Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (10/16/18)

Published

6 years ago

October 16, 2018

It’s SmackDown episode 1000!! The Undertaker, Rey Mysterio AND Evolution will all be here to celebrate this milestone! Plus, more WWE World Cup qualifiers!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan VS The Usos; The Usos win.
WWE World Cup Qualifier: The Miz VS Rusev; The Miz wins and qualifies for the WWE World Cup.
SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS The Bar; The Bar wins and become the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
WWE World Cup Qualifier: Rey Mysterio VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Mysterio wins and qualifies for the WWE World Cup.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown hits 1000!!

From Attitude Era to Ruthless Aggression to the NEW Era, the Blue Brand has always provided the WWE Universe with some of the most memorable moments in all of WWE history! From John Cena’s debut to the House that AJ Styles Built, there’s no less than 1000 favorite moments, and here’s to 1000 more.

Truth TV returns!

The newest hit talk show has its second episode on the 1000th episode of SmackDown! Over the years, Truth TV has had it’s share of memorable moments, but none more than tonight. Carmella reminds Truth they’ve only had one episode before this, and they were technically cancelled. Well then time for a DANCE BREAK! Truth and Carmella Floss, then return to their seats. Fans want “One More Time!” but they’ve got a show to run. Moving on to business, Truth’s guest needs no introduction. Well then, DANCE BREAK #2! But okay, with that over, Carmella says they really should introduce their guests. Then welcome to the ring, Stephanie McMahon?

The Raw Commissioner is here and heads to the ring, as she was a former Women’s Champion after a controversial match on SmackDown. But while she’s happy to be here, the fans aren’t so excited. Stephanie notes how she was the original SmackDown GM. She had a vision for this show, and it’s so great to see that vision come to life here on the 1000th episode. Truth, go ahead, ask away. Well then his first question is… Here comes the money! SHANE McMahon returns! THE SmackDown Commissioner joins his sister in the ring, and DC is happy to see him. Stephanie lets her brother have his moment, and wonders why she never gets any love. Shane officially welcomes us to the 1000th episode live from America’s capital!

But Shane watched that opening video package. There’s such amazing history on SmackDown, and this episode wouldn’t be possible without the fans. On behalf of the WWE, Shane thanks the fans in attendance and the millions watching at home for making both this show and all of the WWE a success. Stephanie complains that Shane just panders and that the fans should be smarter. Shane welcomes his sister to the “A Show”. No, it’s a show. It is only the second longest episodic television series because Raw is first. On Raw, their hold things to a higher standard, and certainly wouldn’t kick off with Truth TV. Stephanie says Raw is bigger and bolder. And yet Stephanie’s here to cash in on SmackDown’s popularity. What SmackDown does is put things on that fans want to see.

Wait! FATHER McMahon is here! The Chairman, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, heads to the ring! The fans like seeing him more than Stephanie, too! Vince takes a mic and Stephanie cheers her father on. Vince says no one wants to see his kids fight. The fans want to be entertained. That’s what the “E” stands for. But how to entertain on SmackDown 1000? Vince has an idea. How about a dance break? DC loves that! Shane tangos with Carmella while Stephanie does her best shimmy. This is just the opening, get ready for more big moments on this historical night!

AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan VS The Usos!

Crown Jewel will pit the Phenomenal One and The Yes Man against each other over the WWE Championship, but that’s not for a couple weeks now. Can champion and challenger get along long enough to win and escape the Uso Penitentiary?

SmackDown returns as Jimmy & Jey make their entrance, and the teams sort out. Bryan starts against Jey, and they shake hands to show respect. They circle in the ring and tie up. Bryan gets the headlock, but Jey powers out. Bryan runs him over and things speed up. Jey walks into a drop toehold and then Bryan Mahistrols, TWO! Bryan keeps on Jey with an arm wrench but Jey forearms out. Bryan gives a European Uppercut in return, then whips. Jimmy tags in while Jey reverses, and they both back elbow Bryan down. The Usos drop double elbows, then cover, TWO! Jimmy stays on Bryan with chops that put Bryan in the corner. Bryan hits back with kicks in the corner, but Jimmy headbutts. Jimmy whips corner to corner but Bryan goes under, to then Dragon Screw the leg!

