Guns up for all the Jacksonville Gold Members!

Another three hour block of All Elite Wrestling starts with a Collision! But will the Bang Bang Gang still be the best three man unit ever? Or will Top Flight go from the coldest to the goldest trio in the game?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Championships: Bullet Club Gold VS Top Flight; Bullet Club Gold wins and retains the titles.
• Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS The Beast Mortos; Fenix wins.
• Rush VS Martin Stone; wins.
• Toni Storm w/ Mariah May & Luther VS Anna Jay; wins.
• The Acclaimed VS Grizzled Young Veterans; win.
• AEW World Championship: Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Claudio Castagnoli; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

Swerve Strickland is here!

Prince Nana again leads the way as the NEW AEW World Champion makes his way out here. The Realest opened Dynamite with a win, but he walks back out to Daily’s Place to stand in the ring to finally acknowledge his victory at Dynasty. Nana says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the man standing in front of you today is the Boss of Bosses! The man standing in front of you today is the Anointed One in Professional Wrestling! The man standing in front of you is one hell of a wrestler. And he’s none other than the AEW World Heavyweight Champion, Swerve Strickland!” The fans cheer and chant, “Thank You, Swerve!”

Swerve says what a week we’ve had here in AEW! Let’s run it down: a NEW TBS Champion in Willow Nightingale; by the grace of God, Adam Cole can walk; Adam Copeland got misted in the face by The House of Black; Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson tore the house down; and then… Jack Perry returned. The fans boo but Swerve says Jack’s back in AEW, and he struck Tony Khan, the founder of AEW, who put his faith in Swerve. On top of that, The EVPs, the Young Bucks are again the AEW World Tag Team Champions, and they hit Tony Khan with the whatever it is driver, and now TK is in a neck brace and who knows when we’ll see him in healthy condition.

Now, Swerve will be the first to tell everyone, he’s done some horrible things. Once, twice, three, four times. But something about four elite athletes beating down a non-fighter in TK, that sounds like a b*tch move to him. The fans echo “B*TCH MOVE!” but Swerve wants to get to business. The most important thing that happened this week is Swerve went into Dynasty and he made history by dethroning Samoa Joe and becoming the NEW AEW World Champion! Now, a pet peeve of his is those going around calling themselves “Best in the World.” But make no mistake, the Best in the World is the one holding this title right here!

Last week, it was Samoa Joe. This week, it’s Swerve, baby. And Swerve got here by fighting, but also by making sacrifices. Swerve says the night he won this title, he went to his daughter. She said, “Dad, I love you, I’m so proud of you. But I feel like I just don’t know you.” That hit Swerve to his core. His relationship with his children is everything. But he’s missed birthdays, holidays, basketball games, dance recitals, Father-Daughter dances, and he can’t make up for lost time. But what he can do is set the example and blaze a trail, to make sure this was all worth it. The fans cheer that!

Swerve continues by saying AEW has set people in front of him and he’s knocked them all down! Kyle Fletcher was just one. Now, how about an Open Challenge for the AEW World Championship? But only to someone who really wants to fight! So how about it, Jacksonville? We’re entering a new era in AEW, the Dynasty Era! And the elite of that era is whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” But then here comes Claudio Castagnoli! The Swiss Superman is in a suit, not his gear, but he does get in the ring. Claudio circles Swerve, then takes the mic and holds up a finger. The fans still chant, but Claudio says, “You’re on.”

Swerve says see you later tonight then, in whose house? But then Claudio snatches the mic again! “It’s gonna be mine.” The fans are intrigued but Claudio is looking to end Swerve’s Dynasty the same week it started! Will the Swiss Superman bring even more gold to the Blackpool Combat Club?

Tony Khan has a medical update.

He is feeling grateful and blessed that he can still walk, talk and work, as was seen during the NFL Draft with Tony Khan alongside his father, Shahid, in the Jacksonville Jaguars war room. However, the doctors have advised TK not to travel, so he will be monitoring AEW Dynamite in Winnipeg remotely. Will that mean The EVPs will be in control of things in person this Wednesday…?

Unified AEW & ROH World Trios Championships: Bullet Club Gold VS Top Flight!

When it comes to Six Man Tags, the Bang Bang Gang runs this! But while they have six belts for the three of them, will that only weigh them all down against one of the fastest moving and fastest rising teams? Or will Jay White & The Gunns shoot Action, Darius & Dante outta the sky?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who holds all the trios gold!

The trios sort out, White starts against Dante and the two talk a little trash over how the Casino Gauntlet went on Wednesday. The fans rally for Angel Dorado as he ties up with the Switchblade, but White headlocks. Dante powers up and out, but White runs him over! White bumps Dante off buckles, but Dante dodges to fire off forearms! White knees low, bumps Dante off buckles again, but Dante dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Dante whips corner to corner, White reverses, but Dante BOOTS back! Dante runs up to CHOP! And CHOP! White swings, Dante ducks to KICK, KICK and KICK!

White blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW the leg! Dante writhes, White drags him up, and White CHOPS Dante to the corner. White CHOPS again, brings Dante over and tags in Colten. They mug Dante, then Colten sucker punches Action! Colten tags Austin, they whip Dante to body shot, knee lift, and LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The fans taunt the “ASS~ BOYS!” but Austin drags Dante up. Austin bumps Dante off buckles, tags White, and White RAMS into Dante again and again! White hushes everyone, to CHOP! Dante sits down, Colten tags in, and Colten drags Dante up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO!

Colten keeps Dante from his team, then tags Austin. The Gunns mug Dante, then Austin whips. Dante holds ropes, BOOTS Austin, then DECKS Colten! But White trips Dante up! The fans boo but Dante dodges White to slide in, dodge Austin, and Darius sneaks a tag! Dante ducks Austin to DIVE onto White! Darius rallies on the Gunns, then fires off hands! Darius whips, Action reverses, but Darius atomic drops! Darius then BULLDOG HOTSHOTS Austin, GAMANGIRIS, and the fans fire up! Action jumps in, Darius kicks Colten away, then he holds ropes down so Action can FLY! Down goes Colten! STEP-IN FLATLINER on Austin! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Darius builds speed, and Darius slides, but Austin dodges! White CLOBBERS Darius! White drags Darius up for an APRON GOURD BUSTER! The fans are torn but Collision goes picture in picture.

