Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (11/5/21)

The Head of the Table returns!

Published

2 years ago

November 5, 2021

Steven Mitchell

SmackDown, ACKNOWLEDGE your Tribal Chief!

The Reigning, Defending, Undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns, returns to SmackDown to “welcome” the new faces to his island.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Naomi VS Shayna Baszler; Baszler wins.
Los Lotharios VS Mansoor & Cesaro; Los Lotharios win.
Open Challenge: Drew McIntyre VS Ricochet; McIntyre wins.
The Viking Raiders VS “Happy” Corbin & “Mad Cap” Moss; The Viking Raiders win, by count-out.
Xavier Woods VS Kofi Kingston VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso; Woods wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns is here!

SmackDown’s back on Fox, and the Tribal Chief is back! The Bloodline and Paul Heyman follow him out on stage, and then the belts are raised to cue the pyro. The Ford Center is divided as they go to the ring, raise the belts again and get more pyro. Roman gives Heyman the belt and Heyman gives Roman the mic. Roman says, “Last week, your Tribal Chief wasn’t at SmackDown. Because when you smash somebody like Brock Lesnar, you gotta celebrate! So I took a vacation! And I heard y’all grumbling, complaining,” but don’t worry. He’s here now. So “tiny little no name town,” #AcknowledgeMe!

Roman had a great week. He was on a private island, naked, his wife loving it. But from his understanding, not everyone had a good week last week. In fact, it was a bad week last week because he wasn’t here. And y’know who else had a bad week last week? That dumbass, Brock Lesnar. Because Brock went and got fined a million dollars and suspended indefinitely. You can thank Roman because he’s responsible for it. He has the stroke, the juice, he makes things happen around here. “Wiseman.” “Yes, my Tribal Chief?” “What else happened last week?” Heyman laughs it off, Kayla was just bugging him about Lesnar.

“Wiseman.” “Yes, my Tribal Chief?” “What else happened last week…?” “Oh, that… Well, the Usos had a match with The New Day, and the titles were not on the line, because-” Roman cuts Heyman off to ask about who won and lost that match. Heyman says the match was won… by the New Day… Fans chant, “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” and that annoys Roman. Do they like the new day? The fans cheer, and Roman says the New Day is great, they’re entertaining. “But they’re not better than the Bloodline.” See, Roman is having trouble understanding how his cousins, the greatest tag team of this generation, LOST to the New Day!

Roman asks, “Which one of you got pinned in that match?” They point at each other. Roman singles out Jimmy, puts an arm around his shoulders, and asks if Jimmy can hear the fans cheering for the New Day. That’s because of Jimmy. Jimmy lost. “Tell us all how you gon’ fix this problem.” The mic is given to Jimmy, and Jimmy says he’s got this. He’ll kick the crown off Woods’ big ass head! He will make Woods acknowledge who the REAL king is! And he’ll make Woods acknowledge the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns! But here comes the New Day! Sir Kofi and King Woods are on stage and they have mics!

“Hear ye, hear ye, WWE Universe! Lend me your ears so you may here the creed~ of King Woods.” Woods says it looks as if they’ve forgotten his table. He thought that when you’re king around here, you sit at the head of the table. And then never stop talking about sitting at the head of the table. And then make a shirt for it just in case you lost brain cells and forgot about that. Or may haps the table was forgotten on the Island of Relevancy. An island in which only you can reside. Must be so sad and lonely on that only. Fans still chant for New Day and Woods says alas, it is time to get to the portion of the program the people actually care about.

The people here in EVANSVILLE, INDIANA- Yes, cheer for yourselves! But Mr. Reigns, Woods has a challenge. If his friend known as Jimmy Uso defeats Woods, then he will have no problem acknowledging Roman. But when, and emphasis on when he defeats young James Uso, Jimmy will do as he should be doing and #BendTheKnee. Fans chant “Bend The Knee! Bend The Knee!” Right, right. No one is taking orders from the chumps. Jey gets the mic to say no one is bending a knee. The Bloodline bends the knee to nobody! No matter what day it is! Roman calls for the mic and Heyman makes Jey put the mic in his hand.

“The Bloodline accepts.” Well that’s a surprise! Then thy king’s will be done! Tonight, James Uso- Wait, is it James or Jim? Or Jimminy? JIMMINY USO VS XAVIER WOODS, TONIGHT! “HAIL! KING WOODS! HAIL! KING WOODS!” Will Woods defeat Jimmy again and humble the Bloodline?

