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Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Today we will once again enjoy a new live coverage of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be broadcast live from the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This will be the company's last show before Saturday Night's Main Event, a spectacle that will mark John Cena's retirement as a professional wrestler.
SmackDown will pay tribute to the seventeen-time world champion, in addition to presenting a lineup with several matches and segments, including a new defense of the United States Championship and a mixed tag team match that will pit Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest against Aleister Black and Zelina. As always, we invite you to comment on the article to give your opinion on what happens on this week's blue brand show.
WWE SmackDown starts on Netflix!
We see a video summary of last week's episode, where Cody Rhodes attacked Drew McIntyre in the parking lot before demanding that the Scotsman be reinstated to the brand to face him.
We see a message posted this afternoon by Nick Aldis on WWE's social media. The General Manager points out that he has tried to contact Drew McIntyre to discuss his reinstatement. However, the Scotsman has not responded to his messages or calls. That is why he turns to social media to make a new appeal, inviting him to attend tonight's show to make his return to the blue brand official.
Cody Rhodes arrives at the venue, where he meets Nick Aldis. "Is Drew here?" Rhodes asks. Aldis replies that he is not. And not only that, but the Scotsman has complicated things, as his lawyer has sent a legal document claiming that SmackDown is not a safe place to work. That is why he will not return until this situation changes. Aldis promises Cody that he will personally go to McIntyre's house to resolve this issue this week. Rhodes takes the document to quickly glance at it before crumpling it up and throwing it on the ground. "The American Nightmare" continues his path to make his entrance into the ring.
The fans welcome the Undisputed WWE Champion with a great ovation. "Cody, Cody!" they chant. "Wilkes-Barre, PA, what do you want to talk about?!" Rhodes asks. He wants to talk about Drew McIntyre, who has refused to appear on SmackDown tonight because he considers it an unsafe place for him. "There's a reason why Drew doesn't get up at 5 in the morning. There's a reason why Drew kicks referees. There's a reason why Drew isn't mingling with each and every one of you. And they are the same reasons why he is not the Undisputed WWE Champion: Drew McIntyre is not fully committed. That's why you don't worry me, Drew McIntyre. In fact, Drew, if I were your boss, I'd fire you. But I'm not your boss, so I can't fire you. But what I can do is kick your ass, Drew McIntyre," he says. Rhodes is about to continue his promo, but suddenly...
Oba Femi appears on the scene!
"Oba, Oba!" the fans chant upon the arrival of the NXT Champion. "The Ruler" steps into the ring, where he quickly stands face to face with Rhodes. He asks for a microphone to hand it to the Nigerian. Oba is glad that Cody is so lively tonight. However, he seems to be distracted by Drew McIntyre when he should be worried about the man he will face tomorrow at Saturday Night's Main Event. "Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Oba Femi. And I am The Ruler, The Destroyer, The Bringer of War, the mountain you can't climb or conquer. And I am also the man you will face tomorrow at Saturday Night's Main Event," says the Nigerian.
Femi recalls that this event is being presented as a show that will pit the present against the future. Many believe that this future is still far away, but he is here to prove that this is not true. "The future is now. The future is here. The future is me! So, in the spirit of Hustle, Loyalty and Respect, your time is up, and my time is now," says Oba.
"That's a quote from John Cena. I'm glad that someone you admire shared that, but the man you're looking at right now... I'm the man who beat John Cena for this championship here," says Cody as he raises the Undisputed WWE title. Cody is about to leave the ring, but Femi stops him by grabbing his arm. Oba raises his NXT Championship in front of Rhodes. He does the same with the Undisputed WWE title. After a few seconds, Cody heads back to the backstage, leaving "The Ruler" behind. This is how we reach the end of the first segment of the night.
We see the arrival at the venue of some of tonight's protagonists: Aleister Black, Zelina, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend.
