Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/3/20)

The first SmackDown of 2020!

Published

4 years ago

January 3, 2020

Steven Mitchell

Does the Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection have a blueprint for this situation?

After weeks of Bayley & Sasha Banks talking down to the SmackDown Women’s Division, the SmackDown Women’s Division is fighting back! Who wins tonight’s massive Triple Threat Tag?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Triple Threat Tag: The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection VS Bliss-Cross VS Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke; Evans & Brooke win.
Chad Gable VS Dash Wilder w/ Scott Dawson; Gable wins.
Kofi Kingston w/ Big E VS The Miz; Kingston wins.
Otis Dozovic w/ Tucker Knight VS Drew Gulak; Otis wins.
Braun Strowman VS Cesaro w/ Sami Zayn & Shinsuke Nakamura; Strowman wins.
Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan VS Baron Corbin & Dolph Ziggler; No Contest.

PLAY BY PLAY

New Year, New #1 Contender!

After a night marked by The Big Dog’s grudge with the Wolf King, the Triple Threat to determine Bray Wyatt’s Royal Rumble opponent was carried out. Baron Corbin mocked Daniel Bryan and The Miz, and had his Show-Off squire help out, but his tyranny would not stand! Roman Reigns kept Corbin out, and Bryan beat Miz fair and square! But Bray was the one who was most excited. That’s because “he” isn’t done “playing” with Bryan yet. Is Bryan willing to do whatever it takes? Is Bryan willing to #LetHimIn? The answer then was “YES!” but will Bryan come to regret it?

The MIz finds Daniel Bryan backstage.

Miz stares daggers at Bryan. “The Fiend violated my home.” There is nothing Miz wants or needs more than to avenge what Bray did to Miz’s family. Miz vows to take away everything Bray cares about, but Bryan is the one who earned that right. While Miz figures things out, he will say this: “Defeat The Fiend at Royal Rumble. Not just for me, for everyone.” Will Bryan carry Miz’s mission on his shoulders when WWE goes to Houston?

Triple Threat Tag: The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection VS Bliss-Cross VS Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke!

Sasha Banks & Bayley claim to be “role models” and “locker room leaders,” yet they only ever talk down to the rest of the SmackDown Women’s roster. So the rest of the roster is here to shut them up! Will the uprising be successful? Or will the #Blueprint and SmackDown Women’s Champion simply make examples out of their opponents?

Before the match, Bayley has a mic and says, “We all made it to 2020. I’m sure all of you guys have been spending the last couple of days thinking about your resolutions.” The usual things, like going to the gym, eating healthy, chasing dreams, “but c’mon. Let’s not lie to ourselves. You guys aren’t going to follow through with any of that!” Change is hard, and the people in the crowd don’t have what it takes to change their “pathetic lives.” Sasha and Bayley made the tough changes by making tough decisions, and now they’re winners! They’re leaders! But you’ve got people like Lacey Evans, who- Well speak of the Sassy Southern Belle, here she comes! She and partner Dana Brooke head to the ring, mic in head. “You two just can’t keep my name out of your mouths, can you?”

Why do they love making fun of children? It is Lacey’s passion to set a real positive example! She is sick of these two using a child to get to her. But congratulations, it worked. Lacey’s resolution is to show everyone that the bad guys lose, even when they have the advantage. And that’s not all, because now Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross make their entrance! They also have mics to add on. “It’s the first SmackDown of 2020, and you ladies just want to tear each other apart.” Seeing these intense issues, do these two even belong? Of course they do! Especially if they want to get back to the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Good point, Nikki. Let’s start 2020 with a win. This huge match kicks off the New Year, after the break!

SmackDown returns as the teams sort out. Lacey goes right at Sasha with a throw! Sasha runs away to ropes, Lacey backs off, and Lacey eggs Sasha on. Sasha tags out to Nikki and bails out. Nikki runs in, crucifix to sunset flip, TWO. Lacey rolls Nikki, ONE, but Lacey cradles quick, ONE. Lacey whips Nikki to the corner, and tags to Dana. Ms. Flex Appeal scoop slams and covers, TWO. Nikki jawbreakers back then cross chops her. Nikki fires up before running for a corner splash! Tag to Alexa, and the Goddess brings Dana around for a headlock takeover. Dana headscissors but Alexa pops out. Dana gets another takeover but Alexa gets another headscissors. Dana pops out to kick low and whip, but Alexa rolls Dana and gets a cover, TWO!

Alexa wrenches but Dana SLAPS her off. Dana whips but Alexa reverses. Dana stops herself, Sasha tags in and Bayley drags Dana out! Alexa WRECKS Bayley and SLAPS Sasha! Then DECKS her with a right, and finishes with a dropkick! Alexa runs in but is put on the apron. Bayley tags in but Alexa fights them both! Alexa bounces Sasha off buckles but Bayley shoves her off the top rope! Sasha corner METEORA! Bayley covers, TWO! Bayley keeps her cool as fans boo. Bayley elbows and chokes Alexa but lets up at 4. Nikki protests but Sasha gets a cheap shot on Alexa! Bayley covers, TWO, but Bayley puts Alexa in the corner. Tag to Sasha and Sasha stomps a mudhole. Sasha snapmares and chinlocks but Alexa endures as fans rally up.

Alexa fights her way up, arm-drags Sasha off, but Sasha hits Nikki! Sasha dropkicks Alexa down then covers, TWO! Sasha grows frustrated but Alexa jawbreakers and uppercuts! Bayley runs in to intercept Dana! Alexa tilt-o-whirls Sasha into Lacey! Nikki is up top, SUPER CROSSBODY! But Sasha throws her into steel steps! The Boss ‘n’ Smug Connection have control as we go to break.

SmackDown returns again as Dana tags in off Nikki. Sasha throws Nikki off the top and meteoras, but Dana handspring boots her down! Dana eggs Sasha on, then speeds things up to run Sasha over! Fans fire up with Dana as she sends Bayley into Banks. Handspring splash sandwich! Snap suplex on Bayley! Snap suplex on Sasha! Handspring splash, cover, but Alexa breaks it. Lace runs Alexa over, but Nikki wrenches and hits her with a neckbreaker! Bayley throws Nikki out hard but Dana throws Bayley out, too. Dana kicks Sasha, Sasha fakes injury, Bayley throws Dana down by her hair! Sasha shining wizards, cover, TWO! Tag to Bayley, and the “leaders” put Dana in a corner. They crisscross whip Dana into buckles, cover, TWO!

The SmackDown Women’s Champion stomps Dana down with a scowl on her face, then taunts Lacey. Lacey tells her to focus on Dana, so Bayley stomps Dana down. Bayley taunts Dana as she brings her up. Bayley puts Dana in the corner to throw hands and stomps. Tag to Sasha, Sasha swings int to METEORA! Cover, TWO! Sasha is furious with the ref, and chokes Dana on the ropes. Sasha lets up at 4 and fans rally up. Tag to Bayley, Boss ‘n’ Hug mug Dana. Bayley rams her shoulder into Dana over and over, then rolls back to wacky waving sucker punch Lacey! Dana BOOTS back! Dana heads for Bliss-Cross but Sasha tags in first. Sasha knees Dana into Bayley’s SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! The Legit Boss is having a legit tantrum!

Sasha brings Dana up again, whips her to Bayley, but Dana decks Bayley first! Dana boots Sasha again, then hosp up, tornado snap suplex! Dana and Sasha are down and crawling for their corners. Fans rally up again, hot tag to Bayley and she stops Dana. Dana enziguris, hot tag to Lacey! Lacey rallies with lariats! Wring out and moonsault! Lacey waits for Bayley to get up, but Bayley sends her at the corner. Lacey goes up and over and snapmares Bayley down. The handkerchief comes out, Lacey wipes herself off and runs to BOOT Bayley into a corner! Fans fire up for the swinging bronco buster! Bayley is in the drop zone so Lacey climbs up. Sassiest Moonsault Ever FLOPS as Sasha saves Bayley! BAYLEY2BELLY! Cover but Dana AND Bliss-Cross break it!

