WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
APRIL 12, 2024
DETROIT, MICH. AT LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON FOX

Commentators: Corey Graves, Wade Barrett

Attendance: WrestleTix experiences at the moment that 13,296 tickets have been distributed to this point; area arrange for 13,297.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST

[HOUR ONE]

-They opened with the brand new “Then, Now, Without end, Collectively” with Paul Levesque doing the voiceover.

-A clip aired of Cody Rhodes being launched as the brand new Undisputed WWE Common Champion.

-They reduce to a large shot of the world as Corey Graves mentioned at WrestleMania 40, historical past was made, destinies have been realized, champions have been topped, an empire was toppled, and a narrative was completed. He welcomed everybody to a brand new period.

-Cody made his ring entrance. He requested, “Detroit, what do you guys wish to discuss?” He mentioned final Monday he was interrupted by The Rock. A “Rocky sucks!” chant broke out, which overwhelmed a competing “Rocky” chant. “Who the hell instructed you it was open mic night time, bitch?” he mentioned. He then mentioned, “Forgive me for cursing; I don’t know what’s gotten in to me.” He mentioned it was uncomfortable and awkward, however he believed The Rock when he mentioned he was going off to Hollywood and he could be coming again to search for him. He mentioned he gained’t need to look very far as a result of he’ll be standing proper there. He mentioned that’s within the rear view, however now they need to look ahead.

He mentioned in three weeks, he’ll be flying to the primary of their worldwide premium stay occasions in France for Backlash. He mentioned he’s going to face one of many six wrestlers competing in two three-way matches later. He listed every of the names quite methodically. He mentioned he’s seen that the world is packed. He mentioned he was going to show his again to the digicam as a result of he needs to see everybody. He turned. A “Cody! Cody!” chant broke out. He mentioned he’s now not the hunter, however the hunted. “Should you come on the king, you greatest not miss,” he mentioned.

He talked about he was as soon as undesirable, then simple, and now the Undisputed WWE Champion.

(Keller’s Evaluation: Good sufficient promo. It’s Cody being Cody, and it’s working very well. He can simply speak informal and have the followers hanging on his each phrase, which comes throughout as earnest and real. Not each Cody promo needs to be epic or ostentatious, and this was dialed down and got here throughout as a humble celebration.)

-They confirmed Bayley arriving earlier. Then they reduce to Rey Mysterio and his crew arriving.

-Backstage stay, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman walked as much as a door that mentioned, “American Nightmare.” Kevin Owens walked previous them and mentioned they’re not invited as he walked in. He pointed them towards a brush closet. Solo mentioned he’d maintain him. Heyman mentioned profitable and dropping issues and there are penalties to dropping. He mentioned that’s the champion’s locker room and Cody occupies it. He mentioned to get it again, they need to win the belt again. “And that’s by order of the Tribal Chief,” Heyman mentioned.

-L.A. Knight made his ring entrance first. [c]

-Highlights aired from WrestleMania 40.

(1) L.A. KNIGHT vs. BOBBY LASHLEY vs. SANTOS ESCOBAR – Qualifier to Advance to No. 1 Contendership match for Backlash

Lashley’s ring entrance befell. Santos Escobar got here out final. An inset interview aired with Legado del Fantasma. Escobar smiled and mentioned nobody in LDF attacked Dragon Lee final week. Wade Barrett mentioned if true, then “who the hell was it?” The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. Lashley threw Knight to the ground seconds into the match. Then he fought him at ringside. Escobar leaped by means of the ropes and tackled each of them. They reduce to a really early break. [c]

Again from the break, Knight leaped to the highest rope and arrange a superoplex on Escobar. Lashley got here up behind them and powerbombed them after which scored a two depend on Escobar. Knight clipped Lashley as he had Escobar within the air. Knight gave Lashley a Crucifix Driver for a two depend. Escobar landed operating double knees into Knight within the nook, however Knight fought again with a tilt-a-whirl powerslam after which a leaping elbowdrop. Knight arrange his finisher on Escobar, however Angel and Humberto attacked him. They joined Escobar in giving Knight a triple powerbomb.

Lashley charged at Escobar, however Angel and Humberto stomped away at him. The Road earnings ran out and went after them. Elektra Lopez jumped into Angelo Dawkins’ path. B-Fab then kicked Lopez as Dawkins laughed. Ford landed a operating flip dive on Angel and Humberto at ringside. Escobar rolled up Lashley for a two depend. Lashley delivered a flatliner on Escobar after which went for a spear. Escobar sidestepped him. Knight then Escobar his BFT for the win. Barrett mentioned there’s an entire area with tingling loins.

WINNER: Knight in 8:00 to advance.