White slides in to cover Darius, TWO! White is annoyed but he scuffs Darius then stands on him. The ref reprimands, but White drags Darius up. Darius fires body shots but White CLUBS him down. Cover, TWO! Tag to Colten, and BCG mugs Darius. Colten brings Darius around to bump him off buckles, then stomp and DECK him! Colten soaks up the heat, digs his boot into Darius, but lets off as the ref counts. Tag to White, and he drags Darius up to JAB! And JAB! And CHOP! White brings Darius around to TOSS back out! White then goes out to fetch Darius, the Gunns and Top Flight keeping each other at bay.

White SMACKS Darius off the apron, then the Gunns hop into the crowd to start up a “Too Sweet!” chant. White CHOPS Darius, and now the Gunns start a “One More Time!” chant! White refreshes the ring count first, argues with the ref, and that allows the Gunns to mug Darius! The Gunns get away with that while the ref is busy with White and Dante, but then Darius fires hands on the Gunns! Darius slides into the ring, White anchors him on the outside, and Collision returns to single picture. Darius BOOTS White into railing, hurries for his corner, but The Gunns YANK Dante and Action down! The fans boo but White clamps onto Darius.

White mockingly holds Darius’ hand out to no one, then stands him up to CHOP! White brings Darius around, taunts Action, then CHOPS! White wrenches, but Darius ROCKS White! And ROCKS him again! White CHOPS Darius but Darius PELES! Both men are down, White tags Colten! Colten tags Austin, they get in Darius’ way, then double whip him to the corner. Austin sends Colten in but Darius dodges, Colten hits buckles! Austin runs up, but Darius goes up and over and handsprings to hot tag Action! Action rallies on the Gunns, BLASTS White for good measure, then keeps going! The fans fire up for Action as he whips Austin.

Austin reverses, Action handsprings, DOUBLE BACK ELBOW for the Gunns! Action kips up, then he runs in at Austin! UPPERCUT in the corner! Colten runs in, but is sent into Austin! Action DECKS Austin, goes up and SPLIT-LEG, but rolls through as Austin moves so he can PELE Colten! Then SPANISH FLY for Austin! Cover, TWO! Austin survives but Action rallies the fans. Colten and White get Austin outta there, but Dante FLIES onto them all!! The fans are thunderous as Austin flounders back up. Dante whips, Austin reverses, but Darius helps Dante go up and over! Dante then helps Darius TORNADO TAG!

Darius drags Austin into place for Action’s STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Austin survives the onslaught, White and Colten drag Darius & Dante out! The Martins are sent into railing, but Action WRECKS White & Colten with a dropkick! Action goes up, but Colten distracts the ref! That lets White trip Action up! Action lands on his landing strip, and then White tags in! White says it’s done, he drags Action down, but Dante flies in! White catches Dante for an URENAGE! Darius runs up, arm-drags free of the Urenage, but turns around into a 3:10 TO YUMA! White goes back for Action, SNAL SLEEPER SUPLEX, but Action lands through!

Action BOOTS White, SUPERKICKS, then goes from a corner to SHOTGUN! White hits buckles, ends up in a drop zone, and Action goes to the apron! Action springboards, White gets away! Action ducks ‘n’ dodges but handsprings into BLADERUNNER!! Cover, BCG wins!

Winners: Bullet Club Gold, by pinfall (still Unified World Trios Champions)

The six shooter still had one in the chamber, and that’s the first defense for the Bang Bang Gang! Will they continue to prove they’re the best three man team in the game today?

The House of Black speaks.

Brody King says they told Adam Copeland what was coming, and the match at Dynasty went exactly how they said. And what’s interesting is, Brody now has two wins over the TNT Champion. They remind Adam of his own #CopeOpen, and The House accepts. But who knows? It might be Brody, it might be Malakai, it might be Buddy. On May 1st in Winnipeg, Edge finds out when the world finds out.

Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS The Beast Mortos!

Finally, the Immortal Firebird is back in action! But what an opponent to face as the minotaur of lucha has now evolved into something even more menacing! Will Fenix be able to fly like never before? Or will Mortos make him crash and burn?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Fenix. Fenix and Mortos tie up, Mortos shoves Fenix, then powers him to a corner. Mortos CHOPS, then swings, but Fenix dodges to CHOP back! And CHOP again! And CHOP again! Fenix fires off CHOPS but Mortos just snarls. Mortos TOSSES Fenix to the corner, CHOPS and CHOPS and ROCKS Fenix with a right! The fans rally for Fenix as Mortos whips, but Fenix reverses. Mortos reverses back but Fenix springboards to CROSSBODY, into Mortos’ arms! Mortos swings Fenix, Fenix slips free and shoves, but Mortos rolls off Fenix’s back! Fenix dodges Mortos, Tiger Feints, but Mortos rolls to avoid the kick!

Mortos runs in but Fenix pops him up! Mortos rebounds, and then SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up for this “LUCHA! LUCHA!” exchange, and Fenix bails out. Mortos builds speed to TORNILLO! Down goes Fenix and Mortos roars! Mortos drags Fenix up, UPPERCUTS him, then puts him in the ring. Mortos stalks Fenix to a corner, then stands him up. Mortos clotheslines, and then whips. Mortos runs in to clothesline again! Mortos fires up, runs up, but into a SOBAT! Fenix SOBATS again, KICKS, then runs up, but into a BOOT! And SLING-DOG! Fenix gets spiked but staggers to his feet, only for Mortos to ROLLING CRUCIFIX DRIVER!

