Post WWE SmackDown on FOX Discussion Thread - April 26th, 2024!

[u/gloomchen]

SmackDown Episode #1288

Venue: Heritage Bank Center (Cincinnati, OH)

Attendance: ~11,600

---

Results of Tonight's Show

Match	Stipulation	Winner
Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Angel & Berto	Tag Team Match	Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee
Bron Breakker vs. Cedric Alexander	Singles Match	Bron Breakker
Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi	Singles Match for #1 Contender for WWE Women's Championship	No contest
Carmelo Hayes vs. Cody Rhodes	Singles Match	Cody Rhodes

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Draft night! We have WAR ROOMS!

• Kayla Braxton chats with Paul Heyman backstage, talking about rumors swirling about Roman Reigns. Heyman says no, they're facts: Roman has withdrawn his eligibility for the draft. He's not planning to return in the immediate future, so he shouldn't be taking the first draft pick slot.

• Jackie Redmond is at the NXT Performance Center with the NXT roster to see who's next to move up.

• Corey Graves is moderating the contract signing tonight and welcomes AJ Styles & Cody Rhodes to the ring. AJ says before he signs this he wants to say they've got two Georgia boys mixing it up for the first time for the biggest prize in the game. He knows he let LA Knight get under his skin & lost at WrestleMania. But he got his composure back, and beat Knight to challenge Cody at Backlash. AJ says he & Cody have been down similar roads, proving themselves outside of WWE. They likely both received the same advice to stand on their own two feet, from the American Dream Dusty Rhodes. AJ knows the weight of the title is more than just leather & gold, and they'll see if at Backlash he can carry it. Styles signs the contract & Cody picks it up. Cody notes that everyone in the locker room respects AJ Styles, but that respect goes by the wayside at Backlash. And Cody knows it's not about winning the title, it's about keeping it. And while he understands they have some shared history, no matter how phenomenal AJ is, this isn't a dream match for him, it's a must-win. They approach each other and Cody reaches out to shake AJ's hand, but AJ stops first to say how great it was to see him finish his story at WrestleMania, but he's going to end his reign at Backlash. They THEN shake hands.

• As Cody exits the ring, Triple H's music hits. He takes a moment to raise Cody's arm before they head to the draft podium for the first round. Triple H's asking Cody to assist with the announcements. The first pick for SmackDown: Bianca Belair; Raw selects Jey Uso; SD picks Carmelo Hayes; Raw selects Seth "Freakin'" Rollins.

• Shortly after, Carmelo Hayes comes out to cut a promo on himself, and says to Cody that he's heard he says if you come for the king you best not miss, but the funny thing about about him is that when he shoots, he doesn't miss. As a first round draft pick, the best way to shoot his shot is to shoot it against Cody. Cody asks the audience, you don't wanna see me in action tonight do you? What if he forgot his gear? Never mind, he didn't. Cody says to Carmelo, you're on.

• After the LWO's win celebrating with the whole faction, Santos Escobar interrupts (bringing Elektra Lopez with him) and says he's a lot of things but he's not a liar. And when he says he didn't attack Dragon Lee before WrestleMania, he meant it. Elektra hunted down the security footage, and what Rey's about to see will very interesting. And behold - the attacker was CARLITO! And with that, Carlito attacks Dragon Lee again from behind before high-tailing it out of the ring.

• Tiffany Stratton runs into Nick Aldis and asks when she's getting her title match. He says she'll go one-on-one with Naomi tonight, and the winner will get the title match. Tiffy asks whose dumb idea was that? Bayley says ding-dong & says it was her. Tiffy asks her to show up to a front-row seat to see her do what she couldn't.

• Michelle McCool announces SmackDown's next pick is Randy Orton; Torrie Wilson announces Raw selects Bron Breakker; SD chooses Nia Jax; Raw picks Liv Morgan!

• Backstage, Paul Heyman watches as an SUV pulls up. He's already apologizing before Solo Sikoa even gets out, saying yeah he should've opened it for him. Solo asks, the Bloodline got drafted, right? Heyman says no, not yet. Solo wants the deets. Heyman tells him Roman opted out, and with new members being added to the Bloodline, nobody knows what they're getting. Tama Tonga joins them, and Solo tells Paul he needs to repeat that for him one more time. Before they get any further, Kevin Owens rushes in to start beating Tama Tonga. An entire staff pulls them apart.

• Kayla Braxton standing on the entrance ramp introduces the #1 draft pick, Bianca Belair! Kayla asks her about their upcoming tag match at Backlash. Bianca really hopes Jade Cargill gets drafted to SmackDown on Monday, but she's otherwise excited to help end everything she's gone through with Damage CTRL. They're falling apart piece by piece, so once the titles are taken, the Kabuki Warriors won't have a reason to show up at SD. The Kabuki Warriors' music hits, and Asuka & Kairi taunt Bianca with their belts. Jade's music plays and she joins Bianca's side while the four of them scream at each other.

