Friday Night Smackdown
April 19, 2024
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Friday Night Smackdown began with very exciting news. Earlier today on social media, General Manager Nick Aldis said that Cody Rhodes’ first challenger would be the winner of a 15-man over-the-top-rope battle royal. Additionally, a big-time women’s division match is on the ledger, pitting ‘The Empress’ Asuka against ‘The EST’ Bianca Belair.
Speaking of which, that’s where we go. Damage CTRL enters the arena first. The quartet trots down to the ring and gets inside. Dakota Kai picks up the microphone, with her allies watching on.
Dakota Kai:
Y’know we want you all to know something. And it’s important that we make this clear.
Kai looks around the arena for a moment.
Dakota Kai:
We don’t want anyone to say this for us. So here it goes, straight from the heart and soul… we want you all to know, that from the bottom of our hearts, Damage CTRL love each and every one of you!
Doesn’t sound like that love is reciprocated.
Dakota Kai:
What we don’t love, though, is how things have gone since WrestleMania. Still though, still, it’s important to remember that we are still the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
The belts are shown off.
Dakota Kai:
And to be clear, these titles are Freebird-ed now. So we’re twice as dangerous as we used to be. You’re not gonna know what team we’ll send at you, and at this point? At this point, you’ll beg for mercy no matter who it is!
Tough to argue… look at the group.
Dakota Kai:
“The Big Three” might have picked us off at WrestleMania, but we’re still the champs! Until someone knocks us off, Damage CTRL runs the women’s division. We don’t give a damn that Bayley is the WWE Women’s Champion…
Figured that was comin’.
Dakota Kai:
Bayley…
Singsonging interrupts Kai, who looks on annoyed.
Dakota Kai:
Credit is given where credit is due, champ. You got us. I’ll be honest… not a single one of us thought you could do it.
Ouch.
Dakota Kai:
And we had a reason for that! Bayley, the last time that you were champion, we didn’t have fans. Your best friend was still around. It was a different time. Bianca Belair showed up and showed what Iyo and I were too naïve at first to realize…
Where is she going with this one.
Dakota Kai:
You are nothing more… than a has been, who tried to cling onto their career and were bringing us down in the process!
Ouch. I mean, ouch.
Dakota Kai:
What? You think I’m lying? The high mark of the original Damage CTRL was in our very first six-woman tag team match. Because all three of us took out Bianca Belair. Speaking of Bianca, can we mention that Bayley lost to The EST with the Women’s Championship on the line in a ladder match? Can we mention that both Iyo and I put our bodies on the line in that match and got involved, and she STILL couldn’t come away with the win in a 3-on-1 situation???
This is an unpleasant trip down memory lane for the champion.
Dakota Kai:
Yeah, but if that weren’t enough, she couldn’t captain us to victory in War Games. She couldn’t lead us to winning the Royal Rumble, and we couldn’t win at WrestleMania. And after that embarrassment was over, we were further humiliated when we lost the Women’s Tag Team Titles to Becky Lynch and Lita.
Cheers. An irritated Kai looked on.
Dakota Kai:
Talk about has beens…
Boos.
Dakota Kai:
From that moment on, Iyo and I decided that the best way that we could right the ship is if we took the ship from you. Of course, the minute that Iyo became the #1 Contender, you couldn’t handle that. You meddled in the match last year in Puerto Rico. We all saw you Bayley! You thought that we weren’t paying attention? You knew that Iyo was a threat. You knew that, that’s what you picked her. Bayley, you didn’t want family, you were smart and you wanted less enemies. And someone smarter than you could have gotten away with that for much longer. But you’re such a fool, Bayley, and we knew we could wrestle control away from you. Iyo won Money in the Bank right from under you and Becky. You didn’t think that we were coming for the top?
Kai is putting it all on the table.
Dakota Kai:
You plotted your own downfall. You had the Money in the Bank briefcase and hit Charlotte and Asuka with it. You gave Iyo the weapon she needed to take control of Damage CTRL last year at SummerSlam. From there? We had to deal with what’s what. Iyo did her thing, as she always does. You wanna talk about greatness? Then you need to realize that Iyo Sky is a common synonym. And then… Kairi Sane came back.
Kai grinned. Kairi smirked and held her fan up over her face.