Fenix staggers back up, into a DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Fenix survives that onslaught but Mortos roars! Abrahantes says animo, but Mortos grabs legs. Mortos DDTS a foot! Fenix writhes, but Mortos steps over for a toehold. Fenix kicks with his good leg, gets free, and runs up. but into a SHIN BREAKER! Mortos ties the legs up again, for a NAVARRO DEATH ROLL! Fenix endures as he’s now in the TRAILER HITCH! Mortos puts the pressure on Fenix, but he endures, crawls, reaches out, but Mortos thrashes! They roll, and end up in the ROPEBREAK! Mortos lets Fenix go and Fenix bails out.

The fans rally for Fenix but Mortos goes out after him. Mortos stands Fenix up to SLAP him back down! Mortos drags Fenix up to tear at the mask! The ref reprimands, Mortos lets off and refreshes the ring count. Fenix staggers, Mortos brings him around, and Mortos POSTS Fenix! Fenix staggers, Mortos snarls at Abrahantes, then Mortos SLASH Fenix again! Mortos puts Fenix in and covers, TWO! So Mortos goes back to the mask! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Mortos still pulls at the eye hole! The ref argues with Mortos, and Fenix gets up. Fenix throws a feeble forearm, Mortos DECKS him again!

Mortos again tears at the mask! The fans rally for Fenix but Mortos brings him around, stomps him down, then has the bad leg around ropes. Mortos runs, but Fenix is up, so Mortos CLOBBERS him! Mortos soaks up the heat while Collision goes picture in picture.

Mortos stands on Fenix’s head! The ref reprimands, Mortos steps away, then Mortos puts Fenix in the ropes. Mortos again pulls at the mask! The ref reprimands, Mortos lets off and soaks up the heat. Fenix flounders to the ramp, then the steps, but Mortos pursues. Mortos brings Fenix up for a FACEBUSTER on the steel! Mortos snarls as he looms over Fenix. Fenix stands, but Mortos winds up to SLAP him down again! Fenix flops against railing, but Mortos tears at the mask’s eye hole! The fans boo and Fenix gets away, but Mortos SLAPS him back down! Mortos puts Fenix in, scares Abrahantes off again, then storms into the ring. Mortos stomps Fenix around, and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns, Mortos fireman’s carries, but Fenix fights free! The fans fire up as Fenix fires elbows, but Mortos HEADBUTTS him! Mortos runs, but into a BOOT! Fenix dodges, CHOPS, then goes up and up, but Mortos SLAPS him! Fenix uses that to get the RANA! Fenix then ducks ‘n’ dodges, Tiger Feint REWIND! Mortos falls, Fenix crawls to the cover, ONE?!? Mortos has more power than Fenix expected but the fans rally as hard as they can! Fenix winds up to BUZZSAW! But Mortos just shakes it off?! Fenix SUPERKICKS! Mortos stands, into another SUPERKICK! Fenix then gets around, reels Mortos in, but Mortos is so big!

Fenix tries to suplex, manages to pick Mortos up, and flips him into a GUTBUSTER! Both men fall, Fenix crawls to the cover, TWO! Mortos is still in this but Fenix keeps his cool. The fans rally up again, and Mortos crawls. Fenix aims from a corner, runs up, and pops up to KICK Mortos! Fenix keeps moving, SPRINGBOARD- HEADBUTT!! Mortos takes Fenix out of the sky and the fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” A standing count starts, the two slowly rise, and Fenix uses ropes to get up at 6 of 10. Mortos stands at 7, roars, and runs up, but Fenix dodge! Mortos’ knee hits buckles and he tumbles up and out!

Fenix goes up a corner, the fans fire up, and Fenix SUPER TORNILLOS! Direct hit and down goes Mortos! Fenix stands, the fans are thunderous again, and Fenix drags Mortos into the ring. Fenix says animo and he high-fives some fans. Fenix goes to a corner, springboards in, and leaps, but into Mortos’ arms! Fenix fights free, scoops, but Mortos turns that right around! LUNG BLOWER! Mortos isn’t done there, he whips Fenix to scoop and torture rack, right into a WIDOW’S PEAK!! Cover, TWO?!? Fenix survives and Abrahantes is all fired up! The fans rally up again, too, but Mortos roars as he looms over Fenix!

Mortos sits Fenix up, runs, but Fenix kips up to SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! And then SUPERKICK! Mortos is still on his feet so Fenix goes up and up and tightrope PENALTY KICKS! Mortos staggers, into another SUPERKICK! Fenix goes back to the corner and goes back up! The fans fire up for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mortos survives and shocks everyone! Fenix hurries to a corner, he runs up at Mortos to somersault, but Mortos catches him! Mortos pops Fenix up but Fenix victory rolls through that, and WINS!!

Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall

By the seat of his pants, Fenix wins his return match! Fenix celebrates with the people, will Fenix be back on top of AEW soon enough?

Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.

Aubrey Aura says Freshly Squeezed was attacked by #JustTrent last Dynamite, and that ultimately forced Chuck Taylor’s hand in choosing sides. The Kentucky Gentleman chose Cassidy, where is his head at right now? Cassidy knows Trent said a lot of things that Cassidy is still working through. But what is on his mind most now is that later tonight on Rampage, those two are fighting in a Parking Lot Brawl. Cassidy is afraid of what Trent and Chuck are going to do to each other. Kris Statlander walks in and tells Cassidy that “he needs us. Let’s go.” Cassidy nods and leaves with the Galaxy’s Greatest. Will Chuck’s real friends be there for him, win or lose?

Rush VS Martin Stone!

From one return to another, El Toro Blanco also gets back in action! But will the leader of La Faccion Ingobernable be tranquilo? Or will he lose his cool taking on The Gov’nah?

