Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/1/20)

It’s May Day Night SmackDown!

Published

4 years ago

May 1, 2020

Steven Mitchell

SmackDown makes one last push towards MITB!

Money in the Bank is almost here! Otis and Mandy both go for the final spots on SmackDown’s side! Will they be the one and only couple competing at WWE’s corporate headquarters?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Daniel Bryan VS Baron Corbin; Bryan wins, by disqualification.
Sheamus VS Leon Ruff; Sheamus wins.
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Mandy Rose VS Carmella; Carmella wins and advances to the Women’s MITB match.
The New Day VS The Forgotten Sons; The Forgotten Sons win.
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Dolph Ziggler VS Otis Dozovic; Otis wins and advances to the Men’s MITB match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Daniel Bryan VS Baron Corbin!

The GOAT and the Wolf King are both in the Men’s MITB, but this fight is more than just a sampler. The Artist Collective helped Corbin crack Drew Gulak with the scepter, so this is to avenge Bryan’s ally!

Before the match, Bryan has a mic. “It’s no secret that I love what I do. I love this.” And at this point in Bryan’s career, what he loves most is talking new challenges, overcoming new obstacles and trying new things. That’s why he’s so excited to be in the most unique MITB ever! Because this time it’s not about being in this ring, but being in WWE HQ. And this time, six men and six women all fighting at the same time, from the ground floor to the rooftop! They are risking it all to grab the briefcase, because inside is a championship contract for a match anytime, anywhere. And that’s wild.

Bryan has wrestled in a lot of weird and wild places, from Western bars to gas stations to pawn shop parking lots. But this will be the first time he’s been in an office building. Bryan doesn’t know the rules or etiquette. What about the elevator? What about catering? Will there be fines for breaking something? Does Vince McMahon have actual dinosaur bones in his office? Who knows! But we all get to find out, and that is exciting. But there’s another thing he’s excited about: the opportunity. No one knows more about the opportunity MITB brings than Bryan.

Nine years ago, Bryan couldn’t even get booked on SmackDown. And then, Bryan became Mr. MITB and cashed in on The Big Show to become World Heavyweight Champion! Bryan as a WWE Champion was thought to be impossible. MITB was the pivotal moment in his WWE career. That spawned the Yes Movement, YestleMania, and that fighting for your dreams means your dreams fight for you! So yes, Bryan is excited. But he’s also a bit sad. Bryan was hoping that his coach and good friend, Drew Gulak, would be there alongside him. He was hoping Gulak could have the chance to create his own great opportunity. But King Corbin and his new cronies ruined that. So Bryan wants Corbin to get out here and they can settle this now!

Corbin appears and says Bryan needs to be careful calling out a king. Bryan knows Corbin’s “kind” makes Bryan’s “kind” suffer. Just look as footage from last week plays, showing that sneak attack, victory, and extra brutality. Corbin says that felt good. And he says Bryan should just stop dreaming. Because that’s all this is: a dream. Bryan surely didn’t forget there are other former MITB winners. Corbin vows he will stand above all, as King Money in the Bank. Well is he going to squander that opportunity like last time? There have been 23 MITB winners, and Corbin is only one of four to “completely blow it.” How does that happen!? You can just surprise someone with the cash-in! And then Corbin blew it. That doesn’t make him a king, that makes him a loser.

Corbin warns Bryan that he better watch it before he ends up like Gulak and Elias. Things changed since their respective MITB wins. Bryan was young and hungry, but now he’s tired and desperate. Bryan hired Gulak as a coach. Corbin was strong when he won in the past, and now he’s even stronger and smarter. And he’ll prove it, right now! Corbin gets in the ring, but this match begins after the break.

SmackDown returns with the bell, and Corbin circles with Bryan. They tie up, Corbin powers Bryan to ropes, but lets up as the ref reprimands. Bryan and Corbin go again, and Corbin powers Bryan to a corner. The ref counts but Bryan turns things around. Bryan lets off at 4, but Corbin calls for a test of strength. They tie up, Bryan rolls and wrenches and then KICKS Corbin in the leg. Corbin walks it off and they tie up again. Corbin powers Bryan to a corner again, but throws body shots and forearms. The ref reprimands but Corbin just glares at him. Bryan kicks away on the leg then trips Corbin up. Corbin gets back up to knee low, then run. He runs Bryan over with a shoulder, and gloats that Bryan has no chance. Things speed up and Bryan dropkicks the leg out! Bryan kicks Corbin while he’s down, then goes after the leg again.

Corbin clubs Bryan but Bryan gives him a dragon screw! Bryan twists the knee then kicks the thigh. Bryan kicks then wrenches the leg to a kneebar! Corbin shouts and gets the ropebreak. Bryan lets go and dares Corbin to bring it. Corbin gets up, hobbles a bit, and now Bryan is after the other leg. Corbin catches Bryan into a facelock, and shifts back to a chinlock. Bryan slips out and has a hammerlock. Bryan gets the legs in a lock and pulls! Corbin endures the modified deathlock but then Bryan stomps the knee! Bryan kicks away on the leg but Corbin blocks one. Corbin trips Bryan and mounts for some ground ‘n’ pound! Bryan gets a guard up but Corbin stands him up. Corbin ROCKS Bryan with the right hand. Corbin walks off the bad leg and taunts Bryan again. “You’re a disappointment, just like your coach!” He punches Bryan down again then pulls him into a camel clutch.

Corbin says Bryan is washed up and doesn’t have it anymore as he elbows away on Bryan’s neck. Bryan grits his teeth as he punches back! Bryan kicks the legs and has Corbin cornered! The ref counts bu Bryan fires off until 4. Corbin headbutts low! Corbin bumps Bryan off buckles then hoists him up top. Bryan throws forearms but Corbin DECKS him! Bryan tumbles down to the floor and Corbin goes out after him. Corbin hammerlocks to throw Bryan into the post! Bryan is down as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Corbin grinds Bryan down with a double wristlock. Bryan endures and fights his way up. He goes to ropes and the ref calls for the break. Corbin throws body shots as he keeps the hammerlock on! Corbin lets up at 4 but glares at the ref. Bryan gets up and goes for a leg, but Corbin blocks to gut wrench! Bryan slips out, crucifix roll up, TWO! Corbin runs into a school boy, TWO! Corbin CLUBS Bryan then whips him to a corner. He runs corner to corner but Bryan dodges. Corbin slides out and in to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Corbin grows frustrated with the ref, but he goes back to taunting Bryan. Corbin forearms and elbows but Bryan gives body shots in return. Corbin KNEES Bryan down, and stalks him to a corner. He wraps an arm around the ropes to pull, then lets go at the count of 4. Corbin keeps on the bad arm with a CLUBBING forearm to the back!

Bryan gets to his feet but Corbin clubs him again. The ref reprimands Corbin as he pulls on hair, but Corbin clubs Bryan again. Corbin whips Bryan corner to corner, but Bryan goes up and over. Corbin goes out but Bryan DIVES to intercept! They hit barriers but Bryan puts Corbin in. Bryan goes up top, and hits the missile dropkick! Bryan grits his teeth as he KICKS Corbin’s leg! And again! And again! Corbin hobbles about but Bryan shows no mercy. Corbin blocks a kick but Bryan rolls and gets a takedown to the ANKLE LOCK! Bryan drags Corbin from ropes, sets the foot up to STOMP! And then BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Corbin survives but Bryan tries again, TWO! Another try, TWO! Corbin doesn’t go down but Bryan doesn’t let up. Bryan kicks the bad leg as Corbin crawls. Bryan uppercuts Corbin into a corner, then runs corner to corner to dropkick! And again, but gets DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO!!

Corbin is frustrated, but he rains down hands on Bryan. Bryan reaches up and gets a leg, to roll Corbin to a HALF CRAB! Corbin gets the ropebreak fast and drags himself to the apron. Bryan goes out to STOMP away on the apron! Corbin flops down, Bryan builds speed and DIVES! But Corbin catches him! Bryan kicks the bad knee, then BUZZSAWS! Corbin throws a LADDER at Bryan! DISQUALIFICATION!