Dakota Kai:
Ahhh… you had to know something was up then, Bayley.
We then saw Bayley in the back… looking visibly distraught.
Dakota Kai:
The woman that beat you in her final match in WWE in 2020… and you couldn’t get over that defeat Bayley. You took pair Kairi and you bashed her head into a garage door over and over and over again. That was going to be the last thing that WWE fans ever remembered Kairi Sane for. And you’d be the reason. But she couldn’t have that, and we couldn’t let her have that. Do you not know the bond we have? We ran NXT.
A bit of chest-thumping by Kai here, who didn’t appear done.
Dakota Kai:
But you just thought that wouldn’t come back to bite you. That’s the thing about you Bayley… you don’t think that enough people pay attention to the things that you do. For years, Bayley, you put on a smile, you hugged fans, and you inspired a generation of women’s wrestling fans. Nobody can take that from you… but knowing what became of you Bayley… was that really you?
Oh… well that’s not called for.
Dakota Kai:
You’ve taken out your best friend and you led your new friends astray. You thought you could get away with it. Because you think that the fans won’t pay attention. You think that these sheep, like you accurately call them, will just bow down to us no matter what. That no matter how many times we put our bodies on the line, no matter how many soul-crushing defeats we taken, how many fans we let down, and how many times we get knocked down, we’re just supposed to let it roll. “The fans want a journey.” Damage CTRL prefers an escalator to the very TOP of this business and we would have gotten there quicker with someone even HALF as competent as you were, Bayley!
That appeared to be enough for our champ, who broke her TV with a showing of aggression after whipping a full Pepsi bottle at the screen. She left the room and there was a pinging sound on her way out.
Dakota Kai:
You may think that you’re the hero of this story, Bayley. You’re just on borrowed time. You are riding high, sure. You are the WWE Women’s Champion… for now. I can promise you that. And it’s going to be Damage CTRL that’s going to take our championship back. Our quest is not ending anytime soon, because at Backlash France, you… are going to face a woman who you’ve had a REAL problem with over the years…
Ah… well then….
Dakota Kai:
‘The Empress’ Asuka will represent Damage CTRL to face you Bayley at Backlash Fran—
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Friday Night Smackdown began with very exciting news. Earlier today on social media, General Manager Nick Aldis said that Cody Rhodes’ first challenger would be the winner of a 15-man over-the-top-rope battle royal. Additionally, a big-time women’s division match is on the ledger, pitting ‘The Empress’ Asuka against ‘The EST’ Bianca Belair.
Speaking of which, that’s where we go. Damage CTRL enters the arena first. The quartet trots down to the ring and gets inside. Dakota Kai picks up the microphone, with her allies watching on.
Dakota Kai:
Y’know we want you all to know something. And it’s important that we make this clear.
Kai looks around the arena for a moment.
Dakota Kai:
We don’t want anyone to say this for us. So here it goes, straight from the heart and soul… we want you all to know, that from the bottom of our hearts, Damage CTRL love each and every one of you!
Doesn’t sound like that love is reciprocated.
Dakota Kai:
What we don’t love, though, is how things have gone since WrestleMania. Still though, still, it’s important to remember that we are still the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
The belts are shown off.
Dakota Kai:
And to be clear, these titles are Freebird-ed now. So we’re twice as dangerous as we used to be. You’re not gonna know what team we’ll send at you, and at this point? At this point, you’ll beg for mercy no matter who it is!
Tough to argue… look at the group.
Dakota Kai:
“The Big Three” might have picked us off at WrestleMania, but we’re still the champs! Until someone knocks us off, Damage CTRL runs the women’s division. We don’t give a damn that Bayley is the WWE Women’s Champion…
Figured that was comin’.
Dakota Kai:
Bayley…
Singsonging interrupts Kai, who looks on annoyed.
Dakota Kai:
Credit is given where credit is due, champ. You got us. I’ll be honest… not a single one of us thought you could do it.
Ouch.
Dakota Kai:
And we had a reason for that! Bayley, the last time that you were champion, we didn’t have fans. Your best friend was still around. It was a different time. Bianca Belair showed up and showed what Iyo and I were too naïve at first to realize…
Where is she going with this one.
