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Mitchell’s WWE Backlash Results & Report! (5/6/23)

Backlash lives Boricua!

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Just how bad is Bad Bunny?

WWE Backlash is in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and a hometown hero takes on a hometown villain! Will Bad Bunny get payback on former friend, Damian Priest?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Iyo Sky; Bianca wins and retains the title.
  • Seth Rollins VS Omos w/ MVP; Rollins wins.
  • WWE United States Championship Triple Threat: Austin Theory VS Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed; Theory wins and retains the title.
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Zelina Vega; Rhea wins and retains the title.
  • San Juan Street Fight: Bad Bunny VS Damian Priest; Bunny wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS The Bloodline; The Bloodline wins.
  • Cody Rhodes VS Brock Lesnar; Cody wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Backlash Kickoff Show!

Join Jackie Redmon, Matt Camp and Pete Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action in San Juan, Puerto Rico!

 

“Listen…” Bad Bunny says the Backlash is coming.

When Bunny was a boy, he dreamt of something bigger, badder, louder. Tonight, on his island, revenge is the soundtrack. Between the American Nightmare and The Beast. Between The Bloodline and their problems. And between Bad Bunny and Damian Priest. Because sometimes, it feels good to be bad. Who suffers the backlash of their actions?

 

Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Iyo Sky!

San Juan fires up for the RawEST, but will she be the longEST reigning women’s champion of this modern era? Or will the Evil Genius find a way to beat even the EST of WWE?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the B E S T!

The bell rings and the fans are fired up already. They circle, feel things out, tie up, and Bianca powers Sky back. The ref counts the break but Sky turns things around, only for Bianca to push Sky back. Fans rally up, Bianca wrenches Sky but Sky spins and wrenches back. Bianca powers the hold into a scoop! Sky kicks and fights free, but Bianca headlocks for a takeover! Sky moves around, Bianca shakes the headscissors off, but Sky pushes her into the hold. Bianca kips free and wags her finger. Sky headlocks for her own takeover, but Bianca headscissors! Sky moves around and kips free!

Fans fire up but Bianca trips Sky to a cover, TWO! Sky tries to roll Bianca but Bianca handsprings through. Bianca runs Sky over, taunts Sky, then runs. Sky drops., Bianca handsprings over, but Sky ducks ‘n’ dodges and handsprings back! Bianca dodges, pops Sky up but Sky victory rolls! Bianca gets away, elbows from a corner, then goes up to go over! And DROPKICK! Bianca eggs Sky on but fans are starting to boo Bianca. Bianca scoops and SLAMS Sky, then eggs her on. Bianca scoops again for another SLAM! Fans rally for Sky as Bianca scoops again, and Sky fights free! Sky fishhooks Bianca’s face!

Sky gets to the apron and HOTSHOTS an arm! Sky then goes up and reels Bianca in by her hair! Sky HANGING STRAITJACKET STRETCHES! The ref counts, Sky lets off at 4, and then stands up. DOUBLE STOMP to an arm! Bianca flounders and writhes and fans rally behind Sky. Sky grins, storms up and gets the bad arm! Sky wraps it on ropes but Bianca kicks her away. Sky comes back with stomps, then she wraps the arm around ropes again. The ref counts, Sky lets go at 4, and fans rally. Sky gets Bianca’s arm, wrenches and top wristlocks. Bianca endures, powers Sky back, but Sky throws Bianca down!

Sky has the top wristlock on the mat but Bianca kicks around. Bianca rolls back, stands up, and she scoops to SLAM Sky! Bianca shakes out the bad arm and brings Sky up. Bianca whips, Sky reverses and hammerlocks the arm to fire off forearms! Bianca blocks the lift but fans rally behind Sky. Sky pulls on the bad arm, and RAMS Bianca into buckles! Bianca flounders again and Sky stalks her. Sky grabs the bad arm, fans sing for “I~YO! I~YO!” Sky uses a dragon sleeper to drag Bianca down, then she turns Bianca over for knee drops on the arm! Bianca writhes, fans rally, and Sky watches Bianca go to the corner.

Sky stomps Bianca, CLUBS her, puts her back in the corner, and she goes corner to corner. Fans fire up, all aboard, but Bianca avoids the double knees! Sky comes back but into an ELBOW! Sky tries again, but Bianca slips out! Sky hits buckles, Bianca shoulders in and jumps to chicken wing! But Sky victory rolls, STOMP 182! Fans fire up with the Genius and she covers, TWO! Bianca is the toughEST for a reason, but Sky keeps her cool. Sky sits Bianca up to forearm, but Bianca gives it back! Sky throws another shot, Bianca gives it back! Sky forearms, Bianca forearms, then Bianca gest the edge!

Bianca fires off shot after shot, shoves but sky dodges to tilt-o-whirl, only for Bianca to block! BACKBREAKER! Both women are down and fans fire up! Bianca goes to a corner and fans rally as Sky stirs. Sky stands, Bianca runs in, and Bianca rallies with clotheslines! And a DROPKICK! Bianca brings Sky around, suplexes, stalls then SLAMS her down! Bianca kips up and fans are torn! Sky goes to a corner, Bianca runs in and RAMS into Sky! Bianca climbs up, and she rains down fists! Fans count all the way to DIEZ, but Sky shoves Bianca away! Sky goes up but Bianca ROCKS her first!

Bianca trophy lifts Sky off the corner, even with the bad arm! Then with ONE arm! SLAM!! Sky checks her face, Bianca handsprings to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Sky survives and Bianca can’t believe it! The fans are thunderous, though, as the Evil Genius shows her own toughness! Bianca drags Sky up, scoops again, but Sky slips out to get the bad arm in a hammerlock! Bianca snapmares free with the good arm, runs in, but hits buckles! Sky then ROCKS Bianca, ROCKS again, and again! Sky wrenches the bad arm, knuckle locks, and she goes up, up and HOTSHOTS the arm!

