Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (3/6/20)

Tag teams will attempt to run the gauntlet!

Published

4 years ago

March 6, 2020

Steven Mitchell

The last SmackDown before the Elimination Chamber!

SmackDown’s tag team division is on display in a gauntlet match! Who lasts longest to win a HUGE advantage for the Elimination Chamber?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Sasha Banks & Bayley VS Lacey Evans & Naomi; Sasha & Bayley win.
Sheamus VS ???; Sheamus wins.
Carmella & Dana Brooke VS Fire & Desire; Fire & Desire win.
SmackDown Tag Team Gauntlet: Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode win and will be the final entrants in the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber match.

PLAY BY PLAY

John Cena returned to SmackDown!

But just when he thought he was out, just when John Cena wanted to take a step back from WrestleMania, The Fiend pulled him back in! Bray Wyatt wants to go to Tampa, and while Cena says “You Can’t See Me,” he will see The Fiend there! What goes down when the Face that Runs the Place returns to the Showcase of the Immortals?

SmackDown presents A Moment of Bliss!

Alexa and Nikki are already in the ring in their chairs as they welcome fans to the show. The Road to WrestleMania continues to celebrate the 2020 class of the WWE Hall of Fame! Dave Batista, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, the Bella Twins, this is already a great class. But speaking of Mania, Bliss-Cross call out the Kabuki Warriors and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. When Asuka and Kairi are done hiding on Raw, come on over to SmackDown to see these two. But speaking of SmackDown, tonight’s guests are the other inductees to the Hall of Fame, the nWo!! Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Sean “X-PAC” Waltman are here!

Nash, Hall and X-Pac join Alexa and Nikki in the ring and take their seats. “Hey yo.” Alexa congratulates them on their HoF induction, meaning they’re all two-time hall of famers. Nikki says she is their biggest fan, four life! Let’s get a selfie! Nikki and nWo group together and take the pics, then Alexa moves to questions. First, Sean Waltman. What do we address him by? Does he want to be “Sean”? Mr. Waltman? The 1-2-3 Kid? Six? X-Pac? He isn’t even sure. Just call him Hall of Famer. Fair. Last year he got in with DX, and now with nWo, all these factions revolutionized pro-wrestling. One of the biggest rivals of the nWo was the new Universal Champion, Goldberg.

Nash was the one to end Goldberg’s winning streak back in the day, so Alexa asks him, “What does Roman Reigns need to do to defeat Goldberg at WrestleMania?” Nash forgot he did, so thanks for bringing it up. But he talked to Roman earlier this week about that match, and he told him that he needs two things: Hall and a cattle prod. “That was a shocking finish.” Awkward silence until… Shinsuke Nakamura’s music hits! He, Cesaro and Sami Zayn are here and “The Great Liberator” asks the booing Buffalo fans to show some respect. We all love the nWo for life! 1997 was a great year, but let’s stop talking about the past and let’s talk the future! The future is Sami! The future is Cesaro! And the future is Nakamura! The immediate future is them defeating Braun Strowman to take the WWE Intercontinental Championship!

Team Sami goes to the ring and Sami tells nWo that they know all about that title. Scott Hall, Razor Ramon, “honestly, one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions of all time.” Big Daddy Cool Diesel was an Intercontinental Champion! X-Pac was… Oh, well, he knows how much that title weighs since he carried Hall’s and Nash’s bags. X-Pac gets up and says he and Sami can go if he wants. Sami talks big for a guy who looks like sick Seth Rogen. The nWo has a good laugh off that one, and X-Pac asks what’s wrong with Nakamura. So the nWo thinks they’re funny, huh? Team Sami could drop them in there seconds. Oh please, they couldn’t touch nWo on their best day. We have a huge stare down between six big name superstars!

Fans want to see them throw down, but Sami says, “It’s not gonna happen.” Team Sami stands down because they have Elimination Chamber to prepare for. The nWo wants the Sami rub but nope! They’re not getting the headlines or the buzz, because Sami and his team are focused on their objective of destroying- BRAUN!! Strowman is here!! Sami panics and Cesaro rushes the Monster Among Men! Cesaro BOOTS and body shots but Strowman ROCKS and THROWS Cesaro into the set! Nakamura is next but he gets a headbutt! Strowman throws Nakamura into railing! Sami panics as Strowman draws closer, so he goes into the ring. Where the nWo waits!

Strowman and the legends have Sami surrounded, but Sami begs for mercy. Fans cheer “Get These Hands!” and Sami cowers behind Alexa?! Fans boo as Sami scurries out of the ring and around the way. So Strowman throws chairs at him! Sami avoids being hit by the flying furniture, but it is only a matter of time. “This Sunday at Elimination Chamber, I promise you that all three of you are going to GET! THESE! HANDS!” And it’ll be Too Sweet!

Sasha Banks & Bayley VS Lacey Evans & Naomi!

The SmackDown Women’s Champion may have felt the Glow last week in the first go around, but she and The Boss want revenge in the rematch! Will Bayley & Banks bully Naomi and the Sassy Southern Belle into submission?

The teams sort out and Lacey starts with Sasha. The two tie up but Sasha slips away to tag Bayley. Lacey gets caught in the corner and the BFF’s mug her with body shots and stomps! Tag to Sasha and they crisscross Lacey to throw her into the buckles! Sasha stomps Lacey while Bayley goes around the way. Naomi sees her and DECKS Bayley! Sasha slides out to DECK Naomi! Sasha soaks up the heat while Bayley returns to her corner, then the Boss throws Naomi into barriers! The Sassy and the Glow are down and out while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Sasha grinds Lacey down with a toehold. Lacey endures while Bayley taunts her from the ropes. Lacey uses her free leg to push Sasha away! Sasha tags Bayley and Bayley elbows Lacey down! Bayley covers, TWO! Lacey reaches for Naomi but Bayley stands on the bad food. Bayley taunts Lacey, things get glitchy, but Bayley stomps Lacey’s legs. Lacey pushes Bayley away! Tag to Sasha and the BFF’s just barely keep her from Naomi! Lacey throws Bayley out but Sasha gets the leg! Lacey rolls to throw Sasha off, tag to Naomi! Naomi gets both BFF’s with the wrecking ball dropkick and the tornillo plancha! Naomi throws hands on Sasha, throws her in, then springboards for a crossbody! Cover, TWO!

Naomi lights Sasha up with kicks from all sides! Fans fire up but Sasha blocks a kick to KNEE! Sasha whips, Naomi reverses and scorpion kicks! Naomi headlocks to corner bulldog! Sasha staggers, Naomi slingshot sunset flips! Bayley breaks it just in time! And she laughs, until Lacey LARIATS her down! Sasha dropkicks a leg out then dropkicks Lacey out. Naomi goes to boot, Sasha blocks but Naomi enziguris back! Naomi goes up but Bayley stops her! Sasha shoves Naomi into the post! Then tree of woe KNEES! Cover, Sasha & Bayley win!

Winners: Sasha Banks & Bayley, by pinfall

The Boss helps Bayley get even on Naomi! Will anyone be able to gain momentum against the SmackDown Women’s Champion with her legit back-up behind her?

Backstage interview with The New Day!

Big E and Kofi Kingston are fired up! Tonight’s SmackDown Tag Team Gauntlet gives the winner the huge advantage in the Elimination Chamber. Are they going to have Kofimania 2? That run was truly a dream come true and it is all thanks to the WWE Universe. But Kofi isn’t Al Bundy, he doesn’t live in the past! He and E are focused on the future and that is the Chamber. Ya bois know how hard it is to win a gauntlet match, but they’ve got “more stamina than a moose in mating season!” They can go for HOURS. And after they win tonight, they’ll the Chamber and go to Mania as the EIGHT time WWE, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~ BABYYYY! Why? Because New! Day Rocks! Who will be the last team standing at the end of SmackDown?!

Bayley and Sasha feel great backstage.

Having their hands raised together in victory is the best! Even without Sasha, Bayley was dominating! Naomi lost her glow, Carmella is NOT fabulous, and Lacey might be a stay at home mom. But it’s way more fun having Sasha back. But speaking of moms, the Bella Twins are in the HoF? Before the Boss and Bayley? Who cares about Nikki & Brie? Bayley might just take Mania off so she and Sasha can go straight to the HoF. Sasha dedicates her album to Bayley. No one in the past, present or future can touch these two! Women’s Revolution? PFFT! Role Model Era, baby!

Sheamus VS ???

The Celtic Warrior continues his quest to exterminate the “vermin that have infested” SmackDown. But will he find that the vermin are revolting?

SmackDown returns as Sheamus’s opponent is revealed. It’s Apollo Crews! But before he makes his entrance, Chad Gable walks over. Crews told Gable he doesn’t need help, but Shorty G says he respects Crews. Their goal is the same: stop Sheamus. If Crews needs help, Gable has his back. Gable offers a handshake, but Crews leaves him hanging. Can Crews control the situation all by himself?

The bell rings and Sheamus attacks Crews! Sheamus puts Crews on the outside but Crews hotshots him off the Bodhrain! Crews is up top and flies for a crossbody! Cover, TWO! SUPERKICK and standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Sheamus sputters as Crews is on him at the ropes. Sheamus elbows Crews away then KICKS hard! He throws heavy European Uppercuts and body shots in the corner! The ref counts but Sheamus brings Crews out. Crews slips out of the suplex to shotgun dropkick! But he runs into a BROGUE!! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

That was fast and furious, but it still went the way of the strong and the aggressive Celtic Warrior! Will the Fella be fighting bigger and stronger as we continue down the Road to WrestleMania?

Drake Maverick meets with Drew Gulak backstage.

The 205 Live General Manager knows what his former NXT Cruiserweight Champion is up to with Daniel Bryan. Maverick wants in. He wants after Bryan. Really? Mr. Maverick, Gulak knows ALL of Bryan’s 163 weaknesses, but respectfully, Maverick doesn’t have what it takes. There are levels to this. Take weakness 17-A for example: Bryan’s roundhouse kick. Looking very closely… Oh Bryan is here. He wants to hear about the weaknesses. Bryan says he will be in Philly this Sunday. If Gulak is so confident he can exploit Bryan’s weaknesses, why doesn’t he step up? Will the Philly Stretcher step up to the challenge in his hometown?

Carmella & Dana Brooke VS Fire & Desire!

Bliss-Cross called out the Kabuki Warriors and their WWE Tag Team Championship reign, but they’re not the only ones in the running. The FABULOUS Princess teams with The Flex Appeal to take on Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville to see if they can get ahead on the Road to WrestleMania!

But to even Mandy’s surprise, and Buffalo’s chagrin, Dolph Ziggler joins Fire & Desire! Will the Show-Off’s support help them win?

Teams sort out and Mandy starts with Carmella. The two circle and tie up, and fans chant, “We Want Otis!” Mandy powers Mella to a corner but backs off, but then Mella dodges the forearm to moonwalk. Mella dodges Mandy again but Mandy elbows and kicks back. Tag to Sonya and Fire & Desire mug Mella. Sliding wizard! Cover, TWO! Sonya keeps on Mella with pie faces but Dana rallies the fans. Sonya mocks the moonwalk then wraps Mella up in a chinlock. She thrashes Mella around and then shifts to body scissors. Mella endures and reaches for ropes but Sonya adds a cobra clutch. Mella fights her way out to throw hands! Sonya pushes Mella away but Mella dodges to Mella-Go-Round for the headscisosrs!

Mella dropkicks Sonya then brings her to the corner. Tag to Dana and they double whip to double hip toss! Dana handsprings and BOOTS! Sonya flounders to a corner, Dana handsprings to back elbow! Dana snapmares and dropkicks! Ziggler distracts, Sonya gets to Mandy! Sonya hits Mella, then elbows Dana, KNEE FROM A ROSE! Cover, Fire & Desire win!

Winners: Fire & Desire, by pinfall

Ziggler really did help out! He also helps them celebrate. Will Ziggler be feeling just as good after his tag team gauntlet tonight?

SmackDown presents a new episode of Firefly Fun House!

John Cena now adorns ALL of the Wall of Friendship! “What do you think?” Magnifico! Everyone must be asking, “Why John Cena?” Ramblin’ Rabbit says that it’s because Cena beat Bray at WrestleMania six years ago, thus starting Bray on the “downward spiral of negativity and failure in your personal and professional life.” Bray forces himself to smile as footage replays of that very night. “You Can’t See Me!” Ramblin’ Rabbit runs off before anything happens to him.

Bray puts on his gloves and says time can either hurt your or heal you. Bray realized that if it wasn’t for Cena, the Firefly Fun House wouldn’t exist! So Bray officially thanks Cena, and forgives him. YAY~! “However, there is a catch.” Cena also helped create “a being built on pain, fueled by vengeance.” The Fiend is waiting at Mania. And unlike Bray, The Fiend is not forgiving. Life is a circle. It doesn’t matter how bright one side is, the dark side always comes back. “But that’s the beauty of a circle. Round and round we go. Let me in.” Bray then laughs and says bye. Will Bray break the cycle when he gets his rematch with Cena?

Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.

The Wolf King requested this time, but does not want anyone talking about his past with Roman Reigns. He is here to talk his WrestleMania plans. But then Elias starts strumming. Corbin confronts Elias but Elias apologizes. Corbin’s voice was just so annoying, though, so he decided to tune it out. Elias starts strumming but Corbin stops him. Corbin knows Elias thinks he’s a big deal just for having the guitar, but he’s not a rockstar or cowboy. He wouldn’t even get 50 cents begging on the corner. Elias is a one-trick pony that looks ridiculous with that headband. His delusion is an insult to reality, and if he keeps it up, he’ll answer to the king. Pot calling kettle black aside, will The Drifter purposefully get on the Wolf King’s bad side?

Heavy Machinery prepares backstage.

Tucker and Otis are pumped up, but Mandy passes by. Otis apologizes for Valentine’s Day. He did get a text that Mandy was running late which is why he was late, so he’s sorry for that. Mandy says this apology is a little too late. She walks away and Otis is heart broken all over again. Can he get over the Golden Goddess in tonight’s gauntlet? Can he at least make himself feel better ruining Ziggler’s run?

SmackDown Tag Team Gauntlet!

First out, it’s the NEW DAY! The seven-time champions hope to become eight-time W, W, E, SmackDown, Tag, Team CHAMPIONS~, but must first get through… HEAVY MACHINERY! Will Dozer and Tucky keep emotions in check to check off a huge victory?

The New Day VS Heavy Machinery!

The teams sort out and Kofi starts with Tucker. Fans cheer as Tucker and Kofi circle and tie up. Kofi waistlocks to headlocks but Tucker powers out to run Kofi over. Things speed up and Kofi back elbows Tucker down! Kofi whips but Tucker blocks with size and strength. Tucker reverses and corner splashes to then whip corner to corner. Kofi reverses and stomps Tucker, but Tucker puts him in the corner. Tucker monkey flips but Kofi lands on his feet! Things speed up again, and double dropkicks cancel out! Fans cheer, and Kofi tags to Big E! Buffalo cheers as Big E calls out Dozer! Tucker tags and we have the biggest men in the ring!

Big E and Otis have a stare down, Big E runs but Otis is solid! Otis runs and he manages to move Big E! They both run and collide! They stay up, Big E runs but into the spin cycle scoop slam! Otis tags to Tucker and they drag Big E up. Heavy Machinery double suplex and hold Big E up. Kofi gets in but Tucker intercepts to suplex Kofi! Heavy Machinery hold the New Day up for 10 then drop! Tucker and Otis double clotheslines the New Day out and then pursue. Tucker whips Otis in to double clothesline! Fans fire up for the Blue Collar Solid as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns as Otis runs Big E over! Otis runs but Big E avoids the splash! Both big men are down as Buffalo rallies up. Otis anchors Big E but Big E fights free to tag in Kofi! Kofi springboards but Tucker is in. Tucker takes the ax handles, chops and dropkick! Kofi runs and dodges to leaping ax handle! Then he runs for the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop! Fans fire up as Kofi aims from the corner. Tucker slowly rises but he ducks Trouble to kick back. Tucker whips, Kofi goes up, up and dropkicks back! Kofi kicks Tucker out of the ring then tags Big E. Kofi builds speed and Big E gives him the boost to FLY, into Tucker’s BELLY2BELLY! Big E runs into Tucker’s DROPKICK!

Tucker puts Big E in and tags in Otis! Otis scoops, Tucker runs, the COMPACTOR!! Cover, Heavy Machinery ELIMINATES The New Day!! The biggest pinfall in Heavy Machinery’s career! But they have no time to rest, here come Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik!

Heavy Machinery VS Lucha House Party!

Otis runs over but into enziguris! Metalik springboards to sunset flip! Otis stays up so Dorado springboards to crossbody! Cover, TWO! Lince fires off on Otis and then wrenches an arm. Otis keeps Lince from Metalik to scoop, but Lince slips out. Otis runs in, Tucker tags in as Lince dodges. Lince CHOPS then goes up to flying arm-drag, but Tucker cartwheels and tackles Lince! Cover, TWO! Tucker keeps on Lince with an armlock and the chants of “LUCHA! LUCHA!” start up. Lince fights up but Tucker wrangles him back down. Lince keeps fighting up and throws haymakers. Tucker whips him but misses in the corner. Metalik tags in and Lince ROCKS Tucker. Metalik uses Lince as a platform for the splash! Cover, TWO!

Metalik watches Tucker crawl and stomps him down. Otis gets in and Metalik CHOPS, but Otis doesn’t flinch! Lince runs in and he CHOPS, but Otis just powers up! LHP double whip but Otis breaks through the line to DOUBLE TACKLE! Fans fire up as Otis drags Lince up. Lince sprawls and throws haymakers, then dumps Otis out. LHP double PLANCHA! They take out Heavy Machinery as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Otis whips Lince to the corner for a splash! Cover, TWO! Tag to Tucker and he drags Lince into position. Otis scoops Tucker to slam onto Lince! Cover, TWO! Tucker drags Lince around for a Half Crab! Lince endures as Tucker pulls on the leg. Fans rally and duel and Lince slips around to kick Tucker in the head! Lince is free but Tucker knees him into a corner. Tucker whips corner to corner hard then hits a splash! Tucker whips Lince corner to corner but Lince dodges and Tucker gets buckles! Fans rally and duel again, Tucker tags in Otis! Otis drags Lince up for a waistlock SLAM! Otis brings Lince into a bear hug!

Lince endures the squeeze and fans rally up again. Lince throws haymakers and gets free to jawbreaker! Otis staggers but runs in, only to be sent out. He’s still on his feet, and he gets in to intercept Lince! Otis whips but Lince handsprings, GOLDEN REWIND! Otis wobbles as Lince crawls to his corner, hot tag to Metalik and Tucker! Metalik springboards up and over Tucker then handsprings, but Tucker gets clear to kick low. Tucker whips, Metalik BOOTS from the corner, to SLING-DOG! Metalik walks the ropes to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Tucker survives but Metailk is on him with a chinlock. Metalik grinds Tucker down but Tucker fights his way up. Tucker throws body shots and suplexes but Metalik slips out!

Lince tags in, Metalik kicks Tucker, and Lince leaps for a SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Tucker and Lince are down and sputtering, but fans fire up for “OTIS! OTIS!” Lince CHOPS Tucker, and again! And again! Lince runs, but Tucker back elbows Lince down! Tucker stomps away on Lince then drags him around for a running SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Lince lives but Tucker drags him up to whip. Lince boots Tucker back but gets caught into a trapped-arm OVERHEAD Suplex! Tucker hits Metalik down then tags in Otis! Otis runs corner to corner to SPLASH! Lince flops down and Otis has a target! Fans fire up as Otis pumps up, for the CATERPILLAR! Cover, Heavy Machinery ELIMINATES Lucha House Party! But next up are the USOS! Will Jimmy & Jey put this gauntlet on lockdown?

Heavy Machinery VS The Usos!

SmackDown returns and Jimmy has Tucker in an armlock. Tucker reaches for Otis but Jimmy headbutts him down. Jimmy and Jey talk trash but fans rally for “OTIS~! OTIS~!” Tucker fights his way up but Jimmy wrenches, only for Tucker to club him back. Tucker reaches for Otis but has to punch Jimmy more. Jimmy kicks, Tucker scoops but Jimmy slips out. Jey tags in, Jimmy ends up on the apron, and Jey shoulders into Tucker. Jimmy ROCKS Tucker with a right then SUPERKICKS Otis! Tucker BOOTS Jimmy but Jey SUPERKICKS Tucker! Cover, TWO!! INTO A GHOST PIN!! Heavy Machinery ELIMINATES The Usos!?! No one can believe it but it happened!

But now the SmackDown Tag Team Champions themselves enter the match! Miz and Morrison, hey hey, ho ho! But will they end the AWESOME~ streak Heavy Machinery’s been on tonight?

Heavy Machinery VS The Miz & John Morrison!

Morrison and Miz see Tucker is tired and Otis is down. Miz gets in and goes right at Tucker with fast hands! He puts Tucker in the corner then Morrison tags in. Miz manages to lift Tucker, FLYING CHUCK HART ATTACK! Cover, TWO!! Tucker lives but Morrison grounds ‘n’ pounds. Morrison sits Tucker up for a point-blank Shining Wizard! Miz tags in to basement boot! Cover, TWO! Miz isn’t bothered and he just mocks Otis. The ref keeps Otis in his corner while Miz brings Tucker over. Morrison tags in and the 21st Century Classic hits! Cover, TWO! Tucker still lives but Morrison kicks him back down.

Morrison kicks Tucker more, then goes back for some ground ‘n’ pound. Otis coaches Tucker up and Tucker throws body shots. Morrison goes for a leg, Tucker sprawls, but Morrison gets away, to get CLOBBERED! Both men are down but Buffalo fires up for Otis again. Morrison crawls and tags in Miz, and Miz goes after Otis. Otis clobbers Miz then Tucker dropkicks! Tucker manages to move, but Miz trips Otis up! No tag for Tucky and Miz slides in. Miz jumps, into Tucker’s arms! But Miz slips out of the scoop to throw It Kicks in the corner! Miz runs to big knee! Then again! Morrison tags in and Miz whips him in for a SUPER FOREARM! Miz hits the A-List Lariat! Down goes Tucker and up goes Morrison, for the PARKOUR 450!! Cover, Otis breaks it!!

Miz and Morrison go after Otis, DOUBLE BOOTS send Otis down and out! Morrison whips Miz to wreck Otis with a dropkick! Fans are divided but Tucker gets Morrison! Heavy Machinery ELIMINATES Miz & Morrison!! And that infuriates Miz and Morrison! They go after Tucker with stomps and fists as Buffalo boos. Miz brings Tucker up, full nelson, Morrison goes up, DOUBLE STOMP FINALE!! Otis runs in but he gets mugged 2v1 too! They throw Otis out then go after him against barriers. They double whip Otis into and through the barriers!! Otis wrecks the timekeeper’s area! “REMEMBER THAT!” The greatest tag team in the 21st Century just wrecked Heavy Machinery!

Mandy is watching backstage as this happens, but Ziggler walks over. Is she really worried about Otis? More glitching on screen as Ziggler has Mandy wish him luck. Not that he needs it now. But that means the GLORIOUS Show-Offs can pick the bones of Tucker and Otis! The last round of the gauntlet begins after the break!

Heavy Machinery VS Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode!

SmackDown returns once more, and Tucker fights up against Roode, only to get a SPINE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Otis is still in the wreckage but Tucker keeps the team in the match. Fans rally up for Otis while Roode grinds Tucker down with a chinlock. Tucker endures, fights his way up, and throws body shots on Roode! Tucker runs, but Roode catches him in another sleeper hold, but Tucker back suplexes free! Both men are down but Otis is still nowhere near his corner. Roode crawls to tag in Ziggler, and Ziggler taunts Tucker. Tucker counter punches Ziggler, and both men kick each other. Ziggler elbows Tucker down then covers, TWO!

