Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/27/22)

Who’s the third man, brother?

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2022

Steven Mitchell

Just who (who who who) is joining The New Day?

The Brawling Brutes have been beating the New Day SmackDown after SmackDown, but now Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston even the odds! But with who?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

SmackDown Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Ronda Rousey VS Raquel Rodriguez; No Contest.
Ronda Rousey & Raquel Rodriguez VS Natalya & Shayna Baszler; Ronda & Raquel win.
Los Lotharios VS Jinder Mahal & Shanky; Los Lotharios win.
Ricochet & Drew Gulak VS Imperium; Imperium wins.
Six Man Tag: The New Day & Drew McIntyre VS The Brawling Brutes; New Day & McIntyre win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome the NEW Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions!

Jimmy & Jey Uso walk out, the 312 day SmackDown Tag Team Champions, but also THE tag team champions of the WWE! They get the mics while shouldering the belts, and Jey welcomes Little Rock to the show! Jimmy says before getting the celebration on, everyone put their fingers up to thank the Tribal Chief, the Needle Mover, the Head of the Table, and the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, their cousin, Roman Reigns! Jey also thanks Big Uce to allow them to beat RKBRO all on their own. Thank you, Roman. Fans boo that bold faced lie, but Jey says he’ll get real and off script.

Those rocking with the Usos since day one, you know that two days ago marks 12 YEARS in the WWE. Fans do applaud that, that is a triumph. 12 years ago, the Usos walked out and never in a million years would Jey have thought they’d still be here after all that. For 12 years, the fans have cheered them, booed them, seen the ups and the downs. But that means that for 12 years, y’all watched these two grow up. That means for 12 years, all these plane rides, the miles on the road, the time being away from family, you know who was there for the Uso? Fans cheer because they know, it was all of us fans! Real talk.

But check this out. The world is crazy these days. Jey loves coming to the WWE and entertaining the fans. So from the bottom of their hearts, for their family, the Usos want to say thank you to the fans. Fans cheer that in thanks back. Jimmy takes a breath as the fans chant, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jimmy then says, “For the past 12 years, we’ve also realized that… We absolutely needed NOBODY~!” GOTTEE! All they needed were each other! They didn’t need you, you, or you! The Bloodline is drippin’ in all the gold! Look upon your undisputed! Unified! WWE Tag Team Champions!! Don’t boo them! Boo Randy for not being here!

Where is Randy? Home! He got bodied by the Usos! And Little Bro, got his ass crying like the kids last week. Riddle is looking at the true tag team! He the two, and #WeTheOnes! But here comes SHINSUKE NAKAMURA! He tells the Usos that he and his partners challenges them to a match for those tag titles! HE wanted to get them by himself but Nakamura asked to join. What? Well where is his partner? Peg Leg Pete, the dude who got busted? Rick, BOOOGS~? No, it’s THE BRO! Matt Riddle is teaming with the King of Strong Style! Will they get revenge on the Usos together? They rush the ring, and they brawl at the ropes!

Fans fire up, Jimmy sends Riddle down, Jey sends Nakamura down, but Riddle rushes right back in! He fights them both, but they throw him out! Nakamura gets back in, but he gets mugged, too! Riddle returns with a FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Fans fire up as Riddle and Nakamura get the Usos up! Nakamura throws Jimmy out, ROUNDHOUSE! Riddle DECKS Jey! The Usos grab up their gold and get outta there! Will the Usos be able to handle the #BrosOfStrongStyle?

SmackDown returns as Riddle and Nakamura talk backstage.

The Bro wonders what they should call themselves. Nakamura Bro? Kayla says they did look good out there, but how would Randy feel about this? Actually, this was Randy’s idea. and Nakamura is pleased. He may not be B0ogs, but Riddle and Nakamura will dominate. And Nakamura may not be Randy, but there’s potential for greatness here. Will these two becoming the ultimate

SmackDown Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Ronda Rousey VS Raquel Rodriguez!

Last time was for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, but this to see if Big Mami Cool can earn another shot! Of course, backstage, we see Shotzi, Xia Li, Aliyah, Natalya and Shayna Baszler watching from the locker room. Shotzi complains that Raquel is getting another match with Ronda when she choked! Why are all of them getting passed over? Xia is undefeated in the WWE, so why isn’t she out there? Xia thinks about that, then storms out. Aliyah may be annoying but she has the fastest win in WWE at 3.16 seconds. Even she deserves a shot. Aliyah tells Shotzi to just shut up, then she storms out.

But Natty has more wins than any woman in WWE history! She is a living legend! If she had the same opportunities as Raquel, she’d be champion now! And Shayna, straight up, you’re a killer. Raquel has zero killer instincts. They are the best in the world yet here they are, letting another opportunity pass them by. So then, what’re they gonna do about it? Spades & Hart look at each other, is there an understanding between them and the wild card? Will they do something about this while Raquel faces Ronda?

SmackDown returns and Ronda makes her entrance. And now Shotzi, Natty & Shayna decide to go out there to stop this! Shayna & Natty go first, Shotzi has to get her helmet. But then the door is locked!? Shotzi gets shut out of her plan! By Aliyah! Payback! Back tot he ring, though, the match begins and Ronda dodges Raquel. Then she fires hands, but Raquel waistlocks and SLAMS Ronda! Raquel drags Ronda up but Ronda elbows free and throws kicks. Ronda goes up but Raquel holds her up! Only to end up in a HANGING ARMBAR! But Raquel drags Ronda up, only for Ronda to cradle! TWO, and Raquel kicks low.

Raquel gut wrenches Ronda up to a Canadian Rack! And then she BENDS Ronda’s arms! But Shayna CHOP BLOCKS Raquel down!

Winner: Raquel Rodriguez, by disqualification

Shayna & Natty mug Raquel but Ronda goes after Natty! They brawl, Shayna runs in but Raquel blocks a knee! Raquel dumps Shayna out, Ronda BOOTS Natty out! Fans fire up as the baddest and the biggest women on SmackDown are standing tall! But will there be something more after the break, playa?

Ronda Rousey & Raquel Rodriguez VS Natalya & Shayna Baszler!

SmackDown returns and holla holla, we have a tag match! Natty stomps Raquel’s leg, tags Shayna, and Shayna puts the leg in a toehold. Raquel endures while fans rally for her and Ronda. Raquel kicks at Shayna with the free leg, but Shayna turns her over to isolate the foot and STOMP it! Raquel gets to a neutral corner, Shayna blocks the kick and JAMS the bad leg! Shayna puts Raquel in the corner but Raquel BOOTS her away! Raquel swipes at Natty but Shayna KICKS away on the bad leg! Shayna puts the leg on the ropes for a HIP- NO! Raquel boots Shayna out! Raquel crawls but Natty gets Shayna in.

Natty tags in, drags Raquel back, and steps through! But Raquel fights out of the Sharpshooter! Hot tag to Ronda! Fans fire up as Ronda rallies on Natty! Drop sayanagi after sayanagi, and Ronda fires up! Ronda boots but Natty blocks to trip her! Natty steps through, SHARPSHOOTER! Ronda endures, reaches out, crawls over, but Natty drags her away! Natty sits deep but Ronda still fights! Ronda reaches out, Raquel tags back in! Raquel CLUBS Natty down! Natty tags Shayna but Raquel rallies on her! Raquel swings, CLOBBERS Shayna, and fires up to fight through the bad leg! The bad leg gives up on the bomb, but Raquel HEADBUTTS Shayna down!

Raquel goes up the corner, TWISTING VADER! Cover, Natty breaks it! Ronda goes after Natty but Natty hits her first. But Ronda throws Natty out! Raquel shoves Shayna into Ronda, and Ronda snarls at her old pal. But then Natty drags Ronda out! Natty and Ronda trade hands, Raquel gets Shayna up for the TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel & Ronda win!

Winners: Ronda Rousey & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall

A huge win for Rowdy Ronda and Ricky Desperado! But will this keep back the tide of those coming for them both?

Backstage interview with The New Day.

