SmackDown Live
Glendale, California
Gila River Arena
April 2nd 2021
The first SmackDown Live after WrestleMania 37 starts with a cold open in traditional SmackDown Live fashion, as we can see DANIEL BRYAN arriving at the arena. He has a big smile on his face, even though he has a bandage around his head and the Men’s Universal title is on show as well. He is joined by the rest of ALPHA ACADEMY: KURT ANGLE, CHAD GABLE and DANIEL GARCIA as well as BUDDY MURPHY! The appearance of the Aussie superstar gets loud cheers from the live crowd before we cut to the opening video for SmackDown Live.
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HALESTORM – MAYHEM
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SmackDown Live starts with the camera panning to the commentary desk, showing our new commentary team of Corey Graves and Beth Phoenix. They welcome us to the show and promise an exciting night before confirming we are starting the show, hearing from our new Men’s Universal Champion!
*FLIGHT OF THE VALKYRIES*
DANIEL BRYAN walks out onto the entrance ramp with a big smile on his face, and the crowd lets off a loud “YES” chant for the 6-time World Champion. He is soon joined by KURT ANGLE, CHAD GABLE, BUDDY MURPHY and DANIEL GARICA as they all head to the ring. Corey Graves says in last night’s main event, Daniel Bryan was able to overcome not just Roman Reigns but the entire Bloodline to become Universal Champion for the first time ever. Beth Phoenix says he might not have been able to do it if not for the Academy and Buddy Murphy, wondering what his status is now with The O.C.
The group steps into the ring with Daniel Bryan standing front and centre with a big smile on his face. He says he has known he is the best wrestler in the world and it is nice to have the Universal title around his waist to prove it. He says he couldn’t do it alone and wanted to take a moment to thank some people, first starting with the fans, which gets a cheap pop from the live crowd. He says the support of the fans helped drive him forward and prove he still has something in the tank!
He then wants to thank his wife and children at home, whom he keeps doing this for and looks to inspire his kids to follow their dreams like him. He then brings up Matt Riddle, who will be out of action for several weeks still after Jacob Fatu’s attack, but his help in training throughout the year has been pivotal. He wishes him well in his recovery before saying the rest of The Academy have been here with him and thanks to their help, they fought off the Bloodline, including the newest member: Buddy Murphy!
A pop from the live crowd as Buddy gives a slight smile whilst Bryan carries on. He says he wants to give Buddy a few minutes to explain himself and passes the microphone to the Aussie superstar. Buddy thanks Bryan and says that without his offer, he might still be sticking with Finn Balor’s O.C.. Boos from the live crowd for the mention of the group and Buddy holds a hand up to say he agrees. He says he saw what happened between Finn and AJ as a sign that he was never going to grow in that group like they promised.
Buddy then turns to Bryan and says that the battles he had against Bryan felt like each time he stepped into the ring, he was getting better. He says Bryan tested him and when he made the offer for him to join, he knew it was the right call. He says even when in the O.C., he hated the Bloodline and was happy to fight them, saying he still owes them a few more shots. Bryan takes back the microphone and says he plans to be a fighting champion because he doesn’t know how long he has left and starting tonight…
*DONE WITH THAT (DAY ONE REMIX)*
The WWE tag team champions THE USOS make their way out, and they are not alone as they are joined by the new United States Champion JACOB FATU! The Bloodline stands at the top of the entrance ramp, but they are noticeably without their Tribal Chief ROMAN REIGNS! The crowd still loudly boos the trio as JIMMY USO says they were standing backstage and they had heard enough! JEY USO says last night their Tribal Chief was robbed of his title!
The crowd loudly boos in disagreement with The Usos but they carry on, saying their Chief has taken tonight off to replan but they promise he will be back to take their throne. Bryan steps forward and asks them if they came to talk or came to fight! Jey Uso asks who he is talking to but JACOB SNATCHES THE MICROPHONE! Jacob says he ain’t no coward and if Bryan wants a fight, the 3 of them will fight 3 of Alpha Academy! Daniel Bryan says he was going to issue an open challenge tonight, but if the Bloodline wants a fight, he’ll see them in the main event!