The bell rings and the fans rally behind Rush. Rush stares Stone down, Stone rushes up, but Rush dodges to SNAP GERMAN! And then Rush KNEES Stone down! Stone tumbles out of the ring but Rush goes out after him. Rush sends Stone into railing! And then into more railing! Rush stomps away, the ref counts and then storms out to stop him! Rush lets off, smirks as he fetches a chair, and he puts that in the ring. The ref hurries to get the chair, so that lets Rush use camera cables to LASH Stone! And LASH again! Rush puts Stone in the ring, storms in after him, and  kicks him low! Rush pulls Stone’s shirt down, so he can CHOP!

Rush whips corner to corner, runs in, but Stone dodges! Stone runs up but Rush ROCKS him! Rush roars, then OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Stone into buckles! Rush takes aim, Stone flounders around, and Rush FOREARMS Stone down! Rush then goes corner to corner, “If you mess with the bull…!” You get BULL’S HORNS!! Cover, Rush wins!

Winner: Rush, by pinfall

El Toro Blanco just crushed Stone, will he soon stampede his way up to some gold? But wait, Rush isn’t done! He DECKS Stone, stomps away, then goes corner to corner to again use THE HORNS!! Rush laughs while Stone flounders away. Will Rush be ruthless all the way to the top of AEW?

Backstage interview with Serena Deeb.

Aubrey Aura is now with The Professor of Professional Wrestling, and says that Deeb came out to touch the AEW Women’s World Championship. What message is Deeb looking to send? Deeb says it’s a very simple one. On one hand, we have the great champion, Toni Storm, someone everyone loves, and one of the greatest champions in this company’s history. On the other, we have the undefeated Professor, the obvious #1 contender. After everything Deeb’s been through, how hard she had to fight to get back here, failure is not an option. It is now or never!

And after four years of being told how great she is, and how she SHOULD be champion, it is time to prove it. It is time to accomplish something she has yet to do, and that is become THE AEW Women’s World Champion. Deeb tells Storm this isn’t a movie, this is real-life. And as such, will Deeb bring Storm crashing down to reality?

Toni Storm w/ Mariah May & Luther VS Anna Jay!

The Leading Lady didn’t appreciate how The Queenslayer tried to slay her protege, who wasn’t even Anna’s opponent on Wednesday! Will Storm prove Anna is NOT the Star of the Show? Or will Anna jump the line to a title shot with a win here tonight?

And with the first overall pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects…

The WWE Draft returns for 2024, the first four rounds being right here on Friday Night SmackDown! With champions protected, who ends up where to challenge them?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo; Rey & Dragon win.
• Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander; Bron wins.
• WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; No Contest.
• Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes; Cody wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Kayla Braxton is with the Wise Man and says that here on night one of the Draft, there are already rumors circulating, including those about The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman will clarify these are not rumors regarding The Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns. These are facts! Ladies and gentlemen, Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has voluntarily withdrawn from eligibility for this year’s Draft. That is not a negative but a positive. Who built SmackDown since the Pandemic? Roman Reigns. Who is the biggest star in the entire industry? Roman Reigns. Why would Roman Reigns hog the number one draft pick spotlight when he won’t be returning in the immediate future?

Read into his words, Kayla, that is not what a real Tribal Chief would do. Instead now, the pressure is on Nick Aldis. Because if Roman Reigns isn’t the first draft pick, then who is? The first two picks make history in a brand new era. And Heyman doesn’t know about you, but he is intrigued. No Tribal Chief up for grabs, who gets their opportunity to shine in the spotlight?

SmackDown throws it to the NXT Performance Center.

Jackie Redmond says the emotion down here is palpable! There is excitement, hope, and a little bit of nerves. But for these NXT Superstars, tonight is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, a little bit of luck and a whole lot of self-belief. It was just last year that the NEW WWE Tag Team Champion, Grayson Waller, was hoping his name would be called. And it is funny this is NXT, but time to buy a vowel, throw in an E! Who is next? We find out tonight! The draft pool is deep, who rises to the top of the list?

Corey Graves is in the ring.

Corey welcomes Cincinnati and all of us at home to night one of the 2024 WWE Draft. Understandably, the GMs have their hands full, so Corey will be moderating the contract signing for the WWE Championship match that takes place next Saturday for Backlash: France. Without further ado, it’s the #1 contender, The Phenomenal AJ Styles! Styles makes his entrance, taking a seat at the table on camera right. And now, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! Cincy fires up and sings along, “WHOA~ OH~!” as Cody makes his entrance and gets his pyro before joining everyone in the ring.

Styles looks over the contract, absolutely tuning out the fans going wild for “CODY! CODY!” Styles then gets the mic to say before he signs, he doesn’t know if we realize that we’ve got two Georgia boys about to mix it up for the first time, and for the biggest prize in the game. Styles understands why they boo, but they gotta know that he doesn’t respect LA Knight, LA Knight got under his skin. He accepts that. But that’s why Styles lost at Mania. But what happened? Styles got his composure back and realized that he is Phenomenal. Styles BEAT Knight to earn the right to face Cody Rhodes at Backlash.

Now unlike Knight, Styles does respect Cody. They hadn’t crossed paths yet, but they’ve been down the same roads. They had to prove themselves outside of the WWE. And Styles is willing to believe that the same man who gave him advice a long time ago gave Cody the same advice, on how to stand on their own two feet and be the men they are today. That man was The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. The fans cheer for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” Styles learned a lot from Dusty. Styles gets a little emotional thinking about Dusty, he was a good man. Dusty taught Styles how to carry himself, and to carry the weight of a championship.

And Styles looks at this WWE Championship here. The weight of this isn’t just the leather and gold. And at Backlash, we see if Cody can carry it. Styles goes back to his table, signs the contract, and then hands it off to Corey. Corey brings that to Cody, and Cody picks up his mic. “So… Cincinnati…! Whadda we wanna talk about? Certainly, we can talk about respect. There is not a locker room on Earth that you’ll find where everyone in it, every single person, they all respect AJ Styles. Last week, I went on to say you are the modern day Excellence of Execution. I respect the roads that you have traveled down to get here, the parallel paths that perhaps you and I have.

“Mutual respect, much respect. But that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. I can feel it in your words to a degree. You’ve been here before. And it seems you’re implying that I cannot carry the weight of that championship. Well, good thing the man who trained me not far from where I sit now used to tell me all the time, it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it.” The fans cheer that. Cody says boy does he respect Styles’ familiarity with Cody’s last name. But when you put C O D Y in front of it on this paper, that means they’ve never touched before. That means Backlash is a level playing field.

That means no matter how Phenomenal Styles is, this isn’t a dream match for Cody. It’s a must-win! Cody signs while the fans cheer, and it is official! Cody even throws the pen to the crowd as a free souvenir. Cody then offers a handshake, and Styles says y’know what? It was a beautiful thing to see Cody #FInishTheStory and win the title. But it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. Styles still shakes Cody’s hand, and then walks away. Cody picks up the belt and holds it high, will he get to hold it high again in Lyon, France?

Triple H is here!

Just as Cody was on his way to the back, The Game makes his way out here! HHH raises Cody’s hand, then invites him over to the podium. HHH welcomes us to the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft. It is a night that changes the landscape of the WWE going into the future, and things are a bit different this year. As the GMs ponder their next steps, they have to understand it is about protecting the roster they have as it is making the roster they want. Meaning that when they use their picks, they have just as much of a chance gaining a superstar as they do losing one they already have.

HHH just felt that since champs are protected and Cody will be staying here on SmackDown, maybe Cody could help read the SmackDown picks and HHH can read the Raw picks. And since SmackDown goes first, Cody reads first. Cody takes the card to say that with the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… The E S T, Bianca Belair! The stongEST, fastEST, roughEST, toughEST stays on Friday nights! HHH reads that for the second pick of the 2024 WWE Draft, Raw selects… YEET! JEY USO! Monday nights will still have Main Event Jey Uso! And the fans “YEET!” Cody says for the third pick, SmackDown selects… NXT’s Carmelo Hayes!

The fans fire up as SmackDown manages to snag… HIM! The former NXT Champion makes history again by being the first NXT superstar to be chosen this high in the Draft! HHH says that’s a hell of a pick. But then the fourth and final pick of this first round, Raw selects… SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! It is still going to be Monday Night Rollins as the Visionary stays on the red brand! Cody and HHH shake hands, and then Melo makes his way out! Melo has the mic to say when they talk about who’s next up, about who’s the hottest out, they don’t call them “the hottest out,” they just call him “Carmelo Hayes.”

The fans chant “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” to remind Melo how he’s leaving NXT. Melo says okay, okay. But then to Cody Rhodes, ever since Cody won the title, he’s been talking about “If you aim for the king, you best not miss.” Well, funny how that works. Because when Melo shoots, Melo don’t miss. And as a first round draft pick, what better way to shoot his shot on SmackDown than to shoot it right at Cody? Melo leaves the mic with Cody but Cody picks it up to say, “Fortune certainly favors the bold, but I dunno. You folks don’t wanna see me in action tonight, do ya?” The fans go wild! Oh, but what if Cody forgot his gear?

Oh that’s right! He didn’t forget his gear! And this title right here, for Cody, means absolutely 100%, Melo’s on! They shake on it, and we’re about to see a huge first-time-ever showdown! But will this bold first move work out for… HIM?

Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega & Carlito VS Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo!

The LWO is still not convinced Legado Del Fantasma had nothing to do with the beating that took the Boy Wonder out ahead of WrestleMania. Will the King of Lucha help get to the bottom of things? Or will Angel & “Berto” make it as easy as ABC, 1-2-3?

The teams sort out, Dragon runs up on Humberto but Humberto LARIATS him down! Humberto drags Dragon up, tears the shirt away and CHOPS! Humberto whips, Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Humberto tumbles out, Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Humberto! The fans fire up as Dragon pushes Humberto into the ring, goes up a corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Dragon facelocks to drag Humberto up, but Humberto wrenches out to CLUB Dragon down. Humberto waistlocks but Dragon throws elbows. Angel tags in as Humberto shoves Dragon. Dragon ducks but Angel holds ropes open, and Dragon tumbles to the floor!

The fans boo and LWO hurries to check on Dragon! Angel & Humberto just soak up the heat as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and both Dragon and Humberto are down! They crawl, hot tags to Angel and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Angel ends up in a corner, he puts Rey on the apron, but Rey ROCKS Angel! Rey goes up to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, wrenches and kicks, then hops on! CODE RED! Cover, Humberto breaks it! The fans boo but Humberto hauls Rey up. Rey fights and RANAS Humberto up and out! But Angelo kicks, scoops, but Rey slips free! Angelo kicks low, reels REy in, and underhooks, but Rey fights those to RANA Angel onto ropes! Rey dials it up to 619!

Tag to Dragon and he takes aim! Angel stands, into the tilt-o-whirl, PROJECT DRAGON!! Cover, LWO wins!

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

Carlito and Zelina hug it out with the team, but then Santos Escobar & Elektra Lopez walk out here. Santos says whoa, whoa, whoa, hold that celebration. Because Santos is many things, but a liar is not one of them. And when Santos said he did NOT attack Dragon that night before Mania, he meant it. Elektra has been working for weeks to track down the security footage from that night. And Rey… Oh, Rey. What you’re about to see, you will find very, very interesting. The footage plays, and it was CARLITO!! Carlito throw Dragon around backstage! No one can believe it, because of how well Carlito fooled even Dragno.

Speaking of, Carlito RAMS Dragon into Rey, then hits a BACKSTABBER! Never has that move’s name been more fitting! Carlito runs away in a panic, and Rey stands back up in a rage! Santos says he told Rey that he was right all along. They were supposed to be family, and yet look how that turned out. How will the LWO recover from this shocking development?