Megan asks Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods who their partner will be in tonight’s match. Uh, does Netflix give away the ending to Stranger things? Does Bad Bunny give away all the songs before the album drops? The point is, errybody, and they mean errybody, has been blowin’ up the phones of the NEW~ DAY~ Because they wanna fight the Brawling Brutes. With Big E out, this could be anyone joining them! Even Moon Knight! Or Max Moon! Or Reed Richards, Mr. Fantastic. Or a fantastic beast. Or some dude off the streets! It could be anyone. Even Megan.

But what ya bois have is the element of surprise. They won’t go out there outnumbered. Tonight, they will take on and defeat those Brawling Brutes. BECAAAAAUSE~! NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!

Mad Cap Moss posts a message to Happy Corbin.

“You spit in the face of Andre’s legacy. You tried to end my career. But you didn’t, cuz Mad Cap is built different. Corbin, get ready to see a side of me you’ve neve seen before. No jokes. No cap. Next week on SmackDown, I’m coming to WHOOP YOUR ASS!” Will Corbin wish he’d never even brought Moss up to SmackDown?

Los Lotharios VS Jinder Mahal & Shanky!

The Lethal Lovers are back in action, and also bring the Kiss Cam with them. They spot a lovely lady in the front row and give her kisses on the cheeks. But will Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo be kissing the mat against the Modern Day Maharaja and his towering sidekick? Or will they be blowing kisses to everyone with a win tonight?

SmackDown returns as Jinder & Shanky make their entrance. Or, maybe not? The music hits but Jinder is looking for Shanky. Shanky is jamming out to the theme song, but he should be going to gorilla! Well, the Lotharios flirty with ring announcer Samantha while they wait. Now Jinder & Shanky make their entrance, and Shanky is still jamming out. The teams sort out, and Carrillo starts with Shanky. They tie up, Shanky powers Carrillo to a corner but Carrillo goes up the ropes. The ref counts, Shanky lets go, and Carrillo leaps! But Shanky catches him, shoves him, but Carrillo ducks, only to get a BOOT!

Shanky roars and fans fire up! Shanky gets Carrillo up, tags in Jinder, and they mug Carrillo. Jinder CLUBS Carrillo, whips him to ropes but Carrillo RANAS! Carrillo dropkicks Jinder, tags Garza, and they set up for the LEAP FROG ATTACK! They then DOUBLE CHOP Jinder, and Garza fires off haymakers! Jinder throws body shots back but Garza headlocks. Jinder powers up, Carrillo tags in and Garza reverses. Jinder KICKS Garza, back drops Carrillo, but Garza dumps him out! Garza WRECKS Jinder with a dropkick! Jinder hits the desk, Garza puts him back in. Garza then grins at Samantha and OFF COME THE PANTS!

But Shanky creeps up on Garza while he swivels, and he shows off his dance moves. Shanky CLUBS Garza, then SUPERKICKS! But Carrillo SUPERKICKS Jinder! Cover, Los Lotharios win!

Winners: Los Lotharios, by pinfall

So much for Shanky’s good time! Garza & Carrillo snatch that win, and Jinder is upset with Shanky losing focus! They lost again because Shanky was too busy dancing! Shanky tells Jinder no more! Jinder storms off, and Shanky looks at Samantha. She smiles and the fans chant for “Shanky! Shanky!” as he does his Bollywood best! Is Shanky going to be his own man from now on?

Adam Pearce is visited by Max Dupri.

Max hopes Mr. Pearce has reached out to his legal team and verified the contract so that Maximum Male Models can begin recruiting. Isn’t it about time SmackDown unleashed Max Du-PRI? Well, yes, turns out it is legal and binding, Max is onboard. Say it right, they did this last week. Max Du-PRI! Well, Max can teach everyone how to say the name because he is officially on SmackDown. Oh, y’know what this means? That means the process of Maximum Male Models finding their first client is on. And by the way, Pearce doesn’t make the cut. Max heads out, but just who will he say is a fit for MMM?

Kevin Owens is here!

It’s a very special edition of The KO Show! Kevin promises a member of The Bloodline as his special guest! Will it be the Usos? Paul Heyman? The Tribal Chief himself? We find out, after the break!

SmackDown returns and Kevin has his own custom KO mic. Kevin welcomes us to this special edition of HIS show! And for the last few months, Kevin has been seeking the truth and dealing with a liar by the name of ELIAS! NOT EZEKIEL! ELIAS! At Hell in a Cell, Elias will regret showing his stupid, beardless face in the WWE! That brings Kevin to his guest tonight. There is a special reason why this is Kevin’s guest. It’s the locker room leader and close personal confidant of the Bloodline, SAMI ZAYN! Of course it’s Sami… Fans boo because now who is lying? But Sami and Kevin reunite after a long time apart, with a BIG hug!

Kevin and Sami are so happy to see each other, they look great. Sami’s flowing locks are amazing! Sami says last time, they had some bad blood, but they’re always up and down. They don’t even remember what it was about. But Sami’s been killing it here! He is the leader they sorely need. And what he’s doing for the Bloodline, it’s unbelievable. Oh, don’t sell yourself short. Kevin is doing great on Raw! Elias? Ezekiel? Uh, clearly the same person! C’mon! How does no one see it? They hug again because Kevin is touched that Sami understands. Is he crying? N-No… Just finally good to hear someone say it!

Everyone knows it’s Elias! But everyone plays along and it’s horrible! But these two always have each other’s back! Always. Well not always. No, always. But tonight, this is why Sami is Kevin’s guest. Kevin needs Sami to kinda drop what he’s doing on Smackdown to go to Raw so he and Kevin can call out all the liars! That starts with Elias. Let’s go. C’mon. Uh, look, Kev. Sami’s always got your back, but now is not a good time. He has a lot on hips plate leading SmackDown. They need him, the Bloodline needs him, it’s just not a good time, Uce. Uce? Did you just say, “Uce?” Did he? Yes. That’s weird. He’s been hanging out with the Usos so much, they’re rubbing off on each other.

This is the side Kevin forgot about Sami. He’s naïve. No he’ snot! Ye she is! Uce?! Sami is not actually in the Bloodline. Yes, but he’s an associate. No, no, you’re not. Frankly, Kevin is sorry to say this, but Sami is praising them, wearing their merch, he looks like a moron. Let’s just cut it out and listen to your real friend. Oh, real friend, huh? Moron, huh? Sami was being nice. Sami says Elias and Ezekiel are clearly different people. Brothers who don’t look like, there’s photos that prove it. Who is the moron? NO, SAMI IS MORON! They’re not different people! Kevin is a liar! Well Sami’s a moron! Liar! Moron! Liar liar pants on fire! TOO FAR! They’re not on fire!

Sami needs to snap out of it! If he’s so tight with the Usos, why did they leave him high ‘n’ dry on Raw? Sami is like this with them, right Then Kevin can call them out, and they won’t leave Sami high and dry. Ladies and gentlemen, the Bloodline! … Well, give them a sec. Then Kevin will say it louder. Ladies and gentlemen, THE BLOODLINE!! Still nothing. Kevin tells Sami that the reason they’re not coming out is because the Bloodline couldn’t care less about Sami. He’s sorry but that’s true. Sami looks around and says “Whatever, man. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sami leaves, but Kevin chases after. Forget them, come to Raw!

Sami SHOVES Kevin! Sami tells Kevin to leave him alone and go back to Raw without him. Sami has a locker room to lead! Kevin is speechless, and ring staff already pack up his set. Kevin gets mad at the staff and gives one a STUNNER! Kevin glares at the other guy and the other guy says to calm down. Kevin says he’s right. Then STUNNER! Kevin leaves the ring, but will he be able to forget what happened between him and Sami?

Ricochet & Drew Gulak VS Imperium!

The King of Flight and the Philly Stretcher team up to take on Der Ring General and Ludwig Kaiser! But will they get payback on GUNTHER together? Or will SmackDown and the mat become sacred?

SmackDown returns and Ludwig has the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen… The mat is sacred! Only one gives the rightful respect it truly deserves. DER RING GENERAL…! GUNTHER!” With that, Imperium makes their entrance and go to the ring. The teams sort out and Ludwig starts with Gulak. They tie up, Ludwig arm-drags, brings Gulak around and has the armlock. Ludwig grinds the shoulder but Gulak headlocks back. They end up on ropes, Ludwig turns things around to cravat and choke Gulak! The ref counts, Ludwig lets off and Gunther BOOTS Gulak down! Ludwig fires off stomps and hands, then tags Gunther!

Gunther brings Gulak up to TOSS Gulak out of the ring! Gunther shows no mercy while Ricochet checks on Gulak, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Gunther ha Gulak in a motorcycle stretch! Gulak fights up, but Gunther CHOPS him down! Gunther then stares down the Intercontinental Champion, then he stomps Gulak down. Tag to Ludwig and he waistlocks. Gulak reaches out for Ricochet, throws elbows, and fans fire up as he reaches again! Ludwig holds on, swings, but Gulak dodges! Ludwig scoops, Gulak escapes, tag to Ricochet! Ricochet fires off on Ludwig, whips, Ludwig reverses but Ricochet RANAS! Then he dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Gunther gets in and the ref tells him to go back. But that was just to distract, Ludwig rolls Ricochet up, TWO!

Ricochet JUMPING KNEES Ludwig! Ricochet stares Gunther down now, fireman’s carries, but Ludwig rakes eyes! Gulak tags in before Ludwig tosses Ricochet! Gulak fires off, Ludwig THROAT CHOPS! But Gulak boots! Ludwig blocks, “NEIN!” He ROCKS Gulak then HALF HATCH SUPLEX! Ludwig grinds, drags Gulak up, fans boo but Ludwig runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, Imperium wins!

Winners: Imperium, by pinfall

Ricochet gets back in to keep them from doing any more to Gulak, but he should worry about himself! Gunther BOOTS Ricochet out, Ludwig PENALTY KICKS Gulak again! Will Imperium soon reign over SmackDown?

Sami apologizes to the Usos.

He is sorry but he just feels Kevin said some truths. He isn’t sure he’s getting respect for what he’s putting in. They can tell him the truth. What do they think of Sami? What is he to them? Cuz here’s what he’s thinking. What if Sami joined the group? Not by blood or anything, but like an honorary member. Sure, honorary Uce works. Yeah, there we go! Sami says they’re smart, this is the right choice. Now, if they need anything, he’s got them. And if he needs anything, they have him. Got you, Uce! Peace! Sami is fired up, but is he just being strung along?

BREAKING NEWS!

For Memorial Day Monday, Riddle & Nakamura get a Championship Contenders Match against The Usos! If The Bro & The King of Strong Style can take down Jimmy & Jey, they’ll get their shot at the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships!

SmackDown celebrates Memorial Day early.

“They didn’t volunteer to die. They volunteered to defend values which make up what we call civilization.” – Ronald Regan

“What does it mean to be selfless? To have the courage to put all else first for a greater cause? In every generation, there are those who put everything before themselves. And this weekend, we honor them.” The men and women who fought for our freedom, from World War I to Desert Storm, Normandy to Afghanistan. Look back at the moments, the events, that defined America’s history. The struggles, the battles. Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Ronald Regan said that we honor their memory so that their pledges and sacrifices will be remembered.

We show our gratitude to those who shaped us, who guided us, and who ensured our values and freedom would live forever. We show reverence and respect. On this weekend, we say, “Thank you.”

Six Man Tag: The New Day & ??? VS The Brawling Brutes!

The numbers game has been in the favor of the Fight Night Boys after Big E’s horrible accident, but Woods & Kofi have found a way to turn things back around! But just who (who who who) is the third man, brother? We’ll find out, after the break!

SmackDown returns and Sheamus has a mic. “What’s the story? Now let me make one thing perfectly clear, yeah? It’s FIGHT! NIGHT! FIGHT! NIGHT! Every night!” But the New Day don’t want a fair fight! They won’t tell us who the mystery partner is, but Sheamus doesn’t care. They could bring out King Kong, Godzilla or Moby Dick. It won’t matter, because they’ll get a severe beatin’ from these Brawlin’ Brutes! It could be anyone in the world and they’d still lay out all three. And they’ll all be on bed rest right next to Big E. Ain’t that right, Ridge? Too bloody right! It won’t matter how big and tall they are, they’ll cut ’em root to stem, Right, Butch? Butch goes wild!

Sheamus says the truth is, these are two of the toughest brutes Sheamus has ever seen. New Day finds out they don’t rock, “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” But here come the New Day! Woods wants everyone to hold up a sec. Brawlin’ Brutes? Who are they? Off-brand Wrestle Buddies? Who is this dick they speak of? But Sheamus is right about one thing. Tonight IS fight night! But not 2v3, because Sheamus is right about something else: This will be an unfair fight. The New Day found a real physical specimen. They found a true freak of nature! A man who will steal Ridge’s girl, AND Butch’s Auntie at the same damn time!

So then, brutes, this man will not have any problem kicking Sheamus right in that ugly mug he calls a face. Good accent, Woods. No, don’t lie to him. He was more Blackbeard than anything. Then arrrr ya ready? So who (who who who) is it? It’s… DREW MCINTYRE! The Scottish Warrior knows Sheamus all too well and vice-versa! Will “Big D” McIntyre help Kofi & Woods layeth the smack DOWN on these brutes?

SmackDown returns once again and Woods starts with Butch! They rush each other, Dunne CLOBBERS Woods, DECKS Kofi, but just swipes at McIntyre. Woods whips but Dunne runs him over! Things keep moving, Woods hurdles then mule kicks! Woods CLUBS Dunne, runs, Kofi tags in and Woods hits a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Kofi PENALTY KICKS, Woods SLIDING LARITS Kofi IMPLODER SPLASH! LEG DROP to FIST DROP to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kofi brings Dunne right up, wrenches, tag back to Woods. Dunne gets away but the New Day dodges him to DOUBLE BULLDOG!

Woods rains down rights on Dunne, then brings him up. Dunne fishhooks Woods’ face! Dunne ROCKS Woods with a right, tags Sheamus, and Sheamus CLUBS Woods down. Sheamus stomps Woods, brings him up and gives him BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way to nine, then tags Dunne so he can give Woods way m ore shots! Ridge then tags in, he drags Woods around and suplexes him into the ring! Cover, TWO! Ridge drags Woods up, whips him to ropes, but Woods ducks and dodges, Kofi tags in before the slide! ROLLIGN ELBOW, then FLYING AX HANDLE! Fans fire up with Kofi and he whips Ridge to a corner.

Ridge reverses, Kofi goes up and missile dropkicks! Dunne misses his chance to swipe at Kofi, and Kofi stomps Ridge! Tag to Woods, he stomps and it’s the good ol’ stampede! Dunne runs in but is sent right back out! And now the tag to McIntyre! Little Rock fires up as McIntyre joins in on the stampede! Tag to Kofi, McIntyre DECKS Dunne, and McIntyre whips Kofi in for a basement dropkick! Kofi claps it up, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” But Ridge pushes Kofi to a corner. Kofi boots back, Sheamus distracts, Dunne sucker punches Kofi! Ridge POUNCES Kofi, roars “FIGHT NIGHT!” and the brute shave control as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Dunne keeps Kofi from the corner! Kofi throws hands, Dunne holds on and whips Kofi into the brute corner! Forearm smash then tag to Ridge, but Ridge keeps Dunne from going after McIntyre. Ridge RAMS Dunne into Kofi, tag to Sheamus! POWERSLAM and Sheamus is up top, KING KONG KNEE! Cover, TWO! Sheamus tags Ridge back, they get Kofi up and Ridge ROCKS Kofi with a forearm. Tag to Dunne, they mug Kofi but Kofi fights back! Sheamus gets in, IRISH- NO! Kofi slips out to DDT! Fans fire up as Kofi and all the brutes are down! Kofi crawls, but Dunne trips Woods off the apron! Ridge trips McIntyre!