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When we return from the commercial break, we see DEONNA PURRAZZO sitting down at a table with fancy food and a nice bottle of wine. She takes a sip from the glass and turns to the camera with a smug look on her face. She says a lot of people are not educated in her work, as we see clips of her submitting women on NXT, including her becoming NXT Women’s Champion. She says she is the virtuoso and soon she will be coming to SmackDown. A graphic flashes up saying Deonna arrives in 3 weeks before we cut back to the ring.
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*SEDUCTION*
BILLIE KAY makes her way out, getting boos from the live crowd and this week she is holding a sign saying “The only SmackDown return I want is Peyton”. Corey Graves says Billie tried to get Peyton Royce into the Hall of Fame, but it backfired quickly on her. Beth Phoenix says it is good to have friends, but it takes a lot to be a Hall of Famer like her!
Match 1: Bianca Belair vs Billie Kay
Match summary: Belair takes control of the match early on and lays a beating into Billie right from the start. Billie tries her best to get into the match, but in the end, Belair plants her with the K.O.D!
Winner via pinfall: Bianca Belair (2:45)
Bianca Belair gets to her feet with a smile on her face, picking up another win on SmackDown Live. She stands tall in the ring and the commentary team says she has to be one of the next people in line for a WWE Women’s title shot as things currently stand. The crowd is cheering for Belair until…
*ATHENA*
EMBER MOON MARCHES OUT WITH THE MONEY IN THE BANK BRIEFCASE AND A MICROPHONE! The crowd boos Mrs. Money in the Bank, but Ember just responds to the crowd, telling them that she has seen them cheer people like Belair, so their opinions mean nothing to her! Belair rolls her eyes as the boos get even louder, but Ember Moon says that she is out here because Bianca Belair is the reason she is not WWE Women’s Champion again!
Ember Moon says she had it all planned out and was going to beat Asuka for a 2nd time until Belair stuck her nose in! Belair at this point, has grabbed a microphone from someone at ringside and tells Ember to get in this ring or shut her mouth! The crowd loudly cheers this from Belair and Ember responds by DROPPING THE MICROPHONE AND HER BRIEFCASE CHARGING TO THE RING AS SHE STARTS TO BRAWL WITH BELAIR IN THE RING!
Both women throw haymakers as they try to take one another down, with the bad blood clearly escalating between them. Belair looks like she might be taking control of the brawl, but Ember slips out and YANKS HER TO THE FLOOR USING HER HAIR! Loud boos from the crowd as Ember uses it to stomp on Belair, laying into her with vicious strikes! Belair starts to fight back, but before the brawl can carry on much longer, a swarm of security runs out to break the pair up as we go to a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, we cut to the inside of THE BLOODLINE’S LOCKER ROOM with them all sitting around the table. JEY USO and JIMMY USO sit on one side, whilst JACOB FATU sits on the other. Noticeably the seat at the head of the table is empty as there is no sign of the Tribal Chief tonight. All 3 men sit in silence as we hear the door open and TAMINA walks in first. She waits by the door before being joined by NAOMI who is on the phone with someone.
Everyone has their ears glued to Naomi and what she is saying before she hangs up the phone, getting Tamina to take a seat with her. Naomi says she has spoken to Roman’s wise man and he has confirmed Roman is going to take some time to refocus, so we are to hold things down until he comes back. Jimmy makes a quip about Roman running after his loss, but Fatu says to show respect to the chief. Jey says Jimmy is just messing around, Uce and wasn’t disrespecting the chief.
Jacob noticeably side eyes The Usos, but leaves it at that as Naomi carries on. She says Roman has given her a mission and that is to focus on going after Conti’s WWE Women’s title. Jacob asks if there was anything else from the Chief, with Naomi nodding and saying that tonight they have a chance to send a message to Daniel Bryan, plus the entire locker room during his absence, so make sure they get the job done. Jacob and Jey nod whilst Jimmy rolls his eyes as we cut elsewhere.
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*LIMITLESS*
KEITH LEE makes his way out when we cut back to the ring, holding his Money in the Bank briefcase with a smug smile on his face. We can hear the live crowd cheering for him loudly, which he plays to. Corey Graves says Keith Lee showed out at WrestleMania and put him over as a former NXT and North American Champion. Beth Phoenix says Daniel Bryan and Big E will be looking over their shoulder cause Keith can cash in the briefcase at any time. Keith gets in the ring and has a microphone in hand, saying he has something to say, but he wants the fans to take a moment of their time…
*DRIVER*
DOMINIK DIJAKOVIC STORMS OUT WITH A MICROPHONE IN HAND! The crowd gives him a mixed reaction, but it is mostly boos. He is in his black leather jacket and sunglasses as he points at Keith Lee, telling his frenemy that we all heard this speech on Monday night and he has no intention of listening to it twice. Keith scoffs slightly at this as Dijakovic steps over the ropes and comes face to face with Keith Lee, as he came out here as he needs to speak to him mano a mano.
Keith just responds with a slight smile, saying he is here right now and is ready to hear what Dijakovic wants to say. Dijakovic nods, thanking Keith before saying he has been watching his old rival closely and seeing what he has been doing down in NXT. Dijakovic says that Keith had been making him proud and seeing him win not only the North American title but the NXT title. That was truly limitless. This gets a cheap pop from the crowd as Keith stays stoic whilst Dijakovic carries on.
Dijakovic says Keith kept trying to push things to new heights and that’s where his reign came to an end. Keith frowns slightly as Dijakovic says Keith not being satisfied was his undoing and he flew too close to the sun, running into WALTER. The commentary team mentions WALTER beat him in the NXT vs NXT UK title winner takes all match at the last takeover. Keith doesn’t look impressed, asking if Dijakovic would like to elaborate on what his point is quickly.
Dijakovic says Keith Lee has his eyes in the sky but when it comes to being on Raw and SmackDown, he needs to be ready to fight in the dirt. Keith looks confused but Dijakovic says there is a reason he has joined a group like The Ungovernables. Keith shakes his head in response. Dijakovic says Keith Lee can judge it, but it helped Dijakovic get his hands on his first gold in WWE when he won the WWE tag team titles with Nakamura. The crowd boos as Keith Lee pauses before responding.
Keith Lee says he understands why Dominik took the easy way to gold, but he never needed to. Keith says Dijakovic is a man who has proved to be his equal time and again in the ring, but instead is rolling with people with no honour. Dijakovic doesn’t have a response as Keith carries on and wonders if Dijakovic has lost a step, hence his willingness to take the easy way out. This angers Dijakovic, who gets right in Keith’s face, looking furious at that line.
Dijakovic takes the sunglasses off and tosses them to the side as he tells Keith to look him in the eyes, telling him he has lost a step! Keith doesn’t react for a moment before telling Dijakovic there is a simple way to prove it, inviting him to meet him in the ring next week on SmackDown. Dijakovic says if that is what Keith wants, he is on but when he wins, he points at the briefcase and walks away. Keith looks unfazed and lifts his briefcase into the air as SmackDown goes on a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, we see a pissed off DOMINIK DIJAKOVIC storming through the back when he is stopped by SHINSUKE NAKAMURA and ZELINA VEGA! Neither of them is happy and confronts Dominik about what he just said in the ring. Dijakovic refuses to back down and makes it clear he meant what he said to Keith, calling his spot in The Ungovernables a business deal. Zelina says he needs to show respect to the people who helped get him onto Raw and SmackDown.
Dijakovic glares at Zelina and tells them he has shown them nothing but respect, even when making decisions he did not agree with. Vega says she makes the decisions because it brings them gold, but Dijakovic counters, saying none of them are holding gold currently, looking directly at Nakamura. Nakamura steps forward, asking what he means by that, but before anything can escalate, Zelina says she has a call she needs to take and they will finish this later.
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*OWN THE GAME*
NOAM DAR and KENNY WILLIAMS make their way out, getting boos from the live crowd. The cocky Scottish duo walk to the ring, chewing gum as the commentary team says the pair had a few words to say after their loss on Night 1 of WrestleMania. We cut to a short inset promo where Noam Dar blames teaming with Logan Paul for the loss and says he challenged Damien Priest to find someone in the back happy to get his ass kicked by them tonight!
