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WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
APRIL 28, 2023
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX. AT AMERICAN BANK CENTER ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON FOX
Announcers: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
[HOUR ONE]
-After “Then, Now, Together, Forever,” a special brief show opening aired hyping the WWE Draft.
-They went live to a wide shot of the arena. Michael Cole touted a sellout as the camera panned the audience and said the foundation of WWE would be shaken by the Draft. Wade Barrett hyped the main event WWE Tag Team Title match.
-Triple H made his ring entrance. Cole called him “the man who runs the place.” (This feels like their marketing strategy to deflect from Vince McMahon’s return to weekly influence over the creative process.) Triple H stood at a podium on the entrance stage and welcomed everyone to Smackdown. He said first he wanted to lay down some ground rules “because everybody knows I’m a stickler for rules.” He said everyone on the roster might be moved to another brand. He said half would be drafted tonight, and half on Monday. A graphic showed the half of the roster up for the draft tonight. He said some select wrestlers from NXT will also be eligable. He said the Draft moves will go into effect on May 8, the first Raw after Backlash. He asked, “Are you ready?” Fans cheered.
Triple H announced Smackdown’s First Pick: Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Roman Reigns. Barrett said that’s no surprise. Fans booed. (They didn’t do a great job explaining how more than one person/wrestler can be grouped as a single pick like that.) Triple H explained that Reigns will remain exclusive to Smackdown so the new World Hvt. Champion will be exclusive to Raw.
Triple H revealed Cody Rhodes is Raw’s first pick. Cody’s music played. Cole said it’s no surprise those running things over on the red brand would pick Cody.
Triple H announced Smackdown’s second pick was Bianca Belair. (It’s interesting they are picking in the order of top stars first, which can ruffle some feathers amongst wrestlers when they’re drafted after others.) Barrett called it a shocker and said she’s the first wrestler to move from Raw to Smackdown.
Triple H announced Raw’s second pick was Becky Lynch, so she remains on Raw.
Triple H said that concludes the first round. He said the second round is being deliberated in the back.
-The Usos came out onto the stage. Jimmy said they will become tag champs by the end of the night. Jey said he knows Reigns is at home watching. Jimmy said Reigns hasn’t been returning their texts and calls and DMs and emails, so he’s been in a certain place since their loss at WrestleMania. He dedicated their win to him tonight. Jey said Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens “are the 2’s and we’re the 1’s.”
Owens and Sami came out to their respective entrance themes and faced the Usos on the stage. Sami said he’s not there to talk them into or out of anything, but it sure says a lot that Reigns, Solo, and Heyman were drafted as a package deal without the Usos included. Jimmy predicted that KO is going to turn his back on him tonight. Owens yelled that he’s tired of their crap. He said he doesn’t care about what happens to them or Roman. He said all that matters to him is that he and Sami beat the hell out of them and keep their tag team titles.
-Cole recapped the Draft picks so far. He and Barrett discussed The Bloodline being drafted without the Usos. Barrett downplayed its meaning. Cole plugged the main event tag match.
-Butch and Sheamus made their entrance. [c]
-They showed a door backstage with a Raw sign on it and another door with the Smackdown sign on it. Cole said the “braintrust” from each brand were behind those doors. They also showed a gathering of NXT wrestlers at the NXT Performance Center in Orlando, Fla. applauding wildly as they watched the Draft live.
-They played a message from Belair in her hotel room in Belfast, N. Ireland. She talked about the Smackdown Title being her first title and how much it means to her. She said she wants to be a fighting champion and represent Smackdown well. “Can’t wait to see you on Fridays,” she said.
-Cole said Rhea Ripley, the current Smackdown Champion, isn’t eligible to be drafted until Monday on Raw.
(1) L.A. KNIGHT vs. BUTCH (w/Sheamus)
Knight’s ring entrance aired. A clip aired from last week when Knight crossed paths with Sheamus, Butch, and Ridge Holland that set up this match. The bell rang 23 minutes into the hour. Knight escaped an early arm bar by catapulting Butch neck-first upward into the top rope. Knight then slammed Butch onto the ring apron. They cut to an early break. [c]
Fans were chanting “L.A. Knight” when he hit a series of moves after the break. Cole acknowledged the chant. Butch made a comeback, but Knight cut it off quickly and delivered his finisher for the three count.
WINNER: Knight in 7:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: A good win for Knight, whose push lately felt like less than the crowd response for him.)
-The Usos were backstage with Heyman and Solo. The Uso said tonight is the night. Heyman said the Usos get drafted tonight to the Island of Relevancy as champions once again or the Ocean of Obscurity as ex-champions. Heyman said the Tribal Chief wants them know that success is their only avenue. He gave them a pep talk that bordered on a threat. He then looked at Solo as he said, with extra emphasis and hints of subtext, that tonight is the night.
-They showed Rob Van Dam exiting the Raw room. Cole said he’s one of the special presenters. Michael Hayes stepped out of the Smackdown room and said “Wow” when he looked at the card with their picks.