Bianca staggers away, fans fire up and Sky takes aim! SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK! Bianca flops all the way out but Sky kips up! San Juan is thunderous again as Sky goes up the corner! But Bianca shoves her back down! Bianca grits her teeth, climbs up top herself, and 450EST onto KNEES! AND CROSSFACE!!! Sky has Bianca caught but Bianca moves around! Bianca breaks the hold, slips around, and brings Sky up, but Sky turns it into a FACEBUSTER!! Sky pushes Bianca over for a cover, TWO!!! Sky is beside herself and pulls at her hair, but the fans are loving this all the same!

Bianca and Sky go to opposite corners. Fans fire up, because all aboard the SHINKANSEN! And then Sky underhooks the arms, TIGER- NO, Bianca slips out to chicken wing! But Sky victory rolls, but the stomps miss this time! Bianca spins Sky around, torture racks, but Sky ARM-DRAGS free! Bianca falls out of the ring and fans fire up as Sky rises! Bianca trips Sky first, but Sky BOOTS her away! Sky hurries out after Bianca, tosses her to the ropes and KNEES her in the stomach! Bianca sputters and Sky says time to fly! Sky goes up the corner, Bianca stands, ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Direct hit!

Sky fires up while the fans lose their minds! Sky puts Bianca in, covers, TWO!!! Bianca is still the toughEST, and Sky wonders what she has to do to end this. Bianca crawls to a corner, Sky runs in to RAM into her! And again, and again! Sky puts Bianca up, “This is Awesome!” as she climbs up to join her. But Bianca shoves Sky down! Sky tumbles to the apron, but hurries back up. SHOTEI! Sky climbs again, stands, and SUPER- NO! Bianca blocks the Steiner to drag Sky up! Sky keeps trying, Bianca keeps blocking! Bianca stands up for a SUPER POWERBOMB!!!! But she has to crawl to the cover!! TWO!!!!

San Juan is electric and this is just the beginning of Backlash! Bianca is beside herself, what can she do to end this? Wait, here comes DMG CTRL! Bayley & Dakota couldn’t help themselves, but Bianca swipes at them! Sky gets the hair! Bianca uses it to reel Sky in and ROCK her! Then torture rack! But Dakota distracts! Bianca SMACKS her with Sky’s feet! But Sky SUNSET FLIPS through!! TWO!?!? Bianca escapes and even she is shocked! Bianca staggers around, hurries after Sky, but Bayley reaches out to her. Bianca drags Bayley in! To TOSS her into ropes and out of the ring! The ref reprimands, Dakota GAMANGIRIS Bianca!!

Sky hurries up top, but Bayley is holding Bianca’s hair! The ref stops her, OVER THE MOONSAULT flops!! Torture rack! KISS OF DEATH!!! Cover, Bianca wins!!!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still Raw Women’s Champion)

DMG CTRL tried to help Sky, but it might’ve backfired! Bianca sets history as THE longEST reigning women’s champion in this era! Will Sky have something to say about Bayley doing too much?

 

Bad Bunny prepares in a private room.

Rey Mysterio checks in on him. This match tonight is going to be big, Rey is proud of Bunny. Bunny thanks Rey for that, and Rey says he brought a friend. SAVIO VEGA! Bunny is amazed to see him here, and he is gifted a Puerto Rican flag kendo stick. Savio says that Bunny is gonna represent tonight! Will Bunny brand Priest with that kendo stick?

 

Seth Rollins VS Omos w/ MVP!

The Visionary wants to prove he is worthy of the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and that means proving he can take on and defeat anyone put against him. Will Rollings be able to #BurnItDown in Puerto Rico? Or will the Nigerian Giant be the one heading for the title?

Rollins revels in the fans singing “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” for him. After a few times through, Omos BOOTS Rollins! Fans boo but the ref reprimands Omos. The ref then checks on Rollins, and Rollins scowls. Rollins throws off his jacket, the bell rings and Omos CLOBBERS Rollins! Omos mocks the fans, then he runs at the corner to SPLASH! Rollins falls over and MVP is enjoying this. Omos stands on Rollins but the ref counts. Omos steps off at 4, the fans keep singing, but Omos whips Rollins to a corner hard! Rollins falls back and Omos pretends he can’t hear the fans. Fans boo but Omos storms up on Rollins.

Omos stands Rollins up, but Rollins HOTSHOTS him! Rollins springboards, but Omos body shots him out of the air! Omos mockingly conducts the choir and fans boo again. Omos drags Rollins up, puts him in the corner, and he SQUEEZES Rollins’ head! The ref counts, Omos brings Rollins out of the corner to SHOVE out of the ring! Omos again mocks the choir but the fans boo. MVP taunts Rollins but Rollins snarls at him. Omos goes out to scoop Rollins, carry him around, but Rollins fights free to POST Omos! Rollins gets in the ring, builds speed, and Rollins DIVES! Direct hit but Omos just staggers!

Rollins gets in again, keeps moving, and DIVES, into Omos’ hands! APRON CHOKE SLAM! Fans boo but MVP says that’s how it’s done! Omos drags Rollins up, talks trash, and scoops him to trophy lift! Omos TOSSES Rollins into the ring! Rollins flounders to the far side as Omos storms back in. Rollins staggers up and Omos scoops him again, to SNAKE EYES! And then a BOOT! Omos talks more trash but the fans keep singing. Omos soaks up the heat while Rollins sits up in a daze. Omos drags Rollins up, scoops him, but Rollins slips into a SLEEPER! But Omos TOSSES Rollins away! Omos runs in, blocks a boot, but not the ENZIGURI!

Rollins hurries to springboard, FLYING KNEE! Omos staggers around so Rollins KICKS away on the legs! Omos shoves Rollins, Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges and dropkicks the legs out! SUPERKICK! Rollins reels Omos in, underhooks the arms, but Omos powers out with a back drop! Omos was kneeling and that was still a powerful toss! Rollins crawls to a corner, Omos runs in, but Rollins moves! Omos hits the buckles! Fans rally up and Rollins SMACKS Omos off the post! Omos staggers, Rollins goes up, and Rollins reels Omos in for a TORNADO DDT! Rollins hurries back up the corner while Omos is down!

