Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (7/31/20)

It’s Double Gold Friday!

Published

4 years ago

July 31, 2020

Steven Mitchell

SmackDown has two titles on the line!

Gran Metalik gets his shot against the Phenomenal AJ Styles and Nikki Cross gets her fair shake at the SmackDown Women’s Championship! Will the champions still have their gold at the end of the night?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Intercontinental Championship: AJ Styles VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado; Styles wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Baron Corbin VS Drew Gulak; Corbin wins.
Big E VS The Miz w/ John Morrison; Big E wins.
Naomi VS Lacey Evans; Naomi wins.
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Nikki Cross w/ Alexa Bliss; Bayley wins and retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

PLAY BY PLAY

Superstars hype up SmackDown!

The Golden Role Models brag that Bayley already won at Extreme Rules, and it won’t be any different! Nikki Cross will be grabbing more than just cracked ribs. Nikki is the sad, pathetic loser witnessing their era! But Nikki responds that after that match, her confidence was in the gutter. But she beat someone who is better than both Sasha and Bayley. Nikki can’t wait to knock Bayley off her high horse and become the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion!

Big E says that though he does not have Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston by his side, they’re on his mind and in his heart and in- Well, okay, just those. But he promises we will all FEEL~ the POWER~! Miz and Morrison think on Big E’s newfound solo career, and laugh! That’s like a bad TV show spin-off! Like Road Rules to Real World, like Total Divas to Miz & Mrs, like Wipeout to Cannonball! Aren’t those all Miz’s…? But the point is: Big E can’t be a double division star like the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century! Unlike Big E, The Miz is AWESOME!

Lacey Evans tells us not to worry our pretty little heads, because she is going to give Naomi what she deserves. But Naomi responds by saying what she deserves it to beat Lacey senseless, and make her #FeelTheGlow!

Gran Metalik says that esta noche, he will takes on the WWE Intercontinental Champion, the Phenomenal AJ Styles, but will prove he is even greater than that! Styles says that he faces Gran Metalik, a high flyer who is very impressive. But impressive doesn’t compare to phenomenal! Metalik finds out the hard way when he steps into the House that AJ Styles Built!

SmackDown is interrupted by The Firefly Fun House!

Bray Wyatt walks in and takes off his snorkel. Sorry, he was searching for Braun~! But Bruan must still be wandering in that filthy swamp. Well, unless the gators got to him. But either way, a part of Braun’s soul will be trapped there forever. Just to make something clear, Bray NEVER wanted to hurt Braun! He only wanted to help. But now, he is awake, and he wants what Braun has. And until he gets it, “none of you are safe.” #LetMeIn. Bye~!

WWE Intercontinental Championship: AJ Styles VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado!

The Phenomenal One said he was impressed by the King of the Ropes in last week’s Fatal 4 Way contender’s match, but he also tried to disrespect Metalik. Metalik slapped Styles, and now looks to dethrone him! Metalik earned his shot, will he hit the mark?

SmackDown returns as the introductions are made. The belt is raised and this phenomenal opening match begins!

Styles and Metalik circle, approach and feel it out. They tie up, Styles puts Metalik in a corner, but he lets up as the ref counts. Metalik comes back to circle with Styles again, and they tie up. Metalik powers Styles to a corner now, lets up as the ref counts, and Styles comes back to circle again. They lock up with knuckle locks, but Styles kicks low hard! Styles stomps Metalik around then drags him up. Styles bumps Metalik off buckles hard, but takes his time bringing Metalik back up. Styles puts Metalik in a corner to CHOP! And then scoops for a backbreaker! Metalik writhes while Styles glares at Lince Dorado. Styles brings Metalik back up, suplexes and holds him for 5 before dropping! Cover, TWO!