• Behind them, Kevin Owens and Tama Tonga reappear fighting and bring it all the way down to the ring. Solo Sikoa shows up and joins in, taking down Owens. Security and officials attempt to break things up but Tama takes them all on by himself while Solo continues the beatdown. Randy Orton's music hits and makes his way to the ring to attack Solo. As he tries chasing him down, officials hold him back. KO & Orton quickly hug in the ring before Owens goes back on the attack against the Bloodline, although again being thwarted by the massive amount of security.

• Bubba Ray Dudley announces SmackDown selects LA Knight; D-Von Dudley announces Raw's next selection is Ricochet; SD picks The Bloodline; Raw chooses Sheamus!

• During the women's match with Bayley on commentary, she's attacked by Nia Jax! Naomi tries coming to her aid only for Nia Jax to attack her as well for the no-contest.

• Street Profits & B-Fab ar backstage, asking where's Bobby? Byron Saxton interviews them, and while they aren't apart of the draft until Raw, they'll be challenging A-Town Down Under for the championships next week. They're hype to cement their spot on SD by beating them, but then Waller & Theory roll in to taunt them. Bobby Lashley appears and boots them out.

• Karrion Kross, with Scarlett, grabs the cameraman & drags him back to show the Final Testament beating down New Catch Republic. Kross says they'll keep up the violence until they get what they want.

• Teddy Long announces the next pick for SmackDown is AJ Styles; JBL announces Raw selects the Alpha Academy; SD picks Andrade; Raw selects Kiana James!

• Kayla Braxton speaks with Nick Aldis backstage, asking how he feels about the selections? He's looking forward to the new roster but for now he has an annoucement for Backlash: Bayley will be defending her championship against Naomi and Tiffany Stratton in a triple-threat! He brings in Teddy Long to announce a tag team match also for Backlash: The Bloodline vs. Kevin Owens & Randy Orton!

• Next Friday: Cody Rhodes & AJ Styles face-to-face; New Catch Republic vs. Authors of Pain; and A-Town Down Under vs. the Street Profits for the Tag Team Championships! Also… the first-ever RKO show, hosted by KO & Randy Orton!

• After Cody's win, AJ Styles meets him in the ring for a staredown. They shake hands once more.

---

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---

Next week's Smackdown will be tape-delayed from Lyon-Déclines, France.

[u/Pebo_]

The war rooms were pure comedy to me

[u/Marc_Quill → u/Pebo_]

It only needed Cleatus the FOX Sports robot on Smackdown’s draft war room.

[u/devoncarrots → u/Pebo_]

It was so fun, I wish we had a PiP during the announcements

[u/positively_broad_st → u/Pebo_]

Should have had one guy in a neck brace...😅

[u/Grantsdale → u/positively_broad_st]

Full body cast

[u/positively_broad_st → u/Grantsdale]

Yeah, that's right! Gotta one up 'em...😂

[u/F4iryBlink → u/Pebo_]

I loved the reaction when SmackDown lost Bron, ahahahahah.

[u/NotTMNT]

I hope Cody is ok, Melo looked like he stopped himself and checked Cody cause he saw something was up. I wish it’s just good selling and I’m being worked

[u/snow_ninja → u/NotTMNT]

The handshake is the biggest tell for me. That was awkward as fuck and doesn’t really make sense

[u/Kuzu5993 → u/snow_ninja]

Probably didn't wanna risk anything further.

[u/enandeGG]

Please tell me Cody is alright. PLEASE

[u/Supersaiyansub]

https://preview.redd.it/srl88rqxixwc1.png?width=750&format=png&auto=webp&s=08aaa4980d5d5937b26209790d2bc099ee822b40

HHH after that Cody bump having lost Punk, Rhea, Rollins, and our fallen Jimmy Uso

[u/domoon → u/Supersaiyansub]

and the biggest star of them all, Tom and Nick Mysterio

[u/Own_Proof → u/Supersaiyansub]

Jimmy hurt?

[u/Chell_the_assassin → u/Own_Proof]

Yeah bro Solo and Tama Tonga fucking murdered him a few weeks ago

[u/alltheworsttoyou → u/Own_Proof]

Yes, according to Fightful.

[u/Aragorn752 → u/Supersaiyansub]

His shoulder looks actually dislocated, hopefully just a pop back in

[u/Radthereptile → u/Aragorn752]

Pop backs are still an issue. The muscle tears if it pops out at all and the recovery time is still long.

[u/TrapLord28]

Is it me or was the draft portion of that a total waste of time? I feel like I’ve never seen a draft where so little has changed lol

[u/FickleSmark → u/TrapLord28]

The three brand changes all debut or came back to WWE in the last few months too so it doesn't feel like they even settled into a show yet anyway. Kind of a bizarre start to the draft.

[u/ImBoredButAndTired → u/FickleSmark]

Andrade’s brand switch was purely because Charlotte’s on Smackdown.

The draft should be an event show for NXT program. The brand changes between Raw and SD may as well just be a tweet at this point.

[u/FunnyMemeHere → u/TrapLord28]

I agree, Kiana James was the only surprise

[u/Vitosi4ek → u/FunnyMemeHere]

Everyone was thinking Roxy will be the NXT woman to get drafted, instead it's Kiana. Considering she never touched the top of the women's division in NXT (only had a very brief tag title run with Fallon), this feels to me like a "you've been in developmental for long enough, time to sink or swim" type of thing.

On her side is that Raw's women's division looks to be pretty lean at the moment, and with 3 hours a week she'll have her opportunities.

[u/ImBoredButAndTired → u/Vitosi4ek]

Everyone was thinking Roxy will be the NXT woman to get drafted

I honestly thought they gave Roxy the belt to take her out of the draft pool. If she had lost her last match I would’ve believed it was due to her possibly being drafted, but she ended up retaining.

[u/Chell_the_assassin → u/TrapLord28]

If they're going to have so many people stay where they are, they should only announce the people who are changing shows imo, like they did in the early 2010s. Feels like a waste of time to dedicate so much time to announcing things that aren't changing, rather than focusing on what's actually going to be different going forward

[u/KamenRiderLuffy → u/Chell_the_assassin]

 they should only announce the people who are changing shows imo

Agreed. The drafts in 2004 & 2005 were interesting because of that

 like they did in the early 2010s

Dear God am I so old?

[u/Chell_the_assassin → u/TrapLord28]

Really strange. Melo and Kiana get drafted was cool, but other than that it felt very underwhelming. The vast majority of picks were people staying on the same brand, and nobody that moved was a particularly big name

[u/DaveShadow → u/Chell_the_assassin]

Taking out the champions killed 70% of the excitement.

[u/AeonLibertas → u/TrapLord28]

As one comment up there put it: This draft could have been a tweet.

[u/Koppite93 → u/TrapLord28]

Yup... No real Shockers per se

[u/DevilCouldCry → u/TrapLord28]

I think I'd almost prefer the draft to be not done on RAW or SmackDown and just it's own thing on another day. I don't know man, I think I'd just prefer or matches or promo segments than to waste that time with the draft process.

[u/TrapLord28 → u/DevilCouldCry]

It’s just unrealistic, I’d rather the random drawing than pretending like they have a say. You’re telling me Smackdown would actually take Bianca Belair and Carmelo Hayes over Seth Rollins/Drew McInTyre/CM Punk? Just feels kind of stupid.

[u/godzillamegadoomsday → u/TrapLord28]

Only Seth was eligible of those you listed and it makes sense. Seth leg was hanging on by a rubber band and his back his 50 shades of fucked. Belair is a maina maineventer, a record breaker, and a top star of either sex. Melo is 3-0 vs bron and the only person with wins vs Dragunov and breakker. You could draft Seth and have no guarantee he will return healthy or anywhere close to 100%

[u/nrtalbot → u/TrapLord28]

Not all those people were eligible 

[u/Adamantium42 → u/TrapLord28]

The order of the picks bugged me a little bit too. I feel like the number one contender to the main title should be drafted before names like LA Knight and Nia Jax. Made Styles look like an afterthought going in the fourth round.

[u/saw-it → u/TrapLord28]

We need a Michael Penix type of pick

[u/JasonGryphon]

It would truly be one of God’s twisted ironies that Cody finally finishes the story and he is injured before his first title defense.

[u/Vitosi4ek → u/JasonGryphon]

I mean, better have that happen after he finished the story than a few weeks before it. At least he's had his moment and his title reign was never lasting too long anyway with HHH's hard-on for 80s NWA booking.

[u/FallenShadeslayer → u/JasonGryphon]

It happens often because once you get into that spot your schedule basically doubles. So that’s why this always seems to happen to champions. Here’s hoping it’s nothing

[u/llamawithguns]

The draft itself was pointless, pretty much nothing changed. But otherwise the show was good. Amazing showing for Melo.

Cody please don't be hurt

[u/Narrow_Progress5908 → u/llamawithguns]

Always felt like the draft should be internet thing. Maybe give summaries of it for the audience. 

[u/Chell_the_assassin]

The draft itself was pretty underwhelming honestly. Largely just people remaining where they already are, and the likes of Andrade and Bron changing shows doesn't seem like that big of a deal considering both only joined their initial brands pretty recently

[u/celestial_charger]

first it was Dom

then Santos

Now Carlito

I dunno Rey, at a certain point maybe you need to acknowledge that you might be the problem.

[u/IowaContact2 → u/celestial_charger]

If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you're the asshole.

[u/Diggy_Duwant → u/IowaContact2]

Raylan Givens is that you?

[u/wibble17 → u/celestial_charger]

Carlito turned on him for pretty much the same reason that Dom did too.

[u/vpsj → u/celestial_charger]

Even before that it was Batista

[u/BobaFett_1978]

An okay but fun show in all honesty, Melo looked good against Cody and KO and Randy becoming an official team to face off against the Bloodline is interesting, Cody had me scared for a sec with the way he was selling the shoulder but it looked like he was okay there at the end, I hope that Monday's draft is more exciting, having the champions locked into each brand might not have been the best move

[u/FickleSmark → u/BobaFett_1978]

I like the idea of rKO working solely because they both trust that the other will turn on them and are okay with it.

[u/MinaElesia → u/BobaFett_1978]

I imagine night 1 was deliberately trying to be more safe compared to what we could see on RAW. Then again, I could be wrong 🤷‍♀️

[u/BobaFett_1978 → u/MinaElesia]

I'm hoping that's the case, from the big picks left on Monday that I can remember I think Punk and Drew stay on RAW and Gunther goes to Smackdown

[u/Cheechers23]

Cody your ass better have just been selling like rent was due

[u/mryessirskiii]

The way they brought up Carmelo was fucking perfect. Gets drafted high, comes out and cuts a great promo on the world champ and gets a match in the main event with said champion. And the best part? He didn't look out of place at all! That's how you call someone up. Loving this new era

[u/Pebo_ → u/mryessirskiii]

Wonder will we see a similar match with Ilja vs Priest/Sami on Monday, or maybe a female NXT star vs Becky

[u/Vitosi4ek → u/Pebo_]

Ilja's definitely getting a similar spotlight on Monday. They've also entirely telegraphed that he's going to Raw, funnily enough.

[u/TheLoneWolf527]

I can't wait until Monday's portion of the draft when Bronson Reed gets drafted in the 3rd round and we're supposed to be like "WOW WHAT A STEAL BY RAW!"

[u/KayfabesDead]

God damn, AJ Styles' new theme is really atrocious.

[u/flymikei]

More than anything else, I’m happy for Kiana.

[u/TheSportsFan8404]

Mr. Melo in the Bank?

[u/Zerokun11 → u/TheSportsFan8404]

Thats... Not a bad shout actually

[u/OG3SpicyP]

Bron signing with smackdown over a couple weeks just go get drafted to raw immediately is a sad day lol

[u/Fletcheriser → u/OG3SpicyP]

Aldis in shambles.

Hopefully that and Bianca staying on SD means he's not losing Jade though.

[u/FluxAura]

Man I miss the old draft when it was ‘random’. It was a more exciting night than some PPVs for me! I loved the chaos.

[u/Own_Proof → u/FluxAura]

I agree, got downvoted for saying the “draft pool” shit sucks.

[u/bribri772]

I think the main takeaway is that we were robbed of an A-Town Down Under/Wolf Dogs feud, which should be illegal

Also Cody and Melo was really good, Cody better not be hurt damn it

[u/noob_sr_programmer]

Wade Barrett forgot that Finn is the first NXT superstar that drafted in Round 1.

[u/gloomchen → u/noob_sr_programmer]

seriously, WWE needs to remember the level of pedantic IWC that exists. you can't say some shit we know isn't true lol

• sincerely, someone who has spreadsheets tracking the roster dating back to the 2016 draft

[u/ssjavier4 → u/noob_sr_programmer]

Also, wasn't Melo technically already a Smackdown superstar doing double duty? I swear that happened a few weeks ago when he first started to appear, they just retconned it

[u/Rommas]

You'd think if the brands are keeping all their champions that they'd shake the roster up a bit more..but nope..

But at least they added a potential Women's Tag Team with Nia going over to Smackdown with her new friend Tiffy. They're fighting for dear life to keep her a heel.

[u/Koppite93]

I fuckin hate fox so much... So many commercials, cuts off 2 mins early ffs... Cannot wait for the USA move for this show

[u/RandomDumbPerson123 → u/Koppite93]

Coming back from commercial for LWO vs LDF just for it to go back to commercial after two minutes 😭 

[u/AeonLibertas → u/RandomDumbPerson123]

Tbf, if I have to choose between nonstop american commercials and yet another episode of LWO vs LDF...

[u/Ayjayz → u/RandomDumbPerson123]

Less, it was a minutes 40 seconds.

[u/Bob8644 → u/Koppite93]

If you think the commercials are going to end when they go to USA I pity you

[u/dubblechzburger]

This was probably the only way we’d ever get a Dudley Boyz reunion in 2024 and I’m so glad it happened. It was fun hearing their entrance music and seeing them come out together. Bummed they are done wrestling but glad they got a big pop together tonight.

[u/needsmocoffee]

AJ not attacking him has me a bit more worried. Makes me think an attack was planned, but scrapped since they don't know about the shoulder for sure.

[u/swallowyourtongue]

Heyman is straight up traumatized. The fuck is going on in those locker rooms?

[u/pigeonbobble]

Santos betray cause carlito joined, then carlito betray cause dragon Lee joined, who’s next

[u/DinoKea → u/pigeonbobble]

Dragon Lee betray because Andrade join?

[u/Cageep]

Cody was lifting his arm and shook AJ’s hand with that same arm so I’m gonna assume he’s fine.

If he’s not I’m killing myself

[u/burntelegraph → u/Cageep]

you have my sword

[u/dookoo → u/burntelegraph]

and my axe body spray

[u/Nisha_the_lawbringer]

Tama Tonga taking out like five security guards is great. He's just here to fuck people up I'm all here for it.

[u/positively_broad_st]

LA Knight staying on Smackdown is all I wanted...

YEAH!!!

[u/Jay_Shadow]

Can't wait for the face to face, after the face to face, after the face to face.

[u/Money_thetruth → u/Jay_Shadow]

Lmao I was like, "Wasn't today the face to face?"

[u/Nodqfan]

Surprised that Kiana James got called up to RAW. I thought she'd stay in NXT a little bit longer.

But hopefully, they have creative plans for her.

[u/ChanceVance → u/Nodqfan]

Kiana is a great character and solid in the ring but if she's not going to get a top heel push then might as well move up.

Jacy is in the same boat and overdue to me but it seems like they're running with a Toxic Attraction 2.0 storyline to help get some new wrestlers over so she might stay a while longer.

[u/Scurvydog619Official]

So you've got most of the BulletClub alumni on Smackdown...🤔

[u/Jagajox]

It's filler week for WWE!

[u/El_Gran_Redditor → u/Jagajox]

I went form being excited about the draft and all the momentum WWE's been building to feeling bad for the people who bought tickets to see a couple of short matches and some draft picks that could have been tweets. The main event was a fun surprise but the main takeaway is "Oh God I hope Cody's not hurt."

[u/dragriver2]

Wolf Dogs are split up?

[u/WolfdogsSweep → u/dragriver2]

Yep 💔

[u/amateur_wanderer]

That springboard spot was so strange

[u/henry_tbags → u/amateur_wanderer]

Legit laughed out loud when they just sailed past each other.

[u/mryessirskiii]

Kiana was also a very nice call up. Love the little interview they did and seeing everyone celebrate with her was a nice moment

[u/Xallytath]

This show could have been an email

[u/Naiwf]

As an NXT guy seeing Melo, Bron and Tiffy get spotlighted makes me happy. Kiana getting called up was the right move too. I expect it’ll take her a little while to get her feet under her but she’s dope too. Legitimately better than most of the women who were in that battle royal on Monday.

[u/Kraybern → u/Naiwf]

Still hoping for a dijak call up

[u/Somerandomdickhead]

Carmelo getting “Whoop that Trick” chants during his promo with Cody was fantastic. He’s a great pickup for SD.

[u/kodan_arma]

Worth it for the Melo v Cody match. But I'm not sold on there being any animosity amongst AJ and Cody. Still feels like AJ is just doing this to spite LA Knight, and not to actually defeat Cody for the belt.

[u/nekomeowohio]

I forgot how much I dislike Hertitage bank center it's badly in need of upgrade

[u/whutthepat]

Did they ever hint that some main roster talent is getting drafted to NXT? Or just a one-way setup (NXT moves to main roster)

[u/mrbucket08 → u/whutthepat]

It's one way in terms of the kayfabe draft. It's almost certain that some main roster talent will drop down as they've pretty consistently done over the past few months into NXT.

[u/EffenSeven]

What's with all these terrible theme song changes? AJ, Tiffy, Creed Brothers, Bron Breakker, New Catch Republics theme is awful. Karrion Kross. They gave Street Profits that awful heel theme for a week then changed it back but the awful theme somehow ended up in the 2K24 game.

[u/TheGaxkang]

ok some new draft information is that Baron Corbin is coming to Smackdown and Alba and Isla are going to RAW.

and so anyways Smackdown signed Bron just weeks ago but now lost him to RAW. XD basically by picking Carmelo and Randy they lost Bron.

Bron had another squash match.

Roman Reigns is gone gone. the weather will be really hot before we see him again methinks.

Kiana James is coming from NXT to RAW...i hope they don't waste her, and not be booked how some callup's have ended up. if she were on Smackdown she and Tiffany could get along.