Fans fire up and Rollins FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, ONE?!?! Omos tosses Rollins away and Rollins is shocked! But MVP fires up and coaches Omos back up. Rollins winds up and throws forearms while Omos is still kneeling! But Omos choke grips! Rollins breaks free to ROLLING ELBOW! Rollins goes up a corner, FLYING FOREARMS! Omos is down and fans fire up again! Rollins aims from a corner as Omos sits up again, CURB- NO! Omos blocks with pure strength! Omos choke grips, and CHOKE SLAMS! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins survives and MVP is the one shocked! Omos scowls and he looms over Rollins.

Omos waits as Rollins rises. MOUNTAIN- NO, Rollins fights free of the grip! Omos shoves, scoops, but Rollins slips into the SLEEPER! Omos RAMS Rollins into buckles! Rollins goes up to get the SLEEPER again! Omos flails, reaches, slaps at Rollins but he’s fading already! Rollins squeezes tight, but Omos gets a second wind! Omos brings Rollins around, SIDEWALK SLAM! Both men are down and Rollins crawls to a corner. Fans rally but MVP gets on the apron. The ref tells MVP to get down, but Rollins runs in, to CURB STOMP!! And then he SUPERKICKS MVP down!! And then Rollins reloads!

Omos sits up again, CURB STOMP!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Omos survives after taking multiple stomps!? Rollins is even more shocked than before! The fans keep singing, and Rollins watches as Omos sputters and sits up again. Rollins goes to the apron, then climbs up the corner. Fans fire up and Rollins FLYING STOMPS!!!! Cover, ROLLINS WINS!!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall

San Juan serenades Seth with his song, and the Visionary is rolling towards Raw! Will it be almost guaranteed that Rollins takes the new World Heavyweight Championship?

 

WWE United States Championship Triple Threat: Austin Theory VS Bobby Lashley VS Bronson Reed!

The Now has been riding high on his WrestleMania Hollywood win over John Cena, though don’t bring up that he cheated to do it. But Theory has only ever survived The All Mighty, and now there’s the wild card of Auszilla! Will Theory no longer be golden? Or will he find a way to survive two behemoths at once?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the numbers spell disaster for Theory at Backlash!

The bell rings and Theory rushes Lashley, only to get run over! Lashley fires off in a corner, but then Reed goes after Lashley. Lashley fires off on Reed now, then clotheslines int he corner! Theory runs in, but into an ELBOW! Lashley RAMS Theory into a corner, then sends him at Reed. LARIAT DDT COMBO! Lashley stands tall and fans fire up! Lashley brings Reed up, but Reed wrenches and swings, into the full nelson! But Theory slingshot somersault and SHOTGUNS them both! Theory shoves Reed out so he can rain down fists on Lashley! Fans boo but Theory talks a lot of trash to Lashley.

Theory drags Lashley up, flexes, but Lashley suplexes! Fans fire up as Lashley holds Theory up, with one arm! And then Lashley SLAMS Theory down! Theory flounders to ropes, but Reed returns. Lashley runs in, Theory dodges then trips Lashley, and Reed SPLASHES Lashley down! Theory smiles, and he tells Reed to keep on him. Reed whips Lashley to a corner, SPLASHES, and then Theory adds a clothesline! Theory and Reed work together to mug Lashley! Fans boo but then Theory and Reed coordinate. Theory snapmares Lashley, sits him up, and Reed ROLLING CANNONBALLS!

Theory stomps Lashley, he and Reed drag Lashley back up and put him in a corner. Theory tells Reed to follow his lead. Theory clotheslines Lashley, but Reed CLOBBERS Theory! Theory’s mouth got him in trouble and Reed clotheslines Theory in a corner! But then Lashley MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTERS Reed!! And then he MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTERS Theory!! Theory staggers, into a SPEAR!! Cover, Reed drags Lashley off it! They are outside the ring, Reed dodges to SUPERKICK!? Reed hurries up the apron, then the ropes, to VADER BOMB!! Direct hit and down goes Lashley!

Reed drags Lashley up, puts him in the ring, and he climbs the corner. Fans rally, but Theory trips Reed up! No tidal wave just yet! Theory hurries in, drags Lashley up, fireman’s carries, A-TOWN- NO!! Lashley slips out, gets half the nelson! Then the full! HURT LOCK!!!! Theory flails, reaches out, but he’s so red right now! Theory powers up, goes to ropes, and pushes back! Cover, TWO!! TSUNAMI!!! Cover, THEORY BREAKS IT!! All three men are down and fans fire up! The three men stir, Theory stands first and he hobbles over. Theory brings Reed up, but Reed pushes back. Theory ELBOWS then ROCKS Reed!

SOMERSAULT BLOCKBUSTER! Theory calls his shot, but is he serious!? Theory fireman’s carries Reed!? But Reed slips off to ripcord and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders and Reed roars! Fans fire up as Reed goes up the corner. MOONSAULT FLOPS as Theory moves! SPEAR from Lashley!! But Theory TOSSES Lashley out!! Cover on Reed, Theory wins!!!

Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

Theory survives again!! Lashley is furious with how close he was, but will The Now always find a way to stay The Now?

 

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Zelina Vega!

The Eradicator took Queen Charlotte’s throne at WrestleMania, but La Muneca is the inaugural Queen of the Ring. Puerto Rico is Zelina’s homeland, but will she reign again? Or is nothing going to stop Rhea Bloody Ripley now?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is mami now!

The bell rings and everyone is behind Zelina. Rhea is a bit upset by that, but she just glares at Zelina. Rhea says all these people are going to be disappointed, but they boo. Rhea rushes in, Zelina dodges, and Rhea fumes again. Fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” but Rhea creeps on up Zelina. Zelina jukes but gets caught, only to slip away to the apron! Zelina shoulders in, then gets the CHANCLA!! Everyone knows what that is! Zelina TOSSES it at Rhea! Rhea rushes at Zelina, Zelina dodges and WRECKS her with a dropkick! Zelina puts Rhea in, goes up the corner, and leaps to RANA, but Rhea blocks!

Reha brings Zelina up, to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Zelina survives but Rhea soaks up all the heat. Rhea tells San Juan to “SUCK IT!” Rhea CLUBS Zelina, mocks Zelina’s family and then SLAMS Zelina down. Fans rally up and Zelina throws hands but Rhea CLUBS her down. Rhea bumps Zelina off buckles and insults the fans. Rhea RAMS into Zelina again and again, then lets off as the ref counts. Rhea whips Zelina corner to corner hard and Zelina falls. Rhea gives some Latina Heat but the fans boo. Rhea tells them to “SUCK IT!” again! But then Zelina fires off forearms! Rhea knees low then whips Zelina hard into another corner!

Fans boo but Rhea storms up on Zelina. Rhea stands Zelina up, talks trash, and whips her corner to corner again. Zelina bounces off buckles and Rhea smirks. Rhea picks Zelina up out of the corner, carries her around, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally again but Rhea CLUBS Zelina, gut wrenches, and Canadian Racks! She puts Zelina in a modified Gory Especial! Rhea mocks the “Boricua!” chants, and she bends Zelina back! Zelina endures, even as Rhea thrashes her around. Rhea continues to taunt the fans, but Zelina slips free! Rhea blocks the whip, reverses, and then runs in, but Zelina dodges! Rhea POSTS herself!

Fans fire up as Rhea grits her teeth. Rhea crawls towards Zelina, brings her up, but Zelina fires forearms! Zelina dodges the retaliation to fire off more forearms! But Rhea TOSSES Zelina to a corner! Zelina blocks and fires off more shots! Zelina runs to LARIAT! Rhea wobbles, Zelina LARIATS again! Rhea is still up, and she HEADBUTTS back! Rhea grins and says she’s smarter than that. Rhea pump handles, RIP- DDT!!! The same counter as a couple weeks ago! Fans fire up as Rhea ends up on ropes, and Zelina dials it up! 619!!! Rhea flounders and Zelina goes up the corner! Latina Heat before the METEORA!! Cover, TWO!!!

Fans can’t believe it but Rhea is still in this! Zelina is also beside herself, and she fires off forearms! But she runs into an EDDY GORDO KICK! Rhea drags Zelina up, pump handles, RIPTIDE!!! Cover, Rhea wins!

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

Zelina gave it all she had, but the reign continues! Will anyone ever stop Rhea from running the division? As for Zelina, she stands back up, and Puerto Rico cheers her on. This may be a loss in the ring, but this will always be a win in her heart. When and where will Zelina go for gold again?

 

San Juan Street Fight: Bad Bunny VS Damian Priest!

Former friends, former tag team partners even, but they’ve been torn apart because of the Judgment Day. Bunny was just doing the right thing, but he ended up on Priest’s bad side. Will the Punisher put Bunny down once and for all? Or will nothing stop the hometown hero from beating the bad guy?

Priest wears all white, because he believes he is the hero of this story. Bunny makes his entrance, already armed with a kendo stick and chain. The fans sing along with the song and fire up with the pyro! But then Bunny says hold on, hold on. SURPRISE! He has a shopping cart full of goodies! More kendo sticks, some pipes, some chairs, and even a trash can! The bell rings and fans are thunderous already as the two stare down. Priest is stoic but Bunny is feeling jumpy. Bunny steps up to Priest and fans fire up even more. But then Priest shoves Bunny down! Priest raises his hands and soaks up the heat.

Bunny stands back up, paces around, and he gets in Priest’s face again. So Priest shoves him into a corner! Priest fakes punch, and he laughs as Bunny puts up his guard. Priest pats Bunny on the head, so Bunny SLAPS Priest! Priest swings, Bunny dodges and scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Priest is furious now but Bunny slips away! Bunny goes to his cart! Bunny gets double kendo sticks! Priest rushes out, Bunny dodges, and he taunts Priest. Bunny winds up, Priest runs in and gets under the swing to RAM Bunny into a corner! Priest ROCKS Bunny and fans boo. Priest scowls as he picks up the kendo stick.

Priest SMASHES the stick! But Bunny ROCKS Priest! Priest ROCKS Bunny! Priest scoops Bunny to SLAM him! Fans boo but Priest just soaks it all up. Priest kicks Bunny around, talks trash, but fans rally behind Bunny. Priest says “SUCK IT!” then he wrenches Bunny’s arm. Priest talks more trash, but Bunny ROCKS Priest! Priest wrenches the arm again, but Bunny throws another hand! Priest CLUBS Bunny, but Bunny rakes eyes! Bunny fires off hands! But Priest knees low! Fans boo while Priest steadies himself. Priest storms up, but Bunny JAWBREAKERS back! Bunny storms up in the corner and climbs!

Fans fire up as Bunny rains down fists! But Priest stops him at tres! Bunny sunset flips, TWO! Bunny flounders, gets up, but Priest blocks the haymaker. BELL CLAP! FOREARM! Bunny flops into a corner, Priest runs corner to corner, and Priest hits a BIG back elbow! And then a choke grip, for the SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!! Cover, but Priest picks Bunny up!? Fans boo as Priest plays with his food. Fans rally for Bunny but Priest goes to check out the cart. Priest pulls out an ax handle! Priest goes to the ring, taunts Bunny and the fans, then he throws the ax handle away. Priest runs, but Bunny CHUCKS a chair at him!!

Priest staggers and Bunny looks under the ring. Kendo stick! Bunny fires off on Priest but Priest RAMS him into the corner! Priest runs in, but into a BOOT! Bunny reels Priest in, TORNADO DDT! Priest staggers back up, Bunny runs to clothesline Priest out of the ring! Fans fire up again as Bunny hurries to a corner! Bunny is up top, Bunny CROSSBODIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans are thunderous again as the ref checks Bunny. Bunny is okay, and he gets back to his feet. Fans rally up and Bunny brings out the trash can lids. SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! Bunny has Priest on his knees, and then CYMBAL CRASHES him!

Bunny grabs another kendo stick, fans fire up as he goes to the ring, and Bunny SMACKS Priest around some more! Priest blocks a shot, TOSSES Bunny, and now he has the kendo stick. Fans boo but Bunny ELBOWS Priest in a corner! And then BELL CLAP in return! Bunny reels Priest in, to suplex and FALCON ARROW!! Cover, TWO! Priest survives and Bunny is shocked! Fans rally up as both men stir. Priest bails out of the ring again, and he sees there’s blood in his nose! Bunny’s given him a bloody nose! Bunny eggs Priest on, and he draws the line in the sand. Priest says screw it, and turns to leave.

Fans boo but Bunny storms up after Priest! Bunny gets the trash can, and he runs up, only for Priest to BOOT the can into him! Priest grins as he lure Bunny into a trap! And then Priest SMACKS Bunny with the can! Priest then gets those trash can lids, and he SMACKS Bunny on the back! Bunny writhes and flounders away while Priest gets the Savio Vega kendo stick! Priest swings and SMACKS Bunny on the back! Bunny flounders against the barriers as Priest says that’s a homerun. Priest drags Bunny up and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! Bunny flounders, the ref checks him, but Priest soaks up all the heat from the fans.

Priest drags Bunny up to ROCK him, and they go into the crowd! Fans fire up more as Bunny ROCKS Priest! Priest ROCKS Bunny, and Bunny crawls away. Priest drags Bunny up but Bunny ROCKS him again! Priest ROUNDHOUSES Bunny! Bunny leans against road cases, but Priest scoops him. Priest puts Bunny on top of the cases, then climbs up to join him! Priest throws off his shirt, drags Bunny up, but Bunny throws hands! Priest wobbles as Bunny fires off! Priest UPPERCUTS back! Priest suplexes, BROKEN ARROW through tables!!! Fans lose their minds as both men are down in the wreckage!

Adam Pearce rushes out to check Bunny, and Priest stands up on his own. Fans boo and the officials tell Bunny to hold on. Priest says Bunny’s not done, because HE’S not done! Priest drags Bunny up, scoops him, and carries him back to ringside! He DUMPS Bunny over the barriers, then sits him up to KICK him back down! Priest waits on Bunny to get up, and Priest KICKS Bunny back down! Bunny stands up, Priest is cocky, and he spins, only to kick POST! Bunny hurries as Priest hobbles in, and Bunny has a kendo stick! Priest hobbles, Bunny SMACKS the bad leg! And again! Priest DECKS Bunny but he still hobbles.

Both men are in corners, but Bunny runs in, into a BOOT! But he blocks it! KNEE JAMMER!! Priest shouts in pain and clutches his knee! Priest says this is not good, his knee is not okay! But Bunny gets the leg! And he fires off on it and Priest! Then he SLAMS the leg against the post! Bunny shows no mercy, just as Priest did! Bunny ROCKS Priest, then SLAMS the leg into the post again! Bunny gets the CHAIN!! Fans are thunderous as Bunny LASHES Priest with the chain! And then Bunny wraps the leg up. Priest says wait, but Bunny SLAMS the leg into the post again!! And then, Bunny gets a CHAIR!

Fans fire up, Bunny takes aim, and he SMACKS the leg against the post!! Priest hobbles, flounders, begs for mercy but Bunny brings the chair into the ring. Fans fire up and Bunny says Priest isn’t done because HE’S not done! But Priest begs Bunny to stop! Bunny hesitates, he never wanted it to come to this. But then Priest BOOTS Bunny! Another trap! Priest still hobbles, but he gets the chair. Bunny LOW BLOWS Priest!! That’s what Priest gets! But here come Dom and Finn! Bunny JAMS Dom, but Finn DECKS Bunny! The Judgment Day stomp away on Bunny and fans boo! Finn has the chair and he wedges it into the corner!

Dom stomps Bunny more, but here comes REY MYSTERIO! Rey slides in, ROCKS Dom, DECKS Finn, but Dom knees low! Now Rey gets mugged! So here comes CARLITO!? Fans can’t believe it, but CARLITO IS LWO!! Carlito slides in, he DECKS Finn! And DECKS Dom! Repeat! Carlito TOSSES Dom, SUPERKICKS Finn, and then Rey RANAS Finn! Carlito reels Finn in, BACKSTABBER!! Fans are thunderous as Carlito shows us what is cool! Carlito takes a bite out of his apple! But Dom CLUBS Carlito! Dom whips, Carlito reverses, and Rey drop toeholds Dom onto ropes! 619 for Dom!! And then the APPLE SPIT!!

Carlito & Rey chase Finn & Dom outta the ring, and then SAVIO VEGA meets them at the ramp! Savio is LWO, too! Finn & Dom laugh, though, they don’t think Savio’s serious. Oh, he’s serious. Fans are thunderous, “VIVA SAVIO!” Savio says he’s not alone, too. Here comes the REST of the LWO! Escobar, Cruz & Joaquin all rush in, and the Judgment Day gets mugged at the ramp! Especially Dom! Finn scurries away, but he forgot about Savio! Savio BRAIN CHOPS! And BRAIN CHOPS! And UPPERCUTS! And then a wrench and HOOK KICK! Fans are thunderous again as Savio gives the same to Dom!

The LWO finally runs Finn and Dom to the back, and now Priest is all alone with Bunny. Bunny loved all that, but he turns around! Priest’s bad leg stops the spin kick, though! Bunny trips Priest, has the leg, and ties it up in a FIGURE FOUR!! Priest endures, shouts and flails, but Bunny puts on more pressure! Priest’s shoulders are down, TWO as he sits up! Priest scowls, but Bunny HAMMERS the bad leg! Priest endures, Bunny thrashes around, but Priest choke grips! Priest drags Bunny off the hold, SOUTH OF- VICTORY ORLL! TWO!! Priest escapes and hobbles, but Bunny gets to a corner.