Naomi VS Shayna Baszler!

Evansville wants to #FeelTheGlow but Naomi wants some payback on the Queen of Spades! And with a proper referee calling this match, will Naomi get just that? Or will Shayna find her own way to defeat Naomi for the third time in a row?

SmackDown returns and Shayna makes her entrance. Sonya Deville is watching backstage and Kayla Braxton asks her about the personal vendetta against Naomi. Uh, because she filled in for a referee? When was the last time you saw this kind of fire inside of Naomi? Heard this kind of passion in her voice? The answer is never. Naomi is glowing with confidence because Sonya lit that fire! Now let’s see what she does with it. And maybe one day, Sonya will give her that 1v1 match. Maybe. Sonya sure is trying to spin this, but will all this come back to haunt her?

The bell rings, Naomi and Shayna circle then tie up. Naomi waistlocks, Shayna bucks her and comes back. Naomi hurdles, drops, and THESZ PRESSES! Naomi rains down hands but Shayna shoves her to get the leg! Naomi slips through the crab to kick Shayna away, then dropkick her down! Naomi runs to slide and SLAP Shayna down! Cover, ONE! Naomi keeps her focus, brings Shayna up and whips, but Shayna reverses to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! Naomi flounders to ropes, Shayna runs in but Naomi avoids the baseball slide! Naomi dropkicks Shayna out of the ring, but Shayna grabs at her on the apron.

Shayna drags Naomi down, Naomi holds the ropes, and she KICKS Shayna! Naomi RAMS Shayna into the apron, throws forearms, then puts her in the ring. Naomi hurries up the corner, leaps and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Shayna bails out and Naomi gets frustrated. The ref counts, Naomi slingshots but Shayna avoids the plancha to drag Naomi down for a gut wrench suplex to the floor! Naomi gasps and sputters as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Shayna has Naomi on the apron. Naomi ROUNDHOUSES back, then brings Shayna into the ring for a HEATSEEKER to the apron! Shayna staggers up, Naomi sunset flips, TWO!! Shayna gets the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Naomi fights up, gets the ropebreak, but Shayna holds on to drag her away! Naomi victory rolls, Naomi wins!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall

But Sonya Deville comes out to say hold on. “No one’s gonna leave the ring until I make my remarks.” Sonya goes to the ring, and says right before the pinfall, Naomi grabbed the ropes, so that should’ve been a ropebreak and it should’ve been null and void. She gets Naomi is upset but rules are rules so Sonya has no choice but to restart the match. Naomi glares at Sonya but the bell rings again! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Naomi fades out and Shayna wins!

Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission

Sonya screws Naomi over again! Will Naomi ever get past this stacked deck?

Roman Reigns talks backstage.

“When you want something done right, you do it yourself. One week. I take one week, I go on one vacation, and it all falls apart. I take one vacation, and SmackDown SUCKS. It’s almost as bad as Raw!” Jimmy laughs but Roman asks if he thinks this is a joke. Jimmy says no, there was no disrespect. Does Jimmy think Roman is here to “pop” him? Jey, what don’t we do? We don’t lose, Uce. And why don’t they lose? Because #WeTheOnes. Jey promises they’ve got this. Will the Usos redeem themselves in the eyes of the Tribal Chief.

Xia Li is coming.

Tian Sha sharpened her into a deadly edge, and she’s ready to cut a path through the SmackDown Women’s Division!

Backstage interview with Ridge Holland.

What is he most looking forward to as part of SmackDown? That’s easy, meeting his idol, the Celtic Warrior. Sheamus is tough, rugged, and operates just like he does. Sheamus would’ve fit right in with the lads back home in Yorkshire. Whenever Sheamus had a big match, they’d all squeeze around the TV at the pub. When Sheamus beat John Cena, they all went mental! They ripped the walls down when Sheamus won the Royal Rumble, and when Sheamus cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and beat Roman Reigns, they had a party so legendary, Ridge can hardly remember it. Ridge has learned a lot watching Sheamus, and that’s awful news for the rest of SmackDown.

Backstage interview with Shotzi Blackheart.