Bryan tags Styles and DC fires up. Styles kicks Jimmy around but Jimmy grabs a headlock. Fans duel as Styles slips out to get his own headlock. Jimmy powers out but Styles hurdles him to then kick the leg again. Styles grabs the leg but Jey tags in. Jimmy shoves Styles, Styles misses the splash to get double kicks! Jey covers, TWO! Jey stalks Styles while fans rally up. He throws hands on Styles in a corner, but stops at the ref’s count of 4. Jey walks into Styles’ haymaker but gives an uppercut back. Jey whips Styles corner to corner hard! Styles goes down, clutching his side. Jey backs off and takes aim, “Uce! Oh!” hip attack is countered into the Calf Crusher! Bryan intercepts Jimmy into a Yes Lock!! Double submissions, but double ropebreak. The Usos escape while we go to picture in picture.

Bryan and Styles stand tall while the Usos regroup. Fans cheer ‘YES! YES!” for them both while teams return to their corners. The Usos talk strategy all the way, then return to the ring. Jimmy tags in and circles with Styles. They approach but Jimmy kicks low and headbutts hard. He stalks Styles to the ropes to give him a stiff chop! He drags Styles around and tags in Jey. The Usos split the wishbone! Styles writhes but Jey is on him. Jimmy tags back in and the Usos split the wishbone again. Jimmy circles Styles then tags Jey back in. The Usos mug Styles no, then Jey whips Styles. Styles slips out and throws a Phenomenal Blitz on Jey! He whips but Jimmy tags in, and the Usos double hotshot Styles! Bryan is worried while Jimmy covers, TWO!

The Usos keep their cool as Jimmy wraps a chinlock on Styles. Styles endures while Bryan and fans rally up. Styles gets up but Jimmy wrangles him back to the mat. Jimmy squeezes tighter but Styles sits back up. Styles gets up and fights his way out. Jimmy switches to a waistlock but Styles fights out of that, too. Styles blocks the kick but ends up getting the dragon whip enziguri! He staggers but Peles Jimmy down! We return to single picture as fans rally up again. Styles and Jimmy crawl towards their partners, hot tags to Jey and Bryan! Bryan rallies with right hands and left kicks in a corner! He whips but Jey reverses, only for Bryan to go up and over and DIVE on Jimmy! Bryan intercepts Jey, too, then climbs up top.

Bryan leaps for a missile dropkick! He kips up and DC fires up with him! Bryan aims at Jey, and gives him those YES Kicks! The buzzsaw hits! Cover, but Jimmy barely breaks that in time! Styles leaps in but Jimmy gets under, but Styles sends him back out. Styles brings Jey up but gets an uppercut. Bryan swings on Jey but Jey dodges, sending that punch into Styles! Jimmy tags in while Bryan check son Styles. Bryan ducks Jimmy, that SUPERKICK hits Styles! Bryan runs into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! Cover, The Usos wins!

Winners: The Usos, Jimmy pinning

The former tag team champions prove themselves the superior team, and this respectful rivalry between Bryan and Styles might change. Can Bryan and Styles manage to keep things civil on the way to Crown Jewel? Or is this battle bound to get personal?

SmackDown GMs reunite.

Paige meets with not just Vickie Guerrero, but Teddy Long, too! And sadly, John Laurinitis. But these GMs collaborated, and we get an amazing SmackDown Tag Team Championship match later tonight! Will the New Day keep their fifth reign going through episode 1000? Or will Cesaro & Sheamus prove that they don’t just set the bar, they ARE The Bar?!

SmackDown is EVOLUTION!

Though a predominantly Raw faction, Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton and Ric Flair have had their SmackDown moments. And now for #SD1000, they’re all here together again! Almost 50 total world title reigns between the four of them, the Viper, the Nature Boy, the Animal and The Game head to the ring. HHH starts by saying “1000 episodes! How do you accomplish something that monumental? You accomplish it by evolving.” Day by day, month by month, year by year. And how do you celebrate it? By bringing together the one group that epitomizes the word, “Evolution”. Ric Flair takes to the mic and fans “WOO~!” all over for him. 1000? You kidding? That’s a lifetime! And keep in mind, Ric likes 10000 more.