Ilja Dragunov meets Fraxiom (Axiom and Nathan Frazer) backstage. The former tag team champions want to inform the Russian that they will come to his aid if #DIY tries to intervene in his match tonight. "Thank you, but no, thank you," Ilja replies. He remembers that he promised to bear the honor of the open challenges for the United States Championship. He knows it's a painful way to do it, but also the most honest. Tommaso Ciampa has done nothing but tarnish this honor in recent weeks. That is why it is his duty to put him in his place with blows. John Cena, the man who started the tradition of open challenges, never backed down from a bully or a fight. "So tonight I'm going to show that fool that if you play with a mad dragon, you'll burn your fingers and the pain will entertain you!", exclaims Ilja. "I'm sure of that, mate," says Frazer before leaving with Axiom. The Russian continues his way to the ring.
United States Championship Match
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Both men struggle, taking the action to the ropes. Dragunov and Ciampa exchange hard hits, including slaps. Ilja ends the exchange with a direct kick to the face. Tommaso and Dragunov exchange attacks again. Ciampa manages to knock down his opponent before executing a knee strike. 1..2..NO.
Dragunov kicks Tommaso, who falls to ringside. Ilja goes after him to charge at him, but his opponent moves aside just in time for the champion to hit the metal stairs. Ciampa finishes him off with a suplex, causing the Russian's right leg to hit the metal. Tommaso takes him back inside the ring, where he continues to punish the damaged area of his opponent.
Tommaso continues to attack Ilja. He tries to recover, but his opponent immobilizes his damaged knee on the ropes to then crush it with a knee strike. Ciampa laughs as he continues his assault. Tommaso blocks a kick from the Russian to knock him down to the mat. Ilja throws several kicks to keep his opponent at bay, but he quickly returns to him.
Dragunov throws several elbows to weaken Ciampa. After that, he looks for a Discus Lariat, but his knee fails him and he ends up falling on the canvas. Ciampa goes after him, only to receive an enzuigiri. Both men are left lying on the mat. Ilja and Tommaso resume the fight. Dragunov traps his opponent to execute a german suplex hold. The Russian continues to attack Tommaso to execute a second suplex. Ciampa resists receiving a third, only for the champion to hit him with several elbows.
Tommaso blocks a kick from Ilja before starting an exchange of slaps with the champion. Dragunov knocks down Ciampa with a slam. Tommaso kicks the Russian when he tries to gain height. After that, he executes a Fairytale Ending directly onto the apron. Ciampa takes him back inside the ring to cover him. 1..2..NO. Ilja seeks height once again to launch himself with a diving dropkick. Both men are left lying on the mat.
Dragunov takes Ciampa to the top of one of the corners. Tommaso applies a headbutt on Ilja to make him fall. Ciampa applies a Single Boston Crab directly on the Russian's damaged knee. He manages to turn around to kick the challenger, thus forcing his release. Dragunov catches Tommaso to knock him down to the mat. Both exhausted Ilja and Tommaso stand up to exchange chops.
The Russian corners his opponent in one of the corners, where he unleashes a flurry of slaps. Enraged, Tommaso asks for more. The champion doesn't hesitate to grant his wish. Ciampa surprises Dragunov to execute a new Fairytale Ending, this time from the second rope. 1..2..NO. "This is amazing!" the fans chant. Ilja stands up as we see him bleeding from the nose.
Ilja and Tommaso start a new exchange of attacks. Ciampa blocks a kick from Ilja to respond with a Dragon Screw. Dragunov prevents his opponent from delivering a knee strike by attacking him first with a headbutt. Tommaso counterattacks with a german suplex. Now it's Ilja who surprises Tommaso with a Torpedo. Dragunov prepares to finish off the challenger, but...
Johnny Gargano appears on the scene to distract the referee!
Candice LeRae takes advantage of the situation to surprise Dragunov on the opposite side of the ring. LeRae grabs the Russian's head to hit him with a Guillotine Rope. Immediately, Tommaso executes a knee strike on Ilja. 1..2..NO. Ciampa tries to grab Dragunov to finish him off, but the Russian frees himself, causing the former to fall to the mat and immobilizing him with the weight of his body. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Ilja Dragunov
Gargano attacks Dragunov from behind while he celebrates his victory. Ciampa joins his partner to hit the Russian together in one of the corners. Suddenly...
Carmelo Hayes bursts onto the scene!
