Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (10/7/22)

It’s an EXTREME season premiere!

Published

2 years ago

October 7, 2022

Steven Mitchell

On the eve of Extreme Rules, there is gold!

Before The Brawling Brutes and Imperium have a Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook at Extreme Rules, Gunther and Sheamus have an Intercontinental title rematch on SmackDown’s season premiere! Will the Celtic Warrior complete his Grand Slam? Or will Der Ring General keep the mat sacred?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Ricochet VS Solo Sikoa; Solo wins.
Hit Row VS ???; No Contest.
Shotzi Blackheart & Raquel Rodriguez VS Sonya Deville & Xia Li; Shotzi & Raquel win.
Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn & The Usos VS The New Day & ???; The New Day & Braun Strowman win.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Sheamus; Gunther wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Triple H opens the SmackDown Season Premiere!

The Game, the head of creative, is here and fans are fired up for it! HHH has the mic to say, “There will come a time when you believe that everything is finished. But that, that is the beginning! Welcome to Fox! And welcome to the season premiere of Friday Night SmackDoooown~!” But wait! Here comes the BLOODLINE! The Tribal Chief leads the way for Paul Heyman, the Usos, Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn. Roman and the Usos hold up the belts for the pyro, and they continue to the ring. The Head of the Table doesn’t have to worry about Extreme Rules tomorrow, and he isn’t worried about his match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia against Logan Paul.

The Bloodline stands together in the ring and lifts the belts for the second round of Pyro. Sami jams to the music while Heyman gets the mic. Fans cheer for Sami but Heyman hands the mic to Roman. “Worcester, Mass…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Fans cheer, but here comes LOGAN PAUL! Very ImPAULsive of him to interrupt before the Bloodline really gets started, and he’s going to the ring to stand in front of them all. Roman says he gets it. There’s a bunch of them. But Logan, this is Roman’s show. That means Logan is Roman’s guest. This is a safe place, so please, enter the ring, they wanna hear what he has to say. It’s also important he hear what they have to say, so please, come on in.

Fans chant “LOGAN SUCKS!” as Logan steps inside. Roman wants to start with this: “They did the same thing to me years ago, and I’m the greatest of all time now. And that’s why I feel like it’s important you come out here, because there’s a lot of things we can teach you. Wise Man.” “Yes, My Tribal Chief.” “Smarten this boy up, will ya?” “With pleasure, My Tribal Chief.” Heyman takes the mic and says, “As Special Counsel to the Tribal Chief, the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of All Sports Entertainment, Roman… Reigns… I, Paul Heyman, also serve as Wise Man. And sometimes I drop these little pearls of wisdom, like this one.

“My Tribal Chief asked me the other day, ‘Who in the Hell is Logan Paul?’ And it hit Heyman in the head “like Anderson Silver’s gonna hit your brother, Jake Paul, in the head when they fight.” Logan is this generation’s version of Mr. T and Cindy Lauper. Logan’s the “outside celebrity that’s number one on all pop culture platforms that we bring in to bring more eyeballs to our product, which also means millions and millions and tens of millions of more people that end up dropping down to their knees and worshipping at the altar of the Island of Relevancy, which means they all get to acknowledge the Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns.”

Fans cheer as Heyman says they were trying to figure out who at Crown Jewel they make this famous “pseudo-celebrity male Kardashian” that gets to be smashed by Roman. And at first, Heyman thought, “Well, let’s take Jordan Peterson. Cuz Peterson can pontificate on the proliferation of the pessimistic wussification of the pugilistic… Jordan Peterson would never have the balls to fight the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.” Heyman then thought about Ben Shapiro. Oy vey! He talks so fast, no one can debate him. But Heyman would love an open mic night with Ben! Ben would atone for his sins, but he’s not a fighter, so he wouldn’t have the balls to fight Roman Reigns.