Winner: Daniel Bryan, by disqualification

Corbin is furious, but what else is supposed to happen using a ladder in a non-ladder match? Corbin puts the ladder and Bryan in the ring and says this is on the ref! He drags Bryan up, reels him in, but Bryan slips out! Bryan drags Corbin down onto the ladder for the YES LOCK!! And with a clawing hand on Corbin’s face! But Nakamura appears to KINSHASA! The Artist Collective saves Corbin as Cesaro RAMS Bryan with the ladder! The King of Strong Style and Swiss Cyborg help the Wolf King again, and Corbin brings Bryan to the stage. Corbin throws Bryan into ladders! Bryan’s body bowls them all over and he’s stuck in the wreckage! Will Corbin fulfill his proclamation of reigning as King in the Bank?

Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss talk backstage.

We can’t hear what they’re saying, but it seems he’s admiring her jacket. She seems to compliment his tattoos, and offers him a merchandise shirt. He uses it to wipe the sweat from his brow and beard and then hands it back before heading to the ring.

SmackDown returns with BRAUN!

The Monster Among Men and his WWE Universal Championship head to the ring, and he grabs a mic. “Last week, we took a trip down memory lane with my past with the Wyatt Family.” But the past is the past. Bray Wyatt can give Braun “gifts” all he wants, but at MITB, Braun- Is interrupted by The Firefly Fun House! Bray waves hi to the fireflies and to Braun. Tonight, Bray has something very special in store for us all. It’s story time! Tonight’s is a true story, called “The Black Sheep.” Oooh~! Yowie wowie.

Once upon a time, there was a black sheep. And he looked… A lot like Braun! He was big, smelled funny, but was stronger than every other animal on the farm. A good shepherd, who was smart, handsome, and had a ton of sweet muscles, noticed the black sheep wandering all alone. The shepherd took the sheep in, raised him and taught him well. In return, the black sheep guarded the farm. They had a lot of fun together. But the black sheep selfishly left in search of greener pastures. The black sheep didn’t say thank you, or even good-bye. He didn’t even leave a note. This made the shepherd very sad. “Why did you leave me?” the shepherd cried. After everything he did for the sheep! But the cries fell on deaf ears. And eventually, the rest of the animals abandoned the shepherd, too. The shepherd was all alone. To make matters worse, the government put a lien on the shepherd’s property! The farm was lost! Then reptilians came in and took over, because that’s what they do. The end.

Well that was a sad story, don’t you agree? But let’s come up with a happier ending! One where the shepherd finds the black sheep, and reminds him of his mistakes. The shepherd will take away what makes the sheep happy. Then the shepherd will take the sheep to the slaughter house! And then- Braun says there is no “and then.” Braun is done with Bray’s puppets and Firefly Fun House. If Bray has something to say, then come to the ring and say it face to face. Bray just smiles and waves good-bye instead. The games are almost over. Who wins when the story is finally finished?

WWE and Make-A-Wish celebrate 40 years of granting wishes.

But they’re not done. Help them make many more wishes come true by donating today.

Sheamus VS Leon Ruff!

The Celtic Warrior continues to weed out the weak, but he also continues to be annoyed by the mere mention of Jeff Hardy. Will Sheamus make sure everyone knows who to respect around here?

The bell rings and Ruff keeps his distance from Sheamus. He then comes back with a dropkick, but Sheamus stays up. Ruff tries again but Sheamus swats the dropkick away! Sheamus whips Ruff but Ruff holds ropes to kick back. That didn’t do much, either, and Ruff swings into Sheamus’ arms. Ruff elbows Sheamus again and again but Sheamus just eggs him on! And then gives him an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Ruff shouts in pain as Sheamus holds him up, and hits ANOTHER! Sheamus is having fun giving Ruff a third, and then he tosses Ruff aside. Sheamus watches Ruff manage to stand up, and then drags him right up onto the apron! “Welcome to SmackDown!” He clubs away with the Bodhrain! Ruff flops to the floor as the ref reprimands Sheamus. Sheamus drags Ruff back in and sets him in a corner. Sheamus aims from across the way and waits for Ruff to stand. BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins.

Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall

That wasn’t just rough for Ruff, that was torture. Will be Sheamus continue to devastate superstar after superstar? He goes by Michael Cole and asks about Jeff Hardy. Well, there will be more about Jeff Hardy, as part four of the Hardy mini-doc is up next.

SmackDown presents the Jeff Hardy Story, Part 4: The Comeback.

April of 2019, Hardy’s knee was a serious injury. He would be out for roughly six months, and just as he and brother Matt were SmackDown Tag Team Champions. But in the end, it was a blessing in disguise. Hardy worked to improve day by day, and was ready to be back. WWE Backstage had Hardy’s first on-air appearance, and a huge update on his condition! Hardy was officially cleared, and hopped back on the bicycle. Hardy has plenty of ideas for what he can do with the time he has left. This 2020 version of Hardy will have something to do in the WWE.

Hardy feels very blessed after all those dark days. He vows to do his very best in life, because this is the only one you get. All those iconic and extreme moments were just the beginning. Hardy has yet to get back this year, but he vows to do it better than ever before. He loves the fans who have stuck by him the whole way. “This is what I was born to do.” Hardy is ready, are you? Because his true return to SmackDown is next week!

Sheamus is not impressed. He tells Cole that if Hardy will be here next week, “so will I.” The Celtic Warrior wants to “welcome” the Charismatic Enigma, but how warm will that welcome be?

Backstage interview with Otis Dozovic and Mandy Rose!

The Dozer and his “sweet peach” each have qualifying matches for the MITB “corporate ladder” match. Otis goes up against romantic rival, Dolph Ziggler, and the last time they fought was WrestleMania. Does Otis plan on bringing that same winning strategy here tonight? Otis won once, he’ll do it again. It’s all about the MITB contract. Not just for him, but for Mandy, too. Mandy says her former best friend, Sonya Deville, hurt her. But this is about looking forward, not back. Carmella is a former SmackDown Women’s Champion and former Ms. MITB. But if Mella thinks she’ll moonwalk all over Mandy, she has another thing coming. Mandy and Otis vow to win those contracts, because the risk is worth the reward. But with those qualifiers coming up, Mandy gives Otis a good luck kiss. “Oh yeah~!” Will Dozer steamroll his way through the Show-Off? Will the Golden Gift be on her way to cashing in?

Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Mandy Rose VS Carmella!

We heard Mandy’s thoughts, but now it’s about action! Will Mella again be money at Mandy’s expense?

SmackDown returns as Mandy makes her entrance. The bell rings and Mandy circles with Mella. They tie up, Mandy headlocks and hits a takedown. Mella fights back and headscissors free. Mandy pops free with a kip-up, and avoids the leg sweep. Mella back hands and snapmares, then jumps over the sweep to moonwalk away. Mandy keeps her cool as she and Mella circle again. Mella gets around to a waistlock then shifts to a headlock. Mandy powers out, things speed up as Mandy hurdles and Mella leaps. Mella FABULOUS KICKS Mandy down! Cover, TWO! Mella keeps on Mandy with an armlock and grinds Mandy down. Mandy fights her way up and throws forearms. Mandy scoops and slams Mella down! Cover, TWO! Mandy keeps Mella down with a chinlock and leans on her. Mella endures and fights her way up, but here comes Sonya!

“Mandy, bestie! Don’t worry, I’m here. I’m just supporting you, don’t get distracted. Keep wrestling, keep doing your thing. You go, girl.” It’s just nostalgic for Fire & Desire. Or does Mandy not remember? Sonya gave Mandy her MITB opportunity, out of the kindness of her heart! Yeah it sounds stupid, but live and learn. Mella fights out but Mandy shoves her away, and Mandy scoops Mella for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Sonya keeps going on about how Sonya helped Mandy climb up the ladder that year, and yet Mandy still lost! That’s unbelievably embarrassing. Though not more than losing to Mella here in a minute. Mandy keeps on Mella, whips her to a corner, but Mella LARIATS back! Sonya says this is not pretty. But she’ll shut up now and watch.

Mandy drags Mella up but Mella throws forearms! Mella bumps Mandy off her boot, and then hops up to huricanrana! Mandy DECKS Sonya and Sonya wants to pick a fight. “Karma’s a bitch, bitch, bring it on!” Mella FABULOUS KICKS Mandy down again! Cover, Mella wins!!

Winner: Carmella, by pinfall (advances to the Women’s MITB match)

Sonya’s “prediction” came true. Mission accomplished for the Gladiator Gal, but now she adds on with knees and hammering hands! “You think you’re better than me?!” Sonya says she will RUIN every aspect of Mandy’s life, and even her face! She throws Mandy out and says she is done being in the shadows! She throws Mandy into a post, then into the steel steps! Mandy sits up, to get a SHINING WIZARD into steps! Referees bring Sonya away as she shouts, “I will END you, Mandy!” Sonya was always the fire in Fire & Desire, is her rage about to burn Mandy to the ground?

Otis checks on Mandy in the trainer’s area.

She has quite the bruise on her leg from Sonya’s attack, but she assures Otis she’ll be okay. Otis gives her and the trainer privacy to check the rest of the leg, but the fire inside is building. Ziggler comes by to ask if she’s okay, but Otis doesn’t say a word. What will this do to the Dozer’s mental state when MITB is on the line?

The New Day VS The Forgotten Sons!

AWWWW~ people at hooome~! The SmackDown Tag Team Division has a new aggression now that Jaxson Ryker, Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake are in it. The savages savagely beat down Big E and Kofi Kingston last week, but will they be able to do that again now that the champs know what’s coming?

The teams sort out, but here come The Miz and John Morrison! It seems the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions want to watch this match up close, and they join commentary. As for the match, Cutler starts against Big E and the bell sounds.

Cutler and Big E tie up, go around, and Big E puts Cutler in a corner. Cutler turns things around but Big E turns it back. They go around more, Cutler waistlocks but Big E pries free and throws Cutler down! Kofi tags in and Big E snapmares Cutler for the Penalty Kick! Cover, ONE! Miz & Morrison avoid answering Cole’s questions while Kofi keeps on Cutler with an arm wrench. Cutler throws a forearm and tags in Blake. Blake kicks and bumps Kofi in a corner. He throws elbows and drags Kofi out. Kofi puts Blake in the corner and stomps away! The ref backs Kofi off but Kofi goes corner to corner to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps on Blake and whips, but Blake throws Kofi by his hair! Tag to Cutler and Cutler stomps away on Kofi. Tag to Blake and they double lift. Kofi slips out but Blake sends Cutler at Kofi. Kofi throws Cutler out and dodges Blake, tag to Big E!

Big E grabs Blake for an overhead suplex! And then another! Blake flounders up into Big E’s belly2belly! Big E has Blake on the apron, and clubs away with forearms. Cutler runs over but Big E back drops him! Big E goes after Blake, with the APRON SPLASH! Big E shouts “I thought we told you!” as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Kofi wrenches and yanks Cutler’s arm. Kofi tags in Big E and runs to leap frog Big E for a senton on Cutler! Big E covers, TWO! Miz says the New Day don’t look or act like champions, they’re more like cartoon characters. Big E stalks Cutler on the outside and around the way. Cutler gets in, tags in Blake, but Big E runs Blake over. Cutler knees Big E out of the ring! And Blake DIVES to ram Big E into the barriers! Blake puts Big E in and hits a springboard knee drop! Cover, TWO! Blake pushes Big E around then stands on him at the ropes! The ref counts, Blake backs off, but he drags Big E up to tag in Cutler. They double whip and double SPINE BUSTER Big E! Cover, TWO! Cutler drags Big E up as Miz & Morrison sing their praises. Cutler clubs Big E in the corner but Big E elbows back!

Big E throws body shots but Cutler throws some back. Cutler fires off against the ropes but lets up at 4. Tag to Blake and they bring Big E up for a double BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Big E toughs it out but Blake drops knees on Big E’s back. Blake clamps on a chinlock as Miz and Morrison start up their “Hey hey! Ho ho!” Big E powers Blake into buckles and is free. Blake grabs the singlet and uses that to bring Big E into the corner! Blake rams shoulder sin and stomps away! The ref backs Blake off but Blake runs in, into the URINAG-E! Both men are down and Kofi fires up. Big E and Blake crawl to their corners, hot tags to Cutler and Kofi! Kofi springboards and ax handles Cutler down! Then rallies with chops and a dropkick! Kofi runs to leaping lariat! He gives Cutler the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop!

Kofi aims from the corner and claps, but Blake distracts. He takes Blake out but Cutler catches him for a butterfly backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Kofi survives but Cutler keeps on him. Cutler puts Kofi on the top rope of an open corner and climbs up to join him. Miz and Morrison brag about how they made the SmackDown Tag Division better just by reuniting while Kofi throws hands on Cutler. Kofi headbutts Cutler down and adjusts. He leaps, but Cutler gets under. Cutler comes back, into DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Kofi grows frustrated as he can’t keep Cutler down. Cutler rolls to his corner and elbows Kofi away. Blake tags in then climbs up. Cutler BACKSTABBERS, to Blake’s MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! The double impact wasn’t enough and the Sons can’t believe it! But Cutler tags back in and Blake powerbomb lifts. Kofi escapes, baits Blake in and dumps Cutler out! Big E tags in and Kofi builds speed, Big E helps Kofi FLY! Direct hit on both Sons!

Kofi puts Cutler in and Big E scoops. But Blake distracts as Kofi tags in! Blake saves Cutler, but Big E CLOBBERS him for it! Cutler trips up Kofi at the same time, only for Big E to throw him out. Big E runs but misses as Cutler moves! Big E hits the floor, and then Ryker drags him up. The ref is busy with Kofi and Blake as Ryker POSTS Big E! Blake comes around the way as Kofi hits Cutler with a splash! Kofi rains down rights but Blake tags in! Cutler carries Kofi out as Blake gets in, powerbomb to the knees! Blake drags Kofi back up, Cutler goes up top, MEMORY REMAINS!! Cover, Forgotten Sons WIN!!

Winners: The Forgotten Sons, by pinfall

Miz & Morrison chant “You Deserve It!” Do they mean the defeat for The New Day? Or are they kissing up to the Forgotten Sons so that there is no beef between them? Either way, the savages have a win over the SmackDown Tag Team Champions! Will they cash it in for MITB?

Backstage interview with Tamina.

After the Sassy Southern Belle took advantage of Bayley and Sasha Banks being on different wavelengths, Tamina took advantage of Bayley being out of sorts with a SUPERKICK! Since her return, she has been a force of nature, and now she is challenging for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Is there nothing, not even The Boss, that can stop her? Well considering it took four women to eliminate her at WrestleMania, Tamina is up for the challenge. She is not intimidated by “bratty, disrespectful mean girls” pretending to be role models. But speaking of Sasha, she comes over to try and make peace with Tamina. They were Team BAD, Sasha made her main roster debut standing by Tamina’s side. Tamina helped Sasha more than she could ever imagine, so that is why Sasha will never forget her kindness. Tamina has a match with Bayley, another great friend of Sasha’s. But Sasha and Tamina can carry themselves as the strong, proud kickass women they are! There’s no need for name calling and cheap shots.

Except that’s what Bayley attempts right now! Only to be CAUGHT by Tamina! Sasha attacks and it’s 2v1! They RAM Tamina into a road case and send her rolling! But Lacey Evans comes in to get at Sasha! Now things are even, and refs rush in to stop the fighting! The Boss and the champ want after the Lady and the Samoan steamroller just as badly as they do! But all of this will have to wait until MITB!

Sonya Deville finds Dolph Ziggler backstage.

Sonya wishes she was there to see the look on Otis’ face when Ziggler asked about Mandy. She knows she hurt Mandy, but she vows to keep hurting her. And Ziggler will do the same to Otis. Ziggler agrees, he will hurt Otis. People think they know Ziggler. They think they’re watching a movie where Ziggler’s the bad guy. But he and Sonya know better. Just because they know how the world actually works doesn’t make them the villains. But Ziggler gets it. Fans cheer on Otis because they see themselves as him. They see themselves sitting on the couch with him, drinking a beer and watching the game. The fans think they’re witnessing greatness.

But Ziggler and Sonya know “guys like that don’t ever really win.” Guys like Otis get sympathy likes and participation awards. Guys like Otis start to believe heart actually matters more than skill or hard work. Maybe they get moral victories, but if you want real winners, “you are looking at it right here.” Ziggler vows to do what he does best, and that is win. Then he will go on to become Mr. MITB, again, and cash-in, again, to become world champion, again. After Sonya is done hurting Mandy, champion Ziggler will be there to make her feel better. Sounds like a plan to Sonya. But the first step is right here. Will the Show-Off show up and show Otis the door? Or will he be shown the floor thanks to the Compactor?

SmackDown announces big matches for next week!

In the last episode before MITB, it will be a Six Man Tag match! King Corbin has the Artist Collective while Daniel Bryan has Drew Gulak! But who will join Bryan and Gulak as the third man in taking on this new royal court?

Then, after the furious confrontation backstage, Bayley and Banks are going to put up or shut up against Lacey and Tamina! Who gains some last minute momentum before the SmackDown Women’s Championship match and climbing the corporate ladder?

And though not a match, this is still big: Bray will accept Braun’s challenge to speak face-to-face! What happens when the Monster Among Men and his “maker” are finally in the same ring again?

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier: Dolph Ziggler VS Otis Dozovic!

SmackDown returns as Ziggler makes his entrance. The bell rings and Otis BULLDOZES Ziggler down! Ziggler bails out right away, but Otis dares him to come back. Ziggler crawls around the way and gets on the apron, but he dodges Otis fast. He gets a leg but Otis clubs and claws at Ziggler. Otis throws Ziggler off, then drags him up to suplex! Otis holds Ziggler up for a count of 10 before slamming him down! Cover, TWO! Otis keeps on Ziggler but Ziggler mule kicks back. Ziggler throws haymakers to back Otis down, then he brings Otis towards a corner. Otis blocks the buckle bump to give the buckle bump! Otis stands on Ziggler’s back at the ropes but lets off at 4. Ziggler crawls, Otis drags him up and scoops for a BIG slam! Cover, TWO! Otis looms over Ziggler but Ziggler kicks and punches back! Ziggler headbutts Otis, then leaps! But Otis catches the legs to HOSS TOSS him into buckles!

Otis watches Ziggler on the apron, and Ziggler flops to the floor. Otis goes out to fetch Ziggler and puts him back in the ring. Ziggler crawls but Otis won’t let him get away. Otis reels Ziggler in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Ziggler flounders but Otis runs corner to corner. Ziggler dodges to POST Otis! Otis tumbles out and Ziggler hurries after him. Ziggler RAMS Otis into barriers! The ref starts a count but Ziggler flounders back to the ring. Ziggler leaves Otis behind and wants the count to finish this. Otis drags himself over at 5 but SmackDown has to go to break.