We saw what happened last week, but what fans forget is that she came out on SmackDown with the tank and the green hair- Shotzi interrupts Megan and says, “I’ve had enough! I have finally had enough. Ever since I came to SmackDown, I’ve lost title opportunities, I lost my tag partner, I lost the support of the WWE Universe. And last week, thanks to Sasha Banks, I lost the biggest match of my entire career!” Shotzi won’t smile and pretend it’s okay. Sasha’s patronizing attitude was Shotzi’s breaking point. And now, Sasha is her target! Shotzi is going to run over Sasha Banks and anyone else that gets in her way! And she doesn’t need her tank to do it.

Los Lotharios VS Mansoor & Cesaro!

Humberto Carrillo & Angel Garza have a tag team name, and are ready for tag team fame! Will they outshine the Star of Saudi Arabia and the Swiss Cyborg in their SmackDown in-ring debut?

SmackDown returns as Cesaro makes his entrance. He and Mansoor go to the ring, Mansoor starts with Garza. They tie up, Garza throws Mansoor down and rains down elbows and knees. Garza gets a double wristlock, Mansoor kips up and wrenches to a hip toss! Garza flounders up into a dropkick! Mansoor facelocks but Garza SPINEBUSTERS! Garza rains down forearms, drags him and RAMS him into the corner, then tags in Carrillo! The cousins put Mansoor up top and into a Tree of Woe for a DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Carrillo drags Mansoor to cover, TWO! Carrillo drags Mansoor up to CHOP him to the corner, but Mansoor hits Garza!

Carrillo stomps Mansoor down, lets off at 4, and Garza gets a cheap shot in! Carrillo brings Mansoor up to throw hands, then tags to Garza. Garza puts Mansoor on the ropes, Carrillo runs to LEAP FROG ATTACK! Then a feed to Garza’s back drop! OFF COME THE PANTS! Basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Garza kicks at Mansoor, eggs him on, then drags him around by a leg. Mansoor resists the Half Crab, fans rally up, and Mansoor fights up, only for Garza to club the leg. Mansoor ENZIGURIS free with the good leg! Garza grabs at Mansoor and keeps him from Cesaro, but Mansoor keeps reaching! Mansoor tries again but misses the enziguri!

Garza rolls Mansoor but Mansoor gets him for a DDT! Mansoor crawls, hot tags to Carrillo and Cesaro! Fans fire up as Cesaro rallies on Carrillo! EuroUppers, whip to the corner, another EuroUpper, repeat! Back and forth, EuroUpper after EuroUpper! Cesaro then runs to DISCUS LARIAT! Cesaro goes out, with Garza’s pants, and runs around the way to PANTS UPPERCUT Garza! Cesaro gets back in, ducks and dodges to springboard FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans are fired up again because he calls for the swing! But Garza gets in, so Cesaro trips him up for the SWISS SWING! Garza goes around half a dozen times but Carrillo CLOBBERS Cesaro! Cover, Mansoor breaks it!

Mansoor is all fired up but Carrillo throws him into ropes! Carrillo suplexes, Cesaro makes the save but Carrillo SUPERKICKS Cesaro into Mansoor! FLYING CHUCK! Tag to Garza, Carrillo Chancery and the BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, Los Lotharios win!

Winners: Los Lotharios, by pinfall

“Cerro de la Silla” topples Cesaro and Mansoor, and now Garza & Carrillo stand tall! Will they soon be on top of the entire SmackDown Tag Division?

Aliyah talks with Jeff Hardy backstage.

She invites him out to horse riding, Kayla walks over to get a word. Hardy asks if she’s met Aliyah. Aliyah lets Kayla the interview continue but Hardy follows Aliyah and they encounter Sami Zayn. Sami is again touting himself as the “elder statesman” of SmackDown and is happy to give newcomer Aliyah some advice. This place: all about appearances. Think about how you look. Not so much clothes, Aliyah’s outfit is great. This is about meaning business. So two words for you: Pants suit. Just think about it. Aliyah asks if Sami is always like that. Jeff says yes, and welcome to SmackDown.

Open Challenge: Drew McIntyre VS ???

The Scottish Warrior is always ready to fight, no matter who it is! And once again, he’s offering an open challenge to anyone brave enough to take him on! Who will answer the call? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and McIntyre has a mic. “It’s Friday night, Drew McIntyre is in the ring, you know what that means. It’s time for the SmackDown Warrior’s open challenge! Now, let’s talk less, Claymore. Who wants to fight me?!” He waits, and the one to come out is… Ricochet! The One and Only is here and he tells McIntyre, “I’ve known you for a long time, and you are in fact the biggest and baddest guy that I know. But Drew, you’re playing with fire.” Ricochet says that because if McIntyre keeps coming out here every week like this, one of these days, someone will walk out here and step into the ring, and that someone won’t care about the pec flexing and catchphrases. He’ll just smack McIntyre right in the mouth.

And then Ricochet SLAPS McIntyre! Ricochet grins but McIntyre scowls. The bell rings and McIntyre RAMS Ricochet into the corner! McIntyre fires off, then CHOPS Ricochet! Ricochet falls over but McIntyre stands him up to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Ricochet across the ring! Ricochet flounders but McIntyre bumps him off buckles. McIntyre scoops, Ricochet slips out and fires off hands! McIntyre shoves Ricochet, Ricochet dumps McIntyre out! Ricochet goes to the apron to BOOT, then RANA, only to be caught! Ricochet pops out of the bomb but McIntyre gets Ricochet up for a BIG apron back suplex!

McIntyre tosses Ricochet in at 8 of 10, stalks Ricochet in the ring, and runs in to SPLASH, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Ricochet is dazed in the corner, McIntyre CHOPS him! Mustafa Ali is watching backstage and Megan walks over for an interview. Obviously, Ali shows interest in this match, and he says he does. McIntyre goes up, Ali says he and Ricochet have a lot in common. McIntyre watches Ricochet stand, and leaps, but into a DROPKICK! Ricochet has evened things for a moment and both men slowly stand up. Ricochet throws hands, McIntyre swings but Ricochet bobs ‘n’ weaves and fires off kicks.

McIntyre CHOPS, then short arm lariats but Ricochet slips through! Springboard CROSSBODY! Fans fire up with Ricochet, he STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, but McIntyre rolls back and scoops Ricochet to a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives but McIntyre tosses him into a corner. McIntyre back elbows, brings Ricochet up in the inverted Alabama, for the VICTORY ROLL from Ricochet! TWO, and Ricochet SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS again! McIntyre staggers, Ricochet runs in and goes up the corner, QUEBRADA into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

That was fast and furious to say the least! But McIntyre shows respect to Ricochet for that one. McIntyre heads out, but will there come a point when McIntyre does run into someone that’s too much even for him?

The New Day prepare backstage.

Woods stretches his royal hamstring, Kayla walks over for an interview with His Highness. Surely she is here to request an audience with King Woods about his match with Jimminy Uso the Left. She is! The stakes for the main event have been set: If Jimmy wins, Woods must acknowledge Roman; if Jimmy loses, he will #BendTheKnee. Woods says the only thing he’ll be acknowledging about Roman is that if Roman walked any slower to the ring, he’d go in reverse. Tonight’s match will be fair and just, so let it be known that the outcome is not in doubt. Jimmy better limber up with wobbly knees and trunk rotations, because they’d hate to see him pull a muscle when he inevitably… Bends… the knee! #HailKingWoods!

Mustafa Ali talks with Ricochet backstage.

They are the most talented wrestlers on SmackDown. They’d compliment each other perfectly! So next week, they should team up. What’s Ricochet think? Uhhh no. What? Why? Because Ali isn’t a winner, he’s a whiner. He makes excuses and points fingers, but doesn’t look in the mirror. And besides, Ali treated Mansoor like dirt. And on top of all of that, Ali’s just a jerk. Ricochet leaves Ali behind, but Ali says Ricochet will regret this.

“Happy” Corbin and “Mad Cap” Moss are here!

Baron and Riddick are still feeling good, because Happy Talk is back for another episode! But will the good times continue when they have the Viking Raiders as their guests? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns and the Happy Talk set is all set up. If you’re happy and you know it, Moss claps his hands. Corbin says they’ve got a lot to be happy about. Like destroying Nakamura and Boogs last week. Those two keep competing against Moss & Corbin in matches, those two will be known as “Pinsuke Nakamura” and “Rick Oops!” But it’s not their fault. There is just no serious competition here on SmackDown. Take their next guests. Please, take them. But joining SmackDown for the very first time through the Draft, it is the former Raw Tag Team Champions, the Viking Raiders! Erik & Ivar make their entrance, with pyro!

