Here is the SmackDown results for the 29th of April, 2022
Raquel Rodriguez made an impressive SmackDown in-ring debut while Lacey Evans cut an emotionally charged promo.
Paul Heyman demanded a tweak in the tag team championship unification match while Shayna Baszler and Natalya took out the Women’s Tag Team champions.
Drew McIntyre versus Sami Zayn – Steel Cage Match
Sami Zayn was reluctantly entering the cage but Drew pulled him in and shut the cage door. Zayn looked to escape the cage early but was caught and sent into the cage couple of times. Zayn got some offense going his way as he slammed Drew’s head a few times on the steel cage and followed it up with a Sunset Flip off the top rope. After this maneuver, Zayn dominated the proceedings as he used the steel cage to wear down the former WWE champion. Drew tried to fight out but Zayn executed a Helluva Kick.
Zayn looked to escape but Drew recovered and pulled him back in by grabbing his hair. McIntyre sent Zayn into the cage on 3 successive occasions followed by a belly-to-belly throw and a neckbreaker. The Scottish Warrior was going for the Claymore but Zayn once again tried escaping the cage. Drew caught him but Zayn kicked him and the former landed awkwardly on the top rope. Zayn almost managed to escape but Drew once again grabbed him by the hair and delivered a devastating superplex. A Claymore and Drew got the W.
Result – Drew McIntyre beat Sami Zayn
Grade – B
Charlotte Flair was interviewed backstage and said when she makes Ronda Rousey say “I Quit” then the former RAW Women’s Champion might not show up in WWE again. She was also very confident about winning the Beat the Clock Challenge on the show and embarrassing Ronda.
Happy Talk doesn’t end up happily for Happy Corbin
Happy Corbin came to the ring to host a segment of Happy Talk. He said that this is a new and improved version of the show as the “insufferable” Madcap Moss was not present.
Corbin claimed he deserved all the credit for Moss’ biggest achievement in WWE which is winning the Andre the Giant Battle Royal as he was the one who taught him everything. Corbin said he created Moss and he will destroy him. But for now, he will take a sledgehammer and slam the Andre the Giant Memorial trophy into pieces.
However, Moss was one of the men that brought the trophy to the ring and he attacked Corbin and sent him shoulder-first into the ring post before Corbin managed to escape.
Ricochet (c) versus Shanky – Intercontinental Championship Match
Ricochet tried to use his pace but Shanky managed to get hold of the high-flyer and started wearing down the champion. A big elbow drop and a cover for 2. Ricochet climbed the top rope but Shanky dropped him off the rope and back to the center of the ring.
Ricochet hit the springboard and then he climbed the rope. However, Shanky distracted the referee and Jinder Mahal dropped Ricochet. Shanky looked to take advantage as he had Ricochet up on his shoulders but the champion slipped out and rolled through for a cover and got the win. After the match, Jinder began scolding Shanky but the big man stopped him and left the ring filled with anger.
Result – Ricochet beat Shanky
Grade – B
Raquel Rodriguez was interviewed backstage and she was asked if she was nervous and she replied in the affirmative but said she likes being the center of attention and she will make an impact that no one will ever forget in her first match on the main roster.
Raquel Rodriguez versus Cat Cardoza
Cat Cardoza began with some hard hits to Raquel who didn’t seem ready as the match hadn’t even started. After the bell was rung, it was all Raquel. A couple of fall-away slams.
A splash off the top but Cardoza managed to pull Rodriguez against the top rope. Raquel won the match with a one-arm powerbomb in an impressive debut.
Result – Raquel Rodriguez beat Cat Cardoza
Grade – C
Ludwig Kaiser and Gunther appeared backstage as the former described how great Gunther is.
Tag Team Championships Unification Match – Contract Signing
Adam Pearce was in the ring for the Tag Team Championship Unification match contract signing. RK-Bro made their entrance first and then The Usos came out. The Usos said that they are going to have all the gold and bragged about being no. 1.
Riddle cut them off saying that he can’t tell The Usos apart. Orton, however, said that he never had a problem telling them apart. He said that Jey is the right-hand man while Jimmy is a little “b*tch”.
The Usos attacked RK-Bro but the Raw Tag Team Champions soon turned the tables until Roman Reigns came out. After the distraction, The Usos took advantage as they laid waste to Orton and Riddle. Roman shoved the contract paper into Riddle’s mouth and looked set to inflict more damage until Drew came out. Roman ordered The Usos to attack him but Drew very easily took them out.
