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Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Tonight we will once again enjoy a new live broadcast of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be live from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Highlighting a new appearance by Brock Lesnar, who will be interviewed before his match against John Cena at Wrestlepalooza.
Additionally, two championships will be on the line. On one hand, Sami Zayn will defend the United States Title against Carmelo Hayes, while Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair will defend the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships against Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre. Lastly, Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre will sign the contract for their title match at Wrestlepalooza. As always, we invite you to comment on the article to give your opinion on what happened in the show.
WWE SmackDown starts on Netflix!
We see the arrival of some of tonight's protagonists at the venue: Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Chelsea Green, Alba Fyre, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Carmelo Hayes, and Sami Zayn.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us from the commentary table. Suddenly, Cole receives instructions through his earpiece. It seems that the interview he was supposed to conduct with Brock Lesnar backstage tonight has been moved up at "The Beast's" request. Michael heads backstage while Graves continues with the presentation. Suddenly, Lesnar makes his entrance. Surprised, Cole stops on the entrance ramp. Brock walks, leaves his hat on the ground, and heads towards the commentator. Cole reminds him they had an interview scheduled backstage. Without a word, Lesnar picks up Michael on his shoulders to carry him into the ring. Brock drops him on the canvas. Scared, Cole backs up to a corner while pleading with "The Beast" to stop. Brock grabs Cole by the tie and dangerously corners him. Corey Graves enters the ring to try to negotiate with Lesnar, only to receive an F-5!
Brock goes straight to a camera and grabs it violently. "John, I'm coming for you! Tomorrow is D-Day, John! I'm coming for blood!", he shouts. Brock exits the ring to continue causing chaos, first knocking down the PRIME display and then dismantling the metal stairs. Several officials rush to the ring to assist Corey. Lesnar notices and returns to the ring. "The Beast" scares off the officials to catch Graves and deliver a second F-5. Apparently satisfied, Brock exits the ring to head back to backstage. Lesnar stops to pick up his hat and takes one last look around as the fans boo him. Brock continues his way to the Gorilla Position. This concludes the first segment of the night.
We return from commercial to see Michael Cole and several officials attending to a knocked-out Graves. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar encounters Paul Heyman and The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed) backstage. Brock and Heyman exchange smiles. "We should talk, Paul", says Lesnar before leaving. Nick Aldis appears on the scene to make sure "The Beast" has left the venue. After that, he goes directly to Heyman and The Vision, making it clear that tonight they have to formalize the signing of a contract for Wrestlepalooza. "What I need are two signatures on that document, no more problems", says the General Manager. Heyman assures him that their presence on the blue brand show is solely to ensure that Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed make amends with The Usos. With that said, he asks where Jimmy and Jey are. Nick responds that they are in Indianapolis, and he knows Heyman already knew that fact. Paul assures him he couldn't have known. Heyman praises Nick's work on SmackDown. That's why, since they are here, they might as well enjoy the show. "We'll just enjoy the show," says Paul. "Nice suit," he adds, pointing to Aldis' attire before leaving. The General Manager watches the three men walk away, aware that they are up to something.
A dejected Michael Cole addresses the fans from the commentary table. "Corey is back there receiving medical assistance because he came to help me", laments the commentator. Michael recalls that he has experienced many things in the ring throughout his career, but he had never felt as helpless as he did tonight. "If that's what awaits John Cena tomorrow... I don't even know if my friend John has the answers", he says hopelessly before taking a seat.
WWE Women's Tag Team Championships Match
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre
Flair and Green start the match. Both women grapple. Chelsea dodges Charlotte to hit Bliss in her corner. However, as soon as she turns, she is caught off guard by Flair. Green collapses on the canvas. Alexa gets the tag to execute a spinning senton on the Canadian. Alba enters the match, surprising Bliss, whose head hits one of the posts.
The Scot continues punishing the champion, even using the ropes to do so. The referee forces Fyre to release her victim, a moment Chelsea takes advantage of to attack her illegally. Green and Alba combine to attack Bliss, who receives two superkicks from her opponents. Meanwhile, The Miz joins the commentary table.
