Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (11/13/18)

Published

5 years ago

November 13, 2018

Steven Mitchell

Survivor Series is on the horizon, and again SmackDown laid siege to Raw! Will the Lass Kicker and her Women’s Division be ready for retaliation?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Jeff Hardy; Hardy wins.
Rey Mysterio VS The Miz; Mysterio wins and stays on SmackDown’s 5-Man team.
Six Man Tag: The New Day VS Big Show & The Bar; Big Show & The Bar win.
WWE Championship: AJ Styles VS Daniel Bryan; Bryan wins and becomes the new WWE Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown got the jump on Raw!

Just as The Goddess thought she had created the superior team, just as Raw thought it’d prove it was the superior show, BECKY LYNCH got the jump on Ronda Rousey! Then Becky would lead an assault on Team Raw! A brawl would break out, but Ronda would come back for more! The Baddest Woman would wreck everyone with one arm, but a bloodied Becky would turn the tide back with a chair! The Man showed the world who was the baddest, but will SmackDown have to watch their backs?

However, Becky Lynch cannot compete at Survivor Series. That bloody face was accompanied by a broken cheek bone and a severe concussion. The exact moment was when Nia Jax hit her across the face with that right hand. Even so, someone must face the wrath of Ronda, who will be chosen to take the place of the SmackDown Women’s Champion?

AJ Styles heads to the ring!

The Phenomenal One has a battle of his own coming up with The Beast, Brock Lesnar! This will be the second time these two have faced, so Styles is here in St. Louis to speak his mind. “This Sunday at Survivor Series, for the second year in a row, I step foot in the ring with Brock Lesnar.” For 371 days to this very moment, Styles has been champion after facing the very best in the WWE. Every PPV, every live event, Styles has been a workhorse since his first day in WWE. He’s faced dream opponents, nightmare opponents, and he’s defeated them all. All but Brock Lesnar. But Styles gets his second chance. Most don’t survive the first, but Styles will plan on doing more than surviving.

However, Paul Heyman appears from the crowd? Styles says it’s okay to give The Advocate a mic. Heyman gives his usual introduction as the Advocate for the “champion of champions,” Brock Lesnar. And Heyman is here with all due respect because on last night’s Raw, Heyman told the world that there’s no one Lesnar wants to face more than Styles. And the reason why is because when you think of the best in-ring performers in WWE, that’s Ricky Steamboat, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and AJ Styles! But Styles was this close to being the number one, Daniel Bryan. But we know we’ll never get Lesnar VS Bryan, Heyman will not at all imply that Styles is a consolation prize. This is an honor, a privilege and a pleasure for Heyman to be ringside to watch Lesnar be the second greatest performer today.

Styles sees what’s going on. Heyman’s trying to get under Styles’ skin, that’s fine. But Styles has nothing but respect for Daniel Bryan. Always have, always will, but Styles didn’t just beat Bryan, he made Bryan tap out. And Styles didn’t forget last year’s Survivor Series when Lesnar won. But Styles walked up with his head held high on his own two feet. Lesnar limped out. Therefore, Lesnar is vulnerable. For 371 days, Styles has only gotten better. And for 371 days, Lesnar’s just become more vulnerable. Therefore Styles has two ways of winning: pinning, or tapping him out. Sunday won’t be about Lesnar, Bryan but “The Face that Runs the Place, the Champ that Runs the Camp”, AJ Styles! But speaking of Bryan, here he comes! Bryan gets in the ring and gets himself a mic to respond.

“I’m not quite sure why you guys are even talking about me.” Yes, Styles and Bryan had their match, and yes Styles made Bryan tap out. No excuses here. But Bryan told Styles that he does respect him, and he meant it. But Bryan also said he was looking for a reason to punch him, and he meant that, too. So how about this? If Styles brings Bryan up again for no reason, Bryan will punch Styles in the face. Thank you and good night. Styles wants Bryan to wait. Heyman brought Bryan up. And if Bryan’s still upset, what happened to hugging it out? So if someone asked Styles about the best wrestlers he was ever in the ring with, he’s not allowed to say “Daniel Bryan”? Bryan fires off on Styles!

They brawl back and forth, but Shane hurries out to stop them! Referees and security back him up, but fans want to “Let Them Fight!” Shane shouts for Styles and Bryan to calm down, but Bryan lunges at Styles! The refs keep them apart again and Shane shouts at Bryan to calm down. Bryan glares at Styles from the ropes, but this fight seems to only go on pause. When and where will Bryan get another shot at Styles?

Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan argue backstage!

SmackDown GM Paige does her best to keep the peace, but then Styles barges in! The fight almost erupts again, but Shane keeps the two fired up superstars apart. Things finally cool off long enough for Shane to say that if these two want at each other so bad, they can do it tonight! For the title!! Will Bryan go from being SmackDown co-captain to the man facing Brock Lesnar?!

Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Jeff Hardy!

El Idolo lost last week, but to the King of Lucha Libre, so he really shouldn’t feel too bad about that. Can he spring back and defeat the Charismatic Enigma? Or will El Idolo already be rendered OBSOLETE?

The bell rings and Almas goes right at Hardy with kicks! Almas has Hardy on the ropes, then he throws him into a corner for more stomps. Vega likes what she sees but wants Almas to keep on him. Almas gives more stomps to Hardy and Hardy flounders. Almas stands him up for a CHOP, then knees. Hardy hits back and gives a chop of his own, then the jawbreaker. Hardy thrwos Almas to ropes but Almas and Vega just double Tranquilo. Almas taunts Hardy so Hardy kicks Almas out! Vega checks on her client as we go picture in picture.

Vega coaches Almas back up but Hardy is waiting for him with an ax handle. Hardy throws Almas into barriers, then into more barriers. Almas writhes but Hardy puts him back in the ring. Vega distracts Hardy with trash talk, but Hardy says she’s OBSOLETE! Hardy rushes past Vega but into Almas’ ax handles. Almas stomps away on Hardy, then brings him up by his hair for a knee. Almas runs to dropkick Hardy down, covers, TWO! Vega is frustrated for Almas but she tells him to keep focus. Almas grabs a leg and goes to turn Hardy. Hardy stands and throws hands to then hit the back kick!

Almas ends up in a corner, but boots away the Hardyac arrest! Cover, TWO! Almas has Hardy’s arm and wrenches, putting a knee into Hardy’s side. Hardy endures and gets back up. Almas pulls his hair and brings Hardy back down. Hardy continues to endure and fights back with haymakers. Almas wrenches more, and brings Hardy back to his knees. Hardy gets back up and fights back again. Almas knees low, then runs, but into a slingblade! Both Hardy and Almas are down as Vega shouts. Hardy and Almas slowly stir and stand. Almas swings but Hardy counter punches, and counter punches, and counter punches.

Hardy gets an edge with haymaker after haymaker, but Almas reverses the whip. Hardy comes back with forearms! Then the takedown to leg splitting leg drop! Dropkick added, cover, TWO! Vega is relieved, but she still worries for Almas. Hardy says “DELETE! DELETE!” and fans join in. Hardy kicks low but Almas denies the Twist. Almas runs into an elbow, Hardy climbs, but Almas sweeps the legs! Hardy is stuck in the Tree of Woe, so Almas goes up and hits the woe stomps! He drags Hardy out for a cover, TWO!! Hardy survives and Vega is shocked. She shouts “How is that possible?!” but she still coaches Almas.

Almas sits Hardy in the corner, runs corner to corner, and hits CIEN KNEES! But he doesn’t stop there, he drags Hardy out and up, but Hardy small packages! TWO, and Almas kicks low! Almas drags Hardy up again, but Hardy kicks. Almas slips out of the Twist, then gets Hardy with the boot feint to back elbow! Then a shove for a cover, TWO! Vega is furious, but Almas drags Hardy up again. He gets the facelock and hammerlock, but Hardy back drops him off. Twist of Fate! Hardy heads up top, Swanton Bomb! Cover, Hardy wins!

Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall

The Enigma survives El Idolo, but neither man is headed to Survivor Series. Will Hardy have a title match waiting for him on the other side of Sunday?

Paige and The Miz watch backstage.

The SmackDown co-captain realizes he’s THE captain since Daniel Bryan is no longer on the team. Yes, and therefore he gets to choose Bryan’s replacement. This day keeps getting better. First The Marine 6 is out on digital, DVD and Blu-ray, and now Miz is the only captain. Hardy looked great against Almas, so Bryan’s replacement is… Jeff Hardy!

As for the rest of Team SmackDown, Mysterio is OFF the team. Paige speaks up, but Miz says that Bryan is gone and so is his pick. The stench of Bryan is all over this team, and it smells like… Coconut oil? That’s Samoa Joe. Paige points out that she is SmackDown GM. If Miz wants Mysterio off the team, he has to beat him in a match. And that match, is next. Really? Really. Can THE Captain get his way with a win?

