On April 12, WWE presented SmackDown from a sold-out Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. It was a fall-out show for WrestleMania XL. Cody Rhodes appeared on the show. His next opponent was determined after two triple-threat matches. A surprise debut happened in the Bloodline. Let’s take a look at everything that happened on Friday Night SmackDown.
Cody Rhodes Promo
Cody Rhodes entered to a huge pop from the crowd. He talked about Monday Night Raw where he was interrupted by The Rock.
Rhodes said that he would be here whenever The Rock comes back. Then he announced two Triple Threat matches to determine his next opponent.
Cody said that he is not the hunter but the hunted now. The American introduced himself as once undesirable, became undeniable, and is now an Undisputed WWE Champion.
Grades: B
Analysis: Cody Rhodes has been working great on playing with the crowd. He announced two triple-threat matches for the show.
Backstage: Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso were backstage heading to their locker room. They saw Cody’s nameplate on the door. Solo said he would handle it.
Heyman told him that winning and losing have consequences and they need the Undisputed WWE Title back to regain this locker room.
Triple Threat Match
LA Knight vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Santos Escobar
It was the first of two triple-threat matches announced by Cody. Santos landed a suicide dive on both Lashley and Knight to the outside.
Knight went for a Superplex from the top rope to Escobar but Lashley delivered a powerbomb. Santos landed a double knee strike on Lashley as Knight hit a Powerslam on Escobar.
Garza and Humberto attacked Knight from behind and Legado Del Fantasma delivered a triple powerbomb.
Legado attacked Bobby too but Street Profits came to even the odds. Lashley hit a flatline on Santos. As he went for the Spear, Escobar moved away. Knight hit a BFT on Escobar for the victory.
Winner: LA Knight
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a fine match with Knight coming out as the winner. He will face the winner of the other triple-threat match.
Tama Tonga is here!
The Bloodline was in the ring. Paul Heyman said that they will accept accountability by the orders of the Tribal Chief.
They won’t blame John Cena, The Undertaker or Jey Uso. Heyman said that Roman Reigns was focused and strategic at WrestleMania 39.
However, Cody was focused on WrestleMania40. Also, Roman couldn’t get over his obsession with taking revenge on Seth Rollins which did cost him. Paul said, it was over.
Solo came to Paul’s face and said that winning and losing have consequences. Sikoa hugged Jimmy and told him that he loved him.
Solo faked to go away as Tama Tonga, in a black hoodie, attacked Jimmy from behind. Solo hit multiple Samoan Spikes on Jimmy.
Heyman was calling Roman Reigns on his phone but Solo grabbed and destroyed the cell phone. They put the chair around the neck of Jimmy and delivered a brutal running hip attack.
Grades: B+
Analysis: Wow! We are into something new with this Bloodline storyline. Tama Tonga is here and things will be interesting until Roman Reigns comes back.
Singles Match
Bron Breakker vs. Cameron Grimes
Breakker applied a waistlock takedown and hit Grimes with a Steinerline. Bron caught Cameron in mid-air and slammed him. onto the mat followed by a Spear for the win.
Winner: Bron Breakker
Grades: C
Analysis: Bron Breaker is officially done on NXT and is a part of the main roster. He is a real deal and the future looks bright for the former NXT Champion.
Bayley’s Challenge
Bayley came out to a good ovation from the crowd and there were “You deserve it” chants. She said that she is proudly calling herself the new WWE Women’s Champion.
Bayley thanked the fans for being with her in all the ups and downs for the past 11 years. She felt different at WrestleMania XL because of the fans. Bayley said she will give opportunities to other superstars for the title.
Tiffany Stratton came out and accepted the open challenge. Bayley said that it was not an open challenge but she was talking about allowing Naomi. Tiffy didn’t look happy. Naomi came out and said that she would take care of Stratton first and then accept Bayley’s challenge.
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was a good moment for Bayley as the crowd was totally behind her. Tiffy is an absolute star already and gets a good reaction from the audience.
Backstage: Kayla Braxton asked Heyman about Jimmy. Tama Tonga came there and said, “By the orders of the Tribal Chief”. Solo came there. He laughed, looked at his thumb, and walked away with Heyman in confusion.
Singles Match
Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi
Bayley was at ringside for this one. Tiffany hit a clothesline and a corner spear. Naomi replied with a knee to the face for a two-count.
On the apron, Tiffy slammed Naomi into the ring post. Naomi delivered a cross-body and a dropkick. She followed it up with a split-legged moonsault for a near fall.
Tiffy fought back a double stomp and an Alabama Slam. Stratton went for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever but Naomi moved away. Noamirolled her in a jackknife cover and pinned Tiffy for the win.
Winner: Naomi
Grades: B
Analysis: Naomi will be the first challenger for Bayley’s title. It was a good decision to go with Naomi as it would have been too early for Tiffy. However, Stratton is in the line for the WWE Women’s Championship shortly.
Logan Paul’s Promo
Logan Paul came out and said that he retained his US title on the Biggest WrestleMania ever. He talked about social media engagement around WrestleMania XL. Logan said that it’s a new era and he is a part of it.
Singles Match
Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
Belair delivered a spinebuster on Chelsea early on. Niven got the tag and she hit a Powerslam on Belair. She followed it up with a cannonball. Jade Cargill got the tag. She slammed Green twice on the mat and pinned her for the win.
Winners: Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair
Grades: C+
Analysis: Belair and Cargill are working well as a tag team. They are getting good TV time. However, both of them need a better story on TV.
Triple Threat Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Kevin Owens vs. AJ Styles
KO sent Styles to the outside with a clothesline. Owens slid Mysterio to the outside but AJ caught Rey and slammed him onto the apron.
AJ and Kevin fought around the barricade. Mysterio landed a senton on Owens. Styles slammed Mysterio’sneck first and KO slammed face-first on the mat.
Styles avoided a pop-up powerbomb and hit an overhead kick on Owens. Styles caught a flying Rey and Owens caught Styles from behind as we saw a double German Suplex.
Rey delivered a 619 to AJ. Owens stunned Rey on the apron. Kevin went for a Swanton off the top rope but AJ had his knees up.
Styles caught Mysterio on the top rope and delivered a Styles Clash onto the body of Owens. AJ pinned Mysterio for the win. LA Knight came face-to-face with Styles to close out the show.
Winner: AJ Styles
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a fun main-event match. Styles delivered a good performance and he came out as the winner.
Overall, it was a decent SmackDown show. Cody Rhodes was on the show. Styles and Knight will compete next week for a shot against Cody.