Dakota Kai:
You are nothing more… than a has been, who tried to cling onto their career and were bringing us down in the process!
Ouch. I mean, ouch.
Dakota Kai:
What? You think I’m lying? The high mark of the original Damage CTRL was in our very first six-woman tag team match. Because all three of us took out Bianca Belair. Speaking of Bianca, can we mention that Bayley lost to The EST with the Women’s Championship on the line in a ladder match? Can we mention that both Iyo and I put our bodies on the line in that match and got involved, and she STILL couldn’t come away with the win in a 3-on-1 situation???
This is an unpleasant trip down memory lane for the champion.
Dakota Kai:
Yeah, but if that weren’t enough, she couldn’t captain us to victory in War Games. She couldn’t lead us to winning the Royal Rumble, and we couldn’t win at WrestleMania. And after that embarrassment was over, we were further humiliated when we lost the Women’s Tag Team Titles to Becky Lynch and Lita.
Cheers. An irritated Kai looked on.
Dakota Kai:
Talk about has beens…
Boos.
Dakota Kai:
From that moment on, Iyo and I decided that the best way that we could right the ship is if we took the ship from you. Of course, the minute that Iyo became the #1 Contender, you couldn’t handle that. You meddled in the match last year in Puerto Rico. We all saw you Bayley! You thought that we weren’t paying attention? You knew that Iyo was a threat. You knew that, that’s what you picked her. Bayley, you didn’t want family, you were smart and you wanted less enemies. And someone smarter than you could have gotten away with that for much longer. But you’re such a fool, Bayley, and we knew we could wrestle control away from you. Iyo won Money in the Bank right from under you and Becky. You didn’t think that we were coming for the top?
Kai is putting it all on the table.
Dakota Kai:
You plotted your own downfall. You had the Money in the Bank briefcase and hit Charlotte and Asuka with it. You gave Iyo the weapon she needed to take control of Damage CTRL last year at SummerSlam. From there? We had to deal with what’s what. Iyo did her thing, as she always does. You wanna talk about greatness? Then you need to realize that Iyo Sky is a common synonym. And then… Kairi Sane came back.
Kai grinned. Kairi smirked and held her fan up over her face.
Dakota Kai:
Ahhh… you had to know something was up then, Bayley.
We then saw Bayley in the back… looking visibly distraught.
Dakota Kai:
The woman that beat you in her final match in WWE in 2020… and you couldn’t get over that defeat Bayley. You took pair Kairi and you bashed her head into a garage door over and over and over again. That was going to be the last thing that WWE fans ever remembered Kairi Sane for. And you’d be the reason. But she couldn’t have that, and we couldn’t let her have that. Do you not know the bond we have? We ran NXT.
A bit of chest-thumping by Kai here, who didn’t appear done.
Dakota Kai:
But you just thought that wouldn’t come back to bite you. That’s the thing about you Bayley… you don’t think that enough people pay attention to the things that you do. For years, Bayley, you put on a smile, you hugged fans, and you inspired a generation of women’s wrestling fans. Nobody can take that from you… but knowing what became of you Bayley… was that really you?
Oh… well that’s not called for.
Dakota Kai:
You’ve taken out your best friend and you led your new friends astray. You thought you could get away with it. Because you think that the fans won’t pay attention. You think that these sheep, like you accurately call them, will just bow down to us no matter what. That no matter how many times we put our bodies on the line, no matter how many soul-crushing defeats we taken, how many fans we let down, and how many times we get knocked down, we’re just supposed to let it roll. “The fans want a journey.” Damage CTRL prefers an escalator to the very TOP of this business and we would have gotten there quicker with someone even HALF as competent as you were, Bayley!
That appeared to be enough for our champ, who broke her TV with a showing of aggression after whipping a full Pepsi bottle at the screen. She left the room and there was a pinging sound on her way out.
Dakota Kai:
You may think that you’re the hero of this story, Bayley. You’re just on borrowed time. You are riding high, sure. You are the WWE Women’s Champion… for now. I can promise you that. And it’s going to be Damage CTRL that’s going to take our championship back. Our quest is not ending anytime soon, because at Backlash France, you… are going to face a woman who you’ve had a REAL problem with over the years…
Ah… well then….
Dakota Kai:
‘The Empress’ Asuka will represent Damage CTRL to face you Bayley at Backlash Fran—
“DELIVERANCE”
(It’s the better song)
Well that was enough said finally! Damage CTRL prepared to fight in the ring and then the crowd roared as Bayley came out on stage! Wielding a pipe, the WWE Women’s Champion didn’t walk down alone! She knew what she was dealing with as she slid into the ring! Kairi went at her and Bayley got her with the pipe! She then ran right at Dakota Kai and swung WILDLY at her but Kai jumped through the ropes and onto the apron. She caught it on her arm but not nearly enough.
But Bayley caught the boot of Asuka as The Empress kicked her in the back!! Asuka and then Iyo started to pummel Bayley in the corner!! Dakota then reached into her jacket and tossed Asuka something while the former champion kept mugging The Role Model. Asuka then revealed that something to be… a belt! Dakota then held Bayley back up against the post as Sky pushed her up against it, shoving her face into the turnbuckle. She pulled Bayley’s shirt up and Asuka then came in and WHIPPED HER IN THE BACK!
AND ASUKA KEPT WHIPPING AND WHIPPING HER!!! The Empress laughed as she danced with the belt. Kairi got up with her umbrella as Iyo pushed Bayley’s head in again and Kairi WHACKED HER IN THE BACK WITH THE UMBRLELA!! Dakota could be heard reminding Kairi of what Bayley did to her and Sane did it again! And then broke the umbrella with another shot!
General Manager Nick Aldis then came out and tried to rally personnel and security to the ring. A dangerous situation was developing in the ring as Damage CTRL is beating the Women’s Champion down bad. Torturing her even. Asuka then got the belt again and started whipping Bayley in the back with it once again, even harder. Iyo went down and pulled at Bayley’s shirt. She tried to rip it off but the prideful champion still had the wherewithal to fight back some!! But it was quickly snuffed out with a stomp to the back! She then ripped Bayley’s shirt off, which had a tanktop that she pulled up as Asuka whipped her again! And again!! Her back got lit up and Iyo made things worse as she stomped all over it and put her in the corner and stomped all over her!
Finally security got into the ring and several producers separated the group from Bayley. Asuka taunted the Women’s Champion with another dance as Iyo laughed and mocked the woman that beat her at Mania. They got out of the ring with Kairi and Dakota evilly grinned as they watched on. Kai then decided to walk over to the scene. Officials and medical personnel were surveying Bayley, who was hung up on the ropes after Iyo made it so. Kai then grabbed the Women’s Championship under the apron, slid up and then lunged and BY GOD BLASTED IT IN BAYLEY’S FACE!
Insult to INJURY by Kai, who laughed maniacally as Aldis shooed her away from the scene. Damage CTRL has sent a loud and violent message to the Women’s Champion tonight.
Officials helped the WWE Women’s Champion to the back after a violent scene erupted in the ring. Damage CTRL had to stick around. You might wonder why no one helped Bayley...
Great question. One reason could be Bianca Belair. Belair, in getting prepared for her match, seemed to hold camp with Naomi and Cargill in her locker room. They keep on as Belair then heads on without them. She then passes by someone she was certainly not expecting to see. Nor anyone else: Rhea Ripley! What the… Belair and Ripley crossed paths. A rare sight to behold. Belair then kept on and then passed by the wounded Bayley. The two superstars had a sharp and intense moment… but no remorse was felt at all on Belair’s side as The EST kept on.
Asuka def. Bianca Belair. As expected for the new #1 contender. Asuka and Belair engaged in a lengthy contest. The Empress put The EST to sleep with the Asuka Lock.
A recap of Kevin Owens’ epic United States Championship win last week on Smackdown was shown.
After a bit of fighting, Bayley needed to be taken to the hospital. We saw her being placed into the ambulance, and a shocked Naomi looked on in fright. She raced over and asked what happened. General Manager NicK Aldis, on the scene, bewildered, asked Naomi how she couldn’t know what happened. Naomi explained that she was in Bianca’s locker room and was cheering her on for her match. Aldis asked if she had the TV on and she said she didn’t have the remote. Bayley could be heard muttering something under her breath on the stretcher, and Naomi asked her about it. Bayley said she had nothing to say, and told Aldis that to tell Asuka that she could have her match, but things have now gotten personal.
LA Knight then cut a pre-taped promo…
LA Knight:
Y’know it’s one thing to call yourself the Mega-Star of WWE… it’s another thing to put on these boots and live that life, brother. But so far we’ve been in nothing but cruise control—YEAAAAH!
The exuberant Knight was fired up.
LA Knight:
WrestleMania, the Showcase of the Immortals, LA Knight went one-on-one with ‘The Phenomenal One.’ AJ Styles, you proved without a shadow of a doubt that you are what they say that you are. BUT! It wasn’t enough to take me down was it? Your best didn’t beat my best, and ever since WrestleMania I haven’t heard a peep out of you. The mark of a man isn’t just how they respond when they win, it’s how they react to a loss. And Styles, if you’re gonna keep hibernating at the start of Spring, then I have no choice but to wonder if you’ve added a yellow stripe to your gear. On your back.
Whew. Choice words from Knight.
LA Knight:
But AJ Styles is in the rear-view. AJ Styles is yesterday’s news. Tonight, the Mega-Star is in the over-the-top-rope battle royal, with a shot at Cody Rhodes on the line. Cody, you finished your story. You beat Roman Reigns. Congratulations. You did everything you said you were going to do. Cody, your quest was admirable. It was a rollercoaster. You took the WWE Universe on an absolute thrill ride. Honestly, it was hard not to feel something on Sunday the 7th.
Some sincerity from Knight. Refreshing.
LA Knight:
But that sentimental value eroded, and now there’s a shot at the championship on the line. I’m not thinking about what happened in Philadelphia, I’m thinking about what’s gonna happen in France. The Mega-Star is gonna take his rightful spot at the TOP of WWE, with everybody saying! L! A! KNIGHT! YEAAAAAH!
Our final championship celebration occurred as General Manager Nick Aldis welcomed the new Smackdown Tag Team Champions A-Town Down Under to the ring. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller accepted their new titles, which looked inspired and terrific. Theory and Waller chatted for a bit until The Street Profits crashed the party. Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford stirred things up as they challenged them for the titles. Theory and Waller declined, telling the multi-time tag champs they had to ‘earn it.’ Tez and Dawks had no problem with that, but Dawks said they were talking disrespectfully. Theory and Waller pretended to go leave the ring but then cheapshotted Dawkins and Ford! The Tag Team Champions assaulted the Street Profits.
They gathered up Dawkins on the outside as Waller put his arm down on the steel base of the steps. Theory then picked it up and dropped it down on his arm! Oh my GOD!! Things had gotten out of control tonight and now another superstar is hurt bad!
GM Nick Aldis told Jackie Redmond that Angelo Dawkins suffered a “serious shoulder injury.” He said that he was originally set to participate in tonight’s battle royal for a championship match against Cody Rhodes. He said he’ll have to look for a replacement, and he potentially turned right into one… Bron Breakker!
Dragon Lee def. Garza. This match went longer than expected and woke up the crowd that was quiet at first.
Jade confronted Bianca about why she refused to let them go help Bayley. Bianca claimed she did no such thing, but Cargill said she kept them in her locker room and didn’t have the TV on. They might as well have not been in the arena, because as Jade argued, Bianca wanted to be “locked in.” Jade said Bayley got assaulted and hurt bad, which Belair shrugged at. Cargill didn’t understand, and Belair said she didn’t because she was still new. Bianca said Bayley and Damage CTRL tormented her for years and she doesn’t have any sympathy for the in-fighting against them.
Jade argued that she thinks she should because they’re clearly getting stronger. They also have the Tag Team Titles, something they want. Bianca said that’s right but she’s also done getting involved with Damage CTRL. She wants a match against them for the titles, that’s it. Jade said that that’s not how things are always gonna go, which Bianca reacted to with a scoff. She then left the room to go check in on Dawkins since that’s now “being questioned.” Sheesh. But after Belair left the room, Naomi entered it. Naomi told Jade she “couldn’t believe” who she just saw backstage. Jade asked who, and… then we went to break.
Tiffany Stratton def. MiChin. This was the shortest match of the night so far, less than eight minutes, and an impressive showing for Stratton.
Jade and Naomi then were seen walking backstage. Naomi was explaining where to go, and they seemingly arrived.