Priest runs in, Bunny dodges, Priest hits the CHAIR! The chair he put there from earlier! Bunny cravats, SLICED BREAD!! Cover, TWO!?!? Priest survives but Bunny won’t stop there! Bunny gets another chair, he brings that in, and he SMACKS Priest on the back! And again! And again! And again, and again, and again! Priest trips Bunny but Bunny won’t stop! Bunny has Puerto Rico turn it up to 11, and then kicks low, to reel Priest in! BORICUAN DESTROYER!!! Cover, Bunny wins!!!

Winner: Bad Bunny, by pinfall

San Juan is rocking with that victory! Bunny brings down the bad guy and the LWO returns to celebrate! Will the fiesta last all weekend now?

 

Six Man Tag: Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS The Bloodline!

The Original Bro, Prizefighter & Great Liberator have been “problems” for The Tribal Chief, to say the least. But rather than handling it himself, he’s put all the pressure on his cousins. Jimmy & Jey Uso lost the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships, and they’re starting to lose the trust of Roman Reigns and their own brother, Solo Sikoa. Will the Bloodline hold it together tonight? Or will it all come crumbling down at Backlash?

The trios sort out and fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~” for Sami. As such, Sami starts for his team. There’s some tension as Jimmy and Solo step aside for Jey to start. Fans chant “UCE! SO!” and Jey circles with Sami. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Jey gets the headlock. Sami powers out, Jey runs him over, and then Jey storms up to raise the fingers. Jimmy says this is too easy for the best tag team ever! Jey says they’re in this together, and the fans sure chant along, “UCE! SO!” Sami and Jey tie up again, Jey headlocks again, but fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Sami powers up and out, things speed up, and Sami CLOBBERS Jey!

Jey scrambles away to his corner, and the ref keeps Sami back. Jey tells Sami to get back, and Sami steps away. Jey tags Jimmy, and fans sing a new song. Sami looks to Kevin, offers the tag, and fans fire up. Kevin tags in and he circles with Jimmy. Kevin kicks low and he fires off hands! Kevin stomps away on Jimmy, then tells Solo to “SUCK IT!” Kevin throws hands but Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Jimmy whips, Kevin reverses and CLOBBERS Jimmy, to then SENTON! Fans fire up with Kevin but Solo is stoic. Kevin tags Riddle and he brings Jimmy up for forearms! Riddle whips, Jimmy reverses, but Riddle goes up and over!

Riddle KICKS Jimmy down, brings him up, and gut wrenches for the suplex! Tag to Sami, he brings Jimmy up to bump off buckles. Sami snapmares, then bumps Jimmy again! Sami goes up top, leaps and AX HANDLES! Jimmy scrambles away and Sami steps back again. Fans rally and taunt the Bloodline, and Solo tags himself in! Jimmy says okay, go ahead. Solo and Sami circle, they tie up, and Solo powers Sami to the corner. The ref counts, Solo throws hands but the ref has to back him off! Solo storms back up to HEADBUTT again and again! Fans fire up with Solo as Sami flops down.

Solo stands Sami up, whips him to ropes and CLOBBERS him! Solo stands Sami up again, throws him to the corner, then snarls as he offers a tag. Jimmy says that’s how you do it! Jimmy tags in, RAMS into Sami, and again, and again! Jey tags in, Jimmy corners Sami for Jey to forearm smash! Jey pushes Sami down, but fans chant, “We Want Roman!” The Tribal Chief chose not to show up, though. Jey stands Sami up, but Sami throws hands! Jey RAMS Sami into the corner, Jimmy tags in to ENZIGURI! Fans boo but then Solo tags back in. Jimmy says okay, so long as everyone does their part.

Solo drags Sami away from his corner to stomp in the stomach! Solo CLUBS Sami to ropes, talks trash, and then CHOKES Sami on the ropes! The ref counts, Solo lets off at 4, and Jimmy gets a cheap shot in! Riddle and Kevin protest and the fans boo, but the Bloodline gets away with that. Solo drags Sami over, tags Jimmy, and they split the wishbone! Cover, TWO! Jimmy wraps onto Sami with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Sami fights to his feet, reaches out, but Jimmy holds on. Sami throws body shots but Jimmy throws him down! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Riddle, taunts Kevin, then whips Sami, but Sami goes up and over!

Jimmy turns around and Sami LARIATS him down! Fans fire up, Sami and Jimmy crawl, hot tag to Jey! Sami dodges Jey and Jey tumbles out of teh ring! But Jey hurries and trips Kevin up! And then SLAMS Kevin onto the steel steps! Riddle rushes in but the ref backs him up! The Bloodline CHOKES Sami in their corner! Jey taunts Sami, but Sami throws hands on them all! Fans fire up, Sami powers his way towards his corner, but Jey holds him back! Jey whips and SAMOAN DROPS! Cover, Sami keeps one shoulder up! The ref checks Sami but he’s still okay to continue. Jey tells Solo okay, and tags him in.

Jey and Solo sit Sami up to mug him, then Solo stalks Sami to a corner. Solo HEADBUTTS Sami, talks some trash, then throws hands. Solo puts Sami up top, but Sami throws hands! Sami kicks away on Solo’s face! Fans fire up as Sami TORNADO DDTS Solo down! Sami and Solo crawl, hot tags to Jimmy and Riddle! Riddle rallies on both Usos with kicks and forearms! Spin and PELE for Jimmy! Kip up, dodge, ripcord and FINAL FLASH for Jey! Forearm smash for Jimmy! Forearm smash for Jey! Another for Jimmy, before the BROSPLODER! Forearm smash and BROSPLODER for Jey!

Fans fire up as Riddle BROTONS Jimmy, then BROTONS Jey! The Stallion keeps moving, he goes out to PENALTY KICK Solo! And then springboard FLOATING BRO onto the whole Bloodline!! Riddle puts Jimmy in, slingshots, but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Riddle is still in this but Jimmy goes to a corner. Jimmy climbs up, but Riddle jumps up after him! SUPER OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!! Fans fire up again and Kevin rises! Kevin reaches out, and gets the hot tag! Kevin climbs up, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives but Kevin goes to ropes. Kevin kicks Jimmy but Jimmy blocks the stunner!