Ridge RAMS McIntyre into steps! Sheamus CLOBBERS Kofi, Alabama Lifts, ALABAMA SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kofi survives and Sheamus is shocked! Sheamus fishhooks Kofi’s face for the Dublin Smile, but Kofi fights up with body shots! Sheamus swings, into SOS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Kofi crawls, and McIntyre rises! Fans fire up for the hot tags to Ridge and McIntyre! McIntyre rallies on Ridge! McIntyre whips, CLOBBERS Ridge, then clinches in a corner for the OVEREHAD Belly2Belly! Dunne laps in, but into a clinch! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Dunne flounders out, McIntyre dodges Ridge to NECKBREAKER!

McIntyre kips up and fans fire up! McIntyre grins and waits on Ridge, but Dunne leaps on for a SLEEPER! McIntyre tosses Dunne out of the ring! Woods gets in, builds speed and he RWECKS Dunne with a dropkick! But Sheamus BROGES Woods! Kofi FLIES and takes out Sheamus! Fans are thunderous as McIntyre has Ridge! Ridge throat chops! Ridge scoops, but McIntyre fights free and shoves, to GLASGOW KISS! Then from the corner, “THREE! TWO! ONE!” CLAYMORE!! McIntyre tags to Woods so he can finish this! Woods goes up, tightrope walks, LIMIT BREAKER!! Cover, #DrewDay WINS!

Winners: The New Day & Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

Vengeance and vindication here in Little Rock! But New Day wants McIntyre to stick around to celebrate! Woods plays the trombone and Kofi gets the hips into it. They want McIntyre to take a turn! Fans fire up for it, and McIntyre figures why not. He does a strut, a shoulder shimmy, and a little spin around! #DrewDay roar in victory, have they all dealt with those Brawling Brutes once and for all?

My Thoughts:

This was actually a really fun episode of SmackDown here, though not without its strange choices. I feel like the meta of Shotzi’s promo escaped the writers. Why have Ronda VS Raquel so soon already after their previous match? Why not have Raquel go against the Heels who criticized the booking? And of course it leads to an “impromptu” tag match, Raquel & Ronda getting a great win over Shayna & Natty. I do like that we got interaction between Ronda and Shayna. Maybe Shayna can step up and get her shot to feud with Ronda for a stretch? A little late to set anything up for Hell in a Cell, but maybe something for Money in the Bank? Ironically, that might’ve helped ticket sales but oh well.

I liked the opening segment of Usos giving us a work shoot of their heartfelt feelings that then raise their Heel heat. And I like that while Nakamura is without Boogs and while Riddle is without Randy, we’ll get these two trying for the tag titles together. We have already heard Roman is not defending his title(s) at Hell in a Cell, but maybe if Bros of Strong Style win on Monday, we get a last minute addition to Hell in a Cell for those tag titles. We also got a hilarious and amazing segment from Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn where they build both their stories of being delusional at the same time. That segment shows why those two should reunite and go for those tag titles very soon.

Moss has a good social media post promo, his return next week is going to be great. Max Du-PRI has a good segment with Pearce, and now that MMM is getting going, can’t wait to see who Max brings in and see how this goes. It’ll probably be a bit goofy but I suppose if it gives people screen time, there should be no complaints. I like that we got Imperium taking on Gulak and Ricochet. Gulak of course takes the loss but it was cool that Ludwig got the pin. He finally gets going on SmackDown, and there’s still ways for Gunther to get at the Intercontinental Championship. Too bad it’s not in time for Hell in a Cell. Maybe MITB will have one because duh, this title needs to be on a PPV again, and it sounds like this PPV needs more to it.

And of course, great stuff from The New Day. Great interview promo, good pre-match promos from them and The Brawling Brutes (I still hate how lazy Vince and team are in naming them), and naturally, it was McIntyre. We didn’t get as much between McIntyre and Sheamus as I was hoping for but that’s because Dunne being frantic and all over the place seems to take the focus of the match and the story. Naturally, #DrewDay wins because New Day needed to get even with the Brutes, and McIntyre needed to get going again here. But I feel like this feud is going to keep going. Maybe we get McIntyre VS Dunne? That’d be awesome stuff, at least.

My Score: 8.4/10

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

Up Next

Mitchell’s AEW Dark Results & Report! (5/28/22)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (5/27/22)

Coverage

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

Prepare for Backlash!

Published

10 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!