Backstage interview with Shinsuke Nakamura!

The United States Champion faces the Intercontinental Champion, Seth Rollins, at Survivor Series. But Nakamura couldn’t hear the introduction, he was listening to his music. How does Nakamura plan on beating a man he’s never faced before? Well last night Rollins said he wasn’t worried about Nakamura. That breaks Nakamura’s heart. All Nakamura could think about is Rollins, he’s “Obsessed with Seth”, he dreams of Seth. And yet, Seth isn’t thinking about Shin? That breaks his heart. So now at Survivor Series, Nakamura breaks Seth’s face!

Rey Mysterio VS The Miz!

Whether Daniel Bryan becomes WWE Champion tonight or not, The Hollywood A-Lister now has full control of his team! Well, not exactly, as the Glampire in Chief won’t let him just kick someone off the team. Can The Miz beat the King of Lucha Libre to kick him out? Or will Mysterio dial up the 619 in the 314?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Miz gets a waistlock then a roll up, ONE, so he kicks Mysterio low. Miz snapmares and rolls Mysterio again, ONE. He tries a sunset flip now but Mysterio rolls through to kick! Miz ducks it to roll Rey up again, but Rey rolls through. The two stand off and fans applaud. Even Miz applauds Mysterio, but then tries a sucker punch. Mysterio dodges and elbows, but Miz reverses the whip. Mysterio goes up and over to wheelbarrow, then bulldog! Cover, TWO! Mysterio kicks Miz now, but Miz shoves him back. Mysterio slides under and kicks Miz, but MIz comes back with a clothesline! Cover, TWO! Miz wraps on a chinlock and keeps Mysterio grounded.

Mysterio endures, stands up and fights out. Miz knees low, then shoves Mysterio, but Mysterio comes back with a kick. Mysterio tilt-o-whirl headscissors Miz out then wrecks him with a dropkick. Mysterio builds speed, sliding splash, onto knees! Miz has Mysterio in a vulnerable state while we go to break.

SmackDown returns and Miz has Mysterio on the top rope. Mysterio fights Miz off and sends him down. Mysterio then adjusts and leaps, seated senton! He keeps moving, pushing Miz but Miz sunset flips. Mysterio rolls through and hits the buzzsaw! Cover, TWO! Mysterio keeps on Miz with a whip, but Miz reverses again. Miz misses his clothesline but ducks the crossbody to hit a DDT! Cover, TWO! Miz grows frustrated but fans rally up for Mysterio. Miz drags Mysterio up for a powerbomb, and uses the ropes to rebound for the sit-out! Cover, TWO!! Mysterio survives and Miz grows further frustrated. Fans rally up with “6 1 9! 6 1 9!” Miz runs but Mysterio ducks the boot to kick back. Mysterio runs, wheelbarrow, but Miz gest the full nelson! Mysterio pops out and puts Miz on the ropes! Then, 619!!

Mysterio heads to a corner, frog splash onto knees! Cover, TWO!! Miz can’t believe he didn’t get Mysterio. Mysterio surprises Miz with a crucifix cover, Mysterio wins!!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall; remains on Team SmackDown

The King of Lucha proves he’s worthy, and continues towards Survivor Series! Can The Miz put this loss aside so that the team wins against Raw?

But wait, Randy Orton rushes the ring! Mysterio is ready this time and dodges the RKO! Enziguri rocks Orton, and Orton bumps into Miz. So RKO for Miz! Mysterio gets away from The Viper, and it seems very clear who Orton’s new target is. Will Orton patiently wait for Survivor Series to be over? Or will his hunt ruin SmackDown’s chances of defeating Raw?

Security stands on high alert.

Given what SmackDown did to Raw, Paige and Shane expect retaliation. Will Team Red return the favor for the Relent-Lass attack?

Paige is in the ring!

The SmackDown GM wishes to bring out her Women’s Division. First, The Queen, Charlotte Flair! Charlotte was offered the position of team captain, but she has yet to officially accept. Second, the Ravishing Russian, Lana! Third, the FABULOUS Princess, Carmella! Fourth, the IIconics, Billie Kay & Peyton Royce! Fifth, the Gladiator, Sonya Deville! Sixth, the Golden Mandy Rose! Seventh, the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka! Eighth, the Glow incarnate, Naomi!