Orton speaks and says this brings back some fond memories. What better way for a young kid to get his start than with this group? But it was just a start, and Orton himself has evolved. While HHH runs the show, while Ric lives through his daughter and Batista spends more time in a make-up chair, Orton has been making a name for himself! Batista is DC’s own, and he admits that he’s a little nervous being back after so long. But he’ll enjoy every second of it, ignore what Orton said, and as many of the WWE Universe know, the last place he wants to be is with this mic in his hand. He thought about what he’d say on this special night, and has four things.

First, he wanted to be here tonight because it’s episode 1000! Episode 1000 of a brand he helped build! Second, the show is in his hometown “a poor kid who worked two blocks down the road bouncing at nightclubs for 13 years.” And here he is speaking to all of the fans, “it is a dream come true.” Third, is the fans themselves. The fans here, the fans around the world, booing and calling him “Bluetista” and all that, Batista always busted his ass for them! He loves the fans, and wanted nothing more than to entertain us. Didn’t matter if he won or lost, he just wanted to entertain, “You’re welcome.” And fans thank him for it.

Fourth and finally, not the least of which, is because he’d be with Evolution. Evolution is special. The molecules changed in the room when the four of them walk in. When that theme plays, “it’s a different vibe.” Four different world champions built a force unlike anything before or since. Batista points out Orton, a 13-time world champion. Batista knew Orton was great since OVW. Ric and HHH knew it, the fans knew it, Orton has more talent in his pinkie than most guys in their whole bodies. Ric Flair, “Space Mountain”, the 16-time world champion! There’s nothing Batista can say that we don’t already know. Or is there? “Keep that thing in your pants.”

And of course, HHH. The 14-time world champion who has single-handedly changed this business, runs this business and IS this business today! There’s nothing HHH hasn’t done. Except beat Batista. Fans do remember that, too. Orton and Ric are anticipating something going down as Batista and HHH stare down. Ric keeps the peace while Orton keeps his distance. But then HHH and Batista hug it out and it’s all good. The music hits and Ric says it’s party time. They all shake hands and hug again, and Evolution stands together. When and where, if at all, will we see these four together again?

WWE World Cup Qualifier: The Miz VS Rusev!

The Hollywood A-Lister may not be challenging for the world title, and the Bulgarian Lion may not have a tag team anymore, but that won’t stop either man from pursuing the title of best in the world today! Will Rusev MACHKA Miz even before the Mixed Match Challenge after this?

SmackDown returns at the bell and Rusev rushes Miz with a shoulder tackle to a corner! As a special bonus, Kurt Angle is on commentary, as he’s already in the WWE World Cup. He watches as Rusev runs and heel kicks Miz down. Fans rally for “Rusev Day!” as he stomps the mat. Miz stands up and bails out, but Rusev pursues. Rusev puts Miz back in but Miz distracts teh ref. Rusev comes in and attacks but Aiden English swipes at Rusev!? Miz rolls Rusev up, Miz wins!?

Winner: The Miz, by pinfall; qualifies for the WWE World Cup

The Drama King won’t let this drama go, as he tells Lana off about ruining Rusev Day. Lana tells him off with a kick to the crotch! Then Rusev comes around to grab English and throw him into steel steps! Twice! Rusev brings English up and throws him into the other steel steps, then rips English’s shirt off to throw him across the announce desk! The enraged Rusev looks ready to tear English apart, when and where will Revenge for One Night in Milwaukee come?

Curt Hawkins meets with Edge backstage!

The Rated R Superstar has nothing to help his former Edge-Head get over his insane losing streak. But he does have a talk show to get to, after the break!

The Cutting Edge returns!

The Rated R Suuuuperstar is back to host his WWE talk show, and says that a man he knew lived his life huge. It doesn’t get any bigger than episode 1000. So Edge just had to be here, because SmackDown was always his show. Edge’s greatest moments were here. He cashed in on The Undertaker, he competed against Eddie Guerrero in a No DQ classic that lives on to this day, and he then married Vickie Guerrero. Oh and he divorced Vickie, too. But needless to say, SmackDown means something special to Edge. The last few weeks, he’s been watching a certain something and had to come here to address it. “As strange as this sounds, the Rated R Superstar attempts to be SmackDown’s moral compass.” Yes, very weird. But with that, he introduces his first guest, Becky Lynch!