(Keller’s Analysis: The guest presenters is cool, for sure. I’m still not clear on the supposed logistics. Do members of the Raw and Smackdown “braintrusts” communicate back and forth privately, and then send the special presenters out with the results on a card?) [c]
-RVD made his way to the podium to his theme song. Hayes then came out to “Badstreet U.S.A.” They cut to NXT wrestlers at the Performance Center (most were badly overacting).
Hayes revealed that Smackdown picked The Street Profits. (So Montez Ford gets to be on the same brand as his wife. Counting down the minutes for Vince McMahon to a book a trade.)
RVD announced Imperium (Ludvig Kaiser, Giovani Vinci, and Gunther) were drafted by Raw. (So the Intercontinental Title moves to Smackdown. That could indicate Austin Theory is Smackdown-bound.)
Hayes revealed Smackdown’s next pick was Edge, so he moves to Smackdown.
RVD revealed Matt Riddle was Raw’s pick, so he stays on Raw.
-The Street Profits made their ring entrance, wearing blue shorts and jackets. (Did they get tipped off their were Smackdown-bound or just prepare for both scenarios?) Ford said nothing changes other than the day they work on because they still want the smoke.
(2) RICOCHET & BRAUN STROWMAN vs. THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. LWO (Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro)
Ricochet made his ring entrance next, followed by Braun Strowman. The LWO came out last. The bell rang to start the match 46 minutes into the hour. Braun threw Ricochet over the top rope onto the other four at ringside seconds into the match. They cut to a very early break. [c]
After the break, Wilde landed a flip dive at ringside onto the Profits. Cole said Reigns posted a comment on Twitter a few minutes ago saying simply, “Number one at everything.” Ricochet hit some more big moves after the break. He leaped off the top rope at Dawkins, but Dawkins moved. Dawkins spinebustered Ricochet and then Ford landed a quick top rope frog splash for the win.
WINNERS: Profits in 7:00.
-Cole and Barrett threw to a sponsored video package on the Bad Bunny-Damian Priest match at Backlash. Then they hyped that Bad Bunny would be on Smackdown next Friday live from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
-JBL walked out of the Smackdown room as a special guest presenter. Teddy Long walked out of the Raw locker room and liked what he saw on his notecard. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
JBL made his entrance to his theme song. Long came out next.
JBL announced Smackdown’s next pick was Bobby Lashley. Cole exclaimed “Oh yeah!” He said Lashley’s arrival will change the landscape on Friday nights.
Long announced Drew McIntyre next. (That moves him right to the top tier of the list of candidates to win the Raw-based new World Hvt. Title.)
JBL revealed Smackdown’s next pick was A.J. Styles, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Michin.
Long revealed Miz was the next pick for Raw.
(3) ZELINA VEGA vs. SONYA DEVILLE (w/Chelsea Green)
As Vega made her entrance, Cole said she’s eight days away from the biggest night of her career, the title shot at Backlash against Ripley. Sonya was already in the ring. The bell rang 5 minutes into the hour. Barrett compared Vega facing Ripley to Conor McGregor never facing Brock Lesnar due to the size difference being determinant of how the fight would go. Cole countered by citing that Rey Mysterio succeeded against other top wrestlers much bigger than him. Barrett said he’s an exception and a freak and it won’t happen again. He said it’s “a needle in a haystack” (which, technically, is not a properly utilized metaphor in that context). Vega scored a leverage pin out of nowhere.
WINNER: Vega in 3:00.
-Ripley attacked Vega as she was celebrating. She also hit Deville. Green stood on the ring apron and yelled at Ripley, but then jumped to the floor when Ripley shot her a look. Fans chanted, “Mommy!” Ripley went to pick up Vega, but Vega surprised her with a DDT and then rolled out of the ring. Cole said that’s a message from Vega that if you get cocky, she’ll take over and capitalize. [c]
-Santos Escobar was smiling with Vega backstage, celebrating her win. Rey Mysterio joined them. Vega told Rey that the LWO has put a spark in her like nothing else and she’s going to become champion in Puerto Rico. Rey said all that matters is that she believes in herself, regardless of the doubters. She smiled as Rey told her she’ll leave Puerto Rico as the new Smackdown Women’s Champion.
-All four members of The O.C. made their way to the ring. As Styles was about to talk, the Viking Raiders and Valhalla made their way to the ring. Styles asked if they’re there to pick a fight. Styles pretended to retreat when the Raiders entered the ring, but then he sent Gallows, Anderson, and Michin after the Raiders and Valhalla. They gave Eric a Magic Killer mid-ring. He said, “Smackdown, we have just started.” When Ivar entered to check on Erik, Styles gave him a Phenomenal Forearm.
-Cole said the fourth and final round of the WWE Draft was up next. Shawn Michaels came out of the Smackdown room. Road Dogg came out of the Raw room. [c]
-Cole said Strowman will drive the pace car at the Wirth 400 on FS1.
-DX’s theme played as Micheals and Dogg came out together.
Michaels revealed Smackdown’s next pick: Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky. (Remember all the hype that factions were bound to be broken up? Now they’re all being drafted together as a unit.)
Dogg revealed Nakamura was Raw’s next pick.
Michaels revealed that Smackdown’s next pick didn’t thrill him, but the next pick was Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. Barrett wondered if they’d be bringing the NXT Tag belts with them. They cut to them at the Performance Center hugging and the other NXT wrestlers applauding.
Dogg told Michaels he doesn’t know if he can lose his smile twice, but Raw picked Indi Hartwell. Cole said she just won the NXT Title on WrestleMania weekend, and now she’s drafted to Raw.
-Cole threw to McKenzie Mitchell at the NXT Performance Center. She interviewed Fyre & Dawn. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter then challenged them for a NXT Women Tag Team Title match on Tuesday, and they accepted.
-Kayla Braxton interviewed Nakamura backstage about moving from Smackdown to Raw. Karrion Kross attacked him just as he was about to speak. He stood over Nakamura and growled and grunted as Scarlett soaked up the moment.
-They showed the Usos all hyped up backstage. Heyman and Solo stood behind them. Heyman said tonight is the night the spotlight is on them.
-Owens made his entrance to his music. Then music switched to Sami Zayn’s theme and he came out. [c]
-Cole hyped a Bad Bunny press conference next Friday at noon live on Peacock. No time zone was mentioned.
-Cole and Barrett threw to a clip of Triple H announcing the new WWE World Hvt. Title belt on Raw. Cole said the new championship will be represented on Raw. Cole and Barrett reviewed the Draft thus far. Then Cole announced that Nakamura vs. Kross will take place next week on Smackdown. Barrett added that Gallows & Anderson vs. Raiders also on next week’s Smackdown.
(4) SAMI ZAYN & KEVIN OWENS vs. THE USOS – WWE Tag Team Title match
Owens stood in the ring as Sami’s music faded. He yelled, “I’m sick of waiting! Come on!” The Usos then made their entrance. Cole said there’s a lot of pressure on them tonight. Barrett said pressure creates diamonds. The bell rang 39 minutes into the hour. The Usos jumped Owens and Sami just as the ref was calling for the bell. They threw them around ringside. Cole said the Usos know Reigns will not accept failure. Barrett said the Usos are fighting like their futures depend on winning because it does. They stereo superkicked Owens for an early two count. They cut to a very early break. [c]
Back from the break, the Usos remained in control. Sami eventually hot-tagged in and landed a running flip dive onto the Usos at ringside. A minute later Jey kicked Sami off the top rope to the floor. They cut to a break with Sami down at ringside at 9:00. [c]
Back from the break, Owens gave Jimmy a Fisherman’s Buster off the top rope. He followed with a top rope Swanton for a near fall. They cut backstage to Heyman on the phone with Reigns. Heyman turned and told Solo, “That was the call. Tonight is your night,” he said. Jey broke up an Owens cover on Jimmy. Sami went after Jey, but Jey caught him with a superkick as he flew at him at ringside. Jimmy rolled up Owens in the ring, but Owens kicked out and then landed a quick stunner for a near fall. Solo walked out at 15:00. Owens watched him approach the ring. Riddle attacked Solo and they brawled to the back.
Back in the ring, Jimmy landed an enzuigiri on Owens and then tagged in Jey. They stereo superkicked Owens for a near fall. Sami was still down at ringside. They stereo superkicked Owens again. Sami returned to the ring apron, but the Usos kicked him to the floor. The Usos stereo superkicked Owens again for another near fall. Owens fought back, but the Usos remained in control. As the Usos set up a 1D, Sami yanked Jey to the floor and threw him into the ringside steps. Owens then gave Jimmy a stunner and tagged in Sami. Sami landed the Helluva Kick for the win. Cole said the Ocean of Obscurity awaits the Usos. He wondered if Reigns will even want the Usos drafted to Smackdown with him come Monday. They showed Solo who returned to ringside to observe the situation as the show ended.
WINNERS: Sami & Owens in 18:00 to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.
DRAFT – NIGHT ONE
SMACKDOWN ROSTER:
Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman
Bianca Belair
The Street Profits
Edge
Bobby Lashley
A.J. Styles, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Michin
Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai
Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn
RAW ROSTER
Cody Rhodes
Becky Lynch
Gunther, Ludvig Kaiser, Gionvani Vinci
Matt Riddle
Drew McIntyre
The Miz
Shinsuke Nakamura
Indi Hartwell
I hope it isn’t the same feuds just switched to different shows.
So they decided that Cody won’t get to finish the story at all. Even if he wins this new world title on Raw, it won’t be the top title (the WWE Championship), which is what this whole story has been about. It’s like how Christian and Mark Henry won the World Heavyweight Championship, but they never held the WWE Championship. Yeah it’s still a world title, but it’s not the top title. Very disappointing that they decided Cody doesn’t deserve to hold the top title in the company.
And this also means Bianca Belair’s historic title reign will be ending (either to Iyo Sky at Backlash or by giving up the title the next night. And since Sky is going to SmackDown, she would have a 1 day reign as she would have to give up the belt the next night)