The entire locker room is now present, but why? Last night, Becky sustained a severe concussion in that fight. She cannot compete this Sunday, and Becky will choose for herself the replacement to face Ronda. So please welcome SmackDown Women’s Champion and “The Man”, Becky Lynch! The Straight Fire heads to the ring, proudly holding up her title and showing off that shiner from Nia Jax. Becky joins everyone in the ring, picks up a mic, and hears out the fans chanting her name.

Becky thanks St. Louis for the praise, but she is angry as hell right now. She took a good beating, but that’s never stopped her before. However, the medical team won’t clear Becky for Survivor Series. So Becky angrily knocked on doors for anyone to say “yes”, but there’s just not time. Last night, that invasion gave Becky a taste of blood when she beat the hell out of half that Raw locker room, and had Ronda screaming in pain. Make no doubts about it, that was just a taste of what we would’ve gotten. And take her word, that even with a broken face and a severe concussion, Becky would kick Ronda’s ass. Fans definitely don’t doubt it.

Becky does apologize that she can’t finish this what she started, yet. Because Ronda isn’t the Baddest Bitch, she’s the luckiest. But all that said, Becky must choose a replacement. Someone we all know can get the job done. Everyone expects it to be “WOO~”, Charlotte Flair. But Becky looks at Sonya, at Naomi, Lana, and Asuka. She also looks at Mandy, at Carmella, but then goes all the way back to Charlotte. “Go beat Ronda the way I was gonna beat Ronda. Go make her tap out the way I was gonna make her tap out.” They then shake hands, and even hug! Becky and Charlotte may be on tense terms, but they both understand what it takes to be the best. Will Charlotte finish what Becky started? And who replaces Charlotte on the Women’s Team?

Backstage interview with Charlotte.

An emotional moment with her biggest frenemy, how does it feel to be her replacement against Ronda? Charlotte has spent half her career fighting against Becky, then she fought alongside Becky, and now she’ll fight for Becky! It will be Charlotte’s honor when The Queen beats Ronda to prove SmackDown is THE superior brand!

Six Man Tag: The New Day VS Big Show & The Bar!

Awww~ St. Louie! Don’t you dare be sour, clap for this truly colossal clash and feel~ the power~! Ya bois may be joining The Usos in that 10v10 Tag Team Division Elimination match, but they still want to get even with The Swiss Cyborg and The Celtic Gladiator and the World’s Largest Athlete! Can Kofi, Xavier & Big E bring massive momentum with them to take on Team Raw? Or will the SmackDown Tag Team Champions be ready for the Authors of Pain?

The bell rings and Sheamus starts with Kofi. Sheamus gets a headlock but Kofi powers out, only for Sheamus to run him over. Sheamus gets moving, and he catches Kofi. Kofi sunset flips, ONE! Kofi kicks low then tags in Woods, the hit the kick, the sliding lariat, the elbow drop and elbow drop! Big E tags in, and he adds the Big Splash with Woods’ leg drop. Cover, TWO! Big E brings Sheamus up but Woods tags. Woods throws hands, but Sheamus kicks low. Tag to Cesaro, Woods kicks low. Woods whips but Cesaro reverses. Cesaro runs into a boot, but catches the Honor Roll. He brings Woods over, and Big Show tags in! The Big Show CHOPS Woods, then again. Show throws in his big backside to squish Woods, then drags him up to CHOP him down! We go picture in picture as Show brings Woods over.

Tag to Sheamus, and Sheamus clubs away. Tag to Cesaro, and The Bar mugs Woods. Cesaro puts Woods in a grounded keylock, and wrenches the arm again and again. Woods endures, gets to his feet as fans rally up, but Cesaro tags Sheamus. Sheamus kicks Woods, and they whip Woods for The Bar Lariat. Cover, TWO! Sheamus keeps on Woods with a half nelson and shifts to a keylock. Fans rally again as Woods endures. Sheamus wrenches more, and even stands over Woods. Woods feeds off the fan energy and gets up. We return to single picture as Woods fights back and uses a jawbreaker! Sheamus tags Cesaro and anchors Woods, as Cesaro boots Kofi! The Bar double whip and double backbreaker! Cover, but Big E breaks it! Sheamus knees Big E out, then Big Show goes around to throw Big E into barriers!