The Lass Kicker and SmackDown Women’s Champion heads to the ring, holding her title up high. DC is happy to see Becky, and Edge thanks her for being here. They’ll get to Charlotte eventually, but Edge watched Becky make her entrance. They have some similarities. Becky admits she did model her career after him, and appreciates being brought to the Cutting Edge. He clearly sees what she sees. And Edge wants her to hear him out. He wasn’t supposed to be a main event player, the one on the posters and handpicked by the company. Edge scratched, clawed and bit for his opportunities, just like Becky. Fans let them both know, “You Deserve It!”

But Edge hopes Becky understands something. It seems like the right move to throw a friend away, but that’s not the right choice. Edge hopes she hears him out. He made those same choices. If there was a relationship in his way, he stepped on it and crushed it! He left a trail of burnt bridges behind him, but the thing is, you can win all the titles you want and be on all the posters and ads you want, but your choices will change you. They will stain your soul. Edge still sees the good in Becky, and lets her know that the end result of all this, is her “sitting in your home, staring at the championships on your wall, reminiscing about all of your accomplishments, by yourself.” Becky, here’s the kicker: you won’t even like yourself.

Becky sees where Edge is going with this. She doesn’t like herself anymore. She LOVES herself! Becky doesn’t want someone to condescend to her. Get out of her ring, and careful you don’t hurt your neck on the way out. DC erupts for the defiant champion, but here comes The Queen! Charlotte can’t believe Becky went there. But it seems it doesn’t matter what anyone says, Becky only cares about the title belt. That’s why Becky cheated at Super Show Down and then ran away last week before being put through the LEDs! Becky stands defiant but Charlotte enters the ring. Becky loves this new self? Then she’ll love what Charlotte does to her. RIGHT NOW! The fight is on again!

Both women trade hands and referees rush in. They barely pull the two apart, but neither woman wants to stop. Charlotte gets back in to SPEAR Becky down! Charlotte hammers away but Becky kicks and claws back. The refs and security manage to pull them apart again, but there won’t be any stopping them at WWE Evolution. Who will be THE Last Woman Standing?!

SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS The Bar!

Awwww DC~! Prepare for a major title match on episode 1000! And The King and Booker T join commentary via the New Day section! But sharing pancakes and positivity aside, can ya boys, the five-time tag team champions retain? Or will Cesaro & Sheamus make this night historic for their own careers?

The bell rings and Sheamus starts against Xavier Woods. Sheamus gets a headlock and takedown, but Woods gets back up. Woods powers out but Sheamus runs him over. Sheamus brings Woods up to wrench his arm and whip him corner to corner. Fans want pancakes while Woods goes up and over. Things speed up and Woods slides to hit a raring elbow. He runs and tilt-o-whirl headscissors Sheamus, to then dropkick him down. Cover, ONE, and Sheamus has Woods on the ropes. King and Booker comment as The Bar get a cheap shot in. Tag to Cesaro and they stomp away on Woods. Cesaro sits Woods up for a seated cobra clutch.

Fans rally and Woods feeds off the energy. Cesaro shoves Woods but runs into forearms. Sheamus tags in and The Bar double whip and Bar Lariat Woods down. The Bar hug and have control while we go picture in picture. Sheamus taunts Big E while kicking Woods on the mat. Sheamus wraps Woods up in an armlock and grinds his forearm on Woods’ face. The referee reprimands Sheamus but he shifts to a chinbar. WOods endures and makes his way up, but Sheamus holds on with a facelock. Woods reaches for Big E, but Sheamus lifts him and brings him back to The Bar’s corner. Tag to Cesaro and Cesaro gives a big EuroUpper. Cover, TWO, but Cesaro is on Woods with a grounded cobra clutch.

Woods endures and DC rallies with Kofi Kingston on the outside. Woods feeds off the energy again, but Cesaro wrangles him back down. Cesaro cranks on the almost crossface-like clutch, but Woods fights out. Cesaro shoves him but Woods dumps Cesaro out! Woods crawls but Cesaro tags to Sheamus. Sheamus yanks Woods up as we return to single picture. Woods slips out of the back suplex, then dodges Sheamus to send him into the post! Both men are down and DC rallies up again. Woods crawls, Sheamus tags Cesaro, hot tag to Big E! Big E rallies with overhead belly2belly suplexes! He hits the side belly2belly, too, and then swivels those hips. Big E runs but has to clothesline Sheamus out. Cesaro rolls E up, TWO! Cesaro runs into the urenage! Cover, TWO!