All six women are down but regrouping. Nikki neckbreakers to Alexa’s STO on Dana! Sasha hits them both with knees! Sasha and Bayley whip Nikki for double hip toss BOMB! Bayley tags Sasha and they target Lacey. They double whip her, but she slips out of the double hip toss! Dana drags Bayley, Sasha rolls Lacey, ONE! Dana tags in and Lacey hits the WOMAN’S RIGHT! Dana climbs, to SWANTON! Cover, Dana & Lacey win!!

Winners: Dana Brooke & Lacey Evans, Brooke pinning

Incredible! The Model Soldier and Flex Appeal beat two former women’s tag team championship teams! Could this put them in the tag title conversation?

Otis Dozovic curls kegs to work out frustrations.

Dozer is steaming mad after Dolph Ziggler literally stepped on Mama Dozovic’s fruitcake, the gift Otis gave Mandy Rose in return for the Christmas ham! But Mandy comes by and wishes him a Happy New Year. So did Mama make anything special? Why doesn’t she ask Ziggler? Oh, that… He saw that? No, but Mama did. Mandy apologizes for Ziggler’s behavior. Tucker Knight comes by and says it’s time for their match. Is there a way for Mandy to make it up to Dozer? Can Otis focus on Heavy Machinery’s tag team match tonight?

The Miz finds The New Day backstage.

Big E and Kofi Kingston are celebrating the New Year with 2020 style pancakes and plenty of maple syzurp. Er, syrup. Happy New Year, Miz! What did he do to celebrate? He wasn’t really in the mood. Well Big E watched the balls drop. No, it’s just one big ball. What was he watching? Now he doesn’t know. Well Kofi knows Miz didn’t get to end the 2010’s the best, since he missed out on a second chance at Bray Wyatt, but it was a great decade! Miz main-evented WrestleMania, married Maryse, and had two beautiful children. Plus, he holds the records for the most titles held in that decade! But Big E says he’s just tied with his friend, brother and nnnneighbor, Kofi! Well, yes, but this is about cheering Miz up. So it’s all good. Kofi co-congratulates. And here’s to 2020 having more titles! Pound it!

Miz can’t believe they think this is about tiles. The Fiend violated the sanctity of his HOME! Do they know what that feels like? Do they want to start the new decade off right? Miz SLAPS the pancake platter down. Big E is mad but Kofi keeps the peace. The Fiend has scrambled Miz’s brain, but Kofi’s got him. Challenge accepted. Miz VS Kofi is coming, who will have the better New Year?

Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.

The Drifter is in Memphis and asks them, “Do you feel Elias tonight?” Well let’s see what they’ve got. Elias plays and fans clap. “New Year, new me. I had so many hopes for 2020~. I hope Sami Zayn gets punched int he jaw. And if Shane McMahon returns, please send his ass to Raw. Revival needs to change, oh that’s a fact. They’re harder to watch than Ziggler’s comedy act.” If Corbin went missing, Elias wouldn’t complain. That guy’s like an STD: he just wont’ go away. That gut knows. “But not all hope is lost, and you will see~ at Royal Rumble when everyone walks… with~ meee~!” Elias musically declares for the Men’s Royal Rumble match, but will he be singing his own praises or the blues in Houston?

The Revival was still treating Dawson’s LEGO bruises from Christmas.

Dawson felt a real big one under the shoulder. So much for Happy Holidays, all because of that Christmas Street Fight. How dumb is that? Dash is at a loss for words about being made into bad jokes. SmackDown’s #1 resolution should be to #RESPECK the Revival! They work too damn hard to be clowns. Don’t forget Elias making fun of them. But Shorty G Chad Gable overhears the complaining. He says they shouldn’t let anyone’s words affect them. Gable embraced who he is, and it was the best decision of his entire career. Dash & Dawson hear what he’s saying, and never thought of it that way. They didn’t realize Gable changed fromb eing New Year’s Baby to being a motivational speaker. Did he get to stay up to watch the ball drop?

Haha those bad jokes don’t bother Gable anymore. But his new motto is to rise over size. When you’re comfortable in your own skin, you can do anything. Oh anything? Anything? Wow. Except maybe beat the #TopGuys. Is Dash sure about that? There’s been a lot of tag team history between him and them, but what about a 1v1? Challenge accepted! See you out there, “squirt.”

Chad Gable VS Dash Wilder w/ Scott Dawson!

And here we are! Will Shorty G show that size doesn’t matter? Or will Dash be a #TopGuy even without Dawson to tag to?

SmackDown returns as the match begins with the bell. Dash and Gable tie up and Gable wrenches. Dawson is on commentary as Dash hits hard. Dash whips but Gable goes up and over and speeds things up. Gable hops up to headscissor Dash! Gable then butterfly suplexes! Cover, TWO! Dash and Gable tie up as Dawson addresses Michael Cole’s comments of the Revival being “hypocritical.” How can they complain about being the butt of jokes when they make fun of Gable? Gable meanwhile climbs up top but Dash pushes him forward onto the post! Dawson says that Gable asked for it. Dash climbs up to SUPER BACK SUPLEX Gable down! Cover, TWO! Dash is upset but Dawson reminds everyone that the Revival are the only WWE Triple Crown tag team champions.

Dash puts Gable in a modified camel clutch, but Gable fights out as fans rally up. Dash knees low, back suplexes but Gable slips out to throw hands. Gable knees, uppercuts, bobs ‘n’ weaves to mule kick and EXPLODER! Dash flounders up, Gable crossbodies himself and Dash out! Gable fires up and puts Dash back in. Gable climbs up top again to crossbody again, but Dash rolls through to cover! TWO, fireman’s carry but Gable slips out. Gable trips Dash, ANKLE LOCK! Dash rolls to send Gable into buckles then rolls him up again, and with tights! TWO, but Dash keeps his focus. Dash whips Gable to a corner but Gable goes up and over to sunset flip! Cover, TWO, Dash runs and gets on Dash’s shoulders. Dash sends Gable into ropes, then waistlocks. But Gable victory rolls to ANKLE LOCK again! Dash taps, Gable wins!

Winner: Chad Gable, by submission

But Dawson goes after Gable! The Revival are sore losers as they beat down Gable! They whip Gable, SHATTER MACHINE! Shorty G is down but the #TopGuys drag him up again. But wait, is that… SHEAMUS!? The Celtic Warrior returns on the first SmackDown of 2020! And he storms his way to the ring to chase the Revival off. Fans cheer Sheamus, but he BROGUES Gable in the face! Fans boo Sheamus now but the Celtic Warrior said all along he wants to clear out SmackDown of “lesser men.” Who won’t be on the Fella’s hit list?

Kofi Kingston w/ Big E VS The Miz!

AWWW~ MEMPHIS~! Clap for your 7-time champs and FEEL~ the POWER~! Two long-time WWE superstars meet again to kick off their 2020. Will Miz be able to vent his frustrations over The Fiend here tonight?

The bell rings and Kofi offers a pancake. Miz doesn’t want it so they tie up. Miz wrenches to a wristlock but Kofi rolls and handsprings to wrench back. Kofi trips Miz and splashes down, TWO. Kofi is in a good mood but Miz is still frustrated. They tie up, Kofi headlocks but Miz powers out. Kofi runs Miz over, things speed up, and Miz hurdles to pop Kofi up. Kofi uses that to monkey flip Miz! Even Kofi is shocked by how much air Miz got! Miz gets up as fans chant “New! Day Rocks!” Kofi wants to shake hands but Miz slaps it away! O’Conner roll, TWO and Kofi has it. TWO, Miz headlocks but Kofi powers out. Miz runs Kofi over now, and things speed up again. Kofi hurdles, and again, then back elbows!