But they don’t take their seats. Moss says these two don’t look happy at all. It’s like they don’t understand the concept of this show. Erik says they’re not here to be guests. And they’re not here to be happy. As a matter of fact, these two make the Viking Raiders miserable! Ivar says they are here to RAID Happy Talk, because it is corny and it SUCKS! Fans agree with that! Corbin says the Viking Raiders are so sour, especially for two guys still in Halloween costumes. But luckily, they have something to cheer them up. Moss, give them something to make these two happy. Okay. “How did the young woman suffocate from body order? She took a liking to a Viking!”

Corbin and Moss laugh it up, so the Viking Raiders start throwing chairs around! And they tip the table over, then throw the laps and velvet ropes! Corbin and Moss bail out and SmackDown goes to break!

The Viking Raiders VS “Happy” Corbin & “Mad Cap” Moss!

Holla holla, this match was made over the break, and SmackDown returns as Erik and Corbin tie up. They go around, Erik waistlocks but Corbin backs him down to a corner. The ref counts, Erik ducks the elbow to have a bearhug! He squeezes tight but Corbin pries free to scoop. Erik lands on his feet, waistlocks but Corbin bucks the O’Conner roll to knee low. Corbin whips Erik to a corner, Erik goes up and over and rolls to then come back with a BIG forearm! Corbin rebounds and BOOTS but Erik just snarls! Erik and Corbin back off, tags to Ivar and Moss. Ivar and Moss tie up, Moss waistlocks but Ivar throws him off then runs him over!

Ivar wrenches, RAMS his shoulder into Moss, and grinds the shoulder. Ivar wrenches, Moss knees low, and he throws forearms back. Moss headlocks, grinds the hold, but Ivar powers out. Erik tags in, Moss dodges Ivar but Erik scoops and SLAMS Moss! Then he scoops and SLAMS Ivar onto Moss! Cover, ONE as Corbin gets in and Erik stares him down. Corbin bails out, Moss gives Erik a SPINEBUSTER! Corbin grins, Moss brings Erik up and bumps him off buckles. Moss stomps Erik down, tags in Corbin, and Corbin drags Erik up to ROCK him with a right hand! Corbin rains down elbows into Erik’s shoulder then clamps on a chinbar and half nelson!

Erik endures, fans boo Moss and Corbin, and Erik fights up and fights back. Corbin shoves him away, but Erik dodges. Corbin slides out, slides in and LARIATS! Cover, Ivar breaks it! Moss gets in to SHOVE Ivar out of the ring! Moss then goes out after Ivar, Corbin gives Erik a DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO! Corbin drags Erik over, tags in Moss, and they get Erik up for a double back suplex. Erik lands on his feet to give Corbin the takeover! Erik DECKS Moss, and KNEES Corbin! Erik then dodges Moss to tag in Ivar! The Warbeard rallies on the hyenas! SIDEWAL SLAM for Moss, then the BASEMENT SPLASH! Corbin gets back in but gets a BOOT!

Ivar runs but Moss dodges to put him in the corner. Moss comes back for a SEATED SENTON! Tag to Erik, Corbin returns but Ivar cartwheels! Erik gets Corbin for an EXPLODER! And then Erik lifts Ivar for the HIP ATTACK in the corner! Tag back to Ivar, the Vikings get Moss up, double clutch for a POWERBOMB and- Corbin gets Moss out of the ring! Ivar is denied his splash, so he just goes up higher! Corbin and Moss freak out and run away! The ring count is climbing, Corbin and Moss let it hit 10! The Viking Raiders win!

Winners: The Viking Raiders, by count-out

Erik & Ivar dare Corbin & Moss to show some guts, but they’d rather live to laugh another day. Will the raid continue until the Vikings have gold again?

Sami Zayn finds Hit Row backstage.

“Look at this! Look at this!” Sami does his best to sing Hit~ Row~ but as elder statesman, he has to sometimes tell people stuff they don’t want to hear but need to hear. They get that. So he has to be honest, their entrance a couple weeks ago was a little… Flat. To be honest, it sucked. Adonis gets mad but Swerve and Dolla keep him cool. He just says that to say that these three could be the future stars of SmackDown! Dolla could be a pillar! It’ll take some work, maybe some finesse but… Alright, quick question. Does Sami think he can show them what he means by that? How to make a proper intro? Oh, yeah, he can! Follow him. Hit Row is going to love this. They follow Sami, but will it be more to learn what not to do?