Bron Breakker VS Cedric Alexander!

The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been making a case for himself ever since showing up on SmackDown, and he’s already bringing the straps down! Is he going to break PRIMED Alexander while also breaking match time records? Or will Cedric prove he’s too fly for Bron?

The bell rings and Cedric dodges Bron to CHOP and ROCK! Cedric whips, Bron reverses and Cedric handsprings, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Well, hard to say if that’s an all-time fast match, but that was a fast match! QR Code stuff going on, but will we all see Bron take the world by storm?

Nick Aldis heads out.

And waiting is Tiffany Stratton. She asks if he saw what she did last week. Wait, of course he did. Because she is the Center of the Universe. She dropped Naomi and Bayley, where is her title match? Aldis tells Tiff to look at his watch. It is NOT set to #TiffyTime. And he was this close to sending her to the back of the line. But then someone convinced him otherwise, good for her. Tonight, she goes 1v1 with Naomi again, and the winner faces Bayley for the title at Backlash. Whose stupid idea was that?! Bayley says DING DONG, it was hers. It is a win-win situation here. If Naomi wins, she gets the match she got cheated out of.

And if Tiff wins, then she’ll find out when she attacks the Role Model. Tiff gasps as she has a #TiffanyEpiphany. Bayley should be ringside for that match so she can see Tiff do what Bayley couldn’t, and that’s beat Naomi. Tootles. Tiff leaves, but will the only thing she gets is to #FeelTheGlow?

Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson are here!

One is a former WWE Women’s Champion, the other is a WWE Hall of Famer, but they’re both here to present Draft picks! Michelle says with the first pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… The Viper, Randy Orton! SmackDown will still have to watch out for an RKO outta nowhere! Torrie says that with the second pick of the second round, Raw selects… BRON BREAKKER! We just saw Bron make quick work of opponents here on SmackDown, but now he’s gonna be rampaging on Raw!

Michelle says that with the third pick of the second round, SmackDown selects… NIA JAX! The Irresistible Force may have to change targets from the Women’s World to the Undisputed Women’s title, but will she be unstoppable all the same? And with the fourth and final pick of this round, Raw selects… LIV MORGAN! The Revenge Tour will still be part of Monday nights, will we watch Liv rise to the top?

The Bloodline arrives backstage.

Paul Heyman is there to greet them and open the door to the SUV. He apologizes for not being faster about that, but Solo Sikoa asks The Bloodline if they’ve been drafted. Not yet. Then give Solo the details. Okay, well, Roman Reigns withdrew right before the show began, and then Solo keeps adding members, so no one really knows what they’re getting if they draft The Bloodline! Solo sighs, and here comes Tama Tonga. Heyman asks they be patient but Solo wants Heyman to repeat that for him. Heyman gets scared, but then KEVIN OWENS jumps in! Kevin fires off on Tama, security and refs rush in to stop it!

The Prizefighter wants Solo’s “MFT” to bring the fight like he did last week! Security still drags Kevin away, but will he get that fight he wants?

Kayla Braxton is on stage.

SmackDown returns and Kayla welcomes us back to the show. And please welcome out the first overall pick, Bianca Belair! The fans fire up as The EST walks out on stage, and Kayla congratulates her on being the first overall pick. But let’s talk Backlash. Breaking news, Bianca and Jade Cargill are going to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, against the Kabuki Warriors. How satisfying would it be to dethrone them on the stage of this magnitude? Bianca says so satisfying. She really hopes Jade gets drafted to SmackDown because given all this history with Damage CTRL, all the partners by her side, Bianca has never been the one to finally end it with them.

For everything they’ve done to her and this division, Bianca feels Jade is the perfect woman to help her end this. Now, DMG CTRL is falling apart piece by piece, and that final piece is the tag titles. So once Bianca & Jade take the gold at Backlash, the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to come back to SmackDown. But wait, they’re here now! Asuka & Kairi walk out here and Kayla moves aside. The Empress of Tomorrow and the Pirate Princess taunt the EST, but here comes The Storm! Jade makes her way to stand right by Bianca’s side. The four shout and argue, but this will be settled on May 4th!

WHOA! Tama and Kevin are brawling their way out here! The ladies move aside so the gentlemen can brawl all the way down to ringside! Tama hits low, gets in the ring, but Kevin pursues! Kevin TACKLES Tama, but Solo CLOBBERS Kevin! The fans boo as The Bloodline beats Kevin down! The refs hurry out here but clearly Solo’s Bloodline won’t listen! Tama DECKS producers, DECKS guards, HEADBUTTS them, throws hands and even THROWS the guards! Tama and Solo beat Kevin down again, but here comes Randy Orton! The Viper is still on SmackDown and he’s still pals with Kevin, so here he comes!

Orton DECKS Tama, fires hands on Solo, then RK- NO, Solo gets free and gets away! Orton wants to pursue, almost runs Jamie Noble and refs over to do it, but the Bloodline has gotten away! The fans cheer Randy on, and KAevin even hugs him! But then Kevin and Randy try to give chase! Security stops this, when and where will we see #RKKO strike down Solo and Tama?

The Dudley Boyz are here!

The fans fire up as Bubba Ray & D-Von are both here for the next round of picks! Cincy chants for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” Bubba and D-Von look at the cards, it’s hard to read. So out come the glasses! Bubba says with the first pick of the third round of the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown selects… L A KNIGHT! YEAH!! The Mega Star stays on Fridays! D-Von says with the second pick of the third round, Raw selects… RICOCHET! Mondays still has the One and Only, is Ricochet going to bring that WWE Speed Championship home to Raw, too?

Bubba says with the third pick of the third round, SmackDown selects… THE BLOODLINE! That means Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman are staying right here on Friday nights. And D-Von says with the final pick of this round, Raw selects… SHEAMUS! The Celtic Warrior just got back, but he won’t have to worry about going anywhere else but Monday nights.

WWE Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!