Styles keeps his cool as he drags Metalik back up. Styles puts Metalik in a corner to ram his shoulder in over and over, then he kicks the leg hard! Lince coaches Metalik up but Styles whips corner to corner hard! Metalik hits buckles then the floor and Styles grins. Styles drags Metalik up, brings him around and wants the Clash, but Metalik gets away fast. Styles ROCKS Metalik with that right, but Metalik comes back to throw hands! Styles ROCKS him again, then whips. Metalik reverses, hurdles, rolls but into a wheelbarrow! Styles turns it, drops but misses the elbow! Metalik gets up and tilt-o-whirl headscissors Styles right out! Metalik hurries to slingshot, but Styles slides in! Metalik lands on the apron, but Styles kicks his feet out! Metalik crashes ‘n’ burns and fans boo.

Styles catches his breath as he takes aim. Styles slingshots but Metalik moves, so Styles lands on the apron. Metalik sweeps his legs in return! Now Styles crashes ‘n’ burns! Metalik is on the apron again and leaps for a FLYING-RANA! Styles crashes again as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Metalik is up top! Styles trips him up before he can leap, and then Styles clubs away on Metalik’s back. Styles climbs up behind but Metalik elbows him back. Styles falls, Metalik adjusts, and leaps for a BIG crossbody! Cover, TWO! Metalik keeps his cool as he and Styles stir. Styles gets to a corner, Metalik hurries over and throws hands. Metalik stomps Styles then eggs him on. Metalik runs, but Styles denies the monkey flip! Styles BOOTS Metalik down, then kicks him in the ribs! Styles kicks even harder, but Metalik kicks! Styles blocks to kick the inside thigh, and then stomps it against the ropes!

The ref reprimands, Styles wraps the leg around the bottom rope but stops when the ref starts to count. Styles drags Metalik off the ropes to drop elbows on the leg, then drop knees! The crowd rallies up for Metalik as Styles drags him around. Styles drops down to wrench the leg and twist the ankle! Metalik endures, fights back with clubbing forearms, but Styles cranks back harder! Styles shifts over to a Half Crab! The hold is deep but Metalik gets the ropebreak! Styles lets up but is not at all worried. Styles watches Metalik crawl and he stomps the leg! He brings Metalik up, has the leg, but Metalik fights back! Styles shoves, but Metalik rolls him up! TWO, and Styles fireman’s carries! Metalik slips off, rolls and rolls back, to get a tilt-o-whirl DDT!! Cover, TWO!!

Metalik clutches the bad leg rather than grows frustrated. Lince coaches Metalik and the crowd is thunderous. Metalik runs, goes around the corner and missile dropkicks Styles down! Cover, TWO! Metalik and Styles slowly rise. Metalik is on Styles first, fireman’s carries, but the bad leg gives out! Styles unleashes the Phenomenal Blitz! Both men are down again but Styles drags himself to the apron. Styles takes aim, springboards, but Metalik dodges! Metalik enziguris Styles down! The crowd fires up as Metalik rises. Styles sits up but Metalik powers up to run the corner again, but into a BODY CHECK! Styles takes Metalik out of the air with that attack!

Lince coaches Metalik and Metalik stands, but Styles is on him right away! STyles rolls to the CALF CRUSHER!! And CRANKS on that leg! Metalik taps, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by submission (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

An incredible fight from Metalik, but it wasn’t phenomenal! Styles goes after Lince!! The Golden Lynx gets the STYLES CLASH!! The reluctant fighting champion says, “Because I’m the champ!” Will Styles continue to be the champ like this?

Baron Corbin finds Chad Gable watching backstage.

The Wolf King asks Shorty G, “Hurts, doesn’t it?” What? Well, standing on the sidelines, having to watch a match rather than be in it. That could’ve been Gable in that match, if he had the right friends. That could be Gable as Intercontinental Champion. So he wants to be a friend to Gable after all the insults? Haven’t they always been friends, Chad? Baron did all that to “motivate” him. Gable is a former Olympian, a national treasure that gets overlooked. Sorry, poor choice of words. He gets ignored. And then, some “barefoot idiot” comes in, gets the hype, and gets the chances Gable deserves.