Kevin blocks the superkick to SUPERKICK! Kevin whips,. Jimmy tags Jey! Kevin dodges and the SUPERKICK hits Jey!! Kevin then SUPERKICKS Jimmy and SUPERKICKS Solo! Whip and POP-UP POWERBOMB for Jey!! Cover, TWO!!! Jey survives the chaos but Kevin keeps focus. Kevin goes back to the corner, climbs back up top, and he SWANTONS onto knees! Jey saves himself but a bit double-edged there. Fans rally up, both men rise, and Jey throws a forearm! Kevin throws it back! Jey throws a haymaker, so Kevin gives it back! Jey throws another, so Kevin HEADBUTTS!

Jeys taggers, comes back, but Kevin fires off fast hands! It’s a hockey fight! Kick, but no stunner! Jey SUPERKICKS Kevin! Kevin SUPERKICKS Jey! Jey SUPERKICKS Kevin again! Kevin LARIATS Jey down!! Fans are thunderous as everyone is down at ringside! And Sami returns! Jey and Kevin crawl, hot tags to Jimmy and Sami! Sami gets around Jimmy to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Sami doesn’t let that bother him, he just goes up the corner! But Jimmy GAMANGIRIS first! And GAMANGIRIS again! Jey tags in and the Usos go after Sami together. Jimmy says this will end it, but Sami fights back with haymakers and elbows!

Sami sends Jimmy down, he HEADBUTTS Jey away, and then he leaps, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! Jey covers, TWO!! Jey is beside himself, this is just like WrestleMania and the rematch on SmackDown! Jey stalks Sami to a corner and says he’s tired of Sami! Sami broke the family up! “It’s your fault!” Jey SLAPS Sami, SLAPS him again, but the ref reprimands. The fans boo as Jey keeps blaming Sami. Jey throws his shirt at Sami, then raises the finger to the sky. Sami sits up, Jey says “UCE! SO!” But Solo tags in!? Solo isn’t letting Jey handle this? But then Jey tags himself back in!!

Fans fire up as the brothers glare at each other! Jey says this is HIS problem, HE has this. Solo steps out, but Sami runs in! Jey dodge, the HELLUVA KICK hits Solo! Jey returns, into a BUCKLE EXPLODER! Sami resets, fans fire up and Sami runs in, HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, Solo breaks it!! The Enforcer makes sure this isn’t over yet! Fans rally up, Solo stands and he looks at Jey, and then at Sami, and back again. Which one is the bigger problem to him? Solo steps towards Jey! Riddle runs in to FLASH KNEE! But Jimmy SUPERKICKS Riddle! Kevin STUNNERS Jimmy! Solo SUPERKICKS and SAMOAN SPIKES Kevin!

Jey grabs Solo’s shoulder, and Solo grabs Jey!! Solo is gonna spike Jey!? Jey shouts at Solo what’s going on here! They’re BROTHERS! But then Sami CLOBBERS Solo! Jey rolls Sami with tights! TWO!!! SUPERKICK! Jey hurries to a corner, USO SPLASH onto knees!! Sami rolls Jey, TWO!!! SUPERKICK! Riddle tags in to fire off on Jey! Jey ducks the roundhouse to SUPERKICK! But Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES! Solo sneaks a tag before Riddle hits BRO DEREK! But Solo hits a SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Bloodline wins!!

Winner: The Bloodline, by pinfall

The Enforcer of the Island does his part! Jimmy grins, but he clearly didn’t see what almost happened between Solo and Jey. Surely the Tribal Chief did, watching at home. Will Roman have something to say about what’s happening to his own family? Or is getting the win good enough?

 

Cody Rhodes VS Brock Lesnar!

The American Nightmare thought he was going to #FinishTheStory at WrestleMania. But he underestimated The Bloodline’s ability to protect their Head of the Table. And then, he was tricked by The Beast into thinking he could trust The Beast, only to be betrayed and brutalized. Will Cody make it through this adversity? Or will a trip to Suplex City be too much even for him?

Cody DIVES on Lesnar as he gets to ringside! Cody stomps away on lesnar, then RAMS him with the desk cover! And then ROCKS him at the barriers! Cody hurries to get steel steps, and he RAMS Lesnar with them! And RAMS him again! Payback for that betrayal with a THIRD ramming! And then Cody gets the chair! And he SMACKS Lesnar! And SMACKS him again! And again! Lesnar hobbles away but Cody SMACKS him again! Lesnar hurries into the ring, Cody follows but the ref stops Cody from going further. The bell rings and Cody ROCKS Lesnar in the corner! And again! But Lesnar RAMS Cody corner to corner!

But Cody rolls to RHODES UPPERCUT! And DISASTER KICK! Lesnar wobbles, Cody springboards, another DISASTER KICK! Lesnar drops to his knees and fans fire up with Cody! Cody springboards, into a GERMAN SUPLEX!! Fans chant for “Suplex City!” already as Cody crawls out of the ring. Lesnar storms over, but Cody HOTSHOTS him! And CHOPS! And KICKS! Lesnar staggers away, Cody goes up the corner and CROSSBODIES, but into Lesnar’s arms! FALL AWAY SLAM! Lesnar still has power to spare, even after Cody’s assault. Lesnar smiles, then storms up on Cody.

Lesnar drags Cody up, for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Lesnar grins as he watches Cody writhe. Cody sits up, Lesnar brings him up, and Lesnar GERMAN SUPLEXES again! That’s three! Lesnar roars and fans fire up while Cody goes to a corner. Lesnar’s back is red, but he kicks Cody around. Cody writhes but Lesnar kicks him more. Lensar hears the fans chanting “Suplex City!” and Lesnar obliges, a FOURTH GERMAN SUPLEX! Lesnar looms over Cody, then kicks him in the side. Lesnar brings Cody up again, to standard suplex! And then another one! Lesnar looms over Cody again after reaching half a dozen suplexes total.