Ziggler taunts Tucker that Otis is down, and then dares Tucker to stand. Tucker does, and Ziggler dropkicks him down! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler and Roode grow frustrated, and Ziggler tells Tucker to just give up. Tag to Roode, they double whip Tucker, and then Ziggler whips Roode for Roode to whip Ziggler for the splash! Roode kicks low for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Somehow Tucker still has fuel in the tank. Roode stomps Tucker and brings him over to tag Ziggler. They mug Tucker, then Ziggler digs his fingers into Tucker’s face! The ref reprimands but Ziggler taunts Tucker more. Tucker kicks from the mat, and fans fire up as OTIS RISES! Otis still lives!! Roode hurries after Otis with clubbing forearms, but Otis hits back! Otis bumps Roode off the desk!

Fans are thunderous as Otis makes his way back to his corner! Tucker powers Ziggler backwards towards the corner, but Ziggler pulls Tucker’s hair for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler drags Tucker up, tags Roode and the two work on Tucker in a corner, They double whip Tucker corner to corner, then whip Ziggler in. Tucker dodges and Ziggler hits buckles, Tucker clotheslines Roode! All three are down but fans are fired up! Tucker heads for the corner, hot tag to OTIS! The Dozer bulldozes Roode! And again! Otis double whips Roode corner to corner to then back drop! Otis DECKS Ziggler!

Roode staggers over into Otis’s scoop but Roode fights out. Roode kicks but Otis powers up again! Fans are thunderous as Roode CHOPS but Otis THRUSTS. And does jumping jacks!? Otis EXPLODERS Roode! Roode boots Otis from the corner then hops up, but leaps into Otis’s arms! He escapes and dropkicks Otis into the corner. Roode runs in but gets posted! Ziggler tags in, Otis corner splashes and hits them both! Roode flops down but Ziggler is the legal man! Otis still gives Roode a CATPER- SUPERKICK!! Ziggler takes Otis down, covers, Ziggler and Roode win!!

Winners: Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, by pinfall (last entrants in the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Camber match)

The GLORIOUS Roode-Dolph end the glorious run of Heavy Machinery! Otis and Tucker could not run the gauntlet, but can they get payback for this and more on Sunday? Or will they even make it to the end, when Roode and Ziggler finally enter the match?

My Thoughts:

What a great go-home for Elimination Chamber! Granted, there were still some mediocre and even awkward parts, but still a lot more good than bad. Sheamus VS Crews was a rather quick squash match, and Gable keeps reaching out to Crews without Crews accepting it. I feel like they’re telling the story of that 2v1 Handicap Match they had not too long ago in backwards order. Gable and Crews should’ve kept facing Sheamus, doing better each time only to lose, and then we get a handicap match as the blow-off. It seems they’ve set up Corbin VS Elias for Mania, or at least Mania Week, which I suppose is fine. Better than the once rumored Elias VS Cena which makes no sense. Hopefully Elias wins that feud.

The awkward stuff was during A Moment of Bliss. The nWo were just fine, it was really when they were set up against Team Sami. It was all meant to give Strowman a chance to get even from last week’s contract signing, but it was rather clunky. I can’t be sure who wins that 3v1 for the Intercontinental Championship, and I’m not even sure how it works for Team Sami. Is the person who pins Strowman the new champion? That’d make the most sense, and could be a way for Sami to get that title without having to do all the work. It could even cause dissension within the ranks if Sami were to win that way, since Nakamura and Cesaro would want the title for their own. In fact, that story might be reason enough for me to want Team Sami to win.

I did appreciate Bliss-Cross making the quick challenge to Kabuki Warriors. I said for my NXT UK article the other day that the WWE Women’s Championships should have a contender from each brand. Fire & Desire got a win thanks to Ziggler, so unless the IIconics are returning next week, I feel like they might be moving up. And of course, the tag team gauntlet was a great match! I did not expect them to go with Heavy Machinery so strongly but I am so happy they did. The love triangle is doing wonders for Otis especially, and that story combined with the eliminations they got in the gauntlet have really propelled Heavy Machinery to the top. I don’t know if they’d win the titles, but Heavy Machinery has to at least last long enough to eliminate Roode-Dolph for even just a little bit of pay off.

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

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!