-Kayla Braxton interviewed Rey Mysterio and the LWO. She requested him to touch upon Escobar’s loss. Rey referred to as it karma. He accused Santos of attacking Dragon Lee and mentioned it’ll come again to chunk him. Kayla mentioned he denied it. Carlito interjected that after all he denied it. Rey mentioned the reality will finally floor irrespective of how a lot you twist it. Rey talked about being inducted into the Corridor of Fame and forming the LWO, however he mentioned deep down he really feels he has one other run as WWE Champion. The LWO cheered and clapped.

-The Bloodline’s Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso made their entrance. [c]

-Extra WrestleMania clips aired.

-Heyman stood mid-ring and launched himself. He mentioned by orders of The Tribal Chief, they make no excuses for what occurred at WrestleMania. He mentioned they don’t blame John Cena, the Undertaker, and even Jey Uso. He mentioned The Tribal Chief has ordered that they settle for accountability. He mentioned at WrestleMania 39, Cody took his eye off the ball only one second, distracted by Solo, after which Roman took benefit and retained his title. He mentioned at WrestleMania 40, Cody flipped the script. He mentioned when Reigns had a chair in his palms at WM40 and he might’ve smashed Cody with it legally, he didn’t. “Why?” he mentioned. “As a result of after ten years of ready on revenge on Seth Rollins and that betrayal of The Defend, Reigns gave in to temptation. He mentioned Reigns was distracted by his lust of revenge on Rollins. He mentioned Cody was ready and strategic and prepared “and like that, it was over.” He calmly mentioned Cody is the brand new Undisputed Champion.

Heyman’s voice received louder as he mentioned Reigns will rise from the ashes. Solo interrupted and stared intensely at Heyman. He mentioned if profitable and dropping issues, then there are penalties to dropping. “So meaning penalties want change,” he mentioned. He pushed Heyman apart as Heyman regarded involved. He took a step towards Jimmy, who requested if he’s blaming him. He hugged Jimmy and mentioned he loves him, after which stepped away. Tama Tonga, in a hoodie, attacked Jimmy. Graves mentioned that’s the son of Haku, who has been wreaking havoc in Japan for years. Heyman’s response indicated he wasn’t in on this plan. He took off his hoodie and lifted Jimmy. Solo then gave him a Sampan Spike as Heyman yelled, “No!” He landed a number of extra strikes after which set free a loud yell as Heyman gasped within the nook. Solo turned to Heyman who cowered in worry. Solo requested him to boost his arm within the air, and he did. Along with his different hand, he instructed his telephone to name Roman Reigns. Solo yanked the telephone out of his hand and stomped on the telephone.

Tonga introduced a chair into the ring. Solo put it over Jimmy’s head. Heyman yelled, “This isn’t what the Tribal Chief needs!” Solo charged and hip attacked Jimmy and the chair. Heyman hesitantly walked previous Solo and Tonga who adopted him to the again, a terrified Heyman not taking his eyes off of them.

(Keller’s Evaluation: They pivoted rapidly. Heyman and through proxy Reigns have been babyfaces right here, making no excuses for a way Reigns beat Cody. Solo attacking Jimmy regardless of protests from Heyman units up a extremely attention-grabbing dynamic of Heyman, Reigns, and Jimmy on one aspect and Solo and Toma on the opposite, however there are transferring elements but to settle together with Jey.) [c]

(3) BRON BREAKKER vs. CAMERON GRIMES

The bell 52 minutes into the hour. Graves ran down Breakker’s household – father Rick and uncle Scott. Bron blocked a takeover by Grimes and overpowered him. Grimes threw a superkick that confirmed a ton of sunshine to the purpose that it principally regarded like Bron leaned again to keep away from it by 18 inches. Grimes flew at Breaker, however Greakker caught him mid-air and slammed him, speraed him for the win. Graves mentioned Breakker goes to be an issue for all the roster.

WINNER: Breakker in 90 seconds.

-A sponsored video package deal aired with extra WrestleMania highlights, together with Bayley’s win. [c]

-A soundbite aired with A.J. Kinds saying tonight isn’t simply one other match, it’s an opportunity for him to repair what went flawed at WrestleMania. He vowed to demolish all the things. “This isn’t private; it’s mandatory,” he mentioned. “I’ll step over each of your useless our bodies to get what I would like.” He addressed Knight: “The injury I caught tonight will probably be only a style of what you’re going to get subsequent week.”

[HOUR TWO]

-Bayley made her entrance, proudly sporting her title belt. Followers chanted, “You deserve it!” She mentioned it feels nice. She mentioned title reign feels totally different and particular as a result of the locker room of expertise is healthier than ever and due to the followers. She mentioned they’ve been there for all the ups and downs and accidents and setbacks. She mentioned they by no means gave up on her imaginative and prescient. “I thanks a lot,” she mentioned. She was interrupted by Tiffany Stratton.