It’s time to run it back once again! The Glow got robbed by the Spoiled Rich Girl, but supposedly, it’s #TiffyTime. Will Naomi prove there’s no such time on the clock? Or will Bayley be the one feeling the Backlash over giving Tiffany one more chance?

The bell rings and Naomi hits a THESZ PRESS! Naomi rains down fists, Tiffy shoves her away and goes to ropes, but Naomi gets up in Tiff’s face. Naomi whips, Tiff holds ropes to bail out and fans boo. Naomi scowls, runs in and WRECKS Tiff with a dropkick! Naomi then gets Tiff up, SMACKS her off the apron, and then SMACKS her off it again! And again! Naomi puts Tiff in, goes up a corner, but Tiff gets under the jump! Naomi runs back up but Tiff YANKS her into ropes! Tiff runs to HIP ATTACK! Naomi sputters, Tiff scowls and drags Naomi up, to then put through ropes. But Naomi RAMS into Tiff!

Naomi reels Tiff in, for a HEATSEEKER! Tiff flops to the floor, and then Naomi SPLIT LEG DROPS! Naomi says it’s #NaomiTime, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Naomi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Naomi survives and Tiff is frustrated but the fans rally up. Tiff drags Naomi up, whips her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and sunset flips! TWO! Tiff escapes, knees Naomi low, then whips. Naomi slides under the lariat to then mule kick! Then she headscissor SPIKES Tiff down! Cover, TWO! Tiff survives but barely, and Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi headlocks, but Tiff shoves her into buckles! Tiff runs, but Naomi follows, DOUBLE RUNNING FACEBUSTERS take them both down! The fans fire up as the two rise!

Naomi KICKS, ROCKS and ROCKS Tiff again! Naomi fires shots again and again but Tiff knees low! Tiff reels Naomi in, but Naomi wrenches out to ENZIGIRI! And then BUCKLE BULLDOG! But then NIA JAX attacks Bayley!? Nia SMACKS Bayley off buckles, rains down fists, and this momentarily distracts Naomi. Naomi refocuses, but by now, Tiff’s slipped away! Nia KICKS Bayley in the side, so Naomi goes out to ROCK her! Nia POSTS Naomi and that throws the match out!

No Contest

The fans boo as Nia ruins the fun, then runs Bayley over! Nia smiles as she blows kisses to Cincy. Tiff smiles, she drags Naomi up and puts her in the ring. Then she drags Bayley in! Tiff wants a repeat of last week as she puts them side by side in the drop zone! Tiff then goes up and up for the PRETTIEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Tiff says it’s her time, but the #1 contendership is still in question. Who gets their shot at the Role Model at Backlash?

B-Fab and the Street Profits meet up backstage.

Angelo Dawkins has a “WHO-DEY” sign, but Montez Ford is wondering where Bobby Lashley is right now. B-Fab says calm down, he’ll be here. Byron Saxton walks over and apologizes for interrupting. He doesn’t know what the Draft destination for this group will be until Monday Night Raw, but we do know that The Profits will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships. YESSIIIIIIR~! B-Fab says it doesn’t matter where they get drafted. The Profits are going to take down A-Town Down Under and take those titles. Then they’ll have their first class tickets right back to SmackDown.

SmackDown? Did someone say SmackDown~? In walk Austin Theory & Grayson Waller, showing off the titles. And Theory says you can’t have SmackDown without the GREATEST undefeated tag team of all time. And sorry, Dawkins, but these are championships, something the Bengals know nothing about! B-Fab keeps Dawkins back, but then in steps Bobby Lashley! The All Mighty scares Theory & Waller right off, and Dawkins says see y’all next Friday! Will there be nothing keeping these Profits down the night before Backlash?

The Final Testament speaks.

Karrion Kross says good evening. What’s going on here? You guessed it! More random acts of violence! Just follow him. Kross & Scarlett lead the way to show The Authors of Pain beating down New Catch Republic! Rezar beats down Pete Dunne while Akam victimizes Tyler Bate! Paul Ellering says they will know about sacrifice! Kross says whether they get drafted to Raw or stay on SmackDown, the violence will continue until they get what they want! So sayeth The Final Testament!!

Teddy Long and JBL are here!

The Hall of Famer General Manager and the Hall of Famer WWE Champion are both here, ready to give us the fourth and final round of picks tonight! Teddy gets right to it! The first pick of the fourth round, SmackDown selects… AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One is really an obvious choice, because one way or another, the WWE Championship stays with SmackDown! JBL says the second pick of the fourth round, Raw selects… THE ALPHA ACADEMY! Raw keeps Chad Gable, Otis, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa, A THANK YEW~!

Teddy says with the third pick of this round, SmackDown selects… ANDRADE! A big move as now El Idolo will be part of Friday nights. And with the final pick of this fourth round, Raw selects… NXT’S Kiana James! The Calculator, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, has the Raw hat to put on, and after a quick hype package, Jackie Redmond is there to interview her. Kiana, congratulations! You are heading to Monday Night Raw! How much does this mean to her? This means the world to her. She is filled with gratitude, but also knows every decision she has made up to this point has been by design to get her here.

Kiana is so proud of her time in NXT, but she’s ready to show Raw why she is the One Percent. Was she surprised? Of course she was! HBK is here to wish her luck and congratulations. Is Kiana going to start the hostile takeover of the Raw Women’s Division?

Backstage interview with Nick Aldis.

Kayla is with the SmackDown GM and says that with night one in the books, how does he feel about SmackDown’s selections? He feels really good about them. SmackDown’s future is bright, he can’t wait for the new recruits to show up and show out for the blue brand. But he also wants to turn attentions to Backlash, because he’s got some new matches to announce! The first PLE in France, this is exciting stuff, Kayla. Aldis says that the WWE Women’s Championship will now be on the line in a Triple Threat! Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton! Will the odds make it that much harder for the Role Model to succeed?