Oh of course, that’s what this is about. Gable is going to be used against Matt Riddle for Baron. No, he misunderstands. Corbin just wanted to share some facts. Gable has all the natural ability in the world, but is lacking in opportunities. Though, yes, the “King’s Ransom” is on the table for anyone who wants to prove Riddle doesn’t belong. Just think about it.

Jeff Hardy arrives backstage.

And he is congratulated by superstars, referees and other backstage personnel for his victory over both Sheamus and alcohol. Jeff is headed to the ring, what will the Charismatic Enigma say after the break?

Jeff Hardy heads to the ring!

The crowd also cheers for his victory as he takes the mic. “Wow, I’ve gotta admit, man. I haven’t felt this good in a long time.” The last few months with Sheamus have been tough. He was a constant reminder of how dangerous Hardy’s demons can be. And as one member of the crowd shouts, “He sucks!” Hardy has to remind himself how bad it can be, because sobriety is a never ending challenge you face every day. But beating Sheamus in the Bar Fight was a reminder that Hardy is on the right path. He’s an alcoholic, but so much more than that. He is a loving husband, father, and proud WWE superstar. Hardy gets to perform for all of us and he loves that. Hardy is so grateful that the love of his family and friends have gotten him here. Right now, it just makes him never want to let us down again.

Hardy vows to fight this fight every day, and wants to make the most of his life. He is grateful to be alive and well on SmackDown. But then Baron Corbin appears! “Enough, enough, enough!” If Corbin has to stand around and listen about Hardy’s sobriety, his head might explode. What is even going on here? Hardy is the Charismatic Enigma known for taking things to the extreme. But now he’s standing here, whining and crying about recovery. The crowd boos as Corbin says Hardy’s life sucks, but he needs to shut up and deal with it. Riddle is bad enough, since he can’t find his shoes, and now Corbin has to face Gulak! Corbin feels like “my kingdom” is turning into an asylum.

Hardy tells Corbin that one thing has learned, if everyone around you feels like the problem, maybe the real problem is you. Corbin says he’s going to be honest here. Hardy is actually disappointing. Hardy should want to stay in Corbin’s good graces. Corbin would’ve offered Hardy the King’s Ransom, but Hardy probably wouldn’t take it. Hardy would rather sit in a circle, talk about the 12 steps, and collect coins. But speaking of Gulak, he gets Corbin from behind! Gulak fires off on Corbin and the crowd fires up! This showdown will go down when SmackDown returns from break!

Baron Corbin VS Drew Gulak!

SmackDown returns and Gulak goes after Corbin in the corner. Gulak throws hands and headbutts, then wrenches the arm to an armlock. Corbin endures as Gulak grinds him down. Corbin fights up, knees low, but Gulak kicks the leg back! Gulak goes after the leg, Corbin counters with a facelock, but Gulak wrenches to wring the arm out! Gulak throws haymakers, Corbin kicks low and knees low. Corbin kicks but Gulak blocks it, to punch the leg. Gulak gets the arm to wring it out again! Gulak stomps Corbin down, follows him to a corner, and goes after the arm again. Gulak targets the elbow, gets a wristlock to hammerlock, then throws headbutts and body shots. Corbin turns things around but Gulak turns it back to CHOP and forearm!

Gulak has the arm again but Corbin powers him to the other corner. Corbin throws hands, whips, but Gulak goes up and over, only for Corbin to DECK him! Cover, TWO! Corbin drives elbows in on Gulak’s shoulder, then the other shoulder. Corbin puts on a chinbar and half nelson to grind Gulak down more. Gulak endures, the crowd rallies up, and Gulak throws body shots. Gulak boots but Corbin catches it to SPINE BUSTER Gulak, into a Half Crab! Gulak endures, slips through but Corbin turns it back over. Gulak keeps trying, catches Corbin’s punch and drags him into a YES LOCK! Gulak borrows from Daniel Bryan! Corbin endures as Gulak cranks back, but then Gulak rains down elbows! Corbin uses his long legs for the ropebreak! Gulak lets go at 4 and Corbin leans on the ropes.