Green and Fyre continue to dominate the match, performing a double facebuster on Alexa. Alba covers her. 1..2..NO. The Scot corners Bliss in her corner, where she continues to team up with Chelsea. Alexa tries to tag in Charlotte, but Fyre surprises "The Queen" from ringside to make her fall from the corner. Green regains control.
Alexa dodges a charge from Chelsea, who ends up hitting the post in her corner. Alba gets the tag. Charlotte also gets the tag from Alexa. Flair takes care of both opponents at the same time. Charlotte performs a Fallaway Slam on Fyre before kicking Chelsea on the apron. Flair executes a superkick on Fyre before hitting her against one of the corners.
Flair looks for height, but Chelsea distracts her from the apron. Alba takes advantage to kick "The Queen" with a superkick. Chelsea gets the tag to execute a clothesline directly against Charlotte, whom Fyre finishes off with a Swanton Bomb. Chelsea covers her. 1..2..NO. Alexa interrupts the count.
Alba hits Bliss with a superkick. After that, she tries to team up with Green to perform a double facebuster, but Charlotte attacks both with a double chop block, forcing them to kneel. The challengers are at the mercy of the champions, who apply a Natural Selection in parallel. Charlotte covers Green. 1..2..3.
Winners and STILL WWE Women's Tag Team Champions: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
We move backstage, where B-Fab tries to mediate between Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, who seem distant from each other. B-Fab reminds them that they have been together for a long time. They are like brothers, and as often happens with family, they won't always agree. But if they want to regain the Tag Team Championships, they will have to solve whatever problem they have now. Michin appears on the scene to inform B-Fab that it's time to talk to Nick Aldis about a future opportunity for the women's tag team championships, although they will have to face Kiana James and Giulia first. B-Fab "Look, you guys need to talk about it," insists B-Fab to her teammates before leaving with Michin.
Angelo is about to speak, but Ford interrupts him. Montez assures him that everything will be fine. Ford informs his partner that he will talk to Aldis to find a way to regain the tag team gold. They high-five. Montez leaves the place, and at that moment, Bo Dallas appears. "Angelo. Your brother doesn't want to hear what you have to say. But I will," says Dallas as he tries to put his hand on Angelo's shoulder. Suddenly, a furious Ford returns to catch Bo and push him against a wall. "What are you trying to prove between us?" asks Montez. "I'm here to guide lost souls. A quest to find the right path," Dallas replies with a laugh. At that moment, Erick Rowan appears to knock out Montez and Angelo. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," says a smiling Bo as he watches The Street Profits lying on the ground. Dallas and Rowan leave to end the segment.
We see R-Truth (with a neck brace) promoting Wrestlepalooza and the ESPN app at a small stand backstage. The Garza (Angel and Berto) appear on the scene to ask him what he's doing. R-Truth points out that he is explaining to everyone how the ESPN platform works. R-Truth answers all the questions the Mexicans have about the different methods they have to subscribe to ESPN and not miss tomorrow's PLE. Once he's done, he asks them to continue on their way, as he now has a Zoom class to teach how to turn a toaster into an Internet access point.
Fraxiom (Axiom and Nathan Frazer) make their entrance to the ring when suddenly they are attacked by The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed). With the ring cleared, Paul Heyman joins his companions. With a microphone in hand, "The Oracle" points out that the Europeans remind him of The Usos, "defeated, beaten, victimized, and lying on the ground." That said, he addresses Jimmy and Jey in Samoan. "For those who didn't understand, it's a spoiler for Wrestlepalooza. It means that tomorrow night you will hear, 'your winners'...", says Heyman before Axiom and Nathan interrupt by attacking Bron and Bronson with a diving dropkick in unison. Breakker and Reed end up outside the ring, where they receive two consecutive suicide dives from the Europeans. Nick Aldis appears, pointing out that he is not surprised by Heyman's lack of honesty. However, now it seems they are busy. "If you come to my show and start a fight, you finish it. So we're going to have The Vision against Fraxiom, and it will be right now," says the General Manager.
Tag Team Match
The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed) vs. Fraxiom (Axiom and Nathan Frazer)
Bron and Axiom start the match. The Spaniard kicks a confident Breakker. Despite this, Bron still feels superior to the Spaniard. He continues to hit his opponent. Nathan gets the tag to team up with Axiom. The Spaniard dives onto Breakker with a diving crossbody, but his opponent reverses it into a bodyslam in mid-air.
