It was SmackDown at the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio with Corey Graves & Wade Barrett on commentary.
They showed the Raw and Smackdown “war rooms’ featuring Raw GM Adam Pearce and Smackdown GM Nick Aldis talking to people in their rooms.
Paul Heyman was interviewed by Kayla Braxton backstage. Heyman said that Roman Reigns has withdrawn from eligibility for the 2024 Draft. Heyman said that this is a positive. Heyman said that Reigns doesn’t want to be the first pick when he’s not set to return in the immediate future. Heyman said that this puts the pressure on Nick Aldis about who he is going to pick.
Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles had a contract signing for their WWE Title match at Backlash. It was moderated by Corey Graves. Styles told Cody he respected him. Styles said that they went down the same roads and they had to prove themselves outside of WWE. Styles talked about how the same man gave them the same advice – the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, which led to a “Dusty” chants. Styles told Cody he learned a lot from his dad, who was a good man. Styles said that the weight of this title isn’t just leather and gold. Styles said at Backlash, we’ll see if Cody can carry it. AJ signed the contract. Cody said every single person in the locker room respects AJ Styles. Cody said that he respected the roads that AJ has been on. Cody spoke about how AJ seemed to imply that Cody can’t handle the pressure. Cody said that this is not a dream match for him – it’s a must win. Cody signed the contract. Cody extended his hand for a handshake. Styles said it was beautiful thing to see Cody finish his story and get the championship. Styles said it’s a shame that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash. They shook hands. Styles left. Cody posed with the WWE Title to end it.
WWE Draft Round 1
Triple H walked out to announce the picks. Cody Rhodes joined him so Cody announced the Smackdown picks and Triple H announced the Raw picks.
Smackdown – Bianca Belair
Raw – Jey Uso
Smackdown – Carmelo Hayes
Raw – Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Carmelo Hayes walked out from backstage and challenged Cody Rhodes to a match. Cody accepted the challenge.
Match #1: LWO – Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee (w/Carlito & Zelina Vega) defeated Legado Del Fantasma – Angel & Berto by pinfall. Lee hit the Project Dragon spinning reverse DDT slam for the pinfall win.
After the match, Santos Escobar walked out with Elektra Lopez. Escobar said that Elektra tracked down the security footage about who attacked Dragon Lee on the night before WrestleMania. Escobar cued up the footage. The security footage played and it was Carlito throwing Lee into the wall and into a trash can. Carlito walked out of a door and then Carlito showed concern for Lee. Carlito shoved Lee into Rey and Carlito hit a Backstabber on Lee as well. Carlito left through the crowd.
Match #2: Bron Breakker defeated Cedric Alexander by pinfall. Bron won with a Spear after about 20 seconds.
A backstage segment between GM Nick Aldis, Tiffany Stratton and Women’s Champion Bayley set up a match for later. It would be Stratton against Naomi with the winner facing Bayley at Backlash.
WWE Draft Round 2
The next picks were announced by Michelle McCool (Smackdown) and Torrie Wilson (Raw).
Smackdown – Randy Orton
Raw – Bron Breakker
Smackdown – Nia Jax
Raw – Liv Morgan
Paul Heyman was shown backstage as Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga arrived. Solo asked if The Bloodline was drafted yet and Heyman said not exactly. Solo wanted the details. Heyman said that Roman Reigns withdrew from the draft while Heyman said that Solo is adding new members, so nobody knows what they are getting from The Bloodline. Tama Tonga walked up and Solo wanted Paul to repeat that. Kevin Owens showed up from behind Tonga leading to Owens punching Tonga repeatedly. They were separated by WWE Officials before it became a big brawl.
Bianca Belair was interviewed by Kayla Braxton by the entrance area. Belair mentioned that at Backlash, Belair and Jade Cargill will challenge The Kabuki Warriors for the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Belair said she hopes Jade gets drafted to Smackdown with her. Belair talked about taking those Tag Team Titles at Backlash and how Damage CTRL was falling apart, so the last piece was to take those titles. The Kabuki Warriors duo of Asuka & Kairi Sane walked out with their titles to confront Belair. They had a staredown when. Jade Cargill made her entrance to stand beside Belair. The four women exchanged words.
In the background, Kevin Owens and Tama Tonga went fighting down the aisle and they made their way down to the ring. Owens tackled Tonga in the ring, but Solo Sikoa went into the ring to help Tonga. There were security guys who went into the ring and Tonga threw them all out of the ring. Solo went after Owens with punches with Tonga joining him. Randy Orton made the save for Owens. Orton delivered punches and clotheslines to clear the ring. Solo & Tonga left. Owens hugged Orton in the ring. Owens left the ring to try to fight some more, but security held Owens back.
WWE Draft Round 3
The next picks were announced by Bubba Ray Dudley (Smackdown) and D-Von Dudley (Raw). The Dudleys put their classic Dudley “glasses” on to read the picks.
Smackdown – LA Knight
Raw – Ricochet
Smackdown – The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga & Paul Heyman
Raw – Sheamus
Match #3: Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton ended in a No Contest. The WWE Women’s Champion Bayley was at ringside. Nia Jax attacked Bayley at ringside and then Jax attacked Naomi, so the referee ended the match.
After the bell rang, Jax ran over Bayley with a running body attack on the floor. Jax left to the back. Stratton set up Bayley & Naomi in the ring and Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever onto Bayley & Naomi at the same time. Stratton celebrated.
There was a backstage scene with The Final Testament’s AOP beating up New Catch Republic’s Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate backstage. Karrion Kross & Scarlett were there with Kros saying that the beatings would continue until they got what they wanted.
WWE Draft Round 4
The next picks were announced by Teddy Long (Smackdown) and John Bradshaw Layfield (Raw).
Smackdown – AJ Styles
Raw – Alpha Academy: Chad Gable, Otis, Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri
Smackdown – Andrade
Raw – Kiana James
Nick Aldis, the Smackdown General Manager, spoke about how he was happy about the Smackdown draft picks. Aldis announced that at Backlash, Bayley will defend the WWE Women’s Title against Tiffany Stratton & Naomi in a triple threat match. Teddy Long walked in to announce the next match. Long said that it will be The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga facing Kevin Owens & Randy Orton at Backlash.
Match #4: Cody Rhodes defeated Carmelo Hayes by pinfall. Cody won with Cross Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes celebrated with the Undisputed WWE Championship. After some replays, Cody jumped off the apron and was confronted by AJ Styles. It looked like Styles might attack, but instead, there was a staredown. Styles warned Cody about how he was this close to taking him out. Styles wanted a handshake and Cody shook his hand. That was the end of the show.
After the show, WWE announced more draft picks on social media.
SmackDown: Baron Corbin, The O.C. (Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Michin), Cedric Alexander, and Ashante “Thee” Adonis.
Raw: Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, Ivar, Alba Fyre, and Isla Dawn.
Next Week On WWE SmackDown
Here is what WWE has advertised for the May 3rd episode of Smackdown.
* Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles go Face to Face
* New Catch Republic – Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate vs. Authors of Pain – Akam & Rezar
* WWE Tag Team Championships: A-Town Down Under – Austin Theory & Grayson Waller vs. The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins
* The first-ever edition of the R-KO Show with co-hosts Kevin Owens & Randy Orton.
That’s all for this week.