*RISE FOR THE NIGHT*
DAMIAN PRIEST makes his way out, getting a decent pop from the live crowd. He has a slight smirk on his face as the commentary team says it was a successful WrestleMania debut for the party animal. Damian slowly raises the microphone up, ready to address the live crowd with a smile on his face. He tells Noam that Bad Bunny would have loved to kick his ass again, but he had a world tour to prepare for. Priest says it wasn’t hard for him to find someone willing to shut Dar up and this man was more than willing to be his partner tonight…
*EL GRITO DE METALIK*
GRAN METALIK WALKS OUT ONTO THE ENTRANCE RAMP! He gets a decent pop from the live crowd and high-fives Priest as the duo head to the ring. The commentary team puts over Gran Metalik as one of the best high-fliers on the SmackDown roster and reminds us he is a former NXT Cruiserweight Champion. Once at the ring, Gran Metalik steps inside to start for his team, whilst Noam Dar starts for the opponents as the referee calls for the bell.
Match 2: Noam Dar and Kenny Williams vs Damian Priest and Gran Metalik
Match summary: Metalik wrestles at a fast pace, which angers his fellow Scottish cruiserweights who cannot keep him grounded. He works well with Damian Priest, who uses his power and even pulls off some fun tag team moves with Gran Metalik. Dar has to cheat to get back into the match. It doesn’t last long though, and Metalik hot tags Priest back into the match, who takes total control, tossing the Scottish duo around before hitting THE RECKONING for the win!
Winner via pinfall: Damian Priest and Gran Metalik (7:12)
The crowd cheers, happy to see the babyfaces get the win over the cocky Scottish duo tonight on SmackDown. Beth and Corey on commentary put over the duo of Priest and Metalik as a unique duo, but a combination that worked well tonight. The celebrations carry on at the top of the entrance ramp whilst Noam and Kenny throw a sulk in the ring.
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We then cut to a restaurant where we can see MANDY ROSE sitting down at the table, looking excited and ready for her date. The camera then pans over to show OTIS DOZOVIC arriving at the restaurant in a fancy suit, looking super nervous with a bunch of flowers. He is muttering to himself and looks like he might back out when SONYA DEVILLE appears behind him. He tells Otis that if he backs out, she will break his arm and Otis nods before walking over to the table, whilst Sonya smiles as she disappears.
Otis makes it over to the table and Mandy gets up, excited to hug him. Both have a huge smile on their face, and we see the date carry on with both of them having fun. We cut to them eating as Otis gets a bit nervous about how to eat in front of Mandy, but she starts to eat like Otis, prompting a smile from him and a chuckle from Sonya spying in the background. Both get the bill as Otis gets a text on his phone and looks a bit down, prompting Mandy to ask him about it.
Otis says it was a medical update from Tucky, saying he is worried about him after what happened to Tucker’s ankle. He says he has never seen Tucker injured like this in their time as a tag team and he has been struggling with it a lot. Otis says Tucker is getting angry about not being able to wrestle and has been focused on wanting revenge on The Usos. Mandy holds her hand out and says that all Otis can do is just be there for his friend, prompting a smile bringing the segment to an end.
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*SHAKE SHAKE*
TAYNARA CONTI makes her way out to start the 2nd hour of SmackDown Live, getting loud cheers from the live crowd. She lifts her WWE Women’s title into the air, soaking in the cheers from the fans. Corey Graves says Conti went into WrestleMania night 1 with one goal: to defeat Asuka and she managed to do it to become WWE Women’s Champion. Beth points out that very few women have defeated Asuka, let alone injured the Empress of Tomorrow, because she has to take some time off due to an eye injury sustained in the match.
Taynara Conti steps into the ring and takes a few seconds to look at the crowd before tapping the WWE Women’s title on her shoulder. She takes a moment to thank not only the fans in the crowd but everyone back home watching in Brazil and her family for always believing in her. She says that Xia Li, who has been her loyal tag team partner, has always had her back and without her support, she might not have made it. Conti smiles to herself and says she even had to thank Bianca Belair.
This gets a massive pop from the live crowd as Conti thanks Belair for making sure it stayed a fair fight between herself and Asuka. She holds the title in the air and says maybe she owes her a title match. The crowd cheers for that prospect, which makes Conti smile and says that she doesn’t want to rest on her laurels. Winning this belt means she is the best and she wants to fight the best, issuing a challenge to anyone back there to fight her for this title right now! The crowd goes wild and we wait to see who will answer the challenge as…
*OG BADASS*
MERCEDES MARTINEZ makes her way out, getting a loud pop from the live crowd, excited to see the NXT superstar. Corey Graves says Mercedes is a veteran of this business and one of the toughest women on the planet. Beth Phoenix tells us Conti might have her reign over before it ever truly began. Mercedes steps into the ring as Conti nods with a smile, but her opponent remains focused. The referee, after the usual title announcements, calls for the bell to get this match started.
Match 3: WWE Women’s title match: Taynara Conti vs Mercedes Martinez
Match summary: Conti and Martinez grapple in the middle of the ring to start the match, with both women looking to gain the upper hand early on in this encounter. Conti’s judo experience gives her the edge, and Martinez, being a crafty veteran, realizes she might have to change up her game plan. Martinez starts to focus on strikes and overpowering Conti, taking the champion aback as she begins to control the match as we head towards the closing stages.
She looks to get her in position for BULL RUN (Fisherman facebuster) BUT CONTI COUNTERS INTO THE TAYLOCK! Conti gets the hold wrapped on tight as the veteran struggles in the middle of the ring, but counters into a FIREMAN’S CARRY SLAM! Martinez then looks to grab hold of Conti to go for a modified dragon sleeper BUT CONTI FIGHTS OUT OF IT! Martinez stumbles back as Conti hits a SUPERKICK! Mercedes is rocked as Conti grabs hold of her and SPIKES HER WITH THE DD-TAY! Conti hooks the leg to retain her title!
Winner via pinfall and still WWE Women’s Champion: Taynara Conti (8:50)
The crowd cheers loudly as Conti gets back to her feet and lifts her WWE Women’s title into the air. Beth Phoenix says Conti had to fight with everything she had to overcome a very game Mercedes Martinez. Corey says we most likely will be seeing more of the OG badass as she gets to her feet. She walks over to Conti as the two women lock eyes and SHAKE HANDS! Nothing more, nothing less from Martinez, who leaves Conti to celebrate as SmackDown goes on a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, we see ALEISTER BLACK sitting in a dark room looking at the camera. He looks totally broken as he stares into the distance. He takes his time before saying at WrestleMania, it was meant to be him destroying the devil himself. He shakes his head and says he wasn’t strong enough to destroy the devil. Black looks at his hands and says the scars of the past still burn. He says it is time for him to think on what is next with the segment coming to an abrupt end as we cut to the commentary team at ringside, unsure what to make of it!
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*FIGHT*
KEVIN OWENS makes his way out, getting a loud pop from the live crowd. He doesn’t look too happy, looking a bit sore after last night’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Corey Graves says Kevin Owens put his body on the line but fell short in the Money in the Bank ladder match. Beth Phoenix wonders if the doubt he had about inflicting pain on his best friend Sami, is what stopped him from walking out of WrestleMania with the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Kevin Owens steps into the ring and takes a moment to speak, saying he has heard what people have said about him pausing when he could have powerbombed Sami onto the ring apron on Sunday. He takes a moment, saying the old Kevin Owens would not have thought twice, but he is trying to be better. Owens pauses as he says that before thinking through his next words. He has said it before, but he wants to be a man his son can be truly proud of.
He walks around the ring and says, doing that to his best friend, a move that could potentially end his career, is not something he is about anymore. Kevin shakes his head before telling the fans and the wrestlers in the back that he hasn't gotten soft; they are mistaken because he showed no remorse in doing the same to Mustafa Ali. Owens makes it clear that he is still willing to take down anyone who gets in his or his friend’s way. He brings up his recent alliance with Aleister Black and says he has been trying to call his friend as of late.
He says Black hasn’t been answering his calls since what happened on Saturday and he gets it. It was a brutal loss in a match that he was looking for vengeance in, but he knows his friend will bounce back. Owens says he knows Rollins is probably hiding in his Church and not here tonight, but he wants to call out the self-proclaimed God, challenging him to a fight. The crowd loudly cheers as suddenly one of the lights goes out. Owens tells Seth he ain’t here for party tricks, but the lights go out one by one until the arena is in total darkness…
THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON AND THE FIEND BRAY WYATT IS IN THE RING! Kevin Owens turns around and the monster LOCKS IN THE MANDIBLE CLAW CHOKING THE LIFE OUT OF OWENS! The crowd gives a mixed reaction having not seen The Fiend or Bray Wyatt in months. Kevin struggles to fight back and soon The Fiend transitions the hold into SISTER ABIGAIL PLANTING KEVIN OWENS TO THE MAT! The Fiend stands in the middle of the ring and stretches his arms out as the commentary team wonders what the monster wants as SmackDown goes to a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, we cut to the WWE Women’s tag team champions THE BOSS ‘N’ HUG CONNECTION who are sitting in the locker room shortly after their tag team titles defence night 2 of WrestleMania 37. BAYLEY looks at her tag team title before turning to SASHA BANKS with a slight look of remorse. She tells her best friend and tag team partner that she isn’t proud of how they won but… she pauses before saying she couldn’t handle another WrestleMania loss for them.
Sasha shrugs her shoulders and reminds Bayley that her hero is Eddie Guerrero; she is never going to feel bad for doing what she needs to win a title match. Bayley says they might owe Team Kick a rematch after what they did but Sasha says they have other business to take care of first. Bayley says she is right and confirms they will be defending their tag team titles next week on SmackDown against the NXT tag team of Emma and Toni Storm.
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*EMERGENCE*
THE O.C. makes their way out next, getting loud boos from the live crowd with FINN BALOR leading the way with THE GOOD BROTHERS following behind first before they are soon joined by JORDAN DEVLIN! Corey Graves says last night saw the O.C. choose Finn Balor as their sole leader and it wasn’t just the Good Brothers making their choice clear. Beth Phoenix fills us in on Jordan Devlin, saying he is an NXT UK superstar who has been trained by Finn Balor himself and it seems he is part of the SmackDown roster now.
The O.C. stand in the ring as Finn Balor grabs a microphone looking to speak first as he tells the live crowd it is time for a real prince to lead the O.C. He tells the live crowd he had been sharing power with AJ Styles thinking that would get them both back to the top together but he soon realized he was the only one pulling his weight. Finn points out that during their time as co-leaders, only Finn Balor held gold, winning the United States title from Chad Gable at Summerslam last year.
Finn says that AJ kept on failing when it counted and even cost him the chance to win the Royal Rumble. The crowd boos as Finn makes it very clear that he did what he did to AJ in the Elimination Chamber because he knew AJ could not be trusted not to mess things up, and The Good Brothers agreed with him. Finn passes the microphone to LUKE GALLOWS who tells the nerds in the crowd to shut up which just winds the fans up further.
Luke says AJ was like a brother to them, but they have seen that brother get weak and soft as he gets older. KARL ANDERSON takes the microphone, making it clear they didn’t come to the WWE to be liked or to make friends; they came to make money off the nerds watching in the crowd and AJ wasn’t going to help them get back to the top. Jordan then signals he wants the microphone and Anderson obliges, giving it to the newest Irish superstar on SmackDown.