Stratton walked out and mentioned it was just a little impolite that she wasn’t given a possibility at WrestleMania. She mentioned she’s clearly constructing to some sort of open problem, and she or he accepts. “As a result of it’s Tiffy-time,” she mentioned. Bayley mentioned she wasn’t about to subject an open problem. She mentioned she had somebody in thoughts, Naomi. Stratton mentioned she couldn’t even win a title if it glowed at the hours of darkness. Naomi marched out to her music. Stratton instructed Naomi she was interrupting her and mentioned she already beat her. Naomi mentioned she has crushed her earlier than, however she has earned each single factor he has achieved in WWE and she or he doesn’t plan on stopping now. She instructed Bayley she will be able to’t settle for her problem but as a result of she needs to tackle “clueless Tiffany proper right here and proper now.” They reduce to a break as Graves referred to as for a referee. [c]

-Braxton stood exterior of the coach’s room. Heyman stepped out and regarded solemn. She requested if Jimmy was okay. Tama walked as much as Heyman, who regarded terrified once more. Tama mentioned, “By orders of the Tribal Chief.” Solo walked as much as Heyman and checked out his taped thumb. Then they each walked away. Heyman mentioned, “What the hell does that imply?”

(4) NAOMI vs. TIFFANY STRATTON – Winner Faces Bayley for the Ladies’s Title

They joined the match in progress 12 minutes into the second hour. Bayley watched from ringside. They reduce to a break at 4:00. [c]

Naomi gained with a Jackknife pin.

WINNER: Naomi in 9:00 to earn a Ladies’s Title match.

-A vignette aired with Austin Idea and Grayson Waller reflecting on their WrestleMania victory. They confirmed scenes of them out in town with the tag belts with them in all places.

-They reduce to The Road Income, Pete Dunn & Tyler Bate, and Nick Aldis. Aldis mentioned they’d discover them challengers subsequent week.

-They confirmed Rey warming up backstage. Graves requested if he has yet another run left. [c]

-Extra WrestleMania highlights aired.

-A vignette aired with Logan Paul taking credit score for WWE having their greatest occasions since he arrived. He touted the social media views he generated. He mentioned it’s the “Logan Paul Levesque Period.”

-Chelsea Inexperienced and Piper Niven made their ring entrance.

-A clip aired from earlier of Chelsea Inexperienced asking Nick Aldis if he’d ever hold them off WrestleMania and she or he made a pitch for Aldis to draft them. Niven mentioned they need a possibility to point out what they will do collectively. Aldis mentioned he would discover them opponents. Naomi mentioned he’s not unbearable and requested Inexperienced what she was speaking about.

(5) CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN vs. JADE CARGILL & BIANCA BELAIR

Jade made her entrance. Barrett requested if she even wants a companion. Belair then made her entrance. The bell rang 35 minutes into the hour. Belair tossed Inexperienced down. Inexperienced instantly tagged in Naomi who slammed Belair after which landed a cannonball within the nook. Naomi went for a swing splash out of the nook, however Belair moved. Inexperienced tagged in, however so did Jade. Inexperienced regarded for a tag, however Naomi wasn’t there. Jade dominated Inexperienced and landed a rapidly Jaded for the win.

WINNER: Jade & Belair in 2:00.

-Byron Saxton interviewed Kevin Owens backstage about this chance. KO mentioned requested concerning the cool digicam photographs the previous few weeks the place they observe wrestlers to the ring. He requested for Bryon’s mic after which talked because the digicam adopted him to the doorway stage and to the ring. KO mentioned he and Rey each have sons taller than themselves, however his son isn’t an fool loser. [c]

-Barrett plugged subsequent week’s Smackdown: Bayley vs. Naomi, Angelo & Humberto, AOP, New Catch Republic, and The Road Income in a four-way, plus Knight vs. the winner of the primary occasion.

(6) KEVIN OWENS vs. A.J. STYLES vs. REY MYSTERIO – Qualifier to Advance to No. 1 Contendership match for Backlash

Kinds made his ring entrance subsequent adopted by Rey. The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. They reduce to an early break. [c]

All three have been down on the mat after a German suplex by Owens of each Rey and Kinds. When Owens went for a high rope swanton, Kinds lifted his knees. Kinds climbed to the second rope. Rey rose from the ground and arrange a huracanrana. Kinds blocked it and turned it right into a Kinds Conflict onto Owens. Kinds then pinned Rey.

WINNER: Kinds to advance to face Knight subsequent week on Smackdown to earn a WWE Title match in opposition to Cody at Backlash.

FINAL THOUGHTS: A newsworthy present, and never a lot Draft speak. They arrange a Ladies’s Title match, a contendership match for Cody’s title, an enormous Bloodline improvement, and a Cody celebration phase, plus promos and vignettes with different key gamers comparable to Logan Paul and Idea & Waller.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST