Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/17/20)

Gold is on the line before MITB!

Published

4 years ago

April 17, 2020

Steven Mitchell

SmackDown puts gold on the line!

In a unique rematch from WrestleMania, the SmackDown Tag Team Championships are defended in a SINGLES Triple Threat match! Does The Miz retain just like John Morrison?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Tamina VS Sasha Banks w/ Bayley; Tamina wins and will challenge Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Sheamus VS Denzel Dejournette; Sheamus wins.
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Naomi VS Dana Brooke; Dana wins and advances to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match.
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Daniel Bryan VS Cesaro; Bryan wins and advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder Match.
SmackDown Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The Miz VS Big E VS Jey Uso; Big E wins and The New Day become new SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

PLAY BY PLAY

The WWE mourns the loss of Howard Finkel.

The first full-time WWF/WWE employee and legendary ring announcer will be missed by family, friends and fans.

SmackDown presents A Moment of Bliss!

The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions head to the ring to host their talk show tonight. Alexa and Nikki take their seats and have their coffee mugs as they welcome us to the show. They also congratulate themselves as the WWE’s first ever two-time Women’s Tag Team Champions. But to business, they have a big guest tonight. It’s the Monster Among Men, BRAUN!! The WWE Universal Champion feels good as he heads to the ring, even with a match for the title set for Money in the Bank. He sits with Alexa and Nikki and they congratulate him on defeating Goldberg at WrestleMania. What a match! Spear after spear and slam after slam! Braun thanks them and congratulates them back. He can’t think of any team more deserving. Cheers to the champs!

But while the coffee is strong, it’ll be sweet when Nikki and Alexa retain their titles against Carmella and Dana Brooke next week. And speaking of title defenses, Braun’s MITB match will be against Bray Wyatt. Alexa knows Braun knows Bray, and Bray has a multiple personalities. Instead of seeking help, Bray wallows in it. But even so, he’s cunning, brutal and psychotic. Bray had some things to say, and Alexa cues up the footage. Bray vowed to teach Braun how to share, in that he’d give the title over to Bray. “As one circle closes, another begins again.” Bray brought Strowman into the world, and vows to take him out.

Back in the present, Alexa asks Braun’s response to that. Braun admits, he was part of the Wyatt Family. That is a part of the past he wants to forget. Bray didn’t create Bruan, and Bruan doesn’t owe Bray anything, let alone an apology. The past is the past, Braun made himself who he is. Braun knows Bray is a manipulator, who plays on people’s doubts. But Braun isn’t playing along. If Bray wants the title, fine. But let it be known that if Bray comes for Braun and not the title, all he’ll get are these hands. Alexa is sure he will. But wait, Braun spots something. Is that for him? Wait, where did that present box come from? They didn’t get it for him… Braun knows Team Little Big is still in effect. He opens the box, and it’s… A SHEEP MASK!!

The black sheep mask that Braun used to wear has returned from the void! And Bray’s laughter echoes in the night. And then the images of that forgotten past play on the titantron! Braun may not want to play, but he has no choice. Is he going to win or lose the mind games Bray has put in motion?

Tamina VS Sasha Banks w/ Bayley!

The Daughter of Superfly was the biggest threat in WrestleMania’s SmackDown Women’s Championship Fatal 5, that’s why she was taken out first. But she has a shot at a second chance if she can beat The Boss. Will Tamina be more than legit on the road to Money in the Bank?

Bayley joins commentary to support her best friend, even though she put her in this situation in the first place. The Role Model has confidence in Sasha, and does not see how she threw her friend under the buss. The bell rings and Sasha wants Tamina to cool off. Sasha got Tamina a Legit Boss shirt for old time’s sake. “This is a small. I wear an extra large!” Oh, true. Sasha looks to Bayley for what to do and Tamina throws her down! Tamina throws the shirt at Bayley then drags Sasha up. Tamina whips, Sasha sunset flips but Tamina stays up. Sasha apologizes but Tamina lifts her up. Sasha victory rolls, TWO! Tamina kicks low then headbutts Sasha down! Sasha scrambles to a corner but Bayley has confidence.

Tamina whips, Sasha goes up but Tamina catches her! The ref calls for the break but Tamina puts Sasha on the apron to elbow her down! Tamina roars while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Tamina RAMS into Sasha at the corner. The ref counts and Tamina backs off at 4. Tamina runs in but Sasha moves and KNEES Tamina back! Sasha hurries in with the METEORA! Cover, TWO! Bayley is so proud and confident right now as Sasha rains down rights on Tamina. Sasha kicks Tamina while she’s down then runs to dropkick. Cover, ONE! Sasha pulls Tamina against ropes with her hair! The ref backs Sasha off but Sasha boots Tamina back down! “This is what you wanted, huh?!” Sasha clubs Tamina and puts on a sleeper. Sasha then knocks Tamina down and sits deep on the hold. Tamina powers up but Sasha thrashes her about. Sasha grinds Tamina down as Bayley brags for them both. Tamina fights her way up and has Sasha as a backpack, to ram into buckles!

Tamina gets free and breathes again. She runs in, but Sasha dodges again. Sasha runs back in but is put on the apron. Sasha knees back then steps in, but into a LARIAT! Tamina catches her breath while Sasha rolls out. Tamina pursues but Bayley distracts her. The ref reprimands Bayley, but Sasha RAMS Tamina into the post! Sasha tiger feints on the apron and kicks Tamina, then RAMS her into steel steps! Bayley “checks” on Tamina, and she takes a shoe off! But here comes Lacey Evans! The Sassy Southern Belle runs and LEAPS to body check Bayley! Sasha is in shock, but she goes after Tamina. Tamina SUPERKICKS Sasha down! Tamina hurries to get Sasha up and in, Sasha staggers into ANOTHER SUPERKICK! Cover, Tamina wins!!

Winner: Tamina, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender for the SmackDown Women’s Championship)

The Model Soldier helped keep things even, and now Tamina is poised for a title match. Will the Samoan Steamroller smash the longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion?

Jey Uso speaks.

Representing the Usos live! Kofi and Morrison put on a great match alongside brother Jimmy, but now their better halves are runnin’ up to get done up! Jey tells Miz and Big E, that they face the Uce with da Juice! Seven-time Champions are comin’! Is SmackDown going back on lockdown in the Uso Penitentiary?

Backstage interview with Lacey Evans.

We all know Sasha has been a thorn in her side, but as Lacey’s daddy used to say, Sasha got a taste of her own medicine. Wherever Sasha goes, Lacey goes. Lacey is not only a US Marine, but she’s going to lace up and throw hands until the mission is complete. Her hand reads “NO Sasha” with the slashed-circle. Will Lacey succeed in that mission?

Sheamus VS Denzel Dejournette!

The Celtic Warrior is still on a roll in his own mission to toughen up SmackDown the hard way. Will the hard way work on Dejournette?

The bell rings and Sheamus circles with Dejournette. Sheamus whips but Dejournette rolls him, TWO! Sheamus rushes Dejournette but Dejournette waistlocks. But Sheamus just elbows away over and over and over until he has Dejournette down! He keeps going until Dejournette almost goes limp! He knees away on Dejournette for his brief trash talk. The ref backs Sheamus off, but Sheamus fires up and BROGUES! Cover, Sheamus wins!

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

The Fella doesn’t work by the hour, and he makes quick work of the young prospect. Will Sheamus continue to purge the roster?

Sheamus also takes offense to Michael Cole plugging Jeff Hardy’s vignette during his exit. He complains about how we’d rather talk about “Bleeding Jeff Hardy” while Sheamus is still around. Sheamus intimidates Cole, and warns him not to be disrespectful. Will Sheamus get the respect he feels he deserves?

SmackDown presents part two of the Jeff Hardy story.

Jeff simply wants to be remembered. And he has done things no one will ever forget. But it all takes its toll. This is Chapter Two: The Fall.

Jeff’s body was almost always hurting. Big Show remembers seeing the pain in Jeff’s eyes. Jeff admits he was losing himself. It was September of 2009 that he had to say not goodbye forever, just for now. But he was abusing his pain medications, and a drinking problem on top of it. He was drunk on film a few times, and his friends knew he was lying about things. Jeff had to get pills illegally because that’s how deep he was, and he got busted. The news was everywhere. He’s had problems all the way up to 2018. It was hard not to hear the news. His friends couldn’t help him, but it was on him to clean up his act.

Jeff went to prison, and it scared him. Jeff knew he hit rock bottom, and that he had a lot of making up to do. Be sure to see next week, Chapter Three: The Redemption!

Carmella finds Dana Brooke backstage.

Is Dana really facing Naomi tonight in the MITB qualifier? What about their tag title match? And give up her chance at the title contract? No way! Dana can do both! She can beat Naomi tonight to be in MITB, then beat Bliss-Cross alongside Mella to become tag team champions. Just trust her! Well, alright. And good luck.

SmackDown has huge news on how MITB works this year!

This year, the competitors of both the Men’s and Women’s MITB Ladder matches will be climbing the corporate ladder, so to speak. The matches will take place inside WWE’s corporate headquarters, Titan Towers! They start on the ground floor and head up to the roof! Just how will this incredibly unique take on this golden opportunity play out?

Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Naomi VS Dana Brooke!

The Glow once shined as SmackDown Women’s Champion, but she wants another round. Meanwhile, The Flex Appeal hasn’t even touched gold, and this could be her chance. Who checks off the first SmackDown spot in the Women’s MITB Ladder match?

SmackDown returns and Dana makes her entrance. The bell rings and Naomi circles with Dana. They tie up, Naomi rolls Dana, TWO! Dana swings into a crucifix from Naomi, ONE! Naomi kicks Dana’s arms away but Dana comes back to O’Conner roll! ONE as Naomi rolls Dana back to her own cover, ONE! Dana gets up but Naomi dropkicks her down! Cover, ONE, but Naomi keeps her cool. Naomi brings Dana up to whip Dana to the corner. Dana reverses but Naomi goes up, only for Dana to toss her out hard! Naomi hits the floor and Dana points to the briefcase hanging overhead. Dana wants the ring count and the ref begins. Dana is very confident this is her spot, and then she baseball slides Naomi down! “That’s all you got?” She puts Naomi in and covers, TWO!

Dana body scissors Naomi and squeezes tight. Naomi endures as Dana says this is about fighting, not dancing. Dana pulls on Naomi’s hair but Naomi elbows and bridges back to cover. TWO and Naomi is free, to body scissor clutch Dana. TWO, and Naomi throws forearms on Dana! Naomi whips but Dana reverses, only to get a ROUNDHOUSE and SCORPION KICK! Naomi springboards to enziguri! Cover, TWO! Dana survives the flurry but Naomi keeps kicking. Naomi lights Dana up with those kicks then runs, into a pop-up BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Naomi survives and Dana can’t believe it! Naomi crawls to a corner but Dana runs and handsprings in. Dana hits a back elbow then rolls Naomi out, for the handspring splash, onto knees! REAR VIEW but Dana rolls Naomi! TWO, and Naomi dodges to REAR VIEW again! Cover, TWO!!

Naomi is shocked that Dana survives, but this is how badly Dana wants it. Naomi kicks Dana to a corner, then split legs for the GLOWSAULT, but it FLOPS!! Dana sunset flips to a cover, and wins!!

Winner: Dana Brooke, by pinfall (advances to the Women’s MITB Ladder Match)

The biggest win in Dana’s career, and she’s pumped! Will Dana keep this momentum going into the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match?

SmackDown returns to Sonya Deville heading to the ring.

Fire & Desire has broken up as Mandy Rose is now with Otis Dozovic! Sonya gets herself a mic to talk to Mandy before she comes out. Mandy has shut Sonya out, so what else is she to do? Sonya is willing to make things right, if Mandy will still be in the same ring as her. When Mandy doesn’t enter right away, Sonya starts to beg. Sonya’s never had someone like Mandy in her life before. Tough Enough, Absolution, Fire & Desire, it’s always been the two of them! Mandy was at Sonya’s sister’s wedding! Just come out so they can talk! Mandy does appear, and she does go to the ring. Sonya wipes a tear from her eye as Mandy gets herself a mic.

Mandy says she has nothing to say to Sonya after what she and Dolph Ziggler did. But Sonya just wants her to listen. For the last five years in her life, Sonya has spent more time with Mandy than her own family. Mandy shutting her out made it feel like Sonya was nothing to her. Sonya just wants to tell Mandy the truth. Mandy is the most… selfish human she’s ever met! Whoa, what is that about? What does this have to do with Sonya’s sabotage of her and Otis? Otis?! This has NOTHING to do with Otis! It is about how, from the second Mandy even started being interested in “someone like him,” Sonya realized she was going to be kicked to the curb! What is Sonya talking about?!

But that’s just it! Mandy doesn’t understand! She never gets it! Fire & Desire wasn’t about them! Sonya came out to Mandy’s stupid music! Sonya handed out Mandy’s stupid magazine! Her face was blurred out next to Mandy’s! Trying to share camera time with the “Golden Goddess,” which that name makes Sonya gag by the way. Though Mandy’s probably been gagging being around someone as gross as Otis. But again, that’s not hte point. If Mandy had just played along, we wouldn’t be here. Mandy should’ve just focused on Fire & Desire! Plot twist: Ziggler actually does care about Mandy. And look at him compared to Otis. So yeah, Sonya helped Ziggler, but oh well. It was in exchange for Ziggler helping the team! Fire & Desire could’ve become Women’s Tag Team Champions but NO~! Mandy ruined it.

How did Mandy ruin anything?! Sonya says it’s glad to have the cards on the table. Because now all she wants to do is to see Mandy hurt. Mandy may be pretty, but she’s nothing but another “dime a dozen bottle blonde who looks like she was created in some sort of lab.” Does Mandy know what it feels like to work and work for five LONG years, and have it WASTED just being second to some eye candy with no talent?! So Sonya wants “Barbie” To listen up: Sonya knows Mandy better than anyone. A sister, a roommate, teammate and partner! And she will use that all to ruin Mandy’s life! And then everyone will see who the TRUE champion in Fire & Desire was! The REAL FIGHTER, “not some centerfold b*tch.” Mandy says she no longer regrets that slap at WrestleMania.

But before Mandy and Sonya can throw down, Ziggler appears! He wants everyone to just calm down. Ziggler gets in the ring and wants Mandy to hear him out. He admits they went about this the wrong way. But Valentine’s Day night, she can’t deny what they had. Ziggler will spend however long it takes to make it all up to her. Just look him in the eye and tell him she doesn’t feel anything for him. He brushes her hair aside, moves in for a kiss, but she pushes him away. And Sonya DECKS her! Ziggler can’t believe Sonya did that, but here comes OTIS!! Otis throws hands on Ziggler! Ziggler bails out but Sonya jumps on! Sonya claws at Otis but Mandy throws Sonya down!

Sonya scrambles away and regroups with Ziggler. Ziggler waits until Otis and Mandy are having a moment to attack! But Otis knocks him down, to BOOM SHAKA LOO, CATERPILLAR! This love story turned betrayal thriller just upped the intensity! Will this get even more heated as Fire and Desire have their falling out?

SmackDown pays tribute to Howard Finkel.

A career spanning five decades, #TheFink is arguably the best ring announcer in WWE history. He basically invented the way to say “AND NEW…!” in pro-wrestling. He called classic moments like Shawn Michaels surviving elimination in the Royal Rumble, and would even join in the fun with some future legends. Finkel will always be remembered as a friend to all in the WWE Universe.

The Miz speaks.

“This has to be the greatest injustice in WWE history.” John MOrrison defended the titles at WrestleMania! Management will never hear the end of this! Because now Miz must prove why he, MC M I Z and #JohnnyDripDrip, aren’t just the greatest rap duo, aren’t just the greatest acting duo, but that they ARE the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century! That’s because he’s The Miz, and he’s AWWWESOOOME!

SmackDown profiles The Forgotten Sons.

Steve Cutler, Wesley Blake, Jaxson Ryker. If you don’t give them the opportunity, they will take it. Passed up, left out, thrown aside. The savages will make sure you never forget them.

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Daniel Bryan w/ Drew Gulak VS Cesaro w/ Shinsuke Nakamura!

While “The Great Liberator” keeps the WWE Intercontinental Championship safe, the Swiss Cyborg looks to represent The Artist Collective in this golden opportunity. Meanwhile, The Goat has already been Mr. MITB and wants to do it again! Who wins to take on the most unique and challenging form of the Money in the Bank Ladder match ever?

The bell rings and the two tie up. Cesaro headlocks, Bryan powers out but Cesaro runs him over. Bryan is right up to get a leg takedown but Cesaro pushes him away. Cesaro rushes Bryan but Bryan monkey flips him out of the ring! Bryan builds speed and DIVES! He hits Cesaro over the announce desk! But wait, the mysterious SmackDown hacker returns?! They have a new message! “We have heard all the lies. But when will we hear the truth?” Footage from random segments plays, all of tag teams. The Usos, Bliss-Cross, Miz & Morrison, and The New Day? The hacker sends SmackDown to break!

HackDown- er uh, SmackDown returns, and Bryan brawls with Cesaro. Bryan kicks while Cesaro European Uppercuts, and repeat. They also have a knuckle lock keeping them tied up, and Cesaro throws more EuroUppers. Cesaro snapmares but Bryan uses the knuckle lock to bring Cesaro down. Bryan keylocks the arm to stomp it! Bryan wrenches and uses shoulder breakers to bring Cesaro back down. He traps the bad arm and pulls on it! Cesaro endures but Bryan cranks hard! Cesaro powers up, rolls, and elbows free! He headlocks but Bryan powers out. Things speed up and Bryan hip tosses to an ARMBAR! Cesaro blocks with a grip and rolls, but Bryan keeps his shoulders up. Cesaro dead lifts and BOMBS Bryan down! Bryan writhes but Cesaro backs off to catch his breath and shake out the bad arm.

Cesaro drags Bryan up to scoop slam hard! Gulak coaches Bryan but Cesaro KICKS Bryan in the back! Cesaro taunts Bryan and drags him up for another scoop slam! Cover, TWO! Bryan rolls to ropes but Cesaro keeps his focus. Cesaro drags Bryan up but Bryan hits a shoulder breaker through the ropes! And again, and again! Bryan goes to a corner and climbs up. He leaps, but Cesaro still catches him Cesaro powers up with one good arm for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Cesaro has the legs, and gets the SHARPSHOOTER! Bryan endures and crawls, and gets the ropebreak! The ref has Cesaro let off and Bryan bails out. Gulak coaches Bryan up, but Cesaro slips out the side. Cesaro comes around the way, to EUROUPPER Bryan into barriers! Bryan is down as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Cesaro gives Bryan more EuroUppers. But Bryan underhooks for a backslide! Cesaro resists and flips Bryan over. Bryan stays on his feet to get an armbar takedown! Cesaro flails and grips, rolls and lifts, but Bryan hooks a leg! Bryan brings Cesaro down then Penalty Kicks the arm! Cesaro clutches the elbow but Bryan gives him Yes Kicks from all sides! Bryan kicks and kicks and kicks, but Cesaro blocks the buzzsaw! But it was with the bad arm! Bryan comes back and BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro survives but Bryan won’t let up. Bryan drags Cesaro around to drag into a seated cobra stretch. He rains elbows down on Cesaro’s shoulder and chest! But Cesaro powers up to fireman’s carry, and RAM Bryan into buckles! Then Cesaro military presses to a GO TO SLEEP! Cover, TWO!!

But into a Crossface! Cesaro and Bryan struggle but the hold locks on! Bryan is stuck, but he rolls and rolls, and pops out to his YES LOCK!! Cesaro is the one caught now, but he pries the fingers apart. They fight for a cover, ONE, then another, TWO! Cesaro LARIATS Bryan down! Cesaro looms over Bryan and brings him up. He gives more EuroUppers in the corner, until the ref counts at him. Cesaro brings Bryan up to whip corner to corner. Bryan goes up and over, but Cesaro catches him! But Bryan spins through to a takedown, and the YES LOCK!! Cesaro endures, Nakamura gets in, but Gulak stops him! Nakamura kicks at Gulak but Gulak won’t let go! Gulak throws Nakamura into barriers, and Cesaro taps! Bryan wins!!

Winner: Daniel Bryan, by submission (advances to the Men’s MITB Ladder Match)

Coach Gulak helps out Bryan, and now Bryan joins the corporate climb! Will Bryan become a two-time Mr. Money in the Bank?

Elias heads out of his dressing room.

The Drifter is set to give SmackDown a special performance, but Baron Corbin BLASTS him over catering!! The Wolf King wants revenge for WrestleMania, and he throws Elias into road cases and the production truck as part of it! Corbin says Elias is a nobody and he DECKS him with a right hand! Then stomps him down! Corbin dares to see what kind of fight Elias has in him, but he kidney punches him! “I don’t hear you now!” Corbin SMASHES Elias’ arm between trunks!! “Why don’t you play me a song now!?” Corbin grabs Elias’ other arm, and the guitar, and drags him towards gorilla for “some fun!” What kind of performance does Corbin have planned for the battling bard?

SmackDown returns and Corbin keeps on Elias with haymakers. Corbin dares Elias to write songs about him now! Then he rams him into more road cases. Corbin says this isn’t going to be fun for Elias, because he’s making an example of him. He stands on the broken hand! He dares Elias to sing for him now! And then BASHES him in the THROAT with the scepter! Corbin makes Elias look at him as he says he is the KING! Corbin vows to make examples out of those who make jokes about him, and make them all bow down! Then he BASHES Elias again! Corbin walks away, but says Elias might need his guitar. And he SMASHES the guitar on Elias’s back! Corbin leaves Elias sputtering for air, but has he completely silenced The Drifter?

SmackDown announces the next round of MITB qualifiers!

For the men, it will be the tyrannical King Corbin going up against Drew Gulak! Then for the women, Lacey Evans and Sasha Banks will finally have it out 1v1!

SmackDown Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The Miz VS Big E VS Jey Uso!

AWWWWW~ people at hoooome~! Don’t you dare be sour! Watch as we get the other halves of WrestleMania’s unique Triple Threat, and FEEL~ the POWER~! Will Big E bring The New Day their eighth? Will Jey bring him and his brother lucky number seven? Or will the Hollywood A-Lister hold up his end to keep his and Morrison’s second?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and the sequel begins!

Miz rushes Big E but is sent into a corner. Big E runs Jey over then catches Miz for an OVERHEAD suplex! Miz bails out but Big E follows, to throw him into barriers! Big E goes to Jey and commentary. He clears off the announce desk and says he has a plan. But he turns around into a SUPERKICK! Miz BOOTS Big E and now he and Jey bring Big E around. Double Suplex THROUGH THE TABLE!! Big E is WRECKED along with the desk as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns as Jey gives Miz a Samoan Drop! Miz is up and Jey clotheslines him out! Jey DIVES onto Big E! They crash into the desk wreckage, but Jey keeps moving! Jey DIVES onto Miz! Jey puts Miz in quick and goes up top. Miz is up so Jey settles for a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Jey sees Big E coming and kicks. Big E blocks and spins Jey, but gets the dragon whip enziguri! Jey has a target in each corner, and gives Big E a hip attack! Then Miz! Then back to Big E, only to get an Urenag-E! But Miz hits his A-List Lariat in E! Miz springboards and ax handles Big E down! Miz starts up the “Hey hey! Ho ho!” as Big E stands. Full nelson denied and Jey SUPERKICKS Miz! Jey SUPERKICKS Big E! Cover, TWO!!

Jey keeps his cool as he looks around. He calls the ref over as he heads for Miz, but Miz cradle counters! TWO!! Miz walks into a sunset flip but rolls through. Jey denies Miz the figure four and kicks him into Big E! Miz sends Big E back down and out! Jey rolls Miz up, TWO! Miz catches Jey into the FINALE!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives, but Miz has the Figure Four! Jey endures, flails, shouts, but he isn’t giving up! Miz cranks back as hard as he can but Jey hammers the knees. Miz hits back and cranks harder! Jey moves around but BIg E drags Miz up off the hold, for the BIG ENDING! Cover, Big E wins!!

Winner: Big E, by pinfall (NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions)

The muscle of the team wins and Kofi Kingston is fired up on video chat! Kofi gives a shout out to the late, great Finkel with, “and NEWWW…! WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions, it’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~!” Xavier joins in and plugs everyone’s social media for their celebrations that are coming! Eight is great for Big E and his brothers! Will the good times never end for these three best friends?

My Thoughts:

A really good episode for SmackDown, even after all the madness going on in the WWE. The Moment of Bliss was a great opening segment. While WWE Backstage made me realize Strowman VS Wyatt is a little too soon, I’m glad this segment hit a mark I was hoping they’d hit. Bray bringing the black sheep mask back was a brilliant move and I hope we get some more of that. Sadly, WWE cut Erick Rowan so we can’t have him speak to the history of the Wyatt Family. I wonder if they’d dare bring Nicholas up, maybe give the kid a video recorded promo from home.

There was good interweaving in the Women’s Division tonight. Tamina VS Sasha was good stuff, and that gag with the shirt was funny. Lacey joining in was good continuity, and now we’ll be getting her and Sasha settling things with MITB on the line. Tamina VS Bayley for MITB will be good, too, but I feel like it’s totally setting up for a same night cash-in. Mella was right to be a bit worried Dana’s focus is split with their tag title match coming. But what a great surprise for Dana to win her qualifier! That’s big for her, and what a match to be a part of this year! A match that will span the entire Titan Towers office building! Making both MITB matches into cinematic matches like The Boneyard Match and #OneLastBeat is going to be amazing!

Bryan VS Cesaro was a great qualifying match, too, but I’m most intrigued by the timing of the SmackDown hacker’s newest appearance. Is the hacker implying a known tag team is going to be splitting up because of a turn? Or is it all red herrings for Gulak turning on Bryan? Gulak VS Corbin next week will be great, but after Corbin’s newest attempt to murder Elias, Elias definitely costs Corbin. Gulak also entering MITB, that could be the set-up for the hacker’s message of keeping friends close and enemies closer. Also, I’m curious when and how we’ll learn this hacker’s identity and how that turns into a feud. Meanwhile, Sheamus reacts to the Jeff Hardy plugs earlier than I expected, but with the third and final part of the vignettes next week, I’m pretty sure Sheamus goes after Jeff the moment Jeff’s on TV again.

The Sonya Mandy confrontation went mostly as I expected. But Sonya came outta nowhere with that passion, and all her points were valid. I totally remember the moment she pointed out being blurred during an entrance once. Also there was something rather DIY “My moment!” to it with Sonya worried she’d be replaced. It feels like this story with Sonya, Mandy, Otis and Ziggler was really thought out and took advantage of every little detail over the past few months. It’s probably SmackDown’s best story overall. And lastly, I liked the SmackDown Tag Title Triple Threat we got, but this sequel couldn’t outdo the original. Mostly because the original had ladders.

And while I’m excited to see The New Day excited, I actually feel the Usos getting number seven or Miz retaining would’ve been better outcomes. I know the New Day are still hot commodities, but I feel like there was still more to be done with the others. The Usos and Miz-Morrison could’ve had their own feud where there would undoubtedly be a rap battle thrown in so that the Usos could school MC M I Z and Johnny Drip Drip. Maybe that still happens to name #1 contenders.

My Score: 8.4/10

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

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It’s Draft Day!

Published

11 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!