Jordan says anyone who is shocked by what he did hasn’t been paying attention to the UK scene like they should have been. Devlin calls himself the Irish Ace and was trained by Finn Balor himself. Finn has a smug smirk as Jordan makes it clear he owes Finn his career, so when his mentor needed a favour, he did what he needed to and helped an old friend out. Jordan passes the microphone back to Finn Balor, who says it might now also be time to address Buddy…
*PHENOMENAL*
AJ STYLES makes his way out, getting a loud pop from the live crowd. He doesn’t look happy, but stays at the top of the entrance ramp for now. He says Finn Balor knew he couldn’t beat him one-on-one and needed help to even have a chance at keeping up with him. He says his goal was to save the O.C. at WrestleMania, but now he is just looking to destroy them. Finn asks AJ what army, prompting a smirk from AJ, saying he doesn’t need an army, just someone 7 feet tall…
*A LONG WAY DOWN*
BIG CASS MARCHES OUT WITH A PAIR OF STEEL CHAIRS IN HAND! The commentary team reminds us of the fact that he hasn’t been seen since Jacob Fatu injured him 2 months ago on SmackDown, but it seems he has made his choice and is siding with AJ Styles! Finn sends The Good Brothers out of the ring to go after the duo BUT BIG CASS AND AJ TAKE THEM DOWN WITH EASE! AJ and Big Cass head to the ring looking to go after Finn Balor and Jordan Devlin… BUT THEY FLEE THROUGH THE CROWD TO BOOS FROM THE FANS! Big Cass and AJ dare them to come back, but they stand tall in the ring as the show goes to a commercial break.
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When we return from the commercial break, we see EDGE sitting outside an arena on the steps. He looks at the camera and says WrestleMania was a disappointment for him. He doesn’t blame Rey or anything like that; the better team won on the night. Edge wants to come out and say he isn’t done with The Bloodline just yet, but he figures that right now, if he is going to get revenge on them, he needs a reset. He finishes the promo, wishing Rey good luck in his quest for revenge on the group.
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*THE BEST IS YET TO COME*
APOLLO CREWS marches out, getting a few boos from the live crowd before walking to the ring and hopping over the ropes. The commentary team says this match is a big opportunity to impress as he takes on a legend in…
*BOOYAKA 619*
REY MYSTERIO! He sprints down the entrance ramp and leaps over the ropes, coming face to face with Apollo Crews in the middle of the ring. Corey Graves says Apollo might be able to pull off an upset as Rey is coming off a rough tag team loss. Beth Phoenix says Rey Mysterio is the small competitor in this match but if Crews underestimates him, it will be over before he knows it. The referee then calls for the bell to get this match underway!
Match 4: Rey Mysterio vs Apollo Crews
Match summary: Rey Mysterio comes into this match looking to take down Apollo with his speed, but Crews shows off his own speed and it catches Rey out. Crews controls a lot of the match, using his size advantage to take back control of the match, but just when it looks like Apollo might get a shock win… REY COUNTERS WITH THE MEXICIAN DESTROYER FOR THE WIN!
Winner via pinfall: Rey Mysterio (7:37)
Rey gets to his feet with a smile on his face, having gotten back on the winning track tonight on SmackDown. He gets back to his feet, celebrating the victory as the commentary team says Rey will be happy to get back on track, but they don’t think he is done getting revenge for his son Dominik just yet.
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We cut after that match to a backstage segment taking place inside THE CHURCH OF SETH ROLLINS! We can see his disciples kneeling in front of the pew: KARRION KROSS, SCARLETT BORDEAUX, NATHAN FRAZER, AKAM and REZAR! They all wait for SETH ROLLINS to walk onto the stage. He thanks them for their loyalty and keeps it brief, saying stepping into hell was painful, but he did what gods must. He promises to return to SmackDown next week and begin saving the Universal title!
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*DONE WITH THAT (DAY ONE REMIX)*
Our WWE tag team champions THE USOS, make their way out to the ring as we return from the final commercial break of the evening ahead of our main event. Corey Graves brings up the fact that they are 8-time tag team champions, with them even beating Beth’s husband at WrestleMania. Beth Phoenix makes it clear she will let that one slide, but gives The Usos credit as potentially one of the best tag teams in WWE history.
*ENEMY*
The United States Champion JACOB FATU makes his way out, getting loud boos after the usual initial warning of his arrival! He lifts the US title into the air, cutting an imposing presence before joining The Usos in the middle of the ring. Corey Graves says Jacob Fatu’s incredible rise continued on night 2 of WrestleMania, defeating Chad Gable to become United States Champion for the first time in his career. Beth Phoenix wonders who can stop the Samoan Werewolf as The Bloodline waits in the ring for their opponents.