Drew got up on the apron and then entered the ring as the Tribal Chief looked perplexed. Roman delivered the first punch but Drew sent Roman Reigns flying as the champion retreated. RK-Bro and Drew McIntyre stood tall in the ring to close the segment.
Paul Heyman met Adam Pearce backstage and he wanted to have the Tag titles unification match at WrestleMania Backlash upgraded. He proposed the idea of having a six-man tag team match with The Usos and Roman Reigns facing RK-Bro and Drew McIntyre.
Pearce said he cannot change a title match but Heyman told him that he will complain about him to the Board of Directors that he is depriving the WWE Universe to watch Roman Reigns compete and after that, his job may be in jeopardy. Heyman departed after saying this as Pearce looked confused and frustrated at what just transpired.
Meanwhile, Drew Gulak was the timekeeper on the show.
Naomi versus Shayna Baszler
The former two-time SmackDown Women’s champion hit a split leg drop but Shayna started with the submission holds. Naomi stunned Baszler with a kick but the latter almost got the sleeper hold locked in. Naomi managed to counter a waist lock and sent Baszler into the second rope and Naomi stacked her up to win.
Natalya attacked Naomi after the match but Sasha intervened. However, the BOAT locked her in the Sharpshooter while Baszler dropped Naomi and stomped his bicep as the champions were laid out by the no.1 contenders.
Result – Naomi beat Shayna Baszler
Grade – C
Sheamus and Ridge Holland discussed backstage the places they hung posters for Butch, who has been missing since last week
Xavier Woods versus Ridge Holland
Holland dominated the initial proceedings of the match with his power game. Woods, however, managed to turn things around as he delivered a DDT out on the floor.
Back inside the ring, Holland laid out Woods with his explosive offense. Holland wore down Woods with a headlock but fans rallied behind the New Day member as he tried turning things around but got hit with a spinebuster. Holland went for a powerbomb but Woods rolled him for a pinfall victory.
Result – Xavier Woods beat Ridge Holland
Grade – C
After the match, Sheamus told Ridge he will teach him how it’s done. He challenged Kofi to a match which the former WWE champion accepted
Sheamus versus Kofi Kingston
Kofi began the match with great enthusiasm as he used his athleticism to take the early advantage. Kofi tried the SOS but Sheamus counted with the Irish Curse Backbreaker. He locked in Kofi in a submission hold and when the high-flyer tried to muster some offense, he got hit with a Powerslam.
Kofi climbed the top rope but as he landed, Sheamus caught him with a knee and followed it up with a Brogue kick to win the match. Sheamus and Holland were not done as the latter attacked Woods after the match and sent Woods crashing through a table.
Result – Sheamus beat Kofi Kingston
Grade – B
Chapter 4 of Lacey Evans’ story
Chapter 4 of Lacey Evans’ story. She said she was kicked out of her home at the age of 17. The 32-year-old talked about her time in the military and how she didn’t receive any acknowledgment from her father even after being successful. She said she might not be better than the other wrestlers in the locker room but they are not better than her as well.
Ronda Rousey versus Shotzi – Beat the Clock challenge (“I Quit” match)
Shotzi tried escaping and wasting as much time as she could until Ronda finally caught her. Ronda locked in the ankle lock as Shotzi was quick to say “I Quit”. 1 minute and 41 seconds was all that Ronda took to make Shotzi quit.
Result – Ronda Rousey beat Shotzi in 1 minute and 41 seconds
Grade – D
Aliyah versus Charlotte Flair
Charlotte dropped Aliyah but the youngster dropped the champion with a step-up enzuigiri. She hit Charlotte with a bulldog and went for a crossbody but missed. Aliyah countered the first attempt of Figure 8 from Charlotte but the Queen got the Figure 8 in the second attempt. However, Aliyah managed to survive the time and finally tapped when the time to beat passed. Ronda won the challenge as she celebrated with the fans and left.
A furious Flair attacked the guest timekeeper Drew Gulak with a big boot and ended the show with a blow to the back of his head with the ring Bell and lofted the SmackDown Women’s Championship above her shoulder.
Result – Charlotte Flair couldn’t beat the clock
Grade – C
Overall show grade – B
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