast hands on Charlotte! Sonya turns Ronda around, but then remembers her bad arm. Ronda says she’ll give her a matching one! Judo throw, ARMBAR! But Charlotte drags Sonya out of the ring!

Ronda helps Naomi up, with the WrestleMania card very clear. Will Ronda dethrone the Queen by ripping out an arm or two?

My Thoughts:

This episode oddly felt like the go-home to Elimination Chamber, even though that’s next week. Only four matches in two hours just doesn’t feel like enough. Though, the vignette for the late, great Rocky Johnson was very well made. Roman and Goldberg both had decent interview promos with Michael Cole, but these and next week’s face-to-face won’t change the math. Roman wins to add Goldberg to his list of high level victories, and then he’ll go on to face Brock Lesnar, more than likely in Winner Takes All. The Usos jumping the Viking Raiders again looks like it’s burying the Viking Raiders. Are Erik & Ivar going to win the titles? That’s the only thing that saves them at this point.

I should’ve figured we’d get a tag rematch of New Day VS Los Lotharios, though I would’ve thought they’d split off into 1v1 matches at this point. But Los Lotharios had a decent promo backstage, and them winning tonight was pretty big. Pretty sure they’ll have a tiebreaker, and pretty sure it can be used to determine the next #1 contenders to the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Since there was the Usos VS New Day “last chance” match not too long ago, I would think Los Lotharios are up next, but that’d need Face tag champs. Are Erik & Ivar being “buried” just so their win will surprise us?

The Hart Dungeon Style match being No Disqualifications didn’t quite go how I’d hoped. I suppose revealing that ropebreaks don’t count at the end was a good twist, but there should’ve been a lot more of Natty doing all the things refs reprimand wrestlers for, like poking eyes, pulling hair, and straight up choking. Then, just as Aliyah thinks she gets a reprieve with the ropebreak, the ref says those aren’t a thing, and she breaks down and taps out. That would’ve been a much more effective build up to that ending, especially with Xia Li coming out to fight off the bully. Maybe somehow, some way, they’re pushing this closer to WrestleMania.

I like that Moss tried to chicken out of his match with McIntyre, only for it to fail. Falls Count Anywhere will keep Moss from running away and getting a count out, but we all know Moss is losing anyway. Corbin winning against Cesaro was whatever, but the real problem was the match was so short. Those two guys both deserve more than what that was, but it seems WWE isn’t going to put much effort into building Cesaro right now, even if it’d make Corbin look even better by proxy. This week’s InZayn was alright, it relied heavily on another really corny zap sound to sell things. But clearly, we’re still on the road to Sami VS Knoxville at WrestleMania, so I’m thinking Sami loses to Nakamura.

The SmackDown Women’s Championship stuff was the best stuff of tonight. Vince McMahon’s email was of course hypocritical, he has abused his power a lot over the years. But this one time, Vince uses his power the right way to put Sonya on notice. Naomi gets a bit of payback on Sonya, and then Naomi has an awesome main event with Charlotte. But of course, Charlotte wins, and then Ronda is brought out to stop her and Sonya. We’re going to get one more match of Naomi and Sonya for sure, and then we really are locked in for Charlotte VS Ronda.

My Score: 8.1/10

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

7 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

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

Nick Aldis is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

Backstage interview with Naomi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Backstage interview with Bayley.

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

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

Paul Heyman talks with Solo Sikoa.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heyman goes to the parking lot.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall

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

VIP Skybox interview with Damage CTRL!

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

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

Cody Rhodes speaks.

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

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

WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley VS Naomi!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10

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

Coverage

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

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

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

LSG vs Joe Hendry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6.5/10

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

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

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

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