Smackdown

Albany, New York
April 29, 2022
results thanks to wrestleview.com

Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn in a Steel Cage Match by pinfall
The conclusion of the match saw Zayn climb the cage as the fans booed loudly. Zayn got one leg over the top of the cage, and then the other. McIntyre quickly climbed up and pulled Zayn back over by his hair. McIntyre then dropped Zayn to the mat as the fans popped loud. Zayn then attempted to come back with offense, but McIntyre countered it and sent Zayn into the steel cage over and over again. After offense by McIntyre, Zayn started to climb the cage again. Both men traded shots on the top rope. Zayn kicked McIntyre’s leg out and he falls crotch first on the top rope. McIntyre then collapsed to the mat as Zayn climbed back over the top of the cage. McIntyre was able to recover and climb up. However, Zayn was dropped down the other side of the cage. McIntryre managed to reach over and grab Zayn, and pulled him back over the top of the cage. McIntyre turned it into a massive superplex. McIntyre hit Zayn with a kip-up. After Zayn recovered to his feet, McIntyre, hit a Claymore Kick on Zayn to get the 1, 2, 3.

Happy Talk segment with Happy Corbin
In the ring, mentioned his split with Madcap Moss and how he told jokes that Corbin never found funny. Corbin then said the one thing Moss did that was actually funny was think for one second that he could beat Corbin. Corbin said Moss is still living off his Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal victory, and he owes that to him (Corbin) because he (Corbin) shaped him into the man he is today, with his own two hands. As the fans booed louder and louder, Corbin said everything he touches turns to gold, and that just like he made Moss, he will destroy Moss.

As Corbin continued he said that later in the night, he will settle for destroying the one thing Moss loves most – the Andre Battle Royal trophy. Corbin then introduced his guest which ended up being the Andre Battle Royal trophy. Music started up and the statue was brought out by two crew members. