Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/14/23)

The King of Strong Style returns!

Published

1 year ago

April 14, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Shinsuke Nakamura is back on SmackDown!

After an excursion back home to Japan, Shinsuke Nakamura returns to Friday Night SmackDown! Will the King of Strong Style soon head for gold?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Xavier Woods VS LA Knight; Woods wins.
Santos Escobar w/ The LWO VS Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day; Priest wins.
Shinsuke Nakamura VS Madcap Moss w/ Emma; Nakamura wins.
Matt Riddle w/ Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos; Solo wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kevin Owens is here!

The Nebraska Cornhuskers fire up for the Prizefighter, but of course, he’s brought Sami Zayn with him! The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions go to the ring, raising the titles up high. They then get the mics as the fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” Sami thanks the fans for that, and says it has only been two weeks “since one of the most historic nights of all time. For the first time ever, the tag team championships were the main event of WrestleMania.” Fans cheer that factoid, and Sami says, “Two guys that started together from nothing, two guys who’ve been together since they were friends, WE closed out the show as CHAMPIONS!”

Fans cheer again, and Sami continues with, “For as amazing as that was, to be honest, we haven’t really had time to process it. We haven’t had time to think about it. We haven’t had time to think about much of anything, because of everything that’s happening. All the stuff that’s going on with the Bloodline…” Fans boo hearing that name, and Kevin smiles. Sami says all this stuff with the WWE Draft, a lot is going on. It is an exciting time but a time of uncertainty, right? Kevin agrees, this is exciting. Any time there’s a Draft, the unpredictability makes for a certain atmosphere. Everyone loves it.

But here’s two things Kevin knows for a fact. One: he knows that regardless of where they end up in the draft, Kevin & Sami are the Undisputed Tag Team Champions of the WWE, so as hard as they’ve worked to win these titles, they will defend them with everything they have! Whether it’s on Raw, SmackDown, every single time! And speaking of that, the other thing is that sooner rather than later, the Usos are coming for a rematch. Fans boo again, but Kevin tells Sami that- The Usos show up! They also have Solo with them! The Usos have mics, and Jimmy asks if Jey hears all this. Jey does hear all this.

Jimmy says, “These two out here, acting like they folding under pressure, like the pressure got to ’em. Hey, you two been champs for what? Two weeks? Me ‘n’ Uce have been champs for two years.” Jey says that’s 620+ days! What do Sami & Kevin know about pressure? Sami says maybe that’s right, maybe they don’t know about pressure. The Usos are the ones who have to report back every single week, emptyhanded to Daddy Roman. Jey gets riled up but Jimmy tells Sami to shut up. Sami’s been saying the same thing for months now! “The Bloodline’s got cracks in it. The Bloodline’s gonna fall. Go back to your Daddy. Go back to your Daddy. Go back to your Daddy.”

But did Sami not hear what “Mr. Yellow Shoes” Kevin just said? The bloodline is m ore dangerous than ever! And here’s what Sami’s sleeping on. The Bloodline is STRONGER than ever! The Usos leveled up! Enforcer Solo, you don’t want the savage to come out of him. So listen close when they say, and open them big ears up: The Usos WILL BE the NINE-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions! Fans boo, but Jey says there’s no cracks in the Bloodline. They’re solid over here. When the Usos take back the titles, Kevin & Sami will do what they always do: fold under pressure. They’ll turn on each other again.

Jey was wrong about Kevin. It won’t be him turning on Sami. It’ll be Sami backstabbing his brother like he did Jey’s whole damn family!! Jimmy adds, “Facts.” Sami wishes he was as good at anything as Jey is at lying to himself. Jey wants to act like it’s cool. That Roman’s okay with them losing the titles? Fine. Wanna act like there’s no cracks in the foundation? Fine. Wanna act like Solo wasn’t ready to drop Jey last week? Fine. Wanna keep ignoring what Sami is saying, even though you know it’s true? Fine! Sami can tell that it doesn’t matter what he says, because the Usos aren’t here just to talk, right?

Jey says he’s right, they didn’t. The mics drop and the Bloodline moves up towards the ring! The tag champs are surrounded 3v2, but here comes THE BRO! Riddle YANKS Solo off the apron and the brawl is on 3v3! Fans fire up, Solo is sent into barriers! Sami TOSSES Jimmy into the timekeeper’s area! Kevin fires off on Jey then TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! Solo turns things around on Riddle, but Riddle ducks the Samoan Spike! Ripcord, FINAL FLASH! And then another FLASH KNEE! And then Riddle goes up top! The Usos drag Solo to safety and fans boo as they’re in retreat!

Kevin, Sami and Riddle egg The Bloodline on, all three “problems” are united! Will Jimmy, Jey & Solo have to deal with them all personally?

Adam Pearce talks with a referee backstage.

That was absolute chaos just now, so the ref needs to do Pearce a favor: Find Riddle, find Solo, let them know that if they wanna settle things, they can do that tonight in the main event 1v1 tonight! The ref nods and heads out. Will all hell break loose to end the night?

Xavier Woods and LA Knight posted videos to social media.

Woods said, “This Friday night on SmackDown, Xavier Woods has a match up against one LA Knight. Now, LA, you have a gift. You have the gift of gab.” Knight said in his video that he is “the fastest rising star on SmackDown today!” Woods would say that unfortunately, he and Knight now have a problem. Knight complained about not being on WrestleMania over the UpUpDownDown crew, and said that’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life. Woods would finish by saying that tonight on SmackDown, Woods wins. Will there be no more games in this 1v1 showdown?

Xavier Woods VS LA Knight!

The bell rings and the fans rally. Woods and Knight circle, and fans echo the “YEAH!” Woods applauds, Knight has fans in Nebraska. They tie up, Knight headlocks, and grinds Woods. Woods fights the hold, powers up and out, and Knight runs him over! Fans rally again as things speed up, and Woods DROPKICKS Knight down! Fans fire up with Woods while Knight goes to ropes. Woods storms up, CLUBS Knight, then headlocks in return. Knight endures now, fights up, but Woods hits the takeover. Knight rolls to a cover, ONE! They fight to their feet, Knight back suplexes but Woods lands on his feet.

Woods headlocks, Knight powers out and CLOBBERS him! Knight whips Woods to ropes to scoop, but Woods tilt-o-whirls through to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Woods kips up and fans fire up again! Knight bails out but Woods builds speed. Woods FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Knight, YEAH! Fans are all fired up with Woods and Woods puts Knight in the ring. Woods goes up the corner, but Knight sees him and bails out of the ring! Woods hops down, runs and slides, but Knight avoids the dropkick! Knight RAMS Woods into the apron, then picks Woods up and POSTS him! Woods drops and fans boo while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Woods bumps Knight off buckles. Woods whips corner to corner, runs in but misses! Knight hits a JUMPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Knight is annoyed but he stomps Woods down. Woods goes to ropes, but Knight stands on him! The ref counts, Knight steps off, and fans boo. Knight drags Woods up, fans rally with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods JAWBREAKERS! Woods JABS, JABS, JABS, and whips! Knight reverses but Woods stops to LEG LARIAT! Fans fire up as both men are down! Knight goes to ropes, Woods hurries over and throws forearms. And CHOPS!

Woods whips, Knight reverses, but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges, then slides, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this and fans fire up again! Woods nods, he and Knight rise, and Woods storms up. Woods fireman’s carries, Knight fights free to shove. Woods holds ropes, elbows back, but Knight ducks the leg lariat to DDT! Cover, TWO! Knight is growing frustrated but he can only glare at the ref. Fans cheer and jeer as Knight paces around Woods. Knight brings Woods up, suplexes, but Woods fights it! Knight keeps trying, but Woods blocks again! Knight throws body shots and he CLUBS away on Woods!

Knight kicks and stomps Woods on the mat but fans boo. Knight huffs and puffs, then brings Woods towards ropes. Knight suplexes but Woods fights it! Woods suplexes to hang Knight out to dry! Woods then goes to the ropes, goes up the corner, GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS! And then Woods goes back up, for a SUPER LEG DROP! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Knight survives by fingertips! Woods is stunned, but he storms after Knight. Woods whips, Knight reverses but Woods KICKS him away! Woods runs in, into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Knight spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT!” BIG elbow drop!

Woods staggers up, Knight is there, but Woods avoids the BFT! Woods waistlocks but Knight fights it and switches. O’Conner Roll, but with tights! The ref sees that plain as day! Knight lets off, is upset there wasn’t even an attempt, and Woods O’Conner Rolls! With tights!! The ref misses it, counts, and Woods wins!

Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall

Woods cheats the cheater and snatches the win! Will Knight ever live this one down? Or is this Woods’ time to shine?

Imperium talks backstage.

Gunther tells Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci something in German, the key word sounds like “focus.” But then WOODS walks in, playing his trombone! Ludwig scolds Woods, saying Imperium is trying to do important work here. Right, sorry, his bad. Please continue. The conversation continues, only for Woods to play the trombone again. Gunther stops Ludwig from rushing Woods, and he says Woods clearly wants his attention. So then, Woods should approach him in a respectful manner. But no, Woods is a good. Woods doesn’t know what respect is. Gunther does not like goofs.

If necessary, Gunther and Woods can step onto the mat and Gunther can beat that respect into Woods. Woods says now we’re talking! Because Gunther has been Intercontinental Champion for a long time, and Woods has never even had a shot. So considering the Draft is coming and Woods doesn’t know what show they’ll end up on, Woods will be the hottest free agent in a few weeks, he feels like he’s beyond ready to step into the ring to take that title back to his place. Woods plays himself off, the challenge being issued. Will the former tag team champion and former King of the Ring look to become the next Intercontinental Champion?

Riddle talks with Sami backstage.

Sami thanks Riddle for stepping up against the Bloodline. But Solo is dangerous. Sami wants Riddle to be careful. Solo took Riddle out before, and Sami regrettably was on that side of it. Sami apologizes for that, he feels horrible. Kevin gets hurt last week, Sami feels like that was his fault, too. Sami would just feel awful if something bad happened again. Kevin can’t even with this. Why’s Sami telling Riddle to be careful? Solo took Riddle out for three months, so screw being careful! Go at him with everything! Get revenge! Take him out like he did you! Careful? No, do the opposite!

Riddle says honestly, they both have good advice. But Riddle learned while he was away that he can only keep his side of the street clean. He can’t control if the Bloodline wants to bust his head open with a chair, or if Sami can’t control his Ucey-ness. What Riddle can control is how prepared he is for tonight, and how much pain he is going to inflict on Solo for the 118 DAYS he was out, bro! Sami and Kevin seem to accept that answer. Will the Stallion stampede all over the Enforcer of the Island?

Backstage interview with The Judgment Day.

Kayla Braxton is with Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Dominik Mysterio. Kayla says Priest & Dom picked up a win over Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar in a tag match, despite Zelina Vega kind of embarrassing Rhea. What!? Embarrassing Rhea?! Are you kidding?! Dom has Kayla stop there. Don’t make Mami mad. Here’s the deal: Santos Escobar can go. What he can’t do is pick good friends. Rey Mysterio, the Latino World Order, none of them should be getting involved in Judgment Day business. And Priest already knows Kayla wants to ask about Bad Bunny, but Priest will address all that in the ring.

The Judgment Day heads out, will the Punisher make an example out of the Emperor of Lucha? Or will the LWO find a way to make Priest pay?

Santos Escobar w/ The Latino World Order VS Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day!

As Priest promised, he gets the mic to speak. “Backlash is in San Juan, Puerto Rico! And the host is my friend, Bad Bunny. Now Bunny, you wanna attend the show, sit in the front row again, fine. Have a great time. But if you put your hands on my family again, I mean, we all know what can happen.” Priest cues up the footage from two weeks ago on Raw, the hands thrown between Bunny, Dominik and Priest, culminating in Priest hitting a choke slam through the announce table. Fans boo but Dom & Rhea applaud. Priest says that was bad. But he needs us to watch that again, in slow-motion.

But here comes the LWO! Vega eggs Rhea on, but where are the others? They sneak up from behind! Escobar CLOBBERS Dom while Wilde & Del Toro CLOBBER Priest! Fans fire up as the LWO get out of the ring and taunt the Judgment Day. Priest is fuming, will he take out all his frustration on Escobar? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns, the match already underway as Priest whips Escobar to a corner. Priest lines up the shot, runs in, but into a BOOT! Priest runs back in, Escobar slips to the apron, Priest hits buckles! Escobar goes up to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up and Escobar clotheslines Priest out of the ring! Fans fire up again and Escobar builds speed! But Priest gets away, so Escobar goes to the apron. Escobar leaps, into an UPPERCUT! Rhea taunts Escobar, Priest puts him in the ring. Priest runs in corner to corner to back elbow! And then BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Rhea argues the count but the count was fair.

Priest drags Escobar up, knuckle locks, and grins. Priest wrenches the wrist, taunts Escobar, but Escobar CHOPS! Priest KICKS, then twists the wrist. Escobar CHOPS, Priest KICKS, KICKS and twists the wrist. Escobar CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS, but Priest blocks! Priest swings, Escobar dodges, and he fires off CHOP after CHOP! Escobar then CHOPS and whips, things speed up and Escobar DROPKICKS Priest down! Cover, TWO! Rhea is furious but Escobar tells her and Dom to “SUCK IT!” Escobar stalks Priest, runs in at the corner, and DOUBLE KNEES! Fans fire up, Escobar ROCKS Priest, then goes corner to corner again, more DOUBLE KNEES!

Priest staggers and Escobar bumps him off buckles. Escobar climbs up and fans fire up. Escobar rains down fists, winds up at nine, but Priest choke grips with both hands! Escobar fights free! But Priest SUPERKICKS Escobar out of the ring! The LWO check on Escobar but he stands up. Priest goes out the side, runs in and leaps off the steps to AX HANDLE Escobar down! The Punisher is in control as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Priest fires off hands in the corner. Fans rally for Escobar but Priest whips corner to corner. Escobar reverses to fire off hands! But Priest clinches for a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Priest snarls but Dom and Rhea like what they’re seeing. Priest clamps onto Escobar with a motorcycle stretch. Fans rally for Escobar, Escobar fights up, and Escobar throws elbows! Priest knees low! Rhea grins but Escobar JAWBREAKERS Priest away! Priest goes to a corner, Escobar runs in but Priest BOOTS him down! Priest snarls, stalks Escobar to the apron, and Rhea grins while Dom soaks up the heat.

Priest drags Escobar up the corner and to the top, but Escobar throws body shots! Escobar ROCKS Priest with haymakers, then climbs up to join him! Fans fire up for the SUPER STEINER! Rhea & Dom panic as Priest looks dazed! Escobar crawls his way over, pushes Priest to a cover, TWO!! Escobar survives and Rhea sighs in relief. Escobar and Priest slowly rise, and they start throwing hands! Fans rally as they go back and forth, haymaker for haymaker! Nebraska is on Escobar’s side but Priest KICKS and KICKS and spins, into a V-TRIGGER! Priest comes back but Escobar dodges the haymaker!

Escobar ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING FOREARM! Fans fire up as Escobar rallies! Escobar RANAS Priest into a corner! Escobar runs corner to corner but Priest puts him on the apron. Escobar GAMANGIRIS back! Priest staggers, Escobar climbs, and Escobar QUEBRADAS! Cover, TWO!! A close call and both the LWO and the Judgment Day are going nuts! Escobar stalks Priest to ropes, fireman’s carries, but Priest holds ropes! Rhea distracts the ref on one side, Dom helps Priest on the other! LARIAT!! But then Cruz & Wilde jump Dom! But then Priest goes out to grab them both! Priest SHOVES Wilde & Cruz into the timekeeper’s area!

But Escobar DIVES! Direct hit into the desk! Escobar drags Priest back into the ring, he hurries in, but Rhea anchors a foot! Fans boo, Escobar kicks free, but Vega storms up. Rhea pops Vega up but Vega RANAS Rhea into barriers! Escobar runs in at Priest, but into a JUMP KICK! And SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!! Cover, Priest wins!

Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall

Deja vu, anyone? Vega gets the better of Rhea, but the boys still get it done! Priest throws Escobar out of the ring, and speaking of deja vu, he clears off the announce desk! Priest drags Escobar up, but here comes REY! The King of Lucha, the leader of LWO, is somewhere in the arena, he LEAPS in from the crowd!! He takes out Priest, then goes after Dom! Fans are thunderous as Rey fires off hands! Dom knees low, swings, but Rey dodges to RAAN! Dom ends up on ropes, and Rey dials it up!! But Priest saves Dom from the 619! Fans boo but the Judgment Day retreats. They’re at a 5v3 disadvantage, they’ll wait for better odds. But what will it take to finally settle this between Dom’s “family” and Rey’s new friends?

The Bloodline hypes Solo up.

Paul Heyman says he just got off the phone with The Tribal Chief. Roman Reigns said Riddle didn’t just embarrass Solo. When someone embarrasses Solo, that person embarrasses the entire FAMILY! Their lineage! When someone does that, they embarrass the Usos. They embarrass Afa! They embarrass Sika! They disgrace the memories of Yokozuna and Umaga! They’re turning over in their graves! Let alone what’s going through the mind of Solo’s father, Rikishi! They embarrassed The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns! Solo has Heyman stop there. Heyman apologizes. Solo wants Heyman to tell the Tribal Chief, “I got this.” Heyman gets his phone to pass that along.

Solo is a man of few words, so him speaking here carries weight. Will all that weight come crashing down on the head of The Bro quite literally?

Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are here!

These two are the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions after taking on Becky Lynch & Trish Stratus. The drama that happened between The Man and The Chick isn’t their concern, these two are here to celebrate! What will these two say about the biggest win of their careers? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns as the official introductions are given, and there’s even pyro! That gives Raquel goosebumps! The champs then get the mics and Liv says they are so happy and proud to be here the NEW tag team champions! Fans cheer, and Raquel adds that they brought the hardware home to Friday Night SmackDown! But Raquel would like to sincerely thank Liv. Really? Yes! Thank you, Liv, for sacrificing your body so willingly to be Raquel’s own personal weapon. But they make the perfect combo of chaos and power! Liv thanks Raquel for that, and says she will always let Raquel throw her into people.

Liv adds that when they started this journey together, she didn’t think this is where they’d end up. So it is a nice reminder that great things will happen when you least expect them. And besides, they’re still getting to know each other, still feeling out their vibe. But if they’re this good this quickly, then wow wow wow, they can only imagine- Oh, wait, here come Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green. They want everything to stop right there. “Sorry” to interrupt, but listening back there was making them feel dumber and dumber by the minute. So first off, Nebraska, when they grace you with their presence, shut up and show respect.

Liv says Nebraska doesn’t have to listen to Sonya. But Sonya wants to address the elephant in the room. “How are you two tag team champions when you didn’t beat the two tag team champions?” Are they all going to ignore the fact that Lita got “miraculously” beat up before the match. Trish subs in and it all just counts? Does that make any sense? Sonya doesn’t get it. Maybe it was someone from upper management that overlooked it. Chelsea says it was probably “pea brain” Adam Pearce! But while Chelsea & Sonya are here, why don’t they discuss the way they’ve been treated? Absolutely!

“The fact that we are being overlooked for this mediocre tag team…” “What even is this?” Chelsea asks Sonya, “True or false: The only difference between these two and everyone else in this building, woof, are those tag team championships.” “True!” “That’s right. Where’s our celebration? Where’s our pyro? Where’s our tag team title opportunities, huh? Do you know who we are?!” “Do you?!” Yes, Liv & Raquel know exactly who they are. But after talking to Adam Pearce, Liv & Raquel are looking at their next challengers. Chelsea 7 Sonya are happy, but then the brawl is on! Raquel BOOTS Chelsea, Liv shoves Sonya to hit a CODE BREAKER!

Sonya staggers up, but Chelsea saves her from ObLivion! The saying is “be careful what you wish for,” will that be proven right as the Hot Mess & Pride Fighter take on the team that’s #LivingLarge?

Shinsuke Nakamura VS Madcap Moss w/ Emma!

The King of Strong Style has been away, back to his home in the Land of the Rising Sun. But he has returned to the WWE reinvigorated and ready to start again! Will SmackDown soon become his Kingdom of Strong Style?

Backstage, Emma gives Moss a pep talk. Don’t listen to the fans, listen to her. The fans should be cheering for Moss, not Nakamura. Nakamura doesn’t compare to Moss. Nakamura hasn’t won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal, but Moss has. Nakamura doesn’t have Moss’s looks or strength. Nakamura’s got nothing on Moss. And Moss needs this. Moss will go out and prove why he’s a top pick in the WWE Draft. Moss is fired up, will that fire help him ruin Nakamura’s return?

The bell rings and Moss rushes in! Moss fires off hands in the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and he runs corner to corner to RAM into Nakamura! Moss brings Nakamura up, scoops, but the slam doesn’t have a lot of stank on it. Moss covers anyway, ONE!! Moss suplexes Nakamura but Nakamura knees free! Moss ducks the roundhouse but not the WHEEL KICK! Nakamura gets up and shouts, “C’MON!” Moss falls for it, and runs into the strike fest! AX KICK! Nakamura runs, SLIDING KICK! Moss staggers to a corner, Nakamura runs in but blocks the boots. Nakamura puts Moss in the ropes, ROUNDHOUSES and runs, SLIDING GERMAN!