Sami Zayn heads to the ring!

And just as promised, he shows off his best moves for his own entrance. Though, his best moves aren’t exactly that good. “That is how you do it! That is how you do it, kids! That is called being fearless. That is called having presence. That is called being in the present. Those are the qualities that you need to be a superstar in MY locker room.” Now he knows these guys can possess all those qualities and more, with the right leadership. So please give a big SmackDown welcome to HIT ROW! Adonis starts off, “It’s SmackDown, Friday night. And we in Indianaaa~!” Dolla says they’re rolling in the house with Sami Zayn~! “FREE LIBERATORS IN THE HOUSE~!” Okay, Sami, turn up.

Sami does more dance moves, and Dolla says Smai’s sleeping on them. Get him pajamas. Sami, Sami, Zayn must be in-Zayn thinking he can run Hit Row like he Coach Carter. Truth be told, they wouldn’t let him run their bath water. Look, Sami is big mad, but that’s cuz he pressed his luck. Sami Zayn? Nah, homie. Sami SUCKS. BURN! Fans chant “Sami Sucks!” and Sami says if they don’t want his advice, fine. He’s outta here. But Hit Row blocks his way up the ramp. Sami didn’t come here for a fight, he just wanted to help. Oh, alright. They move aside and he goes up the ramp in a hurry. Sami says he won’t forget this, though. Hit Row says if you didn’t know, now you know.

The Usos fire themselves up.

Jimmy’s ready, Jey says “Let’s get it.” But is Roman coming? Roman asks back, “How many of your problems do I need to fix around here?” Jimmy heads out, is Roman making this the last straw?

Xavier Woods VS Kofi Kingston VS Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso!

The moment of truth has come! Will the King of the Ring make #NobodysBitch kneel before him? Or will even the King of the Ring be under the Tribal Chief’s iron fist?

SmackDown returns as the Usos make their entrance. The bell rings and Woods circles with Jimmy. They talk some trash, get face to face, Woods ducks the haymaker to roll Jimmy up! TWO, and Woods says it was that close. They tie up, Jimmy puts Woods in a corner to uppercut, CHOP and uppercut again! Jimmy whips Woods to ropes, Woods kicks him back! Woods whips but Jimmy blocks the hip toss. Woods blocks, Jimmy blocks again, but Woods hits low. Jimmy denies the Famouser and whips, but Woods tilt-o-whirls to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And a basement dropkick! Cover, ONE! Jimmy bails out and regroups with Jey as fans cheer on Woods.

Jey coaches Jimmy to tighten it up, but Woods drags Jimmy up by his hair! Jimmy ROCKS Woods with a haymaker, then grinds Woods’ face against the ropes! And then back the other way to bump him off buckles! Jimmy goes up top, leaps, but into an anti-air dropkick! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps cool and drags Jimmy up to CLUB him down. Woods stands Jimmy up to CHOP him then brings him in to suplex. Jimmy blocks, wrenches and HEADBUTTS, then FLAJPACKS Woods into buckles! Woods staggers, Jimmy brings him around and slides him into the ropes! Woods is down but Kofi coaches him up as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Jimmy has Woods in a headlock, until Woods JAWBREAKERS free! Woods CHOPS, throws haymakers, but Jimmy shoves, only for Woods to CROSSBODY! Cover, TOW! Jimmy kicks, Woods blocks and spins Jimmy but gets a DRAGON WHIP! Woods ends up in a corner, fans boo but some follow the “UCE!” “OH!” and Jimmy hits the HIP ATTACK! Then he goes side to side to KNEE Woods against ropes! Cover, TWO! Woods is still in this and Kofi coaches him up. Jimmy is frustrated but Jey says he is close! Jimmy wraps on a chinlock and grinds Woods down. Fans rally up with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” and Woods fights up.

Woods snapmares free, mule kicks hard, then throws hands, but Jimmy ducks to back suplex! Woods lands on his feet, ducks and dodges and then slides to ROLLING ELBOW! Jey panics as Woods LEG LARIATS Jimmy down! Woods gets Jimmy up and hangs him out to dry! Woods then runs side to side to KNEE Jimmy down! Woods keeps moving as Jimmy bails out, Woods WRECKS Jimmy with a dropkick! Woods puts Jimmy back in the ring and hurries to the corner. Woods climbs, for a SUPER LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and Jey is relieved, but he still coaches Jimmy hard as he can.