Kofi keeps moving, but Miz sends him out. Kofi lands on his feet but Miz runs. Kofi dodges the wrecking ball dropkick and then fakes Miz out on that dive. Fans cheer but Miz grows further annoyed. The cheers keep coming for the New Day as Miz takes his time to return. Miz “applauds” but then kicks low. Miz stomps Kofi down and then drags him up to drive elbows into the shoulders. Miz pushes Kofi but Kofi spins him, no Trouble in Paradise! Miz goes to Figure Four but is denied. Miz dodges in the corner to give It Kicks to Kofi! And again, and again, and again! Miz runs corner to corner, to hit a big knee! Then another! Miz keeps going, but Kofi slips out to kick Miz back! Kofi climbs up, leaps and ax handles Miz down!

Kofi fires up and hits the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop! Kofi says it’s over and takes aim from the corner. Fans clap along as Miz rises. Kofi spins, but Miz ducks again! A-List Combination stopped part way, Miz stops the SOS. Miz full nelsons but Kofi drops down to victory roll, Kofi wins!

Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall

Miz is in shock! This isn’t going to diffuse anything, and Miz ATTACKS! Miz throws hands but Big E gets in to run him off! Miz storms off and Memphis chants, “You Suck! You Suck!” Miz thinks THEY suck! “After everything I’ve been through!? How dare you?! I’ve given you everything! EVERYTHING!” Has Miz just lost more than a match tonight?

Backstage interview with Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns!

The Goat and the Big Dog will once again work together tonight. Bryan is the new #1 Contender, what is his biggest challenge against Bray Wyatt? Miz’s breakdown is happening because of The Fiend. The Fiend changes you. It happened to Finn Balor, it happened to Seth Rollins. But it hasn’t happened to Daniel Bryan. “Good ol’ DB is unbreakable.” Bryan will prove it when he wins at the Royal Rumble. Roman says that means he’s going to go to WrestleMania as Universal Champion. Which means they’ll be facing each other because Roman vows to win the Royal Rumble match. So understand that Roman has been waiting for this chance. No one took the title from Roman, so Bryan better be ready.

Is Roman trying to fire Bryan up? Bryan is ready any place, any time. But he’ll be even more ready at Mania. So be ready for tonight’s match. The only ones not ready are their opponents, Corbin and Ziggler. Will Roman and Bryan still work together well when they both plan on seeing the other at WrestleMania 36?

Backstage interview with The Miz.

Cathy Kelly knocks on his door, but it’s JOHN MORRISON who answers!? The Guru of Greatness was back with the WWE, but to think he’d show up here! Surprise aside, Morrison says Miz is done talking. Well, are we seeing the reunion of the classic duo of Miz and Morrison starting already?

Otis Dozovic w/ Tucker Knight VS ???

Otis feels pretty down in the dumps after what Dolph did to Mama Dozovic’s fruitcake. But can he get back on track on the first Friday night of 2020?

SmackDown returns as Drew Gulak makes his entrance. Gulak has a mic to introduce himself as the “foremost expert on the grappling arts,” and assures Dozer he is a master of matters of the heart. But with that expertise, Gulak is confident in his assessment that Mandy Rose would never go out with a guy like Otis. Gulak says Mandy wants a man with a physique and a mind, like Ziggler or even Gulak himself. As for Otis, he looks like he’s leaking butter. Otis isn’t too bright so Gulak has a special 372-slide… POWERPOINT!! PRESENTATION!! YES! Please pay attention to the titantron as Drew Gulak Presents: Reasons Why Mandy Rose Would NEVER Date Otis. Look at cartoon Otis. Or is that Tucker?

Otis DRAGS Gulak into the ring! The bell rings and Otis throws haymakers! Gulak throws hands, too, but Otis sumo palms him to a corner, then TOSSES him across the way! Fans fire up for Dozer while Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville are both watching this backstage. Mandy seems to try and explain her side of this while Gulak clubs Otis. Gulak tries to cradle package but Otis powers out to suplex Gulak down! Otis then trophy lifts Gulak high and carry him around! To then TOSS him again! “Oh yeah, mama!” But wait, Ziggler is backstage trying to talk to Mandy, too. Ziggler says Mandy doesn’t need to be nervous, but Mandy says she’s not.