SmackDown returns again, and Ziggler rakes Otis’ eyes! The ref reprimands but Ziggler bumps Otis off buckles to then scrape his face on the ropes! Ziggler stops but comes back with haymakers. He bumps Otis off buckles then again. But Otis blocks to elbow Ziggler away. Otis blindly staggers into kicks and punches and a dropkick! Ziggler continues to hit Otis and dropkicks again! Otis leans on ropes but flops to the mat. Ziggler stomps and digs his boot into Otis. The ref counts and Ziggler lets up at 4. Ziggler digs his fingers into Otis’ face as part of the camel clutch, then changes to the sleeper hold. Otis endures as Ziggler leans on him. Otis gets a second wind and fights his way up. He throws hands but Ziggler gets around to hop on again! But Otis rams him into buckles! Ziggler holds on but Otis throws him off.

Otis blindly staggers about but Ziggler kicks him low. This powers Otis up! Otis headbutts Ziggler and starts pumping into the HAYMAKER! Otis starts rallying, and then he runs corner to corner. Ziggler elbows back, but Otis RAMS him into buckles! Ziggler is down and Otis has a target! Otis hits the Caterpillar, but no elbow as Ziggler rolls away. Otis gets Ziggler at the ropes and drags him up. Ziggler hotshots Otis away! Ziggler runs, but no Famouser as Otis throws him off. Again Ziggler rakes the eyes, then leaps to ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO!? Otis survives but Ziggler is too exhausted to be shocked. Ziggler and Otis both go to opposite ends and slowly stand up. Ziggler looks up at the briefcase as he tunes up the band. Otis stands and Ziggler takes his shot, but no superkick! FALL AWAY SLAM! Ziggler is in the drop zone again, and here comes the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Cover, Otis wins!!

Winner: Otis Dozovic, by pinfall (advances to the Men’s MITB match)

The Dozer does it! He downs Dolph and heads to Titan Towers! Will Otis demolish the competition as he climbs the corporate ladder?

My Thoughts:

A really good episode for SmackDown tonight with a lot of great story progress. Bryan had a really good promo to open the show and he officially confirms for us that both Men’s and Women’s MITB will happen simultaneously, truly making it the most unique match WWE has ever done. I am really going to love this year’s MITB just on that alone. Corbin and Bryan have a good match, but of course it sets up a Six Man for next week. That third man has to be Elias, it just makes sense. With Corbin in the MITB match, clearly his and Elias’ payoff is Extreme Rules in some kind of No DQ match. That’s fine by me, because it definitely means Corbin is not winning MITB. Otis’ story has been great, and his match with Ziggler was almost like that match Otis had with Tommaso Ciampa in NXT back in 2016. Otis winning is great, too, because he is red hot and will definitely do some damage inside Titan Towers. The men’s half of this is so hard to call but that’s what makes it exciting.

The developments in the Women’s Division tonight were really good. Sonya costs Mandy so that they can have their first match against each other at MITB. And I’m pretty sure this will just be the first of many with how Sonya vows to ruin Mandy’s life. That feud could go to SummerSlam, honestly. Meanwhile, we got a real good brawl with Lacey, Tamina, Sasha and Bayley, and their tag match next week will be a good go-home. Mella being in the MITB gives the women’s side of it another veteran, but I don’t see her winning. My money’s definitely on Raw, and on Asuka. I feel like Bayley still needs proper story with Mella and Sasha before that title changes hands, and it just works better for Raw if Asuka can strike at Becky Lynch or whoever at a moment’s notice. Of course, with the two matches now becoming one, anything could happen.

Bray and Braun had a decent segment together, but it treads similar ground to the very first time Bray made his challenge. We’re getting that face-to-face next week, and I hope it goes similarly to the segment Bray had with Cena before WrestleMania. Braun probably won’t be shaken, but him getting angry is good enough. I just fear Strowman is the transitional champion to Bray’s second reign and an eventual story with Roman Reigns. Lastly, and perhaps the biggest thing, is The Forgotten Sons got that non-title win over The New Day. I’m not sure about them getting the push so soon, but I don’t think they’ll win the titles. The part I do like is Miz & Morrison wanting to avoid a fight with the “savages,” it’s an interesting layer to the story. The go-home will confirm what kind of tag title match we’re getting, but I’m thinking what really comes out of it is Miz & Morrison being forced to face the Forgotten Sons to get back to the titles.

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

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!