Woods goes back to the corner, climbs back up, but Jey gets on the apron! The ref has him back off, but Jimmy trips Woods up! Jimmy climbs up to fireman’s carry Woods, for a SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Jimmy crawls to the cover, TWO!! Jey can’t believe it but neither can Indiana! Jimmy and Woods crawl towards the same ropes, “This is Awesome!” Jimmy goes to the corner, climbs up top, USO SPLASH into boots! Roll up, high stack, TWO!! SUPERKICK deflected! But Jimmy rakes eyes to avoid the saido! Kofi distracts the ref just long enough, but Jey puts his shoes on Jimmy! The ref sees that and the pin is stopped! Woods rolls Jimmy, WOODS WINS!!

Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall

And the king stands tall! Jimmy has to #BendTheKnee! Fans chant, “Bend! The Knee! Bend! The Knee!” The Usos are beside themselves, Woods demands Jimmy bend his knee! Jimmy starts to kneel, but Roman gets in to SUPERMAN PUNCH the crown right off Woods’ head! Kofi gets mugged by the Usos! The Bloodline don’t care who is king, because #WeTheOnes! They stomp away on Kofi but Woods comes back to fire off on Roman! Fans fire up, Roman shoves Woods away into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The Usos then get Kofi up and whip him into Roman’s SPEAR!! Roman has Jimmy get Kofi up, and Jey STOMPS Kofi’s leg!!

Roman makes Woods look at Kofi as they isolate the leg with a Half Crab! Jimmy USO SPLASHES the other leg! Roman throws Woods down then gets his title. Roman tells them HE is king around here! If Woods shows up next week, Roman will show him what a real king looks like. Roman holds up the title, will the Bloodline continue to rule as tyrants over Friday nights?

My Thoughts:

A very good SmackDown, but still some rough spots. For one, the huge releases this week may not have hurt SmackDown, but B-Fab being gone does kinda hurt Hit Row. I don’t even think her voice is on the Hit Row theme song anymore. I’ll skip the ranting other than B-Fab completed Hit Row and allowed them to truly dominate a brand in all divisions. But seeing how Team Vince can’t figure out how to book the women’s division all that much anymore, I suppose that’s why they don’t care for a faction to have a female member. Hit Row still had a good segment with Sami Zayn, and Sami had more great, spastic dance moves, so that feud will help build Hit Row up.

Speaking of the women’s division, the only thing we got to build off last week was Shotzi giving us a promo to further her unneeded Heel turn. Her line about the fans not supporting her is total Vince crap. You edit that line out and she’s the edgy Face who will whoop Sasha and Charlotte, even if she doesn’t win the title. Oh, and we got another way for Sonya to screw Naomi over. We’re getting ever closer to Naomi turning to the Bloodline to counter Sonya’s bias, even if that seems like Roman cleaning up one of Jimmy’s messes. And again, can we get women’s matches that last longer? Naomi and Shayna both deserve better than just three or for paragraphs, and I really hope Naomi VS Sonya is longer than that.

Another rough spot: SmackDown making Holland a fan of Sheamus. I mean, I don’t doubt a lot of WWE fans in the UK are fans of Sheamus, but you can’t make his second promo on SmackDown about him looking up to Sheamus. Hell, where is Sheamus? The two of them should’ve interacted instead, maybe see if there’s chemistry. The roughest spot: Happy Talk. Though, I do like that the Viking Raiders got Face momentum by wrecking that set. Corbin & Moss losing by count-out was a bit of a cop out. These four guys all need to look strong, and then maybe we’ll get a real finish that is meant to build up tag contenders at some point.

The tag match of Los Lotharios VS Cesaro & Mansoor was really good, though. Bit of a shame that Cesaro went from facing Roman to putting someone else over in the tag division, but what else would WWE do? McIntyre VS Ricochet was fast and short but it was that in an awesome way! And I do appreciate that they’re bringing back the history between Ricochet and Ali. I was kinda hoping with Ricochet getting in McIntyre’s face, he was starting to head Heel, maybe that happens with this new take with Ali. And we got great stuff out of the Bloodline and New Day. There’s tension returning between Roman and Jimmy, Woods could be the one to challenge Roman before Survivor Series, or even after. Stuff related to Roman is the one thing you can count on for the main roster.

My Score: 8.2/10

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

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

18 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!