*FOR THE ACADEMY*
ALPHA ACADEMY makes their way out in matching attire with BUDDY MURPHY wearing new ring gear. CHAD GABLE is also dressed to compete, whilst DANIEL GARCIA talks to KURT ANGLE, maybe looking to learn a few things from his fellow academy members. Corey Graves says Buddy made the choice to leave the O.C. behind, but wonders if joining the Academy will propel him forward. Beth Phoenix says he will be learning from some of the greatest of all time, like Kurt Angle and…
*FLIGHT OF THE VALKYRIES*
Men’s Universal Champion DANIEL BRYAN walks out getting a huge pop from the live crowd, with the fans doing the “YES” chants to herald his arrival! He joins his tag team partners for the night before leading them to the ring. Corey Graves says The Bloodline will be out for vengeance on behalf of their Tribal Chief. Beth Phoenix counters, saying maybe they might be looking for new leadership since their Chief is the only male member without gold as it stands! Once ringside and a brief chat, Buddy Murphy starts for the Academy, whilst Jacob Fatu demands to start for the Bloodline even as he is slightly limping.
Main event: Alpha Academy w/Kurt Angle and Daniel Garcia vs The Bloodline
Match summary: Buddy Murphy comes firing out of the gate and catches Jacob Fatu off-guard, not used to people being this willing to take the fight to him in the opening stages of a match. Fatu soon shows why most men don’t charge at him and sends Buddy flying back with his unique series of power and speed! Buddy tags out, and we get Daniel Bryan across the ring from Jacob Fatu. The Usos ask for a tag, but Fatu shakes his head, making it clear he wants to fight The Universal Champion!
Bryan lets Jacob charge in, but makes sure to dodge the charging werewolf and targets the right leg that Gable had been working over last night. Bryan has a lot more success than the former United States Champion in targeting the weakened limbs of Fatu, but the new United States Champion forces an escape, bringing The Usos back into the match. Jimmy and Jey turn the tide of the match, making it a more normal trio tag, isolating Chad Gable as they work him in their corner of the ring and cutting any attempts to let Gable escape from the Academy.
As the match reaches the closing stages, we see Chad Gable finally escape from the corner of the ring, bringing Universal Champion Daniel Bryan back into the match as he runs wild! Bryan peppers everyone with yes kicks and dominates in the ring before tagging Buddy back into the match. He looks to Gable and they wipe out Jacob Fatu plus Jey Uso as Buddy grabs hold of Jimmy Uso, hitting him with MURPHY’S LAW! Buddy makes the cover and scores a huge victory on the SmackDown after WrestleMania!
Winners via pinfall: Alpha Academy (12:05)
The crowd goes wild as Buddy Murphy has just pinned one-half of the WWE tag team champions tonight on SmackDown. Fatu is shown falling just short of making the cover and kicks the steel steps in anger. Jey Uso comes over to calm the werewolf down whilst Alpha Academy celebrates in the ring and SmackDown comes to an end with the commentary team wondering if the dominance of the Bloodline when it comes to SmackDown could be due to come to an end!
Matches confirmed for next week:
WWE Women’s tag team titles match:
Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection © vs Toni Storm and Emma
Singles match
Keith Lee vs Dominik Dijakovic
Armageddon
Newmark, New Jersey
May 9th 2021
BRING ME THE HORIZON – OBEY
TBA
EWR Rating:
70%
Main event:
Isla Dawn defeated Eva Marie via pinfall (5:47)
Franky Monet and The House of Couture defeated Carmella and Medusa Complex via pinfall (7:42)
Mark Andrews defeated Tony Nese via pinfall (10:39)
James Storm defeated The Miz via pinfall (5:16)
Main event: Jeff Hardy defeated Erick Rowan via pinfall (8:09)
News update:
Mark Coffey is out of action until May due to a triceps tear
NXT UK superstar Mark Coffey suffered a triceps tear on the most recent edition of the show. It seems to be a minor one however and he is expected to be back in action by May.