Back in the ring, Otis runs in at Gulak in the corner, but Gulak dodges and dropkicks a leg out! Gulak taunts Otis and says Mandy would never date him! “Wise up, kid. “But Otis powers up instead! Otis throws off the shirt! Fans fire up as Otis continues to absorb kicks. Otis scoop slams Gulak, and then again! Otis runs into the corner to splash Gulak, and Gulak falls down. Fans know Otis has his opening! Otis pumps it up and hits the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Otis keeps Gulak down to climb up, VADER BOMB! Cover, Otis wins!

Winner: Otis Dozovic, by pinfall

The Dozer wins! But will Otis win the heart of the Golden Goddess?

Braun Strowman VS Cesaro w/ Sami Zayn & Shinsuke Nakamura!

The Monster Among Men wants to #GetTheseHands on the WWE Intercontinental Championship, but the King of Strong Style and his “Great Liberator” keep dancing around the issue. Will a win over the Swiss Cyborg prove something to them? Or at least to WWE management?

The referee tells Sami and Shinsuke to stay back as the bell rings. Cesaro circles with Strowman then tie up. Strowman shoves Cesaro but Cesaro comes back. So Strowman puts Cesaro in a corner, but they tie up again. Cesaro manages to put Strowman in a corner and gives him a shove. Strowman shrugs that off, so Cesaro gets around to headlock. Strowman powers out and bumps Cesaro’s shoulders. Cesaro kicks low and throws European Uppercuts and big hands! Cesaro runs, dodges and shoulders Strowman, but Strowman shoulders back! Cesaro flounders up to his feet but Strowman TOSSES him across the ring! Strowman throws hands and blocks a boot to shoulder and headbutt Cesaro in the corner. Strowman goes corner to corner to splash!

Cesaro gets to the apron and hotshots Strowman! Strowman still DECKS Cesaro with a right! Strowman runs side to side to BLAST Cesaro off the apron and onto barriers! Shinsuke and Sami distract Strowman, but the Monster Among Men scares them off. Fans fire up with the Monster Among Men as we go to break.

SmackDown returns and Cesaro has a chinlock on Strowman. But Strowman powers up to ram him into buckles! Strowman is free and Sami is worried, but Cesaro BOOTS back! And dropkicks a leg out! Cesaro chokes Strowman on ropes but backs off at 4. Sami distracts and Shinsuke gets a cheap shot KICK in! Cesaro EuroUpper BLASTS Strowman! Cover, TWO! Cesaro climbs up as Sami coaches him, but leaps into Strowman’s hand! Strowman scoops but Cesaro shifts to a sleeper hold! Strowman falls to a knee fast as Cesaro thrashes him around. Cesaro squeezes tight but fans rally up. Strowman fights back up for a sidewalk slam! Strowman feeds off the energy as fans rally again. Cesaro and Strowman rise, Strowman runs Cesaro over! And again!

Cesaro flounders but Strowman corner splashes again! Fans fire up but Shinsuke hops onto the apron. Shinsuke ducks Strowman’s right hand but not the left! Shinsuke falls down but Cesaro stands up to EuroUpper! Cesaro fires off in the corner then runs, only to get run over again! Strowman sees Cesaro go out, and fans fire up as he decides to take a lap! Strowman builds speed to RAM Cesaro and RAM Shinsuke! Strowman wants the hat trick but Sami hides under the ring! Strowman goes around to RAM Cesaro again in Sami’s place. Strowman puts Cesaro in and scoops him up. Sami gets in but Strowman scares him off! Cesaro sends Strowman into a post! And brings him in, Gotch hold, but Strowman scoops! MONSTER SLAM! Cover, Strowman wins!

Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall

KINSHASA outta nowhere! The King of Strong Style won’t stand for Strowman winning, and now Strowman isn’t standing at all! Sami says that’s good enough for now, but will Strowman #GetTheseHands on them all soon enough?

Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan VS Baron Corbin & Dolph Ziggler!

