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Well, everyone, it’s time for Night 1 of the WWE Draft on SmackDown. That’s going to be the big thing tonight, and there are a couple of rules in effect this time around. First, we’ll have four rounds of four picks, 2 for Smackdown and 2 for RAW so they’re dialing a lot of that back from last year. Champions on each brand are protected, so no titles swapping brands, but the women’s tag team champions are in the pool because those belts go everywhere. Specifically for tonight, here’s our draft pool.
Also tonight we’re getting the contract signing between Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles for their match at Backlash. But that’s kind of it for anything announced, but let’s have a look at things likely to pad out the card. Tiffany Stratton attacked Bayley and Naomi last week, ruining their match and hitting both with a Prettiest Moonsault Ever so that will probably continue, as will the antagonism between Damage Control and the pairing of Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill.
The Street Profits are the next challengers for Grayson Waller and Austin Theory so that needs to get going, Carlito lost last week and his eventual turn on the LWO seems to be coming sooner rather than later. But again, that’s kind of where we are, a lot of stuff is kind of in limbo until the Draft wraps up and Backlash gets done. So let’s get to the action.
We see several wrestlers arrive while commentary hypes up the Draft. Commentary runs down the rules for the Draft.
Kayla is in the back and talks with Paul Heyman, Heyman says there are no rumours about Roman Reigns, just facts. The Tribal Chief has withdrawn eligibility for the Draft, so he will remain on Smackdown but won’t be returning soon. Roman won’t be the first draft pick again because he won’t be here, and the real Tribal Chief wouldn’t hog the spotlight like that.
Jackie is at the NXT performance centre with the wrestlers and a crowd to observe things.
We finally get to something happening live and see Corey Graves hosting the contract signing for Cody and AJ. First out, AJ Styles. Naturally, he’s followed by Cody Rhodes. The contract goes to AJ first, he reads through it and gets his mic to say that before he signs he has a few things to say.
Two Georgia boys ready to mix it up for the first time for the biggest prize in the game, he understands the boos and still doesn’t respect LA Knight. AJ admits that’s why he lost at Mania, but once he regained composure he got that win back and reminded everyone that he’s phenomenal. He does respect Cody, they’ve never wrestled but have been down the same roads and both men had to prove themselves outside of WWE.
Both men got advice from Dusty Rhodes early in their careers, and AJ learned a lot from him. Dusty taught AJ how to carry the weight of a title, he sees the weight of the Undisputed title and it’s not just leather and gold, and we’re going to find out if Cody can carry that at Backlash. AJ signs. Cody now considers the contract and speaks, he wants to know what we want to talk about. We can talk about respect, and how everyone all over the world respects AJ Styles.
Cody respects the paths AJ has had to walk, but that has to go away at Backlash. AJ has been here before while implying that Cody might not be able to carry the title. Well, he knows it’s not about winning the title, it’s about keeping it. He knows they’ve never touched before, but no matter how phenomenal AJ is this will not be a dream match for Cody, it’s a must-win match. Cody signs, then offers a handshake which AJ considers then says watching Cody finish the story was beautiful. But it’s a shame that run won’t last long, then AJ shakes Cody’s hand.
AJ leaves, and Cody smartly watches him the whole way as AJ heads up the ramp. Cody holds the title high then heads out as well, but as he’s on the ramp the music of Triple H hits. Trips shakes Cody’s hand and poses with him on the stage and invites him to help announce the first-round Draft picks.
Triple H talks a bit to start and puts over how you might have to protect your roster as well. Since Cody is protected and on Smackdown he offers him the chance to read Smackdown’s first pick.
Smackdown: Bianca Belair
RAW: Jey Uso
Smackdown: Carmelo Hayes, I’d rather Ilja Dragunov but that’s just me
RAW: Seth Rollins
I’m a little surprised no Bloodline picks there all around. But speaking of Carmelo Hayes, he comes out with a mic. Hayes talks on the stage, putting himself over then talks to Cody and warns that he doesn’t miss when he shoots.
As a first-round pick, Hayes will be shooting his shot tonight against Cody. Cody takes the mic and says fortune favours the bold, then plays with the crowd who seem to want the match. He accepts the challenge from Hayes and they shake on it.
We see the LWO walking in the back, Rey and Dragon Lee will be in action after this break.
We come back to all parties in the ring.
Match #1 – Tag Team Match: Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee w/ Zelina Vega and Carlito vs. Humberot and Angel w/ Santos Escobar and Elektra Lopez
Humberto attacks Lee at the jump, but Lee fights back with a hurricanrana and then a dive to the outside. Lee with a crossbody back in the ring. Angel with a blind tag then opens the ropes to make Lee spill onto the floor and we head to another break. Odd pacing there but I imagine the opening segments ran long.
We come back to both legal men down and the double tag spot. Rey gets to run wild on Angel for a bit including a Code Red but Humberto breaks up the pin. Rey sends Humberto out of the ring and then sort of hits an arm drag. Lee tags in as Rey hits a 619, Lee follows with Project Dragon to get the pin.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee in 5:25
Rating: 1.5 stars
Thoughts: Gutted by the break and probably cut down for time. They did the best they could with what they had.
Santos Escobar gets a mic after the match and says he’s not a liar. He didn’t attack Dragon Lee before Mania and Elektra Lopez has tracked down the footage from that attack. They show it and, sure enough, it’s Carlito who takes out Lee. Carlito shoves Lee into Rey then hits Lee with a Backstabber and he scampers away and that sends us back to break.
Post break get confirmation of Cody vs. Hayes for later tonight.
To the ring, here comes Bron Breakker.
Match #2: Bron Breakker vs. Cedric Alexander
Cedric tries strikes early but then bounces off the ropes into a Spear and we’re done.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Bron Breakker won in :16
Rating: Hubbard SQUASH
Thoughts: Delicious squash.
During a replay of the Spear spot, we get our little Uncle Howdy feed interruption.
Next, a replay of Tiffany Stratton interfering in the women’s title match last week.
In the back, Nick Aldis walks out of his office and Tiffany interrupts him, she wants a title match. Aldis is close to sending her to the back of the line, but Bayley convinced him to have Naomi and Tiffany wrestle tonight for a title shot at Backlash.
The Draft will continue after this break, Michelle McCool and Torrie Wilson will be making those picks.
Post break here are Torrie and McCool to do the announcing.
Smackdown: Randy Orton
RAW: Bron Breakker
Smackdown: Nia Jax, oh FML
RAW: Liv Morgan
Ugh, Nia Jax. The commentary then mentions how surprising it is that the Bloodline hasn’t been picked even with Roman out of the pool. That leads to a recap of Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga fighting with Kevin Owens.
In the back, Paul Heyman waits as Solo and Tonga arrive. Solo asks about the Bloodline getting drafted, and Solo wants the details. Heyman tells him Roman withdrew from the draft, and with Solo adding new members no one knows what they’re getting if they draft the Bloodline.
Tonga walks up to intimidate Heyman. Solo wants Heyman to repeat what he said, Heyman is saved by seeing Kevin Owens, and Heyman leaves while Owens attacks Tonga and Solo from behind. They brawl for a bit before being pulled apart as we head to a break.
Post break, another reminder about Cody vs. Hayes in the main event, and then a recap of Owens attacking Solo and Tonga.
Kayla is on the stage and brings out Bianca Belair. Belair talks about her and Jade’s title match with the Kabuki Warriors at Backlash, and she hopes Jade is drafted to Smackdown on Monday so they can continue bringing the hurt to Damage Control.
Damage Control is falling apart and once the tag team titles are off of them then the Kabuki Warriors won’t even have a reason to be on Smackdown. That brings out Asuka and Kairi Sane. They jaw-jack at each other, then Jade comes out to even the numbers.
More jaw-jacking but here come Owens and Tonga still brawling. They fight down the entrance ramp and towards the ring. In the ring now Owens with a double leg but here’s Solo to attack and keep the odds against Owens.
Owens tries to fight back, Tonga attacks all the security that shows up but here’s Randy Orton. Randy heads to the ring and levels Tonga with a clothesline then nearly RKO’s Solo but Solo escapes.
Eventually, enough personnel come out to separate the relevant parties then Owens hugs Randy and decides they should keep trying to fight but at this point, no one can get through the mass of humanity separating them.
In the back Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley head towards the stage to announce the next draft picks and we head to break.
Post break, here come the Dudley Boyz to announce picks.
Smackdown: LA Knight
RAW: Ricochet
Smackdown: The Bloodline (Solo, Tonga, and Heyman)
RAW: Sheamus
Lots of retaining the status quo this time around.
Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring, and Bayley has joined commentary. Naomi follows.
Match #3: Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi
Quick takedown from Naomi and some punches, Stratton throws her off and the powders. Naomi with a baseball slide and brawls with Stratton on the floor then sends her back into the ring. Naomi up top, misses a flying nothing and Stratton hangs her up in the ropes and then follows with a hip attack. They fight through the ropes and Naomi hits her version of the Heatseeker on the apron then a diving split-legged attack and Naomi sits on Stratton and poses as we head to break.
We come back to Naomi grabbing a Sunset Flip for a 2 count. Stratton with a knee to the body but Naomi avoids a clothesline and lands a mule kick then spikes Stratton with head scissors for another 2 count. Double hair-mare spot and both women are down. Naomi fires up with strikes then a kick to the head and a corner bulldog. Nia Jax shows up and attacks Bayley, instantly making everything worse. Stratton avoids something and Jax then shoves Naomi into the ring post to end the match.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Naomi won via disqualification in 6:17
Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: These two have decent chemistry but this was more about Jax making things worse than anything in the ring.
Jax with a body avalanche to Bayley and leaves her lying. Stratton pulls both Bayley and Naomi into the ring for another double Prettiest Moonsault Ever and she stands tall. I’m willing to bet the official ruling will be a No Contest or something, but only Naomi was hit so logically she should win by DQ.
In the back B-Fab and the Street Profits talk, they’ve got a tag team title shot next week and it doesn’t matter where they get drafted because once they win the titles they’ll be back here. Waller and Theory wander over and we get pointless talking until Bobby Lashley shows up to scare off Theory and Waller.
Teddy Long walks towards the stage as does JBL, they’ll be giving the last picks after this break.
Brief backstage promo from the Final Testament as we come back. Nothing interesting was said there.
To the stage, here come Teddy and JBL for our last draft picks.
Smackdown: AJ Styles
RAW: Alpha Academy (Chad Gable, Akira Tozawa, Otis, and Maxine)
Smackdown: Andrade
RAW: Kiana James
So, almost no one changed brands in all four rounds tonight. That’s, well one could argue a waste. You’d think at least one major shift should have occurred here.
Kiana James gets a quick video highlight then an interview with Jackie. James says this means the world to her and she’s proud of her NXT work but is ready to show RAW that she’s 1%. Shawn Michaels comes over to congratulate her. We get a recap of Trick Williams winning the NXT title, and I’m still hopeful that Ilja comes to Smackdown.
In the back, Carmelo walks and we get a break.
Kayla talks with Nick Aldis in the back, the Smackdown GM feels good about the Draft but he’s also got matches to announce. WWE women’s triple threat match, Bayley vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi. There’s another one, but here’s Teddy Long to announce a tag team match with Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga vs. Kevin Owens and Randy Orton.
Commentary reminds us about the Draft on Monday and look at that very large pool of talent. Next week Cody and AJ face off one last time before the title match, and the New Catch Republic take on the Authors of Pain, plus the tag team title match as well. We’ll have our first-ever RKO show when Owens welcomes Randy to the show.
To the ring and here comes Carmelo Hayes. Decent little “Melo” chant for him, that’s a good sign. Cody comes out next.
Match #4: Cody Rhodes vs. Carmelo Hayes
They tie up and Cody with a throw, then they hit the ropes and Cody with a kick then a right hand. Hayes with a cross chop then a springboard attack. Clothesline from Cody to drop Hayes and send us to break.
Cody is working a headlock as we come back. Hayes fights free and lands a chop, Cody seems bemused by this and clobbers him with elbows. Back elbow from Hayes then a kick to the ribs. They trade some corner work now then Cody hits a back body drop. Cody fires up but Hayes with a La Mistica facebuster then a springboard no-look DDT for a 2 count.
Hayes thinks about a Cross Rhodes but took too long and Cody escapes then hits a Disaster Kick for a 2 count. Running Powerslam from Cody gets another 2 count. Cody Cutter as well but again just a near fall. Hayes staggers up and flips out of a back suplex then hits the First 48. Hayes is up top for Nothing but Net but Cody moves then superkicks him and both men miss springboard moves but Cody landed worse.
Cody still hits Cross Rhodes though to get the win, but he might have legitimately tweaked his shoulder on that springboard spot.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Cody Rhodes won in 8:39
Rating: 3 stars
Thoughts: Good stuff here, Hayes remains a very talented in-ring guy and Cody is pretty much always good though this did get a little out of sync towards the finish. Hopefully, he didn’t injure his shoulder at the end.
Post-match Cody and Hayes share some words, Cody is still selling that shoulder as he celebrates the win. AJ shows up and might have been thinking about a cheap shot but Cody sees him and we just get a stare-down between the two men, AJ hints that he was very close to getting Cody there, then AJ offers a handshake which Cody accepts as the episode ends.
Overall thoughts
Well, this was certainly a show that happened. I'm inclined to grade Draft shows on a bit of a curve but even then, this felt aggressively average. A lack of actual wrestling, and what we did get was forgettable for the most part. Some story advancement like Randy siding with Kevin Owens against Solo and Tonga was nice, Carlito's turn felt like an afterthought though.
Honestly when it comes to Draft shows the actual drafting takes up a chunk of time and should, in theory, add to the show but this episode was 90% status quo retention. I think only Nia Jax, Bron Breakker, and Andrade technically swapped between the two brands with Bron being Smackdown in name only and Andrade appearing almost equally between the two shows before tonight.
Two NXT call-ups helped but this felt like a lot of nothing happening when it's all said and done. Almost entirely skippable.
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