Big E stalks Cesaro, scoops him up, but Sheamus saves Cesaro. Sheamus tags in and gives Big E a big knee! He runs but the Brogue misses! Big E tags Woods to then DIVE through Sheamus! He puts Sheamus in for Woods, who hits the Shining Wizard! Cover, TWO!! The New Day keeps its cool as Woods fires up. Woods tags Big E back in, and Big E scoops Sheamus. Sheamus slips out but Woods jumps over him as Big E hits post. Woods runs into the fireman’s carry and Cesaro tags in. Rolling senton for Woods, but Big E gives Sheamus the Big Ending! Cesaro gives Big E the Gotch Neutralizer! Cover, but Woods breaks it! This already incredible match rolls on while we go to break!

SmackDown returns and Big E puts Cesaro sideways on the top rope. Big E clubs away on Cesaro then climbs up. He brings Cesaro up to join him, but Sheamus comes in with a tag. Sheamus clubs Big E and brings him around for a powerbomb position, that Cesaro adds a EuroUpper to! Sheamus covers with feet on the ropes, but Kofi stops that! Kofi won’t allow that, but Sheamus glares him down, so that Cesaro will clobber him! But then Woods FLIES! Only to be caught and thrown into barriers! Sheamus goes back in the ring to refresh the count. The Bar clears off the New Day pancake tables, but WELL~! Here comes The Big Show?! What does he have against The Bar?! The Giant still storms his way to the ring, fury in his eyes.

Big Show comes around and The Bar backs off. Show helps Kofi up, to CHOKE SLAM HIM!? Through the table!! Why, Big Show, why!? But Big E turns around into a BROGUE! Cover, THE BAR WINS!!

Winners: The Bar, Sheamus pinning; NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions

Is the Big Show on The Bar’s side?! Is The Bar now a trio!? If so, will anyone hope to take those titles back with the World’s Largest Athlete watching The Bar’s back?

John Cena speaks.

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there was only Monday night Raw.” But then the People’s Champ gave us SmackDown in both the dictionary and on our television. It was a chance for new talent from Randy Orton to Batista, to some kid who said he had Ruthless Aggression. Cena regrets slapping Kurt Angle, but he doesn’t regret his evolution as a WWE superstar. SmackDown 1000 is a TV milestone that only happened thanks to the fans. Cena has been so thankful to being “invisible” on many episodes, and hopes to have many more chances. When and where will we see, or rather, Can’t See John Cena again?

WWE World Cup Qualifier: Rey Mysterio VS Shinsuke Nakamura!

The King of Lucha returns to SmackDown! And not only that, but he’s immediately getting a shot at the tournament to prove who is the best in the world today! Can he overcome the United States of Nakamerica to do it? Or will the King of Strong Style welcome him back with a #Knee2Face?

The bell rings and the two circle. Nakamura backs Rey to a corner and kicks him down. He drives in knees, then snapmares Rey for a knee drop. Cover, ONE, and Rey gets to a corner. Nakamura is on him with more knees, but Rey kicks back. Rey throws forearms to back Nakamura down but Nakamura fires off forearms and knees. Nakamura squeezes Rey with a facelock, perhaps wanting a guillotine. Rey endures as fans rally up. He fights back with body shots but Nakamura knees and brings him to the mat. Rey endures the squeeze as fans rally and he fights his way up and out. Rey whips, Nakamura attempts to reverse but Rey follows, to tilt-o-whirl Nakamura down. Nakamura stands up and Rey is on him with forearms.

Nakamura knees Rey again, then gives more knees to the head. He has Rey down, but Rey dodges the Kinshasah to kick Nakamura into place. Rey runs but Nakamura bails out. Rey gives Nakamura a wrecking ball dropkick, then builds speed to SLIDE! The low-pe splash hits and DC loves it. Rey catches his breath while the 10 count begins. Fans let him know “You Still Got It!” as he puts Nakamura in. Rey climbs up but Nakamura trips him up! Nakamura stomps Rey in the Tree of Woe and gives him Bad Vibration! The King of Strong Style has control of the King of Lucha while we go to break.

SmackDown returns as Rey hits the seated senton! He clubs Nakamura then whips. Nakamura puts Rey on the apron but Rey shoulders back in. Rey climbs up but Nakamura trips him up. Nakamura climbs up and drags Rey into a fireman’s carry. Rey fights back and gets around, for a SUPER HURICANRANA! Cover, TWO!! Both kings of wrestling are down, but DC rallies up. Rey goes to the apron and springboards, into a gutbuster! Nakamura hauls Rey up onto the top rope, for the Top Shelf Knee! He dumps Rey down and covers, TWO! Nakamura keeps his cool as he drags Rey up and around, for the inverted exploder! He runs, but into a victory roll! TWO!

Rey ducks the right but gets the left kick, and Nakamura aims again! Rey ducks the Kinshasa and kicks Nakamura down. He gives another huricanrana, has Nakamura in place, 6-1-9!! Springboard splash! Rey wins!!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall; qualifies for the WWE World Cup

The King of Lucha surprises himself, but he has defeated the King of Strong Style to move on to an incredibly star-studded tournament! Will Mysterio again be the victorious underdog when he goes up against the WWE’s best?

The Undertaker is here!

The Dead Man was another living legend that made SmackDown what it is today, and he is back for episode 1000! He is also here because Crown Jewel sees a #FirstTimeEver as The Brothers of Destruction reunite to face the reunited Degeneration X. Taker takes the ring, and takes a mic, and after hearing the fans give a standing ovation, speaks. “At Crown Jewel, I’ve got three words for DX: Rest… In… Peace…!!” The Phenom doesn’t need to say anything more. Destruction comes for DX, which legendary duo will survive their first-ever in-ring encounter?

My Thoughts:

An incredible episode for the 1000th episode of SmackDown! We were given a lot of info going in but there were still many more surprises tonight. Truth TV gave us all three main McMahon family members being their usual selves but also having fun celebrating this big accomplishment, because 1000 episodes of their second show is as big for their family as it is for their company given they’ve been in charge the entire time. But it was nice for fans, too, because at least the McMahons were being nice tonight. I really hope Truth TV keeps going, fans obviously really like it.

Styles & Bryan VS Usos was a great match, and it accomplished the mission of stirring things up a bit between champion and challengers. The Miz stirred up some things but clearly there will be more to escalate the tension between Styles and Bryan, though I’d love to see one more promo segment where they’re both passive aggressive about things. And this big win helps the Usos, too. They’re not singles guys but a win over two great singles guys can definitely help them back to the titles. And speaking of the titles, New Day VS The Bar was great, and who would’ve thought Big Show would turn and join Cesaro & Sheamus to make a new trio. I say that with plenty of sarcasm, though, Big Show loves going back and forth between Face and Heel.

The Evolution reunion promo was great, a total feel-good moment for the historic episode. Given that, it explains why Orton didn’t just RKO all three of our “heroes”. Though I did like the implication of a #OneLastTime HHH VS Batista story. After HHH & HBK finish with Taker & Kane, I bet that’s where The Game is headed next. Speaking of Taker, his promo was short and sweet, but I would’ve liked for him to share some of his own SmackDown nostalgia. Perhaps the Evolution promo went long and so it had to be taken from Taker’s. Even so, him showing up to say even that much was fine, it’s been awhile since he’s been on both shows in the same week.

The main focus of tonight was still Crown Jewel and the World Cup. Obviously WWE is still leaving the words “Saudi Arabia” out of it all, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still happening there. The Miz benefits from the Rusev-English story to get in, but Miz really is one of WWE’s best so it’s fitting that he’s part of the tournament. Rusev and English also have progression in their story, and now it’s gonna be really good to see. Rusev has to go over, English is building up too much momentum for it not to go the Face’s way. Then Mysterio VS Nakamura was great, especially for Rey’s return. The irony is that Rey has been wrestling a lot lately outside of WWE so it’s not like he’s that rusty. Obviously Mysterio wins, so I’m hoping he gets a US Title shot after Crown Jewel, win or lose.

My Score: 8.8/10

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

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/26/24)

It’s Draft Day!

Published

16 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Steven Mitchell

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

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: 4.25.2024

We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.

Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.

Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.

Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.

OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.

Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.

Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!

Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.

Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth

A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.

Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!

Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!

Overall Score: 6/10

A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.

But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.

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