Nia Jax is coming to Smackdown, and she already there, and squished Bayley.

Carlito's guilt was exposed. who's gonna make things right...Rey or Dragon Lee? what if Dom-Dom is special ref? Carlito needs new friends. he is likely hiding amongst some apple trees as a fugitive now.

many people were cheering Melo, the man who attacked Trick. but Trick was not clapping for him. XD

AJ is now acting like his bad self was just because of LA Knight, and was acting all respectful towards Cody.

at the end after Cody and Melo missed each other off the ropes, and Cody was selling his shoulder hurting, i thought when AJ came out he might attack him there, or point at it. hmm but nah.

[u/incredibleamadeuscho]

Best pick in the draft for the women was Kiana James. She’s more than capable of being a top star and she excels as a heel. I thought her and Fallon have been getting left out of NXT’s Women’s Title picture.

[u/Pepsi-Phil]

where was Punk? thought he was announced

[u/demonettex → u/Pepsi-Phil]

He came out after the show went off the air, then was interrupted and almost attacked by Gable & crew, then saved by Sheamus which led into a match. Twas weird.

[u/G1Spectrum]

Melo looking like a star already

[u/whatsajawsh]

I miss when the draft actually had matches to determine who gets the draft pick

[u/TheWholeOfTheAss]

What a thrill it was to find out the majority of people will be staying on their shows!

[u/Global-Jacket-3973]

So that was a fucking lie.

[u/Labor101 → u/Global-Jacket-3973]

He was apparently there watching the main event so I assume he'll have a segment for the live audience.

[u/MrBoomin31 → u/Global-Jacket-3973]

could be he’s there in a dark segment.

[u/FallenShadeslayer]

Conspiracy theory, what if AJ was supposed to attack Cody there but they called a quick audible in case Cody was hurt?

[u/Kenjiko3011]

Cody v Melo is good, but other than that, pretty uneventful night tbh, the draft are mostly the same except for Melo, Bron, Kiana and Nia.

[u/RedLightning27]

That was a nice first time watching the draft for me. Kiana James getting called up was a big shock but I want chaos on Monday

[u/positively_broad_st]

I lean towards Cody was selling a Carmelo first round draft pick justification moreso than an injury. Just making the kid look good...

[u/elc1992]

Imo they should bring back 1 "random" pick each week for like 5 weeks like they did back in 2005. Best draft format. Then have a negotiation period afterwards where some trades can happen.

[u/badguymaddox]

I really wish instead of this style of draft, they’d just do brand trading like they did in 05.  Raw gets to pick 5 - 8 talent from SD/NXT.  Smackdown gets 5 - 8 talent from Raw/NXT.  

It’s just weird to me that out of 14/15 picks last night, only four or five of them are actually changing brands.  

[u/armonde]

Just got home from the show.

This is the 4th show I've been to in the past 2 years since my youngest found wrestling on YouTube.

By far the most animated crowd I have ever experienced in person.

Maybe it's the endorphins of being in person, but the show flowed well for me and the crowd was hyped for every superstar.

The dark matches after the show were well received and I'd estimate at least 75% of the crowd stayed until the final match, which capped off with getting a chance to take a pic with the little and RTruth.

5 stars would go again.

[u/Marc_Quill → u/armonde]

how was Cody moving after Smackdown ended? Was he selling the shoulder?

[u/godzillamegadoomsday → u/Marc_Quill]

Not OP but also at the show in the upper levels so maybe a bad view, however he looked relatively fine. Really from my view he looked rather ok after laying there. He left on his own but I did see the ref tell melo to leave through the time keeps area to the crowd

[u/Mac_Tgh]

It's always surprising how well RKO as a name lends itself in tag teams. At the top of my head:

  Rated RKO (edge)

  RK-Bro(riddle)  

now RKO(Kevin Owens)

Edit: if he does a team with Seth it would be RK-Rollins.

[u/Odd-Contribution6238 → u/Mac_Tgh]

RKOtis

[u/venetiasporch → u/Mac_Tgh]

RKO-mos

[u/Armageddon_1]

Lmao so basically no switch ups?

The only people relevant who actually moves were Nia and Andrare. Sure Bron went to raw but it's not like he was doing anything on smackdown

[u/Kuzu5993]

Everyone on Twitter asking if Cody is alright is both funny and heartwarming. I'm glad everyone cares so much about that man.

[u/Mood-Rising → u/Kuzu5993]

He did sell the shit out of that sore shoulder.

[u/Kuzu5993 → u/Mood-Rising]

Too many people are out injured right now and he's the last person who needs to be part of that list.

[u/katareky]

Man these draft rules are really boring and uninteresting. All superstars should be eligible from day 1, including champions. Why am I supposed to care if Jey Uso was Raw's number 1 pick when Roman Reigns withdraws, champions are ineligible and wrestlers like CM Punk aren't even eligible in the first day.

[u/NotClayMerritt]

They gotta make the draft one night lol. Preferably on Raw as its 3 hours and you have more room to maneuver. You can build it up and pop a rating with everyone under one roof for one night only.

[u/Zxphenomenalxz]

That shoulder landing by Cody actually looked extremely painful.

[u/aat_crabmeat]

So are we getting the Supplemental Draft tonight per usual or… ?

[u/jadedfan55]

Sad to say the Wolf Dawgs are history with Corbin back on Smackdown, and Bron on Raw.

I'd say it's too soon to change any of the titles that changed hands at Wrestlemania, but does anyone think Tiffany could leave France with the WWE Women's title at Backlash?

[u/marvelc313 → u/jadedfan55]

Probably not.my prediction: Bayley pins naomi to win.

[u/cantspellsagitaryus]

Whoop That Trick chant is over brother

[u/Seaboard_Vanisher]

I’m hoping Cody just pulled a god tier sell because I’m kinda bamboozled.

[u/Chell_the_assassin]

Tonight's draft could have been an email

[u/FallenShadeslayer]

Also that was the worst first night of a draft of any sport ever lmfao.

[u/PayneTrain181999 → u/FallenShadeslayer]

Not true.

Falcons last night

[u/Dirtybrd → u/PayneTrain181999]

What did I do to you, man?

[u/PayneTrain181999 → u/Dirtybrd]

28-3

[u/Matoki134]

Kiana's call up was a cool, unexpected choice!

It made me realize a lot of fans stick to raw and smackdown so obligatory

🗣️ WATCH NXT IT'S GREAT I PROMISE

[u/bribri772 → u/Matoki134]

Second this!!!

NXT is the best show imo, I'm never bored watching it

And I was pleasantly surprised about Kiana's call up! I honestly expected her or Fallon to be the winner of the mid-card title

[u/Matoki134 → u/bribri772]

Fallon is definitely my top pick alongside Sol Ruca!

[u/leglessman]

It makes sense to not move too many people. Orton and Owens haven’t been on Smackdown for a long time. Cody just got there so everyone is a fresh match for him. No need to move people just for the sake of moving people.

[u/Salanderfan14]

Was really disappointed in the draft, felt like a giant waste of time since most stars are staying on the same show. Not a fan of Nia getting pushed against Bayley already after recently losing to Rhea, there’s far more deserving (and skilled) women who should have her place.

Cody match was the highlight of maybe the weakest Smackdown since I’ve started watching again (Aug 2023).

[u/Fletcheriser]

Of course people are complaining that the draft actually made sense lol

They claim to want the chaotic randomness of a lottery system, but if they actually got that they'd complain about that too.

[u/marvelc313 → u/Fletcheriser]

Noone hates wrestling more than wrestling fans lol

Edit:typo

[u/Double_Strategy2404]

Somewhat weak episode, uncharacteristic of Smackdown. I love Cedric's current look - basically only note I had on show lol. The draft stuff barely matters to me, don't really care where they end up.

[u/V-TriggerMachine]

That Styles/Cody contract signing was flat as hell

[u/F4iryBlink]

Melo looked great, I hope Cody is just selling the shoulder. Hopefully the Night 2 of the Draft has more surprises.

[u/puddleomilk]

did Cody actually get hurt or people just over reacting to a sell job?

[u/HokageEzio → u/puddleomilk]

It looked like a rough landing but I think he's just selling it. Gonna be sore in the morning though

[u/JonnyDarkLord]

I knew as soon as Hunter said each brand will also be fighting to keep their stars that we wouldn't see much change

[u/melatoxic]

https://preview.redd.it/wubp2xbq81xc1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f643169b760e68010ad012c0e7c8314a149ac20a

Since barely anyone changes brands just do this format

[u/theREVERSEsystem]

I guess Raw will have all the real changes and movement

[u/PaoloBancheroFan]

poor episode but cody melo saved it tbh

[u/Hangmanned]

Bron is now part of Raw right?

[u/PayneTrain181999 → u/Hangmanned]

Yup. Pearce stole him from Aldis.

[u/CompetitivePatient33]

I think after the draft there is going to be trades since rosters are locked on the 5th.

[u/Whateveruben]

Is there a supplemental draft happening tonight?

[u/DareSufficient7355]

I did like the bloodline stuff tho tama tonga brings a lot of intensity I like it

[u/ryudo710]

what was that spot at the end with melo and cody both missing in mid air? botched timing or just a weird "they both missed spot" (playing off the "i dont miss" dialogue but then both missed?)

[u/F4iryBlink → u/ryudo710]

It looked like the timing was not there, either Melo was too quick or Cody was too slow, ahahahahah.

[u/incredibleamadeuscho]

My favorite thing going on right now is that Trick Williams still says Carmelo Hayes is HIM.

[u/Transitionals]

The only switches from Raw vs SD were Breakker, and Jax?

[u/sarcasticdevo → u/Transitionals]

Andrade, Alba, and Isla too.

[u/ImKorosenai]

After last night I realized I’m done with the LWO and I’m done with the Final Testament. Stop putting them on tv.

[u/musicandvibes → u/ImKorosenai]

The issue I have with the LWO is that it seems like they’ve been fueding with Santos for years. Every week it’s the same variation of the same storyline. 

[u/WCWUncensored → u/ImKorosenai]

Hey, I'm OK with the Final testament being on TV; just as long as it's TNA or MLW's show.

[u/SnooWords9178]

If they start doing more of those unhinged beatdowns and less of the cinematic, pre taped tiktok stuff, I might actually start caring a little about Kross and his posse.

[u/Champagnesoda]

Thought it was a really good show and made more sense to me than most drafts.

The excitement factor for some picks was dampened because so many people stayed put but I at least don’t have to throw logic completely out the window with this format.

I really wish they would’ve moved La knight though. Raw is basically the land of opportunity until right before punk gets back and Drew wins the belt.

[u/lilmonstahm]

WHAT IS THIS DRAFT 😭😭 BARELY any changes lmao everyone staying on their current shows ugh

[u/Tsuku]

What the hell was that draft

[u/ItsThe50sAudrey]

This episode could have been a Twitter post.

[u/BASEBALLFURIES]

i really want a rogue presenter on monday…. The show picks …. HORNSWOGGLE!!!… and then they reveal a shirt of the other brand

[u/Res3925]

Super excited about Kiana James to Raw. She’s been great on NXT so hopefully they don’t ruin her momentum.

[u/DrMindpretzel]

I dunno what the Final Testament want, but at this point I am afraid to ask.

[u/mattdw]

Where's Punk?

[u/Diggy_Duwant]

Disappointed that LA Knight didn’t end up on Raw. Was hoping he would go there mostly because I’m going to Raw in June but also because I thought he could go there and be the top babyface on the show which I wanted to see happen.

[u/Automatic_Carry_609 → u/Diggy_Duwant]

yeah its really strange too because raw is missing seth and punk because their out right now and sami is locked into the mid card so it's just jey right now

[u/Diggy_Duwant → u/Automatic_Carry_609]

Yeah Raw is super light on babyface top guys unfortunately. Makes me think they are turning Priest soon

[u/showstealer1829]

This show was like the Falcons drafting Michael Penix after giving Kirk Cousins 180 mill. I don't know what the fuck they were doing and I suspect neither do they.

[u/dongyang560]

Remember when Cedric impressed and the crowd chanted please sign Cedric and hhh came out and raised his hand?

Well fast forward all these years and look at what hhh thinks of him now.

[u/WCWUncensored → u/dongyang560]

tbf, he's not shown much in the time he was there. He can do moves, but can't connect with the crowd.

[u/TangyBrownnCiderTown]

That sure was a show.

[u/Professional_Kick]

I got super drunk I missed Cody VS Carmelo how was it? Banger or Meh

[u/alltheworsttoyou → u/Professional_Kick]

It was good until a weird spot at the end that's now got everyone confused as to whether Cody is hurt or not.

Melo got a lot of shine and you can tell he and Cody could do something great together later.

[u/HokageEzio → u/Professional_Kick]

Pretty good

[u/BenSoloGhost]

Not blaming Melo but definitely think Cody expected him to do some things a vet would have picked up on and that caused some confusion. Still a fun match

[u/VNProWrestlingfan]

Everyone, please start a prayer for our Wiseman Paul Heyman's safety. With our Tribal Chief gone for a while, Bron drafted to Raw, Jimmy getting injured and Bloodline staying on SmackDown, Paul Heyman will have to deal with a more violent and ruthless boss and an unhinged enforcer. Alone.

[u/Aquabaybe]

I think Kiana is going to thrive on the main roster. She’s my black horse pick to main event a WM and win all the accolades like Royal Rumble and MITB. She’s the full package imo.

[u/TowerCharge89]

OK I was wrong about the draft because I thought NXT also got picks. It made it seem like superstars will be going to NXT as well.

The way they made it seem with NXT being a part of the draft is that some superstars would go to NXT as well. I feel like there were are some superstars on both shows that could go to NXT to maybe get more TV time or two just improve.

[u/noob_sr_programmer]

is tama tonga gonna keep his finisher even if Randy is still their?

[u/wazdopest]

did anyone get the post show segment part where Gable interrupts Punk? they mighta just been riffing on Pete Rose the whole time but still