Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/3/20)

What is John Cena’s answer to Bray Wyatt?

Published

4 years ago

April 3, 2020

Steven Mitchell

The final SmackDown before WrestleMania Weekend!

John Cena returns to SmackDown to address Bray Wyatt’s special challenge! Will Cena step inside the Firefly Fun House for WrestleMania?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Triple Threat: Naomi VS Lacey Evans VS Tamina; Tamina wins.
From WrestleMania 24 – Shawn Michaels VS Ric Flair.
Tucker Knight VS Dolph Ziggler; Knight wins, by disqualification.
Daniel Bryan w/ Drew Gulak VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ The Artist Collection; Bryan wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

SmackDown opens with Miz TV!

Clearly the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Miz & John Morrison, are ready for a Ladder Match with all the ladders around. But before they make their entrances, Jimmy & Jey Uso say “Whoa!” No offense to G-Ham, the Usos aren’t waiting on the “hosts.” Especially not after last week’s blindside! Whose show do they think this is? This ain’t Ellen, Oprah or Maury. This is Friday Night Lockdown with WrestleMania on the horizon! And the USos are gonna climb the ladders and become the NEW SmackDown Tag Team Champions! But AWWWW~ people at hoooome~! The New Day makes their entrance now to join the Usos in the ring. And they say “Ohhhh no!” over and over. Did the Usos just say they were going to snatch the W, W, E, world, tag, team, championships?

We all may be used to 70+ THOUSAND screaming fans at WrestleMania, but circumstances aside, it’s still WrestleMania! And ya bois are gonna insert themselves into the annals (Big E giggles) of time. And they do that by climbing up and taking the titles back from Miz & Morrison. But that means getting past the Usos. Before “Dumb & Dumber” got involved, the New Day was gonna get done up. Oh really? Is that how they remember it? Because the way Kofi remembers it is that the New Day had the Usos handled. The rivals argue and clear out chairs but here come Miz & Morrison. Oh don’t mind them. It’s not like this is Miz’s talk show. But he and Morrison are used to this kind of disrespect, despite being A-List #TurtleneckToughGuys. They are SmackDown tag champs that deserve better!

First, they had to defend their titles against the entire SmackDown Tag Division in Elimination Chamber! Check. Now, they must face to undeserving teams in a Ladder match. Why not? But understand that no matter what anyone does, says or throws at them, Miz & Morrison will win! Bicker all you want, because The Miz & Morrison will have a front row preview to Mania. The New Day and Usos are buddy-buddy until competition sets in. Then Miz & Morrison will climb the ladders to STAY SmackDown Tag Team Championships. “Simple, straightforward and effective. Strategy like this is why we are the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century!” #BeJealous! Actually, now that Miz & Morrison have climbed ladders and left themselves vulnerable, the Usos and New Day attack!

Miz and Morrison are stuck in a 4v2 that goes down the ramp! Jimmy and Kofi mug Morrison, but then Morrison dodges and a SUPERKICK goes into Kofi! Big E sees that and LARIATS Jimmy! Jey runs at Big E but Big E catches him to THROW him over the barriers! But Miz & Morrison send Big E into a ladder! And then use a ladder to SMASH Kofi! The tag team champions did exactly as they said in using the rivals against each other. Will this happen yet again in that Triple Threat Ladder match?

Triple Threat: Naomi VS Lacey Evans VS Tamina!

Three of the five women in the SmackDown Women’s Championship Elimination Match battle in a sudden death preview! Will the Sassy Southern Belle and Daughter of Superfly #FeelTheGlow? Or will another take the lead going into the big WrestleMania Weekend title fight?

SmackDown returns as Bayley and Sasha Banks join Michael Cole on commentary. Lacey makes her entrance and gives Michael her hat, then throws her shawl at the bad role models. Tamina is last but certainly not least. Cole asks how Bayley would handle being eliminated, but she chooses not to even consider that an option as WWE’s only Grand Slam Women’s Champion. The bell rings and the match begins with Naomi and Lacey going after Tamina together. Tamina shoves them both away but Naomi dropkicks back. Lacey runs in but is put on the apron. Tamina elbows Naomi away but Lacey shoulders Tamina and slingshots to a roll up! Tamina gets up but Lacey dropkicks her down.

Naomi headlocks Tamina and springboards to a sunset flip. Tamina stays up and SLAMS Naomi down! Tamina counter punches Lacey and throws her to the apron. Both Naomi and Lacey are on that apron, and Tamina BLASTS them both off! The wild card is in control as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Tamina cranks Naomi’s neck. Naomi fights her way up and throws elbows to free herself. Tamina clubs Naomi on the back then whips her to a corner. Tamina runs in but Naomi BOOTS her away! Naomi runs but into Tamina’s clothesline! Cole asks Sasha about being in the Fatal 5 Way and about that smirk she had when it was announced. Sasha redirects the conversation to get him to say, “It’s Boss Time.” Tamina covers Naomi, TWO! Tamina headbutts Naomi down then looms over her. Naomi throws body shots and forearms. Tamina uppercuts back and whips. Naomi springboards to enziguri! Lacey slingshots in to elbow Tamina! And again! Lacey ducks and dodges to LARIAT!

Tamina ends up in a corner. Lacey hits the headstand swinging bronco buster! Lacey slingshots for the elbow drop! But Naomi drags Lacey out! Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Lacey down! Naomi heads up top, Sasha excuses herself from commentary, to throw Lacey into steel steps! But Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Sasha just for good measure. Tamina runs into a ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi slingshot sunset flips, TWO! Naomi enziguris Tamina and then runs. Tamina pops her up for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Tamina can’t believe it but Bayley “loves” the passion. But doesn’t she care what happened to Sasha? Tamina runs at Naomi in the corner, but Naomi dodges! Naomi has Tamina down then goes up, but Bayley is there! Bayley hotshots Naomi, Tamina SUPERKICKS! Cover, Tamina wins!

Winner: Tamina, by pinfall

The best friends just helped the wild card win? Bayley praises Tamina as the kind of superstar SmackDown needs. She wants to shake hands to show respect, and Tamina takes it. “See you on Sunday. Good job.” But then Tamina SUPERKICKS Bayley!! Tamina doesn’t need to be told she’s good. Sasha wants Tamina to remember the days of Team BAD, but Tamina gives her a SAMOAN DROP! Tamina can do bad all by herself. Will she be the last woman standing in the Fatal 5?

SmackDown returns, and more glitching happens.

No, it isn’t glitching. It’s a message! “The Truth Will Be Heard.” What truth? Who has this truth we are going to hear? That isn’t answered as Mandy Rose walks over to Tucker Knight. Mandy tries to talk with Tucky in regards to his match with Dolph Ziggler later tonight. Will she be able to convince him to take it easy on the Show-Off?

From WrestleMania 24 – Shawn Michaels VS Ric Flair!

WrestleMania was in Orlando, Florida for the first time ever back in 2008! But this was also the last time we’d see this match. The stipulation for this match was that if The Nature Boy lost, he would retire!

The Nature Boy was only just inducted into the Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania. And now, he walks down the ramp as if it were for the very last time, because it very well could be. The Flair Family is in the front row, and Flair Country is all around them echoing every “WOO~!” The bell rings, and these two living legends tie up. HBK headlocks but Flair powers out, only for HBK to run him over with a shoulder. Fans boo HBK but he’s just wrestling like he would anyone else. HBK and Flair tie up again, and HBK powers Flair to the corner. The ref counts, Flair turns things around, but now the ref reprimands Flair. HBK shoves but Flair shoves back! “Old Yeller, huh!?” Flair is clearly upset over what HBK has said about him in the weeks leading up to this night.

HBK SLAPS Flair away! Flair and HBK tie up again, and Flair knees low to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Flair whips, HBK reverses but Flair kicks back! Flair whips HBK and elbows him down! Fans “WOO~” as Flair drops the knee! Flair whips HBK again but HBK elbows Flair back hard! Flair uses the ropes to get up but HBK climbs up a corner. HBK is up top, but Flair throws him off! Flair goes up top!? And punches HBK away as HBK tries to return the throw. Flair LEAPS for a crossbody! Cover, TWO! HBK headlocks but Flair counters with a shin breaker! Flair wants it but HBK denies the Figure Four! Flair falls out of the ring, HBK builds speed and wrecks Flair with a baseball slide! HBK aims at Flair from the apron, and MOONSAULTS! But Flair moves, and HBK SMASHES the announce desk!

Fans lose their minds as both men are down! The referee checks on HBK while Flair leaves him behind. HBK writhes and sputters as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as both men have returned to the ring. Flair gets HBK up for a back suplex! Cover, TWO! HBK survives, even after wrecking his own ribs. Flair keeps his cool as he drags HBK back up. Flair throws body shots and then hits a butterfly suplex! Cover, TWO! Flair keeps his eyes on HBK as he stomps HBK in the back. HBK gets up but Flair CHOPS him! HBK punches back but Flair CHOPS again. Flair suplexes HBK and holds him up! Then drops him down! Fans give an ovation for the strength Flair still has. Cover, TWO! He tries another cover, TWO! Flair pushes HBK around but HBK kicks back. Flair CHOPS, HBK jabs, repeat! HBK CHOPS now, and CHOPS again! And again! Flair hits back and whips, but HBK comes back with a neckbreaker!

Both men are down and Flair shakes the cobwebs out. HBK and Flair get to opposite ends of the ring. Flair storms over but HBK dumps him out high and hard! HBK goes out to the apron, climbs up top, and MOONSAULTS! This time he hits Flair, right at the ramp! Both men crash and burn but fans are loving it! The ring count begins as both men slowly stir. Flair flounders to the ring but HBK pursues. Both men get in at 9! Flair stomps HBK but hobbles around. HBK CHOPS Flair, but Flair CHOPS back! It’s a CHOP fight now! Flair CHOPS, HBK CHOPS, repeat! HBK gets the edge, whips but Flair reverses, only for HBK to hit flying forearms! Both men are down again, but HBK kips up! HBK gives Flair an atomic drop and a punch! And then another atomic drop and another punch.

Flair flounders up into a scoop slam! HBK catches his breath before he heads to a corner. He’s up top again, for the MACHO ELBOW! He gets up, clutching his ribs and growling as he goes to a corner. Fans boo as HBK tunes up the band! Flair slowly rises in the opposite corner, HBK runs in, but he hesitates to hit the kick! And Flair takes advantage with a takedown! To the FIGURE FOUR! HBK flails and endures as fans are thunderous! Flair cranks as hard as he can but HBK refuses to quit. HBK turns the hold over! Now FLAIR endures! Flair gets the ropebreak and the two are separated. Flair manages to stand, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again as Flair goes for another shin breaker. HBK sunset flips up and over, but Flair stays standing as long as he can! HBK still gets him, TWO!! Flair goes to a corner but HBK is on him with CHOPS! HBK won’t let Flair escape the corner until he whips. Flair reverses and HBK tumbles up the buckles! Flair chop blocks the leg out! Fans “WOO~” and cheer harder as Flair gets a leg. Flair steps through, but HBK cradle counters! TWO, but HBK kicks. Flair blocks, then ducks the enziguri, to get the FIGURE FOUR! HBK flails and endures all over again! HBK is down so it’s a cover, TWO! Flair cranks harder but HBK drags himself towards ropes! But Flair keeps him from them! HBK turns the hold but Flair turns it over again! But HBK gets the ropebreak!

Flair has to let go, but he goes after HBK with stomps! The ref backs Flair off but Flair goes back for more. Flair stomps HBK’s bad leg over and over, then gives us another strut. But he turns around into a SUPERKICK!! Flair just got annihilated! Cover, TWO!?! Flair survives and the fans are thunderous again! HBK drags himself to a corner and his bad leg slows him down. He grits his teeth as he tunes up again. HBK dares Flair to get up, but Flair just reaches around in a daze. HBK continues to tune up but Flair is still on all fours. The ref checks on Flair, but HBK drags him up. Flair blocks the ref’s view as he LOW BLOW mule kicks HBK!! Still the Dirtiest Player in the Game! HBK falls and fans give another ovation! Flair covers, TWO!!

HBK sits up and Flair uses ropes to stand. Flair shakes out more cobwebs before hobbling over. HBK trips Flair to put on the FIGURE FOUR!?! HBK steals the Nature Boy’s move and even modifies it! But Flair drags himself backwards towards ropes. HBK clamps onto the legs with clawing hands but Flair slaps him off them. Flair reaches back, and gets the ropebreak! And then a buckle pad?! The ref keeps him from using the pad as a weapon, but this is a distraction! Flair POKES HBK in the eyes! Again, Dirtiest Player in the Game! HBK lets Flair free as he hobbles around, and Flair rolls him up! TWO!! Flair grits his teeth as he CHOPS HBK. HBK CHOPS back, and we have another CHOP fight on the mat. The two men stand as they give more CHOPS! Flair gets an edge but HBK SUPERKICKS outta nowhere!!

Both men are down as the fans give another ovation! HBK goes to a corner now and looks at Flair. He’s conflicted, even after giving two kicks already. Flair dares HBK to do it, and HBK nods. You can’t hear it, but you can lip read HBK’s words to Flair: “I’m sorry. I love you.” SWEET CHIN MUSIC!!! Cover, Shawn Michaels wins!

Winner: Shawn Michaels, by pinfall; Ric Flair MUST retire

There was only so much Michaels could do not to end Flair in that match. But giving it his all is the ultimate sign of respect to the 16-time world champion. As for the fans, their ovations and tears, along with the chant of, “Thank You, Flair!” are clear signs of our admiration and respect for him. Thank you, Flair, for everything you have done in the ring. Flair is overcome with emotion as he hugs and kisses his family at ringside.

SmackDown has BREAKING NEWS for WrestleMania!

The Lone Wolf King’s vicious attack last week left Elias lying on the floor after a 10 foot drop off the Full Sail perch. The Drifter is still okay to compete, but what shape will he be in when he goes for revenge on Baron Corbin?

And the BIGGEST news is that the WWE Universal Championship match must change! Due to understandable circumstances regarding health and safety, Roman Reigns CANNOT compete! The man to take his place is the Monster Among Men, BRAUN STROWMAN! Will Goldberg #GetTheseHands this WrestleMania Weekend? Or is Strowman simply #WhosNext to lose to the living legend?

Otis paces backstage.

Tucky walks up to the Dozer, and Otis says Ziggler is his! Just as long as Tucky saves him a piece. Of course. But Tucky lets Otis know that Mandy came over and asked about Otis. When? Today? Yesterday? What was she wearing? No, it was today. And she just wanted to know how Otis was doing. But Mandy was on her way to Ziggler’s dressing room so it might’ve just been her being nice. Wait, Otis gets a text. He heads out, but where to? Tucker and Ziggler have their match after the break!

Tucker Knight VS Dolph Ziggler!

The Show-Off swooped in to snag the lovely lady, and then rubbed it in Otis’s face. Tucky is Otis’s best friend and is standing up for him, but will he get a sampler of what Ziggler has in store for WrestleMania?

The bell rings and Tucker circles with Ziggler. Ziggler dodges and slithers away, but then goes for a leg. Tucker blocks that and throws Ziggler off. Tucker runs in but into a back elbow. Ziggler runs into Tucker’s LARIAT! Tucker looms over Ziggler and stomps him at the ropes. Tucker kicks Ziggler in the rings! Ziggler gasps but Tucker drags him up. Ziggler kicks the leg out then turns Tucker for the neckbreaker! And a BIG elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Ziggler clamps onto Tucker with a chinlock and traps an arm. Tucker endures as Ziggler grinds him down. Tucker fights up but Ziggler throws him down by his hair. The ref reprimands but Ziggler dropkicks Tucker down! Cover, TWO!

Ziggler goes right back to the trapped arm and chinlock. Tucker endures all over again, even as Ziggler claws his forehead. Tucker fights his way up and out, but Ziggler kicks low. Ziggler aims, leaps but gets caught! Tucker catapults Ziggler into buckles! And then BOOTS him down! Tucker aims from across the way, and runs in, only to get posted! Ziggler leaps, for the satellite DDT! Both men are down but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Ziggler grinds Tucker back down in the chinlock. Tucker fights up again and pries against the hold. Tucker throws body shots and haymakers! Ziggler throws hands back but Tucker counter punches! Tucker traps both arms for an OVERHEAD suplex! Ziggler flounders out of the ring but Tucker pursues! Tucker bounces Ziggler off the announce desk, then whips him into barriers! The ref starts a ring count but Tucker refreshes the count at 5. Tucker sees Ziggler go up the ramp and pursues. Tucker whips Ziggler into steel steps! Ziggler goes down in a heap and Tucker knocks the top steps over. Tucker puts Ziggler in the ring and runs, but into a kick. He catches it, for a scoop and sidewalk slam! Cover, ROPEBREAK!

Tucker keeps his cool despite being so close. Ziggler flops out of the ring again and Tucker pursues. Tucker brings Ziggler over to the base steps, but Ziggler fights free. Ziggler rakes Tucker’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Ziggler ZIGZAGS Tucker onto the steps!! The ref calls for the bell!

Winner: Tucker Knight, by disqualification

The Show-Off doesn’t care that he lost the match, because he just sent a message to Otis. Ziggler grabs the top half of the steps but Fire &Desire hurry out! Mandy and Sonya stop Ziggler from destroying Tucker, and here comes OTIS! Ziggler runs for the hills but Otis checks on Tucker first. And then the messages appear again. “THE TRUTH WILL BE HEARD.” Who is sending the WWE these messages? We get a glimpse of the man in his control room! The mysterious hacker turns around to say, “Will you pay attention? I told you the truth will be heard.” Then the hacker presses a button, and candid footage plays!

This is from Valentine’s Day SmackDown two months ago! Mandy is on the phone and is talking with someone. “He’s big. He’s really big. But I think Otis is cute, in a different kind of way.” She’s talking to Sonya about how sweet Otis is. Sonya wants Mandy to know she does support Mandy in this. Especially with their date coming up. Sonya wants Mandy to share all the details when they meet up later. Mandy heads out, but Sonya picks up Mandy’s phone!! Sonya sent the text about Mandy being late!! Then she deleted the evidence!! But the hacker made it known! And wait, there’s more! Sonya did it, because she was in cahoots with Ziggler!! It was meant to be a win-win between them!

Sonya begs Mandy forgive her and understand why she did it. But Mandy storms off, not sure who to trust anymore. But as for Otis, he still wants after Ziggler! Ziggler gets to the ramp but Otis clips him! Ziggler gets up fast and gets away even faster! The mystery hacker has given Otis even more of a reason to go after the Show-Off! But just who is this digital vigilante? And if they watched what unfolded between Otis, Mandy, Sonya and Ziggler, what other secrets have they seen?

SmackDown returns to Sonya hurrying after Mandy.

Mandy will not wait for the person she thought was a friend. Sonya is panicking about what to do to fix this. Is there anything that can make up for what Sonya did?

Daniel Bryan w/ Drew Gulak VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ The Artist Collection!

The Philly Stretcher helped The Goat earn a WWE Intercontinental Championship match for WrestleMania Weekend, but he did have some help from Bryan. Bryan now goes against The King of Strong Style just to show “The Great Liberator” that he’s not going to coast. Will Bryan beat Nakamura and be ready for Sami Zayn the next day?

The bell rings and Bryan circles with Nakamura. Sami joins commentary but tells Cole to leave him alone because he’s in a bad mood. Bryan goes for a leg, Nakamura blocks the takedown and gets around. Bryan slips out of the waistlock to go for a headlock. Nakamura slips out but Bryan gets a leg for a heel hook. Nakamura pries that apart but Bryan stays close. Bryan facelocks then wrenches to a wristlock. He brings Nakamura down and keylocks the arm, to STOMP it! Nakamura gets up and gets space. The two approach and Nakamura calls for a test of strength. Bryan accepts, but Nakamura kicks him low! Nakamura wrenches and yanks on Bryan’s arm to then clamp on with a wristlock. Bryan fights out and around to spin Nakamura for a wristlock of his own.

Bryan drags Nakamura down but Nakamura gets to his base. But Bryan rams a knee into the ribs! Nakamura sits up but Bryan has the hammerlock. Nakamura elbows out, runs but into a dropkick! Bryan runs as Nakamura bails out, and Bryan wrecks Nakamura with a dropkick! Sami grows further upset as Bryan hits a FLYING knee! Cesaro lurks close but Gulak keeps him back. Bryan puts Nakamura in the ring then climbs up top. Bryan leaps and missile dropkicks Nakamura down! And then kips up! “Sami, this one’s for you!” Bryan goes corner to corner to dropkick Nakamura! He hoists Nakamura up top and climbs up to join him. Bryan SUPER STEINERS, but Nakamura slips out! Bryan hits the mat, then Nakamura hits him with a FLYING KNEE of his own! Cover, TWO!

Nakamura backs off to watch Bryan stir. Nakamura kicks Bryan while he’s down then put shim in the corner. He gives Bryan Bad Vibrations! Nakamura whips Bryan corner to corner then runs in. Bryan puts up boots but Nakamura blocks them! Nakamura turns Bryan sideways on the ropes, for the SLIDING GERMAN! Sami finally likes what he sees and high fives with Cesaro while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Nakamura rams his shoulder into Bryan in a corner. Nakamura whips Bryan corner to corner but Bryan goes up and over. Things speed up and Bryan hits a leaping lariat! Sami is upset again as Bryan and Nakamura rise. Bryan fires himself up and gives Nakamura YES Kicks! Nakamura sits up but Bryan kicks him from all sides! Bryan powers up but the buzzsaw misses! Nakamura drags Bryan back, down, and around to RAM knees into Bryan’s head and shoulders! Sami is happy again as Nakamura gives Bryan some kicks! Nakamura powers up but Bryan blocks the buzzsaw into a takedown! Bryan Penalty Kicks the arm out! And then ROUNDHOUSES Nakamura down! Cover, TWO!!

Gulak coaches Bryan but Sami says Gulak has only just “squeaked by” on SmackDown. Bryan brings Nakamura up to give him a shoulder breaker! And then another! Bryan drags Nakamura down and grinds the arm, but Nakamura knees Bryan back. Nakamura whips Bryan into buckles, then hits an inverted EXPLODER! But Bryan lands on his feet! Bryan runs but into a BOOT! Now Gulak is worried as Nakamura has Bryan up. INVERTED EXPLODER! Bryan is down and Nakamura takes aim. “YAO~!” But Bryan trips Nakamura up into a Half Crab! Nakamura endures, Bryan sits DEEP! But Nakamura gets the ROPEBREAK! Sami sings Nakamura’s praises but Gulak coaches Bryan up again.

Bryan and Nakamura stand and Bryan unleashes kicks. Nakamura gives strikes in return, so Bryan throws more kicks and uppercuts. Nakamura kicks and punches and knees Bryan back. He unleashes the strike fest but Bryan gets the arm! Bryan gets an armbar but Nakamura counters with his own. Bryan covers, TWO! Nakamura gets a flying takedown! Bryan grips his hands together but Nakamura hammers it apart! Bryan rolls to get his own armbar back! Sami can’t even believe that happened! Bryan gets Nakamura in a triangle hold, but Nakamura fights up. Only for Bryan to drag him into the YES LOCK! Nakamura endures but Cesaro attacks!

Winner: Daniel Bryan, by disqualification

Cesaro stomps Bryan down but Gulak rushes in! Gulak tackles Cesaro out of the ring! Sami panics as Gulak BOOTS Cesaro and then laps on for a floating guillotine! But Cesaro powers up to TOSS Gulak over barriers! Sami is fired up but Bryan DIVES onto Cesaro! But Cesaro catches Bryan to scoop SLAM him on the announce desk! Sami says this is all a preview of WrestleMania! The Artist Collective attack Gulak together, and whip him into steel steps! Nakamura drags Bryan up for Sami to push around. The referee tells them to stop but they put Bryan in the ring. Sami grabs his title belt and brings it into the ring. Cesaro gives Bryan the NEUTRALIZER! Nakamura gives Bryan a KINSHASA!

“You don’t want to listen to reason, huh?” Then this is what Bryan gets for rejecting their invitation! Cesaro and Nakamura stand Bryan up, for Sami’s HELLUVA KICK!!” Bryan is down and Sami says justice has been served. Will Sami and his “collective” continue to reign after WrestleMania?

John Cena returns again!

He’s back again after having heard Bray Wyatt’s challenge to have WWE’s first ever Firefly Fun House match. Cena says that one month ago, the WWE announced that it’d continue its broadcasts right here at the Performance Center, even with no live audience. It was a message that left everyone from fans to wrestlers asking, “What’s really going to happen?” There’s a learning curve, but together, we have all navigated the uncertainty. Cena thanks the fans for letting the WWE do so. Because it has all lead up to this: the final minutes of the final show before an “unprecedented WrestleMania.” And yet everyone is still asking, “What’s really going to happen?”

Cena explains that tomorrow night, on the WWE Network and PPV providers, it will be night one of the most viewed and most talked about event in WWE history. Because for the first time ever, no one really knows what will happen. Cena himself has been challenged to a Firefly Fun House match. But no one knows what that is! Bray Wyatt himself might not know. But Cena knows this is what The Fiend wants. The Fiend loves uncertainty. Uncertainty leads to fear, fear leads to panic, and panic leads to collapse. The Fiend thrives off of uncertainty. The Fiend has dominated the WWE with uncertainty, fear and panic. Yet here we are. The night before WrestleMania 36, “staring into the uncertainty, asking, ‘What happens next?'”

Cena will tell you what happens next. Cena refuses to panic, and he is sure as hell not afraid. Most of all, he will SQUASH Bray Wyatt and finish what he started six years ago. Cena doesn’t care if it’s a Fun House, Run’s House or Stone Cold Stun’s House! Bray Wyatt is NOT even on the level below Cena! Those who know Cena know what he’s capable of. And those same people know some bootleg of a poor man’s Mr. Rogers stands NO CHANCE of defeating Cena. As for The Fiend, is Cena really supposed to fear “a guy dressed up as the overfed sex child of Wiz Khalifa and the WB Frog?” Fiend please! Goldberg exposed The Fiend’s weakness. Cena exposes the Fiend as an embarrassment!

The Fiend challenged Cena just as Cena was stepping aside. And he has tried to get every advantage possible! This is his match choice on his turf on his terms, and he is STILL going to get his ass kicked! Cena asks us, “What’s going to happen?” But he also answers Bray Wyatt’s challenge: “I accept!” And Ramblin’ Rabbit is here?! Ramblin’ is SO excited! Because once The Fiend is done with him, Cena will be playing with the Fun House gang forever! Huskis is here, too, and echoing, “Forever~!” Mercy the Buzzard and Abby the Witch, too… “Uh oh. He’s here~…!” The lights go down. And when they come back up, an eerie red light shines on the perch. The Fiend stands there, glaring at Cena. Cena glares back, unflinching.

The tension mounts, and then BRAY IS BEHIND CENA! “Let Me In!” Lights go down again, and then come back up. Cena is all alone. Cena may not be afraid now, but will that all change this weekend?

My Thoughts:

Honestly, this was a pretty good go-home here. Global circumstances were of course going to put a cap on how good this episode was going to be. But what we got did a good job in setting things up for Mania. Well, mostly. I’m a little disappointed they didn’t give us a reason for Roman Reigns stepping down from the Universal Championship match. The world knows what’s going on in the world, so you might as well explain that Roman’s immune system might not be up to dealing with illness right now. I know the WWE wants to keep kayfabe and not worry anyone with real-world things, but c’mon. Worrying will happen regardless. But now that it’s official, I hope Strowman wins in Roman’s place and we can get Strowman VS Roman 2020, whenever 2020 decides to be cool.

The Women’s Triple Threat was pretty good, and it was fairly clear Tamina was going to win that because of Bayley and Sasha. But I feel like this is all just to make the math to make it that much easier for Sasha to take the title. Tamina could clear the field, and then Sasha gets Tamina off guard with a Bank Statement. Ziggler VS Tucker was alright but the finish was the major part. Oof, Tucker falling back on those stairs… And then I was really surprised to see this SmackDown hacker make their presence known tonight. The secret is out, and Otis VS Ziggler is going to be even more intense. Can Otis win both the match and the girl in one night?

Seeing Flair VS Michaels was a great choice for the PPV replay. 2008, I was about to graduate high school, if you can believe it. I didn’t see that match the first time, and just hadn’t taken the time to see it. But in the 12 years, I learned a lot about that match just from highlight reels and all that. I still reacted to seeing Michaels hit the desk like that, though. And it doesn’t matter how many times you see it, seeing HBK say “I’m sorry, I love you” and Flair going to his family and hugging a young Charlotte Flair is still going to hit the heartstrings.

Then, Cena in the go-home of the go-home was great. His message intertwining with the world’s circumstances is definitely on-brand for Top Face Cena. Plus, his use of “squash” was a subtle touch of meta given pro-wrestling terminology. And the silver-lining of pre-recorded Empty Arena SmackDown is being able to edit things like they did for maximum effectiveness. Because with the puppets and The Fiend being present, Bray as himself still popping up was very effective for me. I can’t wait to see what the Firefly Fun House match will be.

My Score: 8.2/10

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

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

12 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!