Gulak stalks but Corbin elbows him away. Gulak shotgun dropkicks back! Gulak dodges and shotgun dropkicks again! And again! Corbin is down but Gulak and the crowd fires up! Gulak goes up top, leaps, flying clothesline! Cover, TWO! Gulak keeps on Corbin with the dragon sleeper, but Corbin powers out to scoop. Gulak slips out, but runs into DEEP SIX! “Bro…” Matt Riddle arrives! He dares Corbin to do something about him, but then Gulak cradles Corbin! TWO, END OF DAYS!! Cover, Corbin wins!

Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall

But Riddle pounces on the Wolf King! Corbin gets a taste of his own medicine, and then the FINAL FLASH! Riddle drags Corbin back up, but Gable rolls Riddle?! CHAOS THEORY!! Shorty G seems to believe what Corbin was saying! Will Gable win that King’s Ransom after all?

Big E VS The Miz w/ John Morrison!

AWWWW~ people at home~! The New Day’s last man standing goes it alone against the Hollywood A-Lister, who still has his Guru of Greatness by his side! Will Big E make sure Miz and Morrison feel~ the power~?

The bell rings and Big E circles with Miz as the crowd claps. Big E and Miz tie up, Big E powers Miz to the corner, but lets up. Miz comes back but Big E is ready and powers him to another corner. They break clean again, and Big E eggs Miz on with swiveling hips. Miz goes after Big E, waistlocks, but Big E pries free to toss Miz over! Big E swivels more as he waits for Miz to get up. Miz calls for a test of strength, only to kick low! And kick and punch and kick and punch! The crowd boos but things speed up. Big E hurdles, and catches Miz to the cobra twist! Big E puts some spice on it with the spanking! The crowd claps along then Big E whips and elbows Miz down! Cover, TWO!

Miz gets to ropes, Big E talks smack but Miz SLAPS Big E! Big E glares, grabs Miz, and throws him out! The crowd fires up as Big E stalks behind Miz on the outside. Morrison stays back but Big E bounces Miz off the desk! Then whips Miz into the POST! Big E tells Morrison to stay back, then he drags Miz up to throw into Plexiglas! Big E puts Miz back in but Morrison PARKOUR ATTACKS! The ref misses it and Miz capitalizes with the wrecking ball dropkick! Miz drags Big E up, puts him in, climbs up top, and leaps! Big ax handles hit, Miz covers, TWO! Miz keeps on Big E with the chinlock. Big E endures, the crowd rallies up, and Big E fights back! Big E is free, he dumps Miz out to then clobber him!

Big E goes back out and has Miz on the apron. He clubs Miz with forearms over and over, then climbs up for an APRON SPLASH but Miz moves! Big E goes down in a head as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Miz has Big E in a chinlock. Miz grinds Big E down but the crowd rallies with clapping for Big E. Morrison tries to change it to “Hey hey! Ho ho!” but Big E stands up! Miz becomes a backpack with the sleeper hold and Big E fades! But Big E powers up with a second wind and rams into buckles! Miz clamps back on but is thrown off, Miz BOOTS Big E down! Cover, TWO! Miz rains down lefts on Big E then paces. Miz kicks at Big E but Big E gets mad. Big E counter punches Miz over and over, but swings into the dragon sleeper! A-List Combination stops at the backbreaker as Big E shoves Miz and OVERHEAD belly2belly suplexes! And then another! Then the side belly2belly!

Big E swivels them hips and runs the ropes, for the BIG SPLASH! Big E claps along with the crowd, but Miz tries to run away. Big E grabs him, Miz elbows then runs, but into a tilt-o-whirl. Miz slips off the shoulder to full nelson, but Big E powers up out of that! Miz rakes the eyes and kicks low, DDT! Cover, TWO! Morrison grows worried and Miz grows frustrated as Big E survives. Miz stalks Big E as the crowd still rallies. Big E sits up to get IT KICKS! Or should it be, “Hey Hey Hey!” kicks, with Morrison chanting. Big E still catches Miz out of the buzzsaw, but Miz pops off the bomb. Miz is in a corner, he dropkicks Big E’s legs out!