The Bar soak up the heat as fans boo and jeer. Cesaro brings Woods up and trash talks. He puts Woods in the corner but Woods hits Sheamus! Woods fights back but Cesaro tags Sheamus. Sheamus suplexes but Woods slips out, only to get a knee trigger! Sheamus puts Woods on the top rope, then climbs up to join him. Woods holds on and fights back. He shoves Sheamus down, then leaps for a missile dropkick! Both men are down and fans rally. Tag to Cesaro, tag to Kofi! Kofi springboards and rallies on The Bar! He dropkicks Cesaro then leaps, but Cesaro puts him in a corner. Cesaro hits a European Uppercut and whips corner to corner, but runs into Kofi’s swinging kick! Kofi climbs up quick, and leaps for a crossbody! Cover, but Sheamus breaks it.

Big E goes to throw Sheamus out but Sheamus puts him on the apron to then BROGUE him off! Woods dodges Sheamus but Show drags him out, to throw him into the desk! Trouble in Paradise for Sheamus! But Cesaro small packages, TWO! SOS!! TWO!! Kofi keeps on Cesaro, but the Trouble in Paradise gets caught. Tag to Show, Cesaro catapults Kofi but Kofi lands on the corner. Kofi springboards, but into the Knockout Punch! Show covers, his team wins!

Winners: The Big Show & The Bar, Big Show pinning

With The Giant on their side, The Bar put the New Day away. Will they also do the same to Akam & Rezar at Survivor Series?

The SmackDown Tag Team Division waits backstage.

The Usos being team captains, they come in and tell them all that this Sunday is about survival. The teams here all have beef, but that needs to be put aside for the brand. Jimmy & Jey know The Colons will do this for La Familia. They know The Club, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson will be too mean, too vicious and #TooSweet. That’s for life. And the Usos know SAnitY will bring the chaos. “United we’ll purge.” There’s one thing that every tag team can agree on, it’s unity. Sunday is Lockdown, as Raw gets put in the SmackDown Penitentiary!

WWE Championship: AJ Styles VS Daniel Bryan!

Call it The Advocate stirring things up, call it the last straw, call it long overdue, but the respect between these two is gone and now it’s a fight! Who will hold the title and go on to face The Beast at Survivor Series?!

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin. The two go at each other and Styles puts Bryan in a corner for shoulder after shoulder to the stomach. Styles backs off but Bryan goes after him with kick after kick. Bryan whips but Styles reverses, but Bryan kicks him. Bryan runs but Styles throws him up and out! Styles aims, slingshots, and hits a forearm! The Phenomenal One has control while we go to break.

SmackDown returns and Bryan has Styles in a corner. Bryan throws punch after punch, but backs off at 5. He comes back for kick after kick, but Styles catches one to elbow the knee and hamstring! Then Styles drops a knee on Bryan’s knee! Styles stalks Bryan and goes after the leg. He stomps away on the leg, then yanks it. Bryan slowly stands, Styles grabs the leg, but Bryan enziguris! Styles staggers, Bryan runs in but into boots. Styles springboards but Bryan trips him up! The Phenomenal One crashes and burns off the apron! But Bryan won’t let him rest, he goes after Styles to wrench the arm and throw the shoulder into a post! Bryan refreshes the count to do it all over again! He puts Styles in the ring and focuses on the arm with a shoulder breaker!

Styles writhes now, clutching his arm. Bryan grabs that arm again for more torture. Styles throws hands, but Bryan won’t let go. Bryan drags Styles into a drop toehold, then kicks out the arm! Bryan covers, TWO, but he’s right on that arm. He wrenches the arm into a hammerlock, for a stomp! Styles writhes but Bryan shows no mercy as he gives a kick tot he back! Cover, TWO! Bryan keeps his cool as he drags Styles back up. Styles hits with forearms and gets free, but Bryan comes back with his own forearms. They brawl now back and forth as fans duel. Styles hits the Phenomenal Blitz, then runs in at the corner for a clothesline! He whips corner to corner but Bryan goes up and over. Bryan hobbles but gets speed, double crossbodies collide! Both men are down and we go to another break!

SmackDown returns again, Styles is again in a corner. Bryan runs in corner to corner, and hits the dropkick! Bryan puts Styles on the top rope, then climbs up, for a SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Bryan keeps moving, and heads up top again. Styles is far away but Bryan still takes aim. Styles gets up and over to trip Bryan up! Now Styles climbs, but they brawl. Bryan sends Styles down, but a BIG Pele just gets Bryan! Styles climbs up again, but Bryan slips under to shove him forward! Bryan climbs up behind Styles to bring him into the Tree of Woe. Bryan fires off Yes Kicks! Fans duel as Bryan goes corner to corner, for a basement dropkick! Then he sits Styles up and climbs up, Bryan gives Styles a SUPER BACK SUPLEX! The two crash down, and Bryan crawls to a cover, TWO!!