Reed gets the tag. The Australian knocks down Axiom with a powerslam before applying an elbow drop. Bron gets the tag to catch Axiom in a headlock. The masked man throws several punches to free himself. Breakker takes him to the top of one of the corners. Axiom manages to escape, but his opponent catches him to throw him to the canvas. "Don't get up!" exclaims Bron. The Spaniard stands up, only to receive a loaded clothesline.
Bronson gets the tag to continue hitting Axiom. Reed knocks him down with a powerslam before launching with a senton. Bron gets the tag to punch the Spaniard. Breakker applies a suplex before punching Nathan, who falls to ringside. Breakker prepares to finish off Axiom, but he surprises him with a dropkick. Both men are lying on the canvas. Axiom and Bron go to their respective corners to tag their partners.
Nathan enters to launch a lightning-fast assault on Bronson, which ends with a frog splash. 1..2..NO. Frazer looks for height once again to launch with a Phoenix Splash. Bronson dodges it to respond with a Death Valley Driver. Now it's Bronson who looks for height, but a recovered Axiom kicks him. The masked man is about to perform a Spanish fly, but Reed pushes him. Axiom receives a spear from Bron as he falls to the canvas. Meanwhile, Bronson finishes Nathan with a Tsunami. 1..2..3.
Winners: The Vision
Paul Heyman takes a microphone. "As I was saying before being so rudely interrupted, a spoiler for Wrestlepalooza: Ladies and gentlemen, your winners...", exclaims "The Oracle" before being interrupted again, this time from the venue screen, where we see The Usos. Heyman gives up and throws the microphone. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Jey show where they are: the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where they are promoting tomorrow's event. Jimmy and Jey promise The Vision that tomorrow they will be locked up by the best team of all. "Welcome to The Uso Penitentiary!" exclaims Jey to end the segment.
Nia Jax makes her entrance to the ring. With a microphone in hand, "The Irresistible Force" claims to be tired of Toledo, as well as the SmackDown women's division. Nia makes it clear that she is the "Alpha woman" of this division, not Tiffany Stratton. That's why last week she had to take her out of circulation (preventing her from reaching NXT Homecoming). Jade Cargill is not an Alpha woman either. Nia acknowledges that if she could switch her appearance with another woman on the roster, she would undoubtedly choose Jade, as she has an enviable physique. For her part, if Cargill could switch her in-ring ability with another woman, it would be with Jax. "I mean, she looks fantastic until she has to step into the ring. Then I annihilate her", says "The Irresistible Force". "I'll take down any Storm, any Tiffy Time, any damn time", she adds.
It's Tiffy Time! The WWE Women's Champion interrupts the segment!
Tiffany points out that the fans are tired of Nia constantly talking about her. "Stop being obsessed with me and pretending you run this division. No one wants you near this title", says Stratton. Regarding Jade, she points out that she can take off her cape, as she is not a superhero no matter how much she tries to pretend. And since both women insist on their delusional behavior, she is willing to show them why she is the only WWE Women's Champion. "And there's nothing you can do or say about it," Tiffany adds before dropping the mic. Stratton heads decisively towards the ring, but several officials prevent her. Suddenly, Cargill makes her entrance. Two guards try to stop her, but they are quickly knocked out. Jade continues towards the ring, but before she can enter, numerous security members appear out of nowhere to stop her. Nick Aldis appears on the entrance ramp to calm things down. The SmackDown General Manager knows that the three women have unfinished business, so he announces that next week they will be able to settle their differences in the ring in a triple threat match with the WWE Women's Championship on the line. Nia, Jade, and Tiffany seem satisfied with Aldis' decision. This concludes this segment.
We return backstage, where R-Truth continues to explain to his colleagues (this time to Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and Rey Fenix) how to watch Wrestlepalooza on ESPN. After the conversation, R-Truth bids them farewell, pointing out that he needs to charge his smartphone in the toaster... figuratively speaking.
United States Championship Match
Sami Zayn (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
Sami and Carmelo start with an initial feeling-out phase, exchanging holds and blocks. Melo knocks down the champion with a dropkick. The action continues. Hayes corners Zayn in the ropes. The referee orders him to move away from the champion, but the challenger responds with a right hand. Melo unleashes a flurry of punches on his opponent.
Sami recovers, cornering his opponent in one of the corners to unleash a flurry of punches. Hayes breaks free to send the champion over onto the apron. Zayn attempts to return inside the ring, but Carmelo kicks him, leaving him motionless on the middle rope. After that, Melo launches himself with a springboard legdrop that connects directly with the champion’s neck.
Hayes corners Sami in one of the turnbuckles to unleash a rain of punches and kicks. Zayn recovers to begin a counteroffensive that ends with a powerslam. 1..2..NO. Sami sets up for a suplex, but Hayes charges the champion into one of the turnbuckles. Hayes stomps on Zayn’s face while posing for the crowd. Carmelo knocks the Canadian down with a chop. 1..2..NO.
Hayes locks Sami in a headlock. Zayn breaks free, only to be flattened by a clothesline. Carmelo continues attacking the Canadian, who takes a rain of punches while lying on the canvas. Hayes takes Sami down before delivering a legdrop. 1..2..NO. Carmelo keeps assaulting the champion near the ropes. Sami escapes to answer with a clothesline.
Zayn climbs high to dive at Melo with a double punch. Sami unleashes a flurry of punches on Hayes in one of the corners. After that, he finishes him off with a Tornado DDT. 1..2..NO. Carmelo tries to react, but the champion knocks him down with a Michinoku Driver. 1..2..NO. Hayes and Zayn grapple. Melo knocks Sami out with a knee strike. Then, he goes for a frog splash, but the Canadian meets him with his knees.
Melo seeks refuge in one of the corners. Sami runs toward him intending to hit a Helluva Kick, but Hayes stops him with a superkick. Both men lie on the canvas. Sami is the first to get up. “Is that all you’ve got?” Melo asks Sami while hitting him. Zayn tries to respond, but Hayes surprises him with a tilt-a-whirl facebuster. 1..2..NO.
Sami and Carmelo exchange offense. Zayn blocks a hurricanrana to respond with a sit-out powerbomb. 1..2..NO. Sami and Carmelo exchange blows again until both go down with a double clothesline. Both stand to continue the fight. Carmelo blocks an Exploder Suplex to reply with a DDT onto the apron. Melo finishes the champion with a frog splash. 1..2..NO.
Sami blocks a codebreaker attempt by Hayes. Immediately, Hayes blocks a Blue Thunder Bomb to execute, finally, a codebreaker. 1..2..NO. Hayes blocks a suplex to hit a cutter. Carmelo follows up with a springboard DDT. Melo seeks height to dive on the champion, but he sidesteps him to respond with a decisive Blue Thunder Bomb. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Sami Zayn
We move to the General Manager’s office, where we see Kit Wilson talking with Nick Aldis. The former NXT Tag Team Champion shows his displeasure over the “epidemic of toxic masculinity” in SmackDown. At that moment, a furious Damian Priest storms in. The Puerto Rican demands that Nick hand over Aleister Black. Aldis understands his anger, since he lost to the Dutchman. Priest assures him it's not about that. It’s about the cowardice of his enemy, who not only attacked him during his entrance, but also used a referee as a shield so he could hit him. Black is nothing but a coward, and now he’s going to meet the real “Damian Priest.” So he reiterates his demand. He wants Aleister. Otherwise, everyone will have to deal with his wrath. Wilson confronts Damian, describing him as a man with a fragile ego. “You’re toxic and…”, says Kit before an enraged Priest grabs him and slams him against the wall, which ends up destroyed. “You heard what I said! Give me Aleister Black!”, Priest demands of Aldis before leaving. The General Manager requests medical personnel as the segment comes to an end.
We see the second part (Alpha) of the video about the story of John Cena and Brock Lesnar. We see Cena already established as the face of WWE while Lesnar was starting a successful career in the UFC. The story continues with “The Beast’s” return in 2012, attacking John in his first appearance to begin a bitter and bloody rivalry that would extend over the following years, highlighting the brutal beatdown Lesnar delivered to Cena at SummerSlam 2014. The third, and final, part of this video series will take place tomorrow on the Countdown to WWE Wrestlepalooza.
Solo Sikoa delivers a new video promo. Sitting at his desk, Sikoa addresses Tonga Loa, his most loyal soldier, who has been by his side since day one, even sacrificing his own body. He recalls that Loa is the son of Haku, the most dangerous man on the planet, which makes him equally dangerous. Also, Loa brought gold to this family, and so he’s grateful. Sikoa apologizes for having failed him, but promises that he will reward his loyalty if he remains by his side. “If you trust me, as long as you are part of My Family Tree, your loyalty will be rewarded”, Sikoa says. Tonga places his hand on Sikoa’s shoulder. “I love you Solo,” he says. Sikoa forces a smile. Both men stay silent as the segment comes to an end.
Nick Aldis welcomes us to the contract signing for the WWE Undisputed Championship match at Wrestlepalooza. The SmackDown General Manager introduces the challenger, Drew McIntyre. The Scot makes his entrance. Drew shakes Aldis’s hand and takes a microphone. McIntyre is about to speak, but Cody Rhodes’s music interrupts him.
“The American Nightmare” makes his entrance. The fans greet him with a huge ovation. Impeccably suited, Cody greets several fans at ringside as he heads toward the ring. A smiling McIntyre watches as he takes a seat. Cody raises the WWE Undisputed Championship in front of the Scot before placing it on the table. Rhodes picks up a microphone as he enjoys the fans’ chants.
Cody asks Drew if he remembers what happened on this day (September 19) exactly fifteen years ago. Both won WWE Tag Team Championships. But no one is talking about it. The fans don’t need to know that. They just want to see two guys fighting for the WWE Championship. Rhodes lists some of the Scot’s great achievements in WWE. “You were The Scottish Warrior!”, exclaims Rhodes. “But lately, The Scottish Warrior has only been a keyboard warrior,” he adds. That said, he invites him to take out his smartphone to do what he does best, because this will be the last time he does it. Drew takes his phone from his pocket and types a message on social media. After that, he shows it to the champion. “Thank you Cody!!!” the message reads.
Cody asks what that means. McIntyre replies that it means exactly that. Drew thanks him for granting what he wanted: a fair title opportunity without anyone disadvantaging him as always, because he knows the champion will not allow it. And indeed, Rhodes has changed too. Now he's a corporate man trying to do what's best for business. “You are the corporate champion”, says the Scot. Cody has demonstrated that with his attitude. And after being out of action for five weeks, after being brutally kicked by Drew, Cody is not here to seek revenge, but to speak. McIntyre understands. Cody won’t jeopardize Wrestlepalooza’s main event. He knows that because he was in that position before him. However, he informs him that the fans will end up turning their backs on him when they find a new toy to entertain themselves with. And when that happens, Rhodes will find himself in the same position the Scot is in now and admit that the latter was right.
“Alright. Suppose you’re right. Then tomorrow night, Wrestlepalooza, will be a big night for you. And now suppose you're wrong. Then guess what’s going to happen. Your legacy won’t be all those achievements. Your legacy won’t be this content creator you’ve become. Your legacy will become the man who lost to me in our ESPN debut WWE Undisputed Championship match,” Rhodes says before signing the contract. “The American Nightmare” hands the document to the Scot, who wastes no time in signing his name. McIntyre returns the document to Cody, who in turn gives it to Aldis.
At that moment, McIntyre stands up to surprise the champion with a Glasgow Kiss. Drew knocks over the table before going after Rhodes. The Scot continues assaulting Cody at ringside before throwing him against the commentators’ table. McIntyre prepares to execute a Claymore similar to the one he used on Rhodes a month ago, but the Scot ends up pulling back. Drew approaches Rhodes. “I won’t kick your head into the commentary table again. Tomorrow this match happens, and I will take from you what matters most: the WWE Championship”, says Drew before heading to the ramp.
McIntyre extends his arms while indicating he isn’t stupid enough to hurt himself before his title match. Nick approaches him to confront him, when a recovered Cody launches himself from the ring with a suicide dive! Both men start a fight that can barely be contained by security and officials who appear on scene. Drew escapes them to surprise the champion with a big boot. Cody collapses to the ground. McIntyre stomps on his head. Then, he leans over his victim to send a final message: “Sleep with the title. It’s the last night you’ll have it for A LONG time”, Drew says before the broadcast ends.