Big E crawls into the corner, Miz puts the leg on the ropes and kicks away! The ref counts, Miz stops and goes corner to corner, for a knee! Miz keeps running, he hits another knee! Miz wants the trilogy, but gets the URENAG-E! Cover, TWO! Miz is back on the apron and Big E gets his bad leg moving. Big E runs but into a knee! Miz gets in, runs to the corner, but Big E elbows. The ref is busy checking Miz’s jaw, Morrison gets a cheap shot enziguri! Miz gets the full nelson, FINALE!! Cover, TWO!! But Miz doesn’t hesitate, he goes right into a Figure Four! Big E endures, Miz puts as much pressure as he can, but Big E reaches out. Morrison keeps the ropes away but the ref sees that! Morrison backs off, Big E gets the ropebreak! Miz lets go at 4 and catches his breath.

Big E clutches the knee but Miz drops knees on it! And again! Miz drags Big E up and onto the ropes to choke him. The ref counts, Miz distracts, but this time the ref sees Morrison on the apron! The ref EJECTS Morrison! Miz freaks out and Morrison is angry, but now Big E finally has Miz 1v1! Big E rolls Miz, TWO, into the STRETCH MUFFLER! Big E has Miz off the ground, Miz taps!! Big E wins!!

Winner: Big E, by submission

The arsenal of the big bad Big E is promising us, “Ain’t no stopping me!” Will Big E rise up all the way to the top all by himself?

Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura celebrate their victory.

Extreme Rules just seems to be the King of Strong Style’s PPV. Every year at Extreme Rules, that is when Nakamura wins a title. This year was the best because they’re tag team champions. But Lucha House Party comes by to see the fiesta. So not great to see them. Why are they in the “Champion’s Lounge” right now? Amigos, you like to party? Yeah! LUCHA! LUCHA! Cesaro says this is champion’s only party. Aye, sorry. No campiones, no fiesta. Metalik might’ve been invited if he won against Styles, but uh, how do you say… YOU BLEW IT! Lince is angry for Metalik but Metalik keeps him back. They leave the party as Cesaro and Nakamura continue to gloat. Will the Swiss Cyborg and King of Strong Style have to worry about LHP coming for those titles as payback?

Sheamus speaks backstage.

“In retrospect, the mistake I made in agreeing to fight Jeff Hardy in a bar was agreeing to fight Jeff Hardy in a bar.” He fought Hardy in his “natural environment.” That was home field advantage for him! And as Sheamus watched Hardy hit the gin soaked floor and get up like nothing happened, he knew he was in trouble. Seeing Hardy get hit with beer bottle after beer bottle and only get stronger, Sheamus knew he was in there with a greater power. And even though not a drop of booze touched Hardy’s lips, he was being fueled by alcohol. It was like a handicap match, Sheamus VS Hardy and “his long life partner, alcohol.” Sheamus was surrounded! But it was a testament to Sheamus’ own courage that he made the fight as close as he did.

Sheamus won’t make excuses or complain. What’s done is done. He won’t push Hardy towards the bottle anymore. An addict that strong, “it’s only a matter of time.” So Sheamus will sit back, relax, and let nature take it’s course. Hardy is not Sheamus’ problem anymore. And that’s bad news for everyone else. Now Sheamus is their problem.

Naomi VS Lacey Evans!

Speaking of problems, the Glow and the Sassy Southern Belle have issues they need to settle between each other. Will Naomi do her fans proud by finally teaching Lacey a lesson? Or will The Lady of SmackDown make this one nasty?

Before the match, Lacey grabs a mic to speak. “I beat Naomi last time. I beat her at karaoke. And yet y’all want to start a little ‘Naomi Deserves Better’ hashtag~?” Boo hoo. If y’all want to feel sorry for her, she’ll give them a reason to feel sorry tonight. Now Naomi makes her entrance, and this tense rematch begins!

Lacey and Naomi tie up, Lacey powers Naomi to a corner but again tries to tie her hair to the ropes! The ref stops her and Naomi gets free, to boot Lacey down. Naomi runs, huricanranas but Lacey blocks with power to BOMB Naomi down! Lacey talks trash as she dribbles Naomi’s head off the mat! Then grinds a forearm into Naomi’s face! Lacey stalks Naomi to a corner, drags her up, and hits a fallout DDT! Lacey gator rolls Naomi to the apron and bends her back against the post! The ref counts, Lacey boots Naomi down! Naomi gets up and kicks back but Lacey kicks her. Lacey POSTS Naomi as the ring count climbs. Lacey refreshes the count to throw Naomi against the apron.

Lacey drags Naomi around by her hair, and traps the hair between steel steps! The ring count climbs again and Naomi works to free herself again. Lacey wipes the sweat from her brow but Naomi returns! Lacey drags her up by her hair and tosses her! The crowd rallies, Naomi gets to the apron but Lacey pursues. Naomi kicks Lacey through the ropes! And ax kicks! Lacey falls, Naomi runs and slides, to SUNSET BOMB!! Naomi puts Lacey back in, covers, TWO! Lacey sits up, Naomi wrenches her hair and reels her into a headlock. Naomi runs at a corner but Lacey denies the bulldog, and Naomi eats buckles! Lacey goes after Naomi’s hair again! She tries to tie it to the rope yet again, the ref counts so Lacey stops at 4. Naomi is able to undo the knots, DODGES the Woman’s Right, and backslides Lacey! NAOMI WINS!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall

Lacey tried that trick one too many times and it cost her! Naomi wins and teaches Lacey a lesson, but is Naomi moving on to bigger and better yet?

Mandy Rose and Otis Dozovic return backstage!

The Golden Goddess feels it’s been awhile since they’ve had a proper date. Yes, a proper date for the sweet peach. Mandy has reservations for Otiz’s favorite BBQ place! And she made sure to get the private room so no one can see how much they’re “All You Can Eating.” Otis is ready for ribs, steaks and… OH, dessert! Well of course! Mandy wanted to surprise him with a “peach sundae” covered in whip cream, drizzled in chocolate syrup, and with a cherry on top. OH YEEES! They’re both going to finish getting ready, and then they’ll meet back here. But as they part, Sonya Deville has also returned! Will the grudge between Fire and Desire ignite before the flames of romance can spark?

Sonya attacks Mandy at the make-up station!

She SLUGS Mandy, bounces her off the table, then asks if Mandy really thought this was over! Sonya grabs the lipstick and smears it all over Mandy’s face! Then DECKS her, SLAPS her, and asks what’s wrong. Is she afraid to be ugly? Sonya KNEES Mandy down and dares her to get up! What does Mandy have now? Mandy tries to fight back but Sonya STOMPS her into the floor! The lipstick is all in Mandy’s hair! And speaking of, Sonya grabs scissors to CUT THE HAIR!! “You are going to look SO pretty, Mandy~!” They can’t wait to show Mandy’s pretty face to everyone! Maybe Mandy didn’t believe her when Sonya said she was going to ruin her. Then Sonya ROUNDHOUSES Mandy down!

“What else can I do to Mandy Rose?” Sonya rummages around, and finds ELECTRIC CLIPPERS!! But referees and security finally arrive! They stop Sonya, she drops the clippers, but she takes the cut hair as a trophy. Mandy is shaken both physically and emotionally. Is Sonya ever going to leave her alone?