Then there was Andrew Tate. Yeah, agreed. Less said about that guy, the better, other than Tate would never have the balls to fight the Tribal Chief. So then who did they have? Mr. Big Balls himself, Logan Paul! Jake Paul’s shmuck of a brother! Supermodel Nina’s impotent- Oh, sorry, impulsive boyfriend who somehow has the balls to look for a moment in his life where he can provide all of his YouTube audience with the experience of getting smashed in Riyadh. So for three months while Logan’s in a hospital bed with a breathing tube and catheter, which will hopefully be in the right holes, Logan can have this content saying, “I, Logan Paul, got SMASHED by Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel.” In that moment, Logan Paul will not be offering a prediction. He will be offering a spoiler.

Logan says, “Woo… I can’t argue with that, Paul. You really are a Wise Man. But I do have one question for you, if you don’t mind. When you say that I’m gonna get smashed by the Tribal Chief, do you mean the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Or the Tribal Chief, Jey Usos?” Jey is already mad at Logan for implying stuff. Logan says he’s seeing double! Jimmy holds Jey back, fans want to let Jey get at Logan! “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Roman looks at Jey and Jey calms down, but Roman looks mad. Sami takes over to keep things calm. Fans cheer for Sami now and Sami says everyone just needs to take a breath.

Sami says Roman IS the Head of the Table, the Undisputed Universal Champion, the GOAT, and the Tribal Chief. No one here is questioning that. No one is challenging that. No one! This is family. Jey did nothing wrong. The only person doing anything around here is the wannabe, the fake, the pretender, the YouTuber who wants to be a WWE superstar who doesn’t realize that he’ll get smashed worse than anyone has been smashed in history! Logan is smirking and Sami dares him to keep at it, because Sami has a saying from The Bloodline. You the twos, and we the ones. And Logan is the biggest two of them all, dawg!

Yes, Logan is a giant number two! That is how he’ll end up! A number two stain on Roman’s shoe after Crown Jewel. And after that, the Bloodline will still be here, stronger than ever and more united than ever! Because #WeTheOnes!! Sami puts an exclamation point on this, but will Logan still get under the skin of the Bloodline these next four weeks?

Ricochet VS Solo Sikoa!

The One and Only is alone now because the Street Champion turned Mad Cap Moss into roadkill last week. Will Moss be avenged? Or will Solo wreck Ricochet like he did Riddick?

Ricochet makes his entrance, but Solo CLOBBERS him out of the handspring! The ref reprimands but Solo just glares at Ricochet. The ref checks on Ricochet, Ricochet is dazed but he wants this fight even more now! The bell rings and Ricochet fires back on Solo! Solo shoves Ricochet, Ricochet slides under, kicks, but gets flipped. Ricochet lands on his feet but Solo DECKS Ricochet with a right! Solo tells Ricochet to get up, then he runs in, but Ricochet dumps him out! Ricochet builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up with Ricochet and he puts Solo in. Ricochet aims from a corner, springboards and CROSSBODIES!

Ricochet keeps moving, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Solo bails out but hurries back in with a huff. Ricochet triangle jump dropkicks Solo down! Then Ricochet fakes Solo out to superhero land! Fans fire up with Ricochet and he eggs Solo on. Solo slides in but slides back out to refresh the count. Solo paces while fans boo. Solo slides in again, Ricochet fires off on him, then KNEES Solo out of the ring! Solo is pissed, and he gets a chair! The ref tells him no and Solo smacks the ground. Solo throws the chair away, gets up on the apron and Ricochet goes after him, but Solo HOTSHOTS Ricochet down!

Solo hurries in now, HEADBUTTS Ricochet, and stalks him to a corner. Solo whips corner to corner hard and Ricochet bounces off buckles! Solo puts Ricochet in a corner to CHOP, but Ricochet fires off haymakers! Ricochet whips, runs in, but Solo puts Ricochet on the apron. Ricochet CLUBS Solo, slingshots, but into a HARD haymaker! Ricochet falls down and Solo snarls while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Solo has his claws in Ricochet’s shoulder. Ricochet endures and fights up as the fans rally. Ricochet throws hands but Solo CHOPS him. Ricochet falls into the corner and Solo backs off to the other. Solo runs in corner to corner, but into a SHOTGUN! Solo and Ricochet both rise slowly, and Ricochet fires off forearms and hands! Ricochet KICKS and KICKS, then whips. Solo reverses but Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Solo ends up in a corner, Ricochet fires up and the fans are behind him! Ricochet runs in to RAM into Solo, then he goes out to springboard, but Solo gets under!