Jade Cargill:
Hey! What are you doing here?
The camera turned around and we saw… Rhea Ripley again! Hey… we saw her earlier! But, that was when Belair saw her. That’s… interesting.
Jade Cargill:
I said what are you doing here?
Jade kept on even though Naomi seemed to suggest she not. Ripley smirked.
Rhea Ripley:
Ah, cute. You think I answer to you?
Jade Cargill:
I don’t play that game. I know who you are. But this ain’t your show. So why are you here?
Ripley folded her arms and looked at Cargill.
Rhea Ripley:
That’s not something that you need to concern yourself with. That’s not a suggestion, either.
Jade Cargill:
So you ain’t leaving? Do we need to figure out an exit strategy for you then?
Ripley laughed and shook her head.
Rhea Ripley:
Last warning.
Jade Cargill:
You think I’m scared? Look at me, bitch. Scary is scared of me. If you ain’t leaving, then I’ll take your ass out myself—
Jade is suddenly AMBUSHED FROM BEHIND!!!
IT’S DAMAGE CTRL! OH SH…
Iyo and Kairi begin to mug Jade after they both knocked her off her feet. Rhea stood back and laughed but then Naomi raced in and went after Kairi!! She grabbed Sane and hit her and then grabbed Iyo, who threw punches right back! But Naomi then got the upper hand and sent her into a crate!! She went to go after her as she rolled back but that proved to be a trap!! Dakota Kai and Asuka pulled her down and started stomping her out!!! Asuka then climbed over the crate and ran over and wiped Jade out off her feet! She grabbed Jade and threw her over the crate as well! Iyo then walked over with Kairi and the four of them stomped Jade out!! Where was Bianca!?!?
Ripley then walked over after Damage CTRL finished decimating two-thirds of The Big Three.
Rhea Ripley:
Rookie mistake. Listen to your elders next time. And don’t go finding trouble or trouble will find you.
Ripley smiled and looked over at Damage CTRL and Dakota nodded.
Rhea Ripley:
Most of all. Stay out of family business.
Well what on earth could that mean… … … all FIVE of them left together though!
Michael Cole informed us that Bayley suffered some internal bleeding and lacerations on her back after the violent attack earlier tonight. But Cole said she wants to still compete at this weekend’s live events. An admirable champion.
Logan Paul cut a pre-taped promo.
Logan Paul:
Last week, the United States suffered its biggest defeat yet.
We see the finish of last week’s US Title Match, in which Kevin Owens won the title.
Logan Paul:
We now have… Kevin Owens representing this country as its United States Champion. He’s from Canada! What’s he gonna do? Call it the Canadian Championship?
More images of Paul getting beat up.
Logan Paul:
I hold myself accountable all the time. I won’t accept performances like I had last week. Logan Paul needs to be better. We will be better.
Paul ‘rising up’ and “making comebacks” – heavily edited – is shown.
Logan Paul:
I’m going to regain my United States Championship and put this country back on my back like I was destined to. I’m better than everybody ever expected to be at this, and I’m just getting started. KO, you’re gonna get KO-ed the next time I see you. I GUARANTEE IT, just like I GUARANTEE I will be the two-time United States Champion in no time.
THE ROCK was announced for Monday Night Raw!
Bron Breakker won the #1 Contender’s Over-The-Top-Rope Battle Royal! He last eliminated Montez Ford, and also eliminated Randy Orton and three other men.
AJ Styles pulled LA Knight down after Santos Escobar went to eliminate him. Styles then hit a Styles Clash on Knight on the outside.
Breakker will face Cody Rhodes, who will return to Smackdown next week, Cole announced to close the show.
END OF SHOW
Quick Results
Asuka def. Bianca Belair
Dragon Lee def. Garza
Tiffany Stratton def. MiChin
Bron Breakker won the Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal
Confirmed Card for WWE Backlash France
May 5, 2024
Lyon, France
Undisputed WWE Championship Match
‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes © defends against Bron Breakker
World Heavyweight Championship Match
‘El Campeon’ Damian Priest © defends against ‘The Celtic Warrior’ Sheamus
WWE Women’s Championship Match
‘The Role Model’ Bayley defends against ‘The Empress’ Asuka