Otis rushes over, with Tucker with him. Heavy Machinery checks on Mandy while Miz and Morrison feel the need to comment. “Kayla, this is an outrage. I cannot believe something like this would happen in WWE. I mean, where are the adults in the room?!” Mandy’s hair is her best thing, and now she looks like a soccer mom! Minivan Mandy. Rest a-sheared- Miz, c’mon. Hey, don’t cut him short. Right, sorry, this is a hairy situation. Luckily the WWE officials shaved the day to comb through the wreckage. They’d be wigging out, too. Tucker hears the mocking and chases Miz and Morrison off. Will the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century ever stop being so sophomoric?

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Nikki Cross w/ Alexa Bliss!

The Golden Role Models thought they had the Loony Lass beat at Extreme Rules with that boss knuckle cheap shot, but she came back for more. They thought they had her blocked when they put her against her bestie, Lexi. Nikki not only fought but beat Alexa 1v1 and officially earned this rematch. What trick will #BayleyDosStraps and #TwoBeltzBanks try to stop Nikki this time?

SmackDown returns as the #DoubleDoubleChampChamps make their entrance. The introductions are made, the SmackDown Women’s Championship is raised, and this extremely tense rematch begins!

Nikki rushes Bayley but Bayley gets away. They circle as the crowd rallies up. Bayley kicks low then throws hands. Bayley whips, Nick ducks and dodges to then stop and throw forearms back! Nikki has Bayley in a corner and rains down furious rights! Nikki lets off at 4 to then dropkick Bayley down! Bayley staggers about, Nikki runs in to monkey flip her away! Nikki keeps going, bringing Bayley up. Bayley spins out but into a THESZ PRESS! Nikki thrashes Bayley but Bayley gets away. Nikki is right on Bayley, whips but Bayley kicks back. Bayley runs bit Nikki throws her out. The two stand off for just a moment before Nikki goes out and counter punches Bayley. Nikki bounds Bayley off the apron before putting her back in.

Nikki dropkicks Bayley through the ropes but Bayley kicks Nikki’s legs back. Bayley hits a basement guillotine leg drop! Cover, TWO!! Bayley rains down angry rights of her own as the crowd boos. Bayley has Nikki in a corner, throws body shots and stomps but the ref counts. Bayley stops at 1 but walks right into a boot! Nikki POSTS Bayley! Bayley flops out with her ribs in pain now, and Nikki apron CROSSBODIES! Nikki gets on the desk and is all fired up as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns again and Bayley thrashes Nikki around in a chinlock. The crowd rallies as Nikki fights her way up, only for Bayley to throw her down. Cover, TWO, but Bayley keeps on Nikki at the ropes. Bayley bumps Nikki off buckles, bumps her off more buckles, then stomps away. Sasha mocks Nikki’s pain as Bayley SAIDO suplexes! Cover, TWO! Nikki climbs up to ropes, Bayley stalks her to a corner and rams her shoulder in. Bayley rams again and again, then throws haymakers. The ref reprimands but Bayley runs in, only to miss! Bayley hits buckles and her ribs are hurting again. Nikki throat chops, headbutts low, then throat chops again to headbutt again! And then dropkick! Nikki runs, crossbodies, covers, TWO!

Nikki keeps her eyes on Bayley and runs into a corner. Bayley dodges but Nikki elbows back. Nikki hops up, reels Bayley in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nikki watches Bayley go to the apron and joins her. Nikki drags Bayley up into the dragon sleeper, APRON REVERSE DDT! Bayley flops down, Sasha checks on her, but Nikki leaps! Bayley dodges by going into the ring but Nikki follows. Bayley swings but misses, Nikki waistlocks, ripcords and straitjacket neckbreakers! Cover, TWO! Bayley still lives, but Nikki has the boss knuckles! Nikki glares at Sasha before throwing it at her! Then she gives Bayley a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!!

Bayley crawls to the apron again but Nikki drags her up. Bayley hotshots Nikki down! Bayley dares commentary to say something, and climbs up onto the desk to mock Nikki’s dance. Nikki trips Bayley up and Bayley takes a tumble! The crowd fires up as Nikki RAMS Bayley into barriers! And then runs in for a splash against the Plexiglas! Nikki puts Bayley back in, Sasha gets on the apron but Alexa trips her up! Nikki wrecks Sasha with a dropkick! Nikki fires up again, climbs up the corner, and leaps! CROSSBODY, but Bayley rolls it! TWO and Nikki cradles, TWO! Nikki lunges but Bayley leaps over, only for Nikki to roll her! TWO, Bayley swings into a backslide! TWO again, Bayley hits the FACE PLANT!! Cover, Bayley wins!!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)

A win only moderately cleaner this time, but it was still a win! The #DoubleDoubleChampChamps take their leave, and Nikki is beside herself. Alexa tries to console her, and the crowd still cheers her, but Nikki is in no mood. Nikki says she’s okay but she just doesn’t want her to talk. Alexa keeps trying to tell Nikki it’s okay, but Nikki shoves her down!? And then, the lights start turning off?! And when they come back up, it’s ALL RED!! THE FIEND has come for Alexa?! Does this have something to do with the Swamp Fight and Braun’s visions!? The Fiend is right up in Alexa’s face, and he holds out his hand to the sky. Alexa can’t move as the hand draws closer to her. MANDIBLE CLAW!!! The Fiend smothers the Five Foot Fury, and the lights go out! What does he have planned for Alexa?!

My Thoughts:

WOW, SmackDown was really, really good tonight! The quick hype promos to open continue to be really good, and I feel like they’re helping to save time doing promos later, and also brings up the mood before things get going. Styles VS Metalik made for a great opener, and while Styles was clearly going to win, the surprise was him attacking Lince. I suppose Styles needs to maintain his Heel heat since everyone just loves him for how great he is. Styles moves on, and just about anyone can be his next challenger at this point. Lucha House Party naturally move on to get into a verbal confrontation with Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura that will surely lead to a tag title feud. It’s mostly be default, but at the same time, Metalik did great against Styles so he and Lince will do great against Cesaro and Nakamura.

The return of Mandy and Otis did not go the way I expected, and perhaps for good reason. Sonya going after Mandy with such ferocity was wild. She was really playing up how obsessed she’s become. And another great thing is that it seems to be bringing Heavy Machinery into a story against Miz and Morrison, which will be good to at least establish Heavy Machinery in the tag division again. Otis is still Mr. Money in the Bank, but without Braun around, he can’t cash in. Maybe he and Tucker will bide their time with a tag title opportunity, since they were pretty close at one point. Big E had a great match with Miz, with Morrison trying to interfere, and of course Big E wins. I would love if Big E is moved into the Intercontinental Championship picture to be Styles’ challenger.

Corbin recruiting Gable is an interesting move. Gulak and Corbin have a solid match but it just seemed natural for Corbin to win. I hope this means Catch Point becomes a team to take on Corbin and Gable, and then maybe enter the tag division at some point. Jeff Hardy might even get involved, the way Corbin was getting on his case. Sheamus seems to be moving on, but I can’t be sure who he goes after since a lot of other stars are tied up in other things. And it was rather interesting to have the women’s division pretty much dominate the latter half of the show. Mandy’s segment with Sonya was during that half, Lacey and Naomi have a decent rematch, but the SmackDown Women’s Championship rematch was great stuff! Bayley still wins because of the overarching story between both Raw and SmackDown, and I do like that Nikki is starting to get angry.

But HOLY CRAP Fiend going after Alexa! This clearly ties back into the story with Braun, and I wonder if Alexa really will end up the onscreen face of Sister Abigail, perhaps replacing the puppet on Firefly Fun House. Fans have been up and down on that for some time, but either way, we might be getting it now. SummerSlam’s Braun VS Fiend might get really wild, and I feel like WWE saying they’ll have WWE Payback 2020 just one week after SummerSlam is tipping their hand a bit. Just as WWE was doing well, they have to complicate things.

My Score: 8.6/10

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

20 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

2 days 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!