Bryan stands up as fans duel. He waits for Styles, and he gives more Yes Kicks. Styles ducks the buzzsaw, roll up, TWO! He has the Clash ready! But Bryan fights out with his good leg! Bryan gives Styles EuroUppers, but Styles hits back. Styles hops up but those legs almost give out. Bryan gets Styles on his shoulders in the Electric Chair, but Styles fights back. Styles victory rolls, cover, TWO! Bryan swings but misses, and gets a PELE! Styles hurries to the apron while Bryan is down. Styles springboards, for a 450! Onto knees! Bryan gets the Yes Lock!! Styles reaches, and gets the ropebreak! Bryan lets Styles go, but he’s up and ready. Fans chant “YES! YES!” with Bryan, and Bryan runs at Styles, but into a dropkick to the legs! Styles grabs the leg, for the Calf Crusher!

Bryan moves around but rolls it over to an armbar! Styles keeps his hands together, but ends up in the Yes Lock! Styles shifts around, gets the legs, and catapults Bryan into buckles! Bryan stands up, Styles runs in, but Bryan puts him on the apron. Styles hits Bryan away, then springboards, Phenomenal Forearm hits the ref! Bryan dodged, then low blows Styles?! The ref didn’t’ see it, so Bryan gets away with it! Fans boo but Bryan doesn’t care. He glares at Styles as Styles gasps for air. Styles stands, Knee Plus!! Cover, BRYAN WINS!!

Winner: Daniel Bryan, by pinfall; NEW WWE Champion

The Goat is again champion, but why this way?! He may not respect Styles anymore, but where did his honor go?! He even kicks and stomps Styles more!! Bryan keeps going after Styles, but why?! Fans are torn, but Bryan sure seems certain of one thing: He’s finally champion again. Will this shocking change be the key to SmackDown taking the Survivor Series score?

My Thoughts:

What a wild SmackDown for the go-home! Some of it was disappointing, but much of this was unexpected. I thought SmackDown was going to open with the Women’s Division story, but as we know, Becky Lynch did get legitimately hurt so there won’t be anything we had hoped for tonight or at Survivor Series. I am impressed by Becky for still fighting in that brawl after getting busted open and concussed. However, bad luck and timing means we’ll have to wait. But it was an interesting choice to go through with Ronda VS Charlotte now, that will perhaps be our glimpse forward to the heavily speculated and rumored Wrestlemania match. Who knows if we’ll ever get Becky VS Ronda, but maybe that moderate turn on Becky’s part gets us back towards Horsewomen VS Horsewomen.

While The New Day VS The Bar + Big Show was a great match, this and how the SmackDown Tag Team Division team was literally just the SmackDown Tag Team Division shows how useless that 10v10 match is now. Raw’s battle royal was almost useless, as almost everyone in it goes to the PPV. Making the 10v10 match matter means making the qualifiers matter. Throw in the champions as captains, then make the other four spots up for grab. Then we’d have a great situation where The Authors of Pain are leading, say, The Revival, The Ascension, Roode & Gable and even Lucha House Party while The Bar, The Usos, The New Day and then two other teams decided in some sort of Triple Threat Tag. But given all that, I expect SmackDown’s 10-Man team to win.

Mysterio VS Miz was great, I liked the story excuse that Miz was trying to kick Mysterio out. Naturally Mysterio stays because he needs to stay strong, and it’s great for Hardy to get his second chance to go. Orton obviously wants after Mysterio, I think this will lead to TLC. Then story of the night, Styles VS Bryan as provoked by Heyman, was incredible. Kayfabe Heyman said all that to make things easier for Brock Lesnar. Either Styles retains but is banged up, or Bryan wins and he’s actually easier for Lesnar to beat, in Lesnar’s mind. And it was definitely shocking to see Bryan win, as a Heel! It’s been a long time since Bryan’s been the bad guy, but maybe such an edge will be needed to beat The Beast. Then win or lose, Bryan and Styles can have a violent TLC match at the TLC PPV.

My Score: 8.5/10

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

6 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

1 day 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!