Hayes runs to the ring to attack Tommaso. Johnny tries to intervene, only to receive the same treatment as his partner. Melo knocks out Ciampa with a superkick before applying a springboard clothesline on Gargano. The heels retreat to ringside as Hayes challenges them to come back. "Melo, Melo, Melo!" the fans chant. Carmelo approaches a battered Dragunov to help him stand up. Hayes points directly at Ilja's championship as the segment comes to an end.
Cathy Kelley interviews Je'Von Evans backstage. The NXT talent is excited before one of the most important matches of his career. And the best part is that he won't do it alone, but with his friend Leon Slater. The Miz appears on the scene, pointing out that he should be the one interviewed about his match tomorrow - which he doesn't have - and not a guy who wasn't even born when John Cena started his WWE career. Evans reminds him that he had two chances to participate in Saturday Night's Main Event, and he failed both times. The Miz, for his part, assures him that he competes at a level for which Je'Von is not prepared. Evans wants to prove him wrong, so he proposes to face him one-on-one tonight. The Miz informs him that he will speak with Nick Aldis to make it official, but warns him that if he gets injured, he won't be able to compete in Saturday Night's Main Event. The Miz heads towards Aldis' office. Kelley wishes Je'Von luck, both for tomorrow and for tonight, to end the interview.
The Wyatt Sicks take over the broadcast for a few seconds. We see Uncle Howdy carrying Bray Wyatt's lantern. "We're here," he says before laughing.
The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, and Nikki Cross) make their entrance. The fans activate the flashlights on their smartphones to accompany the moment. Howdy takes a seat in his chair in the center of the ring to address Solo Sikoa. "Solo Sikoa. Last week you made many claims trying to discredit me and my family. But who are you to judge? You may not have the power to look inside yourself, Solo, but we do. And the truth is that your real family - all of them - have turned their backs on you because you use and abuse all those you claim to love. You're a fool. You've lost your mind saying that MFT runs SmackDown. Take off the blindfold. MFT doesn't run anything as long as The Wyatt Sicks have this," says Howdy before Lumis and Gacy place their Tag Team Championships on the mat. Howdy approaches the titles to kneel before them. "So, Solo. If you and your MFT want this, come and get them!", he exclaims.
Solo Sikoa's theme music resonates in the venue. The Wyatt Sicks await the arrival of their enemies, but they do not appear. Suddenly, we see them on the big screen. Solo is sitting at his table, with his men standing behind him. "Look at these freaks. Look at them," Solo says to his men. "What did you think was going to happen? Huh? That we were going to come out and appear on your terms? No. It doesn't work like that. Listen, Howdy. Listen very carefully. You don't give orders here, because I'm the one who gives them. And it seems that you and your family like to come out of the shadows to attack my family. This time we're going to do things my way. Next week we'll be there to take those tag titles from you. So you and your family better be ready for war. A piece of advice: if you want to keep your family safe - and I know you do - hand over those tag titles. Because if you don't, all you'll be able to do is run," says Solo to conclude his intervention.
Charlotte Flair talks with Alexa Bliss backstage. Flair encourages her partner before her match tonight, pointing out that she has more experience than Lash Legend (even though she is stronger and bigger than her). And once she defeats her, both can focus on regaining the WWE Tag Team Championships. Rhea Ripley appears on the scene to make it clear that she and IYO SKY are next in line to fight for the titles. "Rhea, we respect you, but when it comes to the tag titles, we won't step aside for anyone," Alexa replies. Ripley smiles. The Australian wishes her luck for her match tonight before leaving. Bliss thanks her with a forced smile. Charlotte assures her partner that she doesn't need luck as she puts her arm around her shoulder. This is how we reach the end of this brief segment.
Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Snoop Dog, Peyton Manning, Jelly Roll, and Jimmy Fallon send messages of thanks and congratulations to John Cena for his great career as a professional wrestler.
We see Sol Ruca and Bayley in the front row.
Alexa Bliss (with Charlotte Flair) vs. Lash Legend (with Nia Jax)
Bliss dodges a Pump Kick to look for a sleeper hold. Lash shakes her off, only to be surprised by a hurricanrana. Legend ends up at ringside. Alexa launches herself at her with a cannonball, but her opponent stops her mid-air and smashes her against the crowd barricade. Lash takes Alexa back to the ring to continue dominating the match.
Lash crushes Bliss with a splash onto the mat. 1..2..NO. Alexa leaps from the second rope. Legend catches her mid-air, only to eat a DDT. Alexa continues her assault, forcing her rival down to one knee before striking her with a dropkick. Lash responds with a right hand. Bliss retreats to the apron. Legend goes after her, but her rival surprises her using the ropes.
The referee (Daphanie LaShaunn) assists Lash. Nia takes advantage of the situation to grab Bliss by the leg and slam her face-first into the apron. Furious, Charlotte gets her revenge by delivering a superkick to Jax. Lash goes after Flair to knock her out with a pump kick. Legend returns to the ring to catch Alexa, finishing her off with a Lash Extension. 1..2..3.
Winner: Lash Legend
Cathy Kelley approaches Aleister Black and Zelina to interview them about their match tonight. Zelina signals her husband to stop. Zelina says this wasn’t supposed to end this way. "Damian does this only because he doesn’t like the man he is. I mean, does he think that by calling a friend he’ll suddenly be complete?" Zelina asks. "Damian Priest is willing to drag his friends to Hell with him. So be it", Black adds before continuing on his way with his wife.
The Miz vs. Je'Von Evans
The Miz traps Je'Von in a headlock before taking him down. The Miz looks confident, even joking with the fans. The Miz drops Evans, who responds with a Monkey Flip. Je'Von shows off his agility to surprise The Miz with quick movements. However, when the action spills to ringside, his opponent stops him with a knee strike. The Miz shoves Evans against the edge of the apron. Evans leaps onto him to respond with an Asai Moonsault.
Je'Von takes The Miz back inside the ring, but his opponent greets him with a big boot. The Miz rams his opponent into one of the posts, sending him crashing to ringside. The Miz throws him repeatedly into the crowd barricade before taking him back into the ring. The Miz continues to punish the NXT talent, locking him in a tight submission hold with the goal of damaging his left arm.
Je'Von escapes to look for an OG Cutter, but The Miz stops him to continue targeting the injured arm. Evans surprises The Miz, planting him with a splash onto the mat. 1..2..NO. The Miz regains control to look for a crossface. Je'Von shifts his weight onto his opponent for a cover. 1...2...NO. The Miz releases him to escape the count.
Je'Von starts a counterattack that ends with a handspring enzuigiri. 1..2..NO. Evans goes up top to attempt a moonsault. The Miz dodges it and responds with a Proto Bomb. The Miz approaches his rival to mimic John Cena. "You Can't See Me!" The Miz delivers the Five Knuckle Shuffle before going for an Attitude Adjustment. However, Je'Von escapes his grasp to send him out of the ring.
Evans quickly dives onto The Miz with a tope. After that, he takes him back inside the ring. Je'Von tries to apply his OG Cutter, but The Miz stops him, ready to counter with the Skull Crushing Finale. Evans reverses it into a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Now it’s The Miz who covers his opponent—grabbing the tights as well—1..2..NO. The Miz throws a right hand. Evans dodges it while running toward the corner to execute an OG Cutter, which this time connects. 1..2..3.
Winner: Je'Von Evans
Lash Legend and Nia Jax approach Rhea Ripley backstage. Nia asks the Australian if she’s seen what they did to Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, because it’s something she should take as a warning. "Excuse me. Was that some kind of threat? Because you’re very brave now that you’ve got a little help, and I don’t think you want me to remind you that I’m a problem you don’t want to have. And when IYO and I want the tag titles, we’ll take them," Ripley says. Nia and Lash decide to leave without saying anything else. Damian Priest appears to show his satisfaction with the energy his partner is giving off. However, he asks her not to look for trouble while he prepares for his match tonight. Priest leaves. Jade Cargill stops beside Rhea. The WWE Women’s Champion silently stares at the Australian. After a few seconds, she continues on her way to the ring.
Michin delivers a promo aimed at Cargill as she heads toward the ring. Michin reminds everyone that Jade has gone after the entire women’s roster since winning the WWE Women’s Championship. "Nothing makes me angrier than a bully. Jade, I know you’ll give me everything you’ve got, so I promise I’ll give you everything I have", Michin says as she passes through the Gorilla Position. Suddenly, Cargill appears out of nowhere to knock her out with a right hand. Jade slams Michin into a production crate before throwing her against a wall. Satisfied, Cargill orders her music to be played as she makes her entrance.
"This is my show. My show", Jade says as she heads to the ring. Once there, she asks for a microphone and orders her music to be cut. "You’re all trying to test me! This is what happens when women don’t know their place back there! Like I said before, anyone can step up to be stepped on! Because I’m that bi—!"
Michin appears on the scene, this time armed with a kendo stick!
Several officials try to stop her, but nothing can halt Michin’s fury. Jade steps out of the ring to meet her, only to be struck with the kendo stick. Michin continues attacking the champion with the stick before going after another weapon. Michin tries to pull a table out from under the ring, but Cargill stops her with a pump kick. After that, she slides the table back under the ring, earning boos from the fans. Jade takes Michin into the ring to finish her off with a chokeslam. Cargill picks up her championship and heads backstage. "This is my ring! This is my show! I am that bitch! Bring me real competitors!" Jade shouts as Michin is attended to in the ring. And with that, this segment comes to an end.
We see a recap video of the tournament The Last Time is Now.
Oba Femi stars in a promotional video ahead of his match against Cody Rhodes at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event.
Mixed Tag Team Match
The Terror Twins (Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest) vs. Zelina and Aleister Black
Black and Zelina attack their rivals while they pose on the turnbuckles. Aleister and Damian remain in the ring, prompting the referee to call for the bell. Priest manages to shake off Black’s pressure and sends him out of the ring. Damian removes his jacket and approaches his corner, ready to tag his partner. However, Zelina jumps onto his back in a futile attempt to stop him. Priest can’t help but laugh. Effortlessly, Damian walks to Rhea to make the tag.
Zelina hops off Priest’s back to slap Ripley before she can leave her corner. Zelina flees to ringside, closely followed by a furious Rhea. Back in the ring, Ripley knocks Zelina down. "Mami, Mami!" the fans chant. Rhea delivers several corner spears to Zelina. Zelina avoids a charge in the opposite corner, causing the Australian to crash into the post. Zelina targets Rhea’s left arm.
Ripley breaks free, only to be distracted by Aleister. Zelina takes advantage by trapping the Australian’s injured arm and continuing to inflict pain. Ripley drives Zelina toward a corner to try to escape, but only manages to get caught in a tarantula. The referee orders Zelina to release Rhea. Zelina complies and then launches herself with a diving meteora. 1..2..NO. Zelina hits a DDT on Rhea. 1..2..NO. Ripley blocks Zelina’s next attack and slams her to the mat. Both women crawl to their respective corners to tag in their partners.
Damian hits a Flatliner on Black before crushing him into one of the corners. Priest follows up with a Vertical Suplex. 1..2..NO. Zelina once again jumps onto Damian’s back. He shrugs her off, only to be struck by a spinning kick from Aleister, who finishes his opponent with a German suplex hold. 1..2..NO. Zelina and Aleister throw their rivals out of the ring and dive onto them with simultaneous moonsaults.
Zelina takes Rhea back into the ring and goes for a diving meteora, but the Australian catches her mid-air. Ripley prepares to execute a Razor's Edge, but Zelina blocks it, attempting a poisonrana. However, Zelina lands head-first on the mat. The referee checks on her condition. Zelina decides to continue the match.
Zelina recovers to hit a Code Red on Rhea. 1..2..NO. Zelina continues striking Ripley. Ripley stops her offense and lifts her onto her shoulders. Rhea drops her face-first onto the mat. 1..2..NO. Aleister grabs Rhea’s legs to break up the count. The Australian squares up to Black, who smiles before retreating to the apron. Ripley gets her revenge by delivering a headbutt to the Dutchman, sending him to ringside.
Zelina takes advantage to surprise Ripley with a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Rhea catches Zelina, ready to finish her off, but Black returns. This time, Damian steps in his way. Rhea and Damian deliver a simultaneous Razor's Edge to their rivals. Black ends up at ringside. Meanwhile, Ripley puts the finishing touch on the match with a Riptide on Zelina. 1..2..3.
Winners: The Terror Twins
Damian and Rhea celebrate their victory in the ring as the show comes to an end.