Fans fire up as Nakamura goes back into the ring. Nakamura is up top, he FLYING KNEES Moss down! Emma worries as Nakamura takes aim! “YAO~!” Nakamura runs in, KINSHASA!! Cover, Nakamura wins!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall

Emma’s motivation wasn’t enough for Moss to overcome the gap in ability! Moss is mad, he swings on Nakamura, but into the ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Emma drags Moss out of the ring, but she’s also frustrated. Will Emma & Moss have to go back to the drawing board on how to make their mark?

Scarlett Bordeaux is reading the cards.

She nibbles on this one, she must like it. She sets it down, and it’s Nakamura! Karrion Kross then slams the table with his fist. “Tick, tock.” Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday are putting Nakamura on the clock. Will time run out on Nakamura’s return already?

Braun Strowman & Ricochet talk backstage.

The Draft is coming, they hope to stick together through it. But then the VIKING RAIDERS attack!! Erik & Ivar ram them into spare girders and bars! Then they grab one and RAM Braun down with it! Ricochet fights back but that’s 2v1! Sarah Logan shouts about the tables! The Vikings hoist Ricochet up, RAGNAROK through tables!! The raid just wrecked the dynamic duo, how will the Monster of All Monsters and the King of Flight respond?

Matt Riddle w/ Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Usos!

The Original Bro is ready to go, and he’s got Sami & KO! Will the Stallion settle the score? Or will the Enforcer erase the embarrassment to the Bloodline?

Heyman has the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. And I have a historic announcement to make. I just got off the phone with Your Tribal Chief, Roman… Reigns…! Who has authorized me to let you know we… Well, we muscled our way through management and finally it’s set. Two weeks from tonight, live from Corpus Christi, the biggest tag team match in the history of SmackDown, when the WrestleMania Night One main event gets rematched live! Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defending and losing the Undisputed Tag Team Championships to the Usos!”

Fans are torn hearing that, but Heyman guarantees this: Kevin & Sami WILL lose those titles, because the Tribal Chief is losing patience with the two of you. Wait, Heyman points at Kevin & Sami but he was looking at the Usos. Are the Usos on thin ice? As for this main event, Bro and Enforcer finally have it out, after the break!

SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Riddle fires off on Solo! Riddle backs Solo down, fires off KICK after KICK, then more forearms! Solo shoves Riddle away, blocks the kick but Riddle gets free to leap up! Riddle has an arm, he wants the kimura! Solo fights that off, to scoop and SLAMS Riddle down! But Riddle comes right back to hop on for a SLEEPER! Solo RAMS Riddle into buckles! Riddle hops back on! SLEEPER! Solo RAMS Riddle into buckles again! Riddle just hops right back on! So Solo runs to BACKPACK SENTON! Both men are down, but Riddle sits up! SLEEPER!! Solo flails and fights up!

Solo stands, Riddle is a backpack again, but Solo THROWS him off! Solo runs in, but into a BOOT! Riddle swings, but into an UPPERCUT! The Usos raise the fingers but the fans boo. Sami & Kevin tell the Usos it isn’t over yet. Solo sits Riddle up to rain down fists! And headbutts! Fans rally but Solo roars. Solo CHOKES Riddle on the ropes! The ref counts, Solo lets off, and Riddle sputters to a corner. The Usos taunt Riddle, Solo storms up and CHOPS! Riddle grits his teeth, Solo brings him out, but Riddle fires forearms! And forearms! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And a whip! Solo reverses, Jimmy distracts the ref, and Jey trips Riddle up!

Fans boo and the tag champs storm up. The ref hurries to stop Kevin & Sami from brawling with Jimmy & Jey! The ref EJECTS Kevin & Sami?! They didn’t even do anything! The Usos rub it in, but then the ref says they’re EJECTED, too!! Fans fire up and the Usos are upset, but now this will be truly 1v1! Riddle rolls Solo up! TWO!! Solo picks Riddle up for a SAMOAN DROP! Riddle writhes and Solo still has control on his own while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Riddle fires forearms! Riddle runs, but into an ELBOW! Solo pushes Riddle to a cover, TWO! Solo frowns but keeps focus as he looms over Riddle. Solo tells Riddle to give up already as he clamps on a claw into the shoulder! Fans rally for Riddle, he fights his way up, and he fires forearms! Solo hits back! The forearms go back and forth, fans rally up, and Solo UPPERCUTS Riddle down! Riddle goes to a corner, Solo runs corner to corner, but Riddle dodges! The splash hits buckles and post! Riddle comes back to CHOP! CHOP! Riddle fires off palm strikes and a boot!