Things have been heated between The Big Dog and the Wolf King for a long time. But things have escalated ever since Corbin won the King of the Ring and has been trying to establish an iron rule over SmackDown. The warring has dragged even the Yes Movement into this, and now the New Year continues this old feud. Who gains the momentum on the Road to the Royal Rumble?

SmackDown returns as Daniel Bryan makes his entrance, followed by the Show-Off and Corbin. The teams sort out and Corbin goes right after Roman! Corbin puts Roman in a corner to stomp away, but the ref backs him off. Corbin dares Memphis to boo, so they do. Corbin throws hands but Roman dodges to uppercut! Roman climbs up to rain down fists! Roman gets all the way to 8 but Corbin shoves him off, only to get a Samoan Drop! Corbin bails out but Roman goes out. Roman runs to Drive-By Dropkick! Roman keeps his eyes on Ziggler as Corbin gets back in the ring. Corbin catches Roman low with a knee then tags in Ziggler. Ziggler stomps away and throws hands, then turns Roman, only for Roman to shove and BOOT him down!

Roman tags in Bryan! Bryan gives Ziggler EuroUppers and a whip. Ziggler reverses, Bryan dodges to wreck Corbin! Bryan tosses Ziggler out to join Corbin! Fans join in the “YES! YES!” but Bray Wyatt’s laughter interrupts that. Bray plays with the lights to play mind games with Bryan, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once more as Roman gives Corbin the point-blank corner clotheslines! Roman gets all 10 of these then runs to BOOT Corbin down! Fans fire up as Roman grins, and Roman locks ‘n’ loads. Roman has to uppercut Ziggler first, then he dodges Corbin, only to run into a DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO!! Bryan returns to the corner as Corbin brings Roman to ropes. Corbin scrapes Roman out to then throw him into steel steps! Bryan protests but the ref has him return to the corner while Corbin drags Roman up again,. Corbin bounces Roman off the announce desk, then puts him back in the corner. Tag to Ziggler, and Ziggler taunts Roman. “You’ve gotta have somewhere to go!” Ziggler taunts Roman that he won’t make the tag. “Do you hear me?” Roman uppercuts Ziggler first!

Roman throws more hands but Ziggler kicks low. Ziggler turns Roman for the neckbreaker! Tag to Corbin and Ziggler anchors Roman for Corbin to stomp! Corbin drags Ziggler up as fans rally. Corbin throws Roman into the post hard! Corbin applauds himself before dragging Roman up. Corbin throws Roman into the post again! The ref reprimands Corbin but he takes Roman out to throw into the post a third time! Fans rally for Roman as he dodges Corbin. Corbin slides out, in, but into a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Fans fire up as Ziggler coaches Corbin. Roman and Corbin crawl to their corners, hot tags to Ziggler and Bryan! Bryan counter punches Ziggler and then throws haymakers. Bryan whips, Ziggler reverses, Bryan goes up and over to run, dodge and leaping lariat!

Fans fire up with Bryan and he aims from the corner. He corner to corner dropkicks Ziggler, then fires off Yes Kicks! Kick after kick after kick, then he hoists Ziggler up top. Bryan climbs to join Ziggler, and SUPER STEINERS! Fans are thunderous for Bryan as he waits for Ziggler to rise. Bryan gives more Yes Kicks! The buzzard misses, Ziggler rolls Bryan, TWO, into the LeBelle Lock!! Ziggler flails, Corbin clobbers Bryan! Fans boo as Corbin rings Bryan up, Choke Slam but SPEAR! Roman takes out Corbin, Ziggler SUPERKICKS Roman down! Ziggler goes at Bryan but no ZigZag. Bryan dodges, KNEE PLUS!! Cover, but the lights start going down!! THE FIEND IS HERE! Red light and all! Bryan can’t take his eyes off The Fiend, but that’s so he can DIVE! Direct hit!

But the Fiend is up and he throws Bryan into the post! Bryan dodges and sends The Fiend into the post, but leaps into the MANDIBLE CLAW!! The Fiend rams Bryan through the timekeeper’s barriers!! The Fiend laughs as he pushes the wreckage aside to again clamp on the claw! Bryan is smothered and the lights are flashing. Is this only foreshadowing their rematch at the Royal Rumble? The Fiend disappears and security hurries out to check on Bryan. Roman comes over, concerned for him, too, but Ziggler attacks! And Corbin! The King’s Court beats down Roman and puts him in the ring! Corbin rains down right hands while Ziggler gets the cuffs! Corbin cuffs Roman and Ziggler brings out cans of dog food! They want to humiliate Roman again!

Ziggler pops open cans as Corbin cuffs Roman to the bottom rope! But here come the USOS! Roman’s cousins have returned! And they DOUBLE SUPERKICK Ziggler down! Then they go after Corbin, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Corbin bails out, the Usos build speed to DOUBLE FLY! They take out both Corbin and Ziggler! Roman is freed and the Bloodline is reunited! Will this be what turns the tide against Corbin and his court?

My Thoughts:

What a great episode to start the New Year and new decade! I really like how the change brought on by the Fiend isn’t in Bryan but in Miz. Miz is headed back to be a Heel, he has a great match with Kofi, and losing gives him the opportunity to “snap” and go after Kofi. Then what a great surprise to see that John Morrison returns tonight, though it was a rather anti-climactic return. Morrison and Miz were a real good tag team, but that was in the late 2000’s to very early 2010’s. If they reunite here in the 2020’s, that will definitely revitalize the SmackDown Tag Team Division and be a great way to get Morrison back into things. Dash VS Gable was a really good singles match, too, but the production crew needs to realize we don’t need to SEE Dawson to HEAR Dawson, let us watch Gable and Dash. Also real clever of someone to have Michael Cole say “Revival” and “elite” in the same sentence.

Sheamus’ return happened tonight, too, that was a nice treat. But of course he returns as Heel and against Shorty G. Sheamus’ promos definitely sounded more Heel give how usually it is Heels that talk down the roster. Gable VS Sheamus will be a great program for the both of them, and Gable will look great no matter the end results. Speaking of talking down, naturally that meant Boss & Hug/Smug were going to lose tonight in that Triple Threat Tag. It was a great match, especially as the opener, and surprisingly, Bliss-Cross wasn’t in there to take the fall. Lacey & Dana winning was actually the bigger surprise to me, and now we’ll be getting Lacey VS Sasha. I really hope they add the stipulation that if Lacey wins, she gets her title shot at the Royal Rumble, it just makes sense. And while it isn’t likely Lacey will win the SmackDown Women’s Championship, Lacey & Dana can at least get into this year’s Women’s Elimination Chamber match for the Women’s Tag Titles.

While it’s a bit sad Gulak is being used to facilitate other feuds, bringing back Powerpoint Presentations is pretty fun. Also, the story of Otis, Mandy and Ziggler is growing stronger, so I’m really hoping Valentine’s Friday Night SmackDown is the blow-off for that. And for that matter, that Otis gets the girl. Fans love Otis, we should be able to cheer for him in getting the girl. Strowman VS Cesaro was a great match, and naturally Strowman wins. While making the decision between Strowman and Shinsuke in the Intercontinental Championship match is hard, it is feeling like things lean in Strowman’s favor. Then the main event tag was really good, and it was also great to have The Fiend mess with Bryan just so he doesn’t get any real momentum from this match.

And it’s just as great that The Usos return to even things out for Roman VS Corbin. If only Roode wasn’t suspended, we’d be getting a Six Man Tag next. But even then, Usos can certainly have a match of their own with Ziggler and Corbin to keep things going. But seeing that Corbin keeps bringing out dog food, that rumored Loser Eats Dog Food match is clearly more than just rumored. Which means Roman is going to win and Corbin is forced to eat dog food. This story between them has been good so far, so a dog food blow-off is very disappointing. Maybe if it was a Dog Food Match, where there were kiddie pools of dog food all around for them to fall into, fine. But not this gross dog food version of a Hair VS Hair or whatever. Can Vince just go focus on XFL already?

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

13 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!