There’s one more match to announce, but Aldis will let the GM GOAT take it from here. Teddy Long steps in, and don’t forget. We’ll talk about this tag team match. The Bloodline VS Kevin Owens & Randy Orton! Holla, players. Solo & Tama will have to face The Viper and the Prizefighter, will #RKKO strike fast and strike hard?

Cody Rhodes VS Carmelo Hayes!

The American Nightmare just put pen to paper for his match with the Phenomenal One, but he isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. The former NXT Champion is shooting his shot, but will this be nothing but net? Or will it be a frustrating airball?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, the fans rally for Cody as he puts Melo in a corner then arm-drags him away. Melo runs up, Cody headlocks, Melo powers out then drops. Melo hurdles, but Cody kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! Melo staggers to ropes, the fans fire up, but then melo throat chops and springboard FLYING LARIATS! Melo says that’s why he’s a first round pick! But then Cody CLOBBERS him! Cody asks if Melo’s ready for this, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Cody has a headlock. Cody hits a takeover, Melo flails and kicks around, but Cody grinds him down. Melo pushes with his forearm, then headscissors, but Cody kips free. Melo CHOPS, the fans “WOO~!” but Cody brushes himself off. Melo pie faces Cody! Cody fires forearms on Melo, then whips, but Melo reverses. Melo ELBOWS Cody, then runs up to KICK him in the side! Melo fires forearms and CHOPS in a corner, then throws body shots. Melo digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Cody goes to another corner. Cody eggs Melo on, Melo storms up, but Cody puts him in the corner to CHOP!

Cody swings, Melo dodges and CHOPS! Cody turns things around to CHOP! The fans rally, Cody whips corner to corner, then he back drops Melo away! Melo staggers up, Cody runs, and he rallies on Melo with forearms! Cody goes up and over in a corner but Melo tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Melo springboards, FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Cody survives that flying DDT, but we see the NXT roster all fired up watching Melo take it to the champ. Melo sits Cody up, drags him into a facelock, but the fans rally for Cody. Cody fireman’s carries but Melo slips free to dragon sleeper! Melo grins, but Cody cradles! TWO!!

Melo swings, Cody boots, then Cody springboards to BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Melo flips inside-out, Cody covers, TWO! Melo is still in this and he snarls up at Cody. Melo gives a forearm, Cody gives it back, and the fans rally up. Cody scoops Melo, storms around, and then hits a RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives and Cody grows frustrated. Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and then Cody goes to ropes. Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives yet again, proving why he’s a former NXT Champion, on top of NXT North American Champion! But then Cody drags him up!

Cody back suplexes, Melo lands out of it, then FIRST 48! Doe goes Cody and Melo goes up! Melo is setting up for the game winner! NOTHING BUT- NO, Cody avoids the flying leg drop! Melo rolls through, Cody dodges to SUPERKICK! Cody brings Melo around, but Melo gets free! They both run, both springboard, but completely miss each other, and Cody takes a rough landing! Melo drags Cody up, reels him in, but Cody wrenches out to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Cody shakes out the bad arm but still makes the cover, and Cody wins!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

Melo took his shot but it was blocked! Even so, Cody sits Melo up to show him respect and tell him he’s still the future. But did this match end up more of a trap game for Cody after that crash landing? Or will he be alright in time for Backlash and his phenomenal opponent?

Speaking of, Styles sneaks right into the ring! Cody sees him in time and Styles stays back. Cody and Styles stare down, but Styles says it was that close. Styles offers a handshake, and Cody takes it. There’s still respect here, for now. But will nothing stop Styles from turning Cody’s story into a tragedy after all?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown to open the WWE Draft but to also set up Backlash. To recap, SmackDown took Bianca, Melo, Orton, Nia, LA Knight, The Bloodline, Styles and Andrade while Raw took Jey, Rollins, Bron, Liv, Ricochet, Sheamus, The Alpha Academy, and Kiana. Many of those choices made sense, as picks won’t be wasted on keeping champions on brands, and just need to be used to keep most stories alive and change up a few others. Kiana is perhaps one of the more surprising moves, but well-deserved. She has been a solid character and solid in-ring performer almost from the start, she’s a solid addition to Raw.

Bron of course demolished his opponent tonight, it’s just a shame it was Cedric and not local enhancement talent. But Bron will also be a good addition to Raw, but maybe he can move past his squash match phase and get right to story. Melo being a first round pick was great stuff, and he had a great promo with Cody to give us tonight’s main event. That double springboard whiff was definitely a timing problem, but at the same time, a Fade Away countered into a Cody Cutter would’ve been way too epic just for TV. Cody with a great win, and we got a really good contract signing segment, but you can bet Cody retains.

Really good tag match from LWO VS Legado but naturally Rey & Dragon won. I knew it was only a matter of time before Carlito was outed, and how he handled being exposed was pretty good. And with Andrade being drafted to SmackDown, you just know that means Andrade joins the LWO. The Final Testament attacking New Catch Republic was a wild moment, I almost thought Ellering was going to use the pliers in his hands to grab at fingers. Maybe we get that next week for SmackDown in France. Good promos from A-Town Down Under and the still technically unnamed faction of Bobby Lashley’s. As great as The Profits are, it feels like Theory & Waller will cheat to retain.

Really good promo with Tiff and Bayley to set up Naomi VS Tiff round 3, but I did not think Nia Jax would disrupt all that. A Triple Threat at Backlash is good stuff, it will protect Bayley if she loses, but can also protect Naomi and Tiff if Bayley uses them against each other to win. Good promo from Bianca that then turned into the shouting match of Bianca & Jade with Kabuki Warriors. Their tag title match is official, and I’m pretty sure Bianca & Jade win. I also liked that this segment ended up having Kevin and Tama brawl right through it. Orton saving Kevin was a great move, RKKO VS Solo & Tama is going to be awesome stuff, I can’t wait to see it.

My Score: 8.8/10