Riddle spins Solo around to PELE! Solo goes to a corner and Riddle kips up. Fans fire up for the forearm smash! Riddle goes side to side, forearm smash! And then clinch, but Solo fights with elbows! Riddle still BROSPLODERS! Riddle runs, but Solo ducks the Penalty Kick! Solo avoids the Standing Moonsault, and gets knees up before the Broton! Riddle writhes to the corner and Solo runs in, but Riddle ELBOWS him! Riddle goes up, WHIPSER IN THE WIND! Cover, TWO! Solo survives and the Usos sneak their way back out from the crowd! The ref sees them and tells them no, they were already rejected!

But wait! Here come Kevin & Sami! They go right after the Usos and they all brawl! Fans fire up, the ref reprimands them all, but Riddle cheers on his guys! But Solo back suplexes! Riddle lands on his feet to ROUNDHOUSE! The Usos POST Kevin! And they DOUBLE SUPERKICK Sami! But Riddle SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BROS! Direct hit at the ramp! Riddle hurries back in, hurries back up, but Solo stands! Riddle leaps, into a SUPERKICK! And SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!

Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall

The Bloodline always backs each other up, and that is how Solo gets the win! But Solo isn’t done, he stalks Riddle out of the ring. Riddle drags himself up at the desk, and Solo clinches for a SPINNING SOLO onto the desk! Solo rips the lid off, and then FLIPS the desk onto Riddle! Fans boo as the savage side makes itself known! Refs rush out to have Solo back off, Kevin and Sami hurry to help Riddle. The Bloodline stands together in the ring, but the clock is ticking. Will Jimmy & Jey take care of the Bloodline’s problems? Or will they have to deal with the consequences of failure?

My Thoughts:

A really good SmackDown, more of the road to Backlash being paved. For one, great stuff from the Bloodline as usual. Great opening promo segment, great brawl, and great main event set up. Good promo backstage, where Jey may have a point. Kevin and Sami may be reunited and united against the Bloodline, but they’re dysfunctional about how to do things. Great main event, especially with the ejecting then return of Kevin, Sami and Usos. The brawl makes for the distraction that helps Solo win, and then Solo tipping the desk over was a great touch. But Heyman’s promo beforehand was a nice nod to how Sami is right. Roman expects positive results and doesn’t forgive failure, so if Sami & Kevin retain, Roman is definitely going to say something about it.

Good video promo from Woods and Knight to hype up their match, and clever way for Woods to beat Knight at his own game. Woods wanting after Gunter and the Intercontinental Championship is awesome stuff, and also good continuity from when Imperium feuded with New Day as tag teams last year. Woods is going to look great in the match, but I don’t see him winning. It’d be awesome if Woods won on a Friday, but Gunther’s not losing unless it’s a special event. Nakamura had a good return that also kinda feeds Moss’ story. Emma is a good manager, but Moss is gonna need to turn fully Heel to get anywhere. Scarlett & Kross calling out Nakamura was a nice surprise, and certainly in terms of the match (or matches), Kross VS Nakamura will be great stuff.

Great promo bit from Liv, Raquel, Sonya and Chelsea, and of course Sonya & Chelsea are the ones poking holes in the championship team. They will have a good tag title match, and that will be a solid first win for Liv & Raquel. Meanwhile, Viking Raiders attacking Ricochet & Braun, we’re definitely getting a tag match, but I’m hoping for something a bit more than just a standard one. The WWE Draft could change things, such as the team-up of Ricochet & Braun, so if this is to be their last hurrah, they should make it big. Though, maybe not Viking Rules like with the New Day, that ended up doing more harm than good.

And really good stuff out of The Judgment Day and LWO. Good promo, Priest helping hint more and more that Bad Bunny is gonna get in the ring again. Great match out of Priest and Escobar, but of course there’s overbooking that somehow, someway gives Judgment Day the win. As I said on Raw, I expect a Six Man Tag out of this, with Rey, Escobar & Bunny taking on Finn, Priest & Dom. For one, it’ll take pressure off Bunny in his return, like when he teamed with Priest against Miz & Morrison. Plus, Backlash is basically his show this year, why shouldn’t he get to be in the spotlight?

My Score: 8.6/10

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

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

24 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!