Ricochet Tiger Wall Kicks and V-TRIGGERS! Then SUPERKICKS! Solo wobbles but stays up, into the SPINNING HEEL KICK! Solo falls and Ricochet goes up top! Fans fire up for Ricochet’s SHOOTING STAR- INTO AN URENAGE!! Cover, Solo wins!

Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall

The Enforcer of the Island was #SpinningSolo and he gets a huge win! Will it only be a matter of time until the Street Champion becomes a champion on SmackDown?

The Bloodline is watching backstage.

Sami Zayn hypes up Solo after that performance. Jimmy agrees as Sami says Solo is an incredible addition to The Bloodline, having him as their Enforcer. Sami this he and Solo have a good thing going. Sami’s taken Solo under his wing- Jey asks what Sami means by that. Sami ain’t Day One. That’s their brother. Alright, dawg, calm down. Don’t be a hothead. Ey, Sami, call Jey a hothead one more time and- Roman gets exasperated. Jey, you are a hothead. You’ve always been a hothead. Sami tries to take back what he said but Roman says no, Sami was right. They’ve dealt with Jey their whole lives. That’s a problem.

Roman doesn’t want it to be his problem anymore, so it won’t. It’ll be Sami’s problem now. What? Is Sami supposed to keep Jey in check? As if things weren’t awkward before.

Hit Row is backstage.

But before they go to gorilla, Top Dolla has them hold up. Drip check. They’re all good. This is SmackDown, Friday Night, this is the flow. It’s the season premiere, right in here, fo’ sho. They gonna get that money money money, more dough. And if you didn’t know, now you know. They’re heading to the ring, what will they have to say with Extreme Rules around the corner?

Sami talks with the Usos as they walk backstage.

Sami didn’t mean for any of that to happen in there. Jimmy says just chill. Sami defends he is chill, but he just… Wait, the New Day walk over. Sami, save it, hush. Grown folks are talking now. But look at the Usos. We go from Main Event Jey Uso to now Sami Zayn is Jey’s boss! Roman was Jey’s daddy and now so is Sami! Jey got two daddies! Sami says the New Day can stop running their mouth to go find a partner, and the six of them can settle this tonight! How’s that? Sorry for the spit but who cares? Woods says everyone loves the New Day, Sami & the Usos are screwed! Then see them in the ring. Well Sami, tell the hothead what to do, STEP DADDY!

The New Day leaves, mocking all the way, and then Jey storms off. Has Sami stepped in it big time tonight?

Hit Row VS ???

Dolla & Adonis have been rolling in the money money money since returning to SmackDown, but- OH NO! Drive-by Dropkick on Adonis at the apron! Wait, then a DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK for Dolla! Is that…!? They’re all wearing luchador masks, they’re mugging Dolla! Dolla grabs the two, but then he gets a DROPKICK from the third! Then a DOUBLE SUPERKICK! B-Fab steps in and asks what the heck, and the luchadors step back, but ZELINA VEGA is here! FLYING RANA! Vega’s blonde now but she KNEES B-Fab down! Adonis returns, but he gets a PHANTOM DRIVER!! And then a GAMANGIRI LEG SWEEP for Dolla! And a DOUBLE SPLASH!!

This IS them! It’s LEGADO DEL FANTASMA!! Santos Escobar, Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro! Vega says she is BACK! And she didn’t come alone. Escobar introduces the faction, and he tells everyone that SmackDown is there! “Be safe.” The Emperor of Lucha and his soldiers have come, will they take over SmackDown by any means necessary?

A white rabbit video game?

The little white rabbit finds an X on the ground and starts digging. And an ERUPTION happens! Monstrous sounds come out, we look down the hole, and it gives us a date, 10/8/22, and in many languages, the phrase, “FEED YOUR HEAD.” Is something coming for Extreme Rules?

Shotzi Blackheart & Raquel Rodriguez VS Sonya Deville & Xia Li!

Riding in on the TCB Tank, the Ballsy and the Badass are ready to take care o’ bidness! Will Shotzi & Raquel steamroll their way to the top of the Women’s Tag Division? Or will the Pride Fighter & The Protector turned hunter take that momentum from them?

The teams sort out and Sonya starts against Shotzi. They circle, Xia distracts and Sonya attacks! Sonya fires off hands and gets Shotzi down. Shotzi hits back but Sonya KNEES Shotzi down! Cover, TWO! Sonya bumps Shotzi off buckles, tags Xia, and they mug Shotzi. Xia then runs in to SHINING WIZARD, ELBOW, and clinch for the EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Xia keeps on Shotzi with a facelock and she brings Shotzi to the corner. Tag to Sonya, they double suplex, but Shotzi slips out to ROCK Sonya! Xia throws Shotzi by her hair! Raquel protests but Sonya BOOTS! Cover, TWO! Raquel rushes in but Xia intercepts!

Xia and Sonya put Raquel on the apron but Shotzi dodges! Hot tag to Raquel! Big Mami Cool rallies and runs Sonya & Xia over! Raquel scoops Sonya for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Then a run and jump, TWISTING VADER! Xia rushes back in but Shotzi gets Xia, assister SLICED BREAD! Raquel ducks the roundhouse from Sonya for a TEXANA BOMB! Cover, Raquel & Shotzi win!

Winners: Shotzi Blackheart & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall

Ballsy, badass, and ready for more, will they be on the other side of Extreme Rules looking for a tag title match?

Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux are here!

Mr. Doomsday and his damsel of darkness head to the ring, just one night removed from the Strap Match Kross has with the Scottish Warrior. BUT MCINTYRE IS RIGHT BEHIND HIM! And he DECKS Kross! McIntyre rains down fists, stomps him down, and he has the strap! McIntyre puts it on, then rains down more fists before he forces the strap onto Kross! Security rushes in to stop this, fans boo, but McIntyre ELBOWS the guards away! But they drag him out! It takes FOUR men to hold McIntyre back, but he just HEADBUTTS free! He throws hands, then throws the guard into steel steps! And OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes the last one!

But because the strap is in effect, Kross YANKS McIntyre into a post! And again! Kross YANKS McIntyre into the post a third time! Scarlett goes into the ring and cheers Kross on as he hoists McIntyre up again with the strap’s help. Kross gathers up the slack to LASH McIntyre right on the back!! And then Kross stands McIntyre up again, to LASH him again!! Fans boo as Kross drags McIntyre up to POST him again! Scarlett revels in the moment as Kross LASHES away on McIntyre’s back!! Kross finally lets McIntyre fall over so that he can writhe and seethe in pain. But will there be no stopping either of these men when it is finally time to let it all go?

The Viking Raider speak.

“Only the foolish confuse absence with weakness. We have been watching, waiting, and growing stronger.” “When the gods speak, I listen. We obey. Valhalla awaits.” Wait, that second voice… Could it be…? Will Erik be bringing his Valkyrie with him to SmackDown?

Six Man Tag: Sami Zayn & The Usos VS The New Day & ???

Tensions aside, the Honorary Uce and the Undisputed Tag Team Champions can agree that they don’t like Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods! But everyone else does, so who (who who who?) is the third man, brother? BRAAAUN~! The Monster of All Monsters is here, will he and the New Day make sure the Bloodline will #GetTheseHands?

The trios sort out and Sami starts against Woods. They circle, tie up, and Sami headlocks. Woods powers out, Sami runs him over, but Woods gets up. Sami holds up the finger, #WeTheOnes, but fans boo. Woods and Sami circle again, tie up, and Woods headlocks. Sami powers out, Woods runs him over now, and then Woods rolls Sami to whip. Kofi tags in before Sami reverses but Woods reverses back to send Sami into a shoulder! Roll up and CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Sami is still in this and the Usos breathe easier. Kofi whips, Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges then stops himself to tag Jey!

Jey is upset, there was no agreement to that tag. Jey is pissed, but he steps into a DROPKICK! Jimmy rushes in but Woods ROCKS him! Woods throws Jimmy out, fans fire up, and the New Day builds speed! Woods WRECKS Jimmy with a dropkick while Kofi FLIES to take out Jey! The Usos are down, Sami is stepping up but the New Day backs off. The Bloodline regroups but Jey is pissed again as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Jimmy rains down fists on Kofi. Jimmy lets off and fans chant, “We Want Braun!” Jimmy tags Sami in, but then Jey tags himself in. The Usos mug Kofi, then Jey stomps away at the ropes. The ref counts, Jey lets off but comes back to CLOBBER Kofi! Jey shows that short temper as he throws Kofi’s elbow pads away, but then he tags Jimmy. Jey RAMS into Kofi to keep him in the corner, Jimmy taunts Braun and runs in to forearm smash! Cover, ONE!! Kofi is hanging tough but Jimmy stomps his hands. Tag to Sami, he and Jimmy mug Kofi now, and then Sami drags Kofi up to DECK him.

Sami stands Kofi up to DECK him again, then he whips Kofi to ropes for a LARIAT! Jey tags himself in! Sami is upset now, mostly because that one hurt. Jey looms over Kofi, waistlocks and back suplexes! Cover, TWO! Jey stalks Kofi, CHOKES him on the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts 4. Jimmy gets a cheap shot in! Woods protests but the damage is done. Jey tags Jimmy, the Usos mock the “New! Day Rocks!” chants. The Usos mug Kofi, Jimmy tags Sami. They mug Kofi, fans do cheer Sami on and Sami offers a tag to Jey. Jey takes it, they mug Kofi now. Sami wants a handshake but Jey’s still not there yet.

Jey drags Kofi over to the corner, Jimmy tags in, and the Usos split the wishbone! Kofi writhes and Sami argues with Jey about the handshake. Jimmy does his best to keep the peace here but he has to hurry to get between Kofi and Woods! Jimmy DECKS Woods, but Kofi hits a DOUBLE STOMP! Fans are thunderous as Kofi and Jimmy crawl! Hot tag to Braun! The Monster rallies on Jimmy, DECKS Jey and Sami, then BOOTS Jimmy! Jimmy scrambles to a corner but Braun SPLASHES him! Braun keeps moving to go corner to corner and SPLASH again! Bruan throws off his shirt, then hauls Jimmy u for a CHOKE SLAM!!

Fans are thunderous but Sami and Jey are still arguing! Braun decides to get on the tracks! He tags Kofi, then goes out to run in around the way and he BLASTS Jey and Sami into the commentary desk! Jey takes out Cole!! Braun holds up the fingers and Jimmy turns around into a scoop! BACKBREAKER to DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, Braun & the New Day win!!

Winners: The New Day & Braun Strowman, by pinfall

And the Undisputed Tag Team Champions have fallen! It’s a good thing this wasn’t for titles, but now the New Day might be back on track to get at those titles! Will Woods & Kofi stop Jimmy & Jey from breaking their longest title reign record? How will Roman Reigns react to this disaster?

Max Dupri has decimated Maximum Male Models!

Maxxine is freaking out! Why did Max do this!? “Max” tells her to NOT call him that again. He gave them all gold and they turned it to trash! You think he’s just gonna hang out here and be something he’s not? NAH NAH! He is NOT Max Durpi. What he is, is L A KNIGHT, YEAH!! The Megastar is back, but what will he do now that he IS back?

WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Sheamus!

Clash at the Castle saw a clash of titans that is easily a Match of the Year nominee. Then things have only escalated as Imperium returned to full strength with Giovanni Vinci joining Ludwig Kaiser and Der Ring General here on SmackDown. But while the Brawling Brutes, Ridge Holland & “Butch” Pete Dunne, will join The Fella in a Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook at Extreme Rules, this is all about the title and a rematch from Cardiff. Will Sheamus finally complete not only the WWE Grand Slam (world/universal title, US, IC and tag) but also accomplish the first-ever ULTIMATE GRAND SLAM? Or will the mat forever be sacred?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and once again, we stand on the doorstep of wrestling history!

The bell rings and the forearms start flying! Fans fire up and Sheamus gets the edge, but Gunther CHOPS! Sheamus CLOBBERS Gunther! Gunther bails out, Sheamus pursues but Gunther trips him on the apron! Gunther then brings Sheamus around, but Sheamus whips Gunther into barriers first! And then into more barriers! And then into barriers behind commentary! The Fella roars and so does Worcester as SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns and Sheamus CLOBBERS Gunther in the ring! Fans rally up behind Sheamus as he drags Gunther up to whip to ropes. Gunther holds ropes, then he dumps Sheamus out. But Sheamus HOTSHOTS him away! Sheamus goes up top, leaps, and FLYING LARIATS! Fans fire up as Gunther sputters to a corner. Gunther has some blood in his mouth, but he still BOOTS back! Gunther runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Fans fire up again as Sheamus goes to a corner. But Gunther bails out to the apron to avoid the Brogue. So Sheamus gets him for BEATS- NO, Gunther blocks the Bodhrain! Sheamus ROCKS him for it!

Sheamus goes out to join Gunther on the apron and reels him in. Gunther blocks the suplex, and CHOPS! Then he POSTS Sheamus! Gunther steps inside, he drags Sheamus up the corner, and he bumps Sheamus off buckles. Gunther unwraps a crossbar and then steps outside. Gunther YANKS Sheamus into the bar, chest first! Sheamus tumbles to the floor, chest red from the chops. Fans boo as Gunther lets the ring count climb. Sheamus gasps and sits up slowly, the ring count is 5 of 10. Sheamus stands at 6 but Gunther is there to drag him through the ropes! Gunther EuroUppers Sheamus off his feet!

Gunther stands Sheamus up but Sheamus throws body shots. Gunther throws forearms, Sheamus gives them back, but Gunther gets around to a SLEEPER! And body scissors! Sheamus endures, reaches, but Gunther is on top him! Gunther tries to smother Sheamus but Sheamus stands up! Fans fire up but Gunther lets off to CHOP! Sheamus ROCKS Gunther! Gunther CHOPS! Sheamus ROCKS! Sheamus ROCKS, Gunther CHOPS, they just start throwing wild back and forth! Forearms and CHOPS over and over, Sheamus swings but Gunther gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Gunther looms over Sheamus. Fans boo as Gunther sits Sheamus up to ROCK him with a forearm. Gunther has a wristlock to keep Sheamus up, and he stands Sheamus for another forearm! And another! And then a CHOP! Forearm! CHOP! Repeat! Sheamus just takes the shots and eggs Gunther on! Sheamus gives the forearms back and fans are loving it! But Gunther gest around to SLEEPER, only for Sheamus to back Gunther into a corner. The ref counts, but Sheamus fires off elbow after elbow! Sheamus lets off at 4, then kicks and CLUBS away! The ref counts again, Sheamus lets off at 2.

Sheamus catches his breath, chest bright red and starting to bleed from busted skin. Sheamus has Gunther at the ropes, for BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Fans count all the way to TEN, but Sheamus has Gunther on the second rope for MORE BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Another TEN, and then the bottom rope gets BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus lets off, THIRTY in total! Gunther goes to a corner, Sheamus runs in to clothesline! And then fireman’s carry! And then Sheamus climbs the corner! SUPER WHITE NOISE!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and no one can believe it! But Sheamus lets that go to stalk Gunther.

“This is Awesome!” as Sheamus storms up and gets the legs. Gunther SLAPS Sheamus and kicks him away. Sheamus comes back, into the T-REX SHOTGUN! And then the GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fans are thunderous that Sheamus is still in this! Gunther is beside himself, but he drags Sheamus to a drop zone. Gunther drops a knee, then uses a NECK TWIST! Gunther goes up the corner, for a GUNTHER SPLASH to the back!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sheamus survives again and Worcester is electric! Gunther and Sheamus go to opposite corners as fans rally up. Sheamus drags himself up and Gunther roars at him!

Gunther runs in, but Sheamus BOOTS the lariat! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! And then the CLOVERLEAF!! Gunther endures now, reaches out, wait is that a tap!? The ref says no, just Gunther clawing the mat! Gunther fights to get the ROPEBREAK!! Fans boo and Sheamus questions it! He saw a double slap of the mat but the ref says no, that was just Gunther fighting and flailing. Sheamus sees Imperium rushing to ringside to rally for Gunther. But then here come the BRUTES! They brawl with Vinci & Ludwig just like on NXT! Ridge sends Vinci into barriers while Dunne punches away on Ludwig at the desk!

Sheamus stands Gunther up, Gunther CHOPS, but Sheamus KNEES him down!! Sheamus goes to a corner and takes aim! But Ludwig slips Gunther a shillelagh!? Sheamus runs in while the ref is watching the brawl, SHILLELAGH LARIAT!! Fans boo as Gunther covers, Gunther wins!!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

The brawl of Brutes and Imperium continues outside, but the battle was won! Der Ring General wins with very little honor, but he still won. Will anyone ever take that title from Gunther with Vinci & Ludwig watching his back? Will the Donnybrook only be that much more intense with the heat building up?

My Thoughts:

Another great go-home for WWE this week, even with this one feeding into Crown Jewel on top of Extreme Rules tomorrow. For one, the White Rabbit social media augmented reality campaign finishes up with some direct messaging with that little video game vignette. Extreme Rules tomorrow night, The White Rabbit, whether it is just Bray Wyatt or a whole faction, will show up. And I should’ve made note of it, but there was literally a white rabbit mascot wearing a kilt to tease who is up first: Drew McIntyre. It fits as McIntyre VS Kross is a big time match, Kross was the “White Rabbit” in Lucha Underground, and after that awesome brawl from McIntyre and Kross, we’re going to see an awesome Strap Match, and there’s a big chance the WWE’s White Rabbit affects that outcome.

Great debut for Legado del Fantasma on SmackDown, though I am a bit disappointed and confused as to what happened with Elektra Lopez. Zelina even went blonde and so she looks like a tiny Elektra, but wouldn’t having two females in the faction help? They can go for tag titles together, they can each try for the singles title, and it’s just more bodies for Heel tactics. But I do like that they went after Hit Row, their rivals from NXT, but Vince ruined that with a premature call-up that was just an excuse to let them all go while under bigger None Competes. But now that they’re all here under HHH, we might get to see some of that feud finish here on SmackDown.

Great women’s tag match to also establish some teams in the division. Shotzi & Raquel win to keep momentum in their feud with Damage Control, and I wonder if WWE is planning a big women’s tag title match for Crown Jewel to further add to history being made for pro-wrestling in Saudi Arabia. And while I wanted Max Dupri’s return to being LA Knight to include Mace & Mansoor, I suppose him beating up Mace & Mansoor helps give him a first feud. Of course, Knight could convince them to join him as their real selves by beating them, but we’ll just have to wait and see. And that’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life, YEAH!

We got awesome stuff out of the Bloodline tonight, especially in regards to how Sami and Jey are interacting. Good promo from Heyman, though he chose some very, uh, interesting names to name drop. Maybe he’s trying to paint Logan Paul social and politically for the audience. Sami also had a great promo to put Logan in his place more directly, and Roman being fed up with Jey is a nice new detail. We got a great Six Man out of this stuff, Braun keeps building momentum and the fans in Worcester sure loved him. New Day pinning an Uso is great stuff, we definitely will see that match up for the tag titles at Crown Jewel. That event is right on the line of the Usos making it past the New Day’s historic reign, and we’ll definitely get another instant classic.

Ricochet VS Solo was a great match, and wow that tumble out of the ring for Ricochet. He managed to tuck his head, which perhaps saved him. I wonder if he’s been practicing that to have a dramatic looking spot. But Solo winning either way makes sense, he is building up a lot of momentum. And after the Six Man Tag loss, you can beat Sami won’t be going for the midcard title, Solo will be. And speaking of which, a great Intercontinental Championship match, though not as amazing as Clash at the Castle. I did like the three consecutive Beats of the Bodhrain, but I should’ve figured that Imperium would help Gunther cheat. History like what Sheamus is close to definitely should wait for a WrestleMania or similar PPV, but it would’ve been wild to see that tonight.

My Score: 8.8/10

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!