Lesnar stalks Cody to a corner, Cody holds onto a buckle pad but it comes loose as Lesnar GERMAN SUPLEXES! The pad flies away, free souvenir for a fan. Lesnar stalks Cody, drags him up, and BEARHUGS him! Cody fights the hold but Lesnar squeezes tight! Cody throws elbows, Lesnar BELLY2BELLY suplexes! Cody flops against ropes and Lesnar is having a laugh now. Lesnar stalks Cody to a corner but fans rally up. Lesnar stands Cody up in the corner to RAM him in! And again! Lesnar lets off, then pushes Cody into the bare steel buckle! The ref reprimands, Lesnar runs in, but Cody drop toeholds him into the steel!!

Lesnar sits up, and he’s bleeding already! CODY CUTTER!! But Cody isn’t done there and fans fire up with him! Lesnar stands, Cody springboards, DISASTER KICK! That’s three, but Cody rains down fists on the bloody forehead! The blood gets on Cody’s own body and Cody PUNTS Lesnar down! Fans fire up, Cody springboards again, CODY CUTTER!! Cody is feeling it as the blood paints the canvas! Cody drags Lesnar up, CROSS RHODES!! But he holds on! ANOTHER CROSS RHODES!! Cover, TWO!?!? Lesnar survives and Cody is stunned. But Cody sees Lesnar sputtering with the crimson mask and he fires back up!

Fans rally behind Cody as he waits on Lesnar. Lesnar rises, Cody reels him back in, but Lesnar slips free! Fireman’s carry, F5!!! Cover, TWO!!! Cody survives and fans fire up again! Both men are down, and the ref wipes up some of Lesnar’s blood. More blood is coming, though, as Cody throws hands on that forehead! Lesnar gets an arm! KIMURA!!! Cody endures, pushes up, but Lesnar pulls on that arm! Cody pushes Lesnar to a stack! CODY WINS!!!!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall

The American Nightmare took the fight to The Beast, and he took the win from The Beast! Lesnar is stunned, but it isn’t as if Cody didn’t feel the pain. If Cody can pull one over on Lesnar, can he win the World Heavyweight Championship and #FinishTheStory?


My Thoughts:

A great Backlash here, especially because of the crowd being so fired up the entire night. Now, while the status quo (in terms of the titles) was kept, and while I’ve said that can be okay when done right, this didn’t feel like that tonight. And it isn’t even the fault of anyone in that ring, because all three title matches were great stuff, it is the fault of whoever screwed things up in the WWE Draft. I won’t outright say it was Vince, but the last time a WWE Draft swapped show branded titles, such as the women’s titles, Vince was in charge. As such, that ruined the unpredictability in all three title matches.

First, Bianca VS Sky was a great opening match, and this was the one match that still could’ve had some unpredictability since both Sky and Bianca are on SmackDown. But as many figured would happen, including myself, Bayley did cost Sky the title. There’s a good chance Sky now costs Bayley the women’s tag titles at payback and DMG CTRL implodes. Rhea VS Zelina was great stuff as of course the fans were holding out hope that their favorite would win. But in the end, Rhea wins not because of story but because she is on Raw with the SmackDown title and Bianca is on SmackDown with the Raw title. Get ready for that title swap on Monday.

Similarly in the US Championship, while that was still a good Triple Threat, there was no real drama because we knew one man was out of the running from the start. Bronson Reed should’ve been moved to SmackDown with Lashley and Theory, but he stays on Raw. And with the Intercontinental Championship now on Raw, one brand wasn’t going to have both midcard titles. So in the end, it was only going to be between Lashley and Theory. And in the end, Theory continues his opportunistic ways and wins because Lashley took Reed out for him. But I suppose the silver linings are that for Reed, now he can go after the Intercontinental and even World Heavyweight title. Lashley can even get in on the SmackDown side of the WHC tournament.

As for Theory, there are still plenty of possibilities for contenders on SmackDown that could dethrone him. It should happen sooner rather than later because Theory was already getting stale before he faced John Cena at Mania, and it is only gonna get worse. Maybe the LWO members build off tonight’s momentum to go after gold. Bunny VS Priest was great stuff, especially getting Puerto Rico icons like Savio Vega and even Carlito in on this. Bunny winning was of course the natural move, but I’m really surprised this wasn’t the main event. In fact, they tried selling us on a “double main event,” but didn’t have the two matches back to back, so what good is that?

I mostly say this should’ve been THE main event because of how fired up the fans were, and how Bunny, the icons and the LWO celebrating could’ve closed things out. Instead, the Six Man Tag was between the Street Fight and the main event of Cody VS Lesnar. Speaking of the Six Man, that was great stuff, too, especially the tension between Solo and mostly Jey. Jimmy seemed to be in denial about it all, but the Bloodline did win so that seems to make things okay between them. I’m sure Roman will be okay with Solo since he finished it off, but there has to be something that still makes Roman look down on the Usos to keep that part of the story going.

Rollins VS Omos, for being made out of nowhere and therefore having little time to build, turned out to be a very good match, maybe even Omos’ best. Rollins was having to deal with just how truly big and strong Omos was, but he found a way to overcome with that awesome stomp from the top rope. Rollins winning of course helps set him up for the World Heavyweight Championship, and he keeps pace with Cody. Cody VS Lesnar was really good stuff, and I’m pretty sure Lesnar ended up bleeding hard way from that buckle. There was not enough time to have cameras look away for blading or whatever, and you usually don’t see a towel brought in for worked blood.

But that finish was awesome, it was almost like when Kurt Angel beat Taker even though he was in the Hell’s Gate Triangle. Cody survives but still wins, he’ll be going into the WHC tournament with momentum, maybe Rollins VS Cody is the “Raw Finals” on Monday, but maybe they shock us and one loses in a Triple Threat. Of the two, it feels more likely Rollins falls short given how hard they wanna push “Finish The Story” for Cody.

My Score: 8.8/10


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Coverage

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

It’s Draft Day!

Published

on

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


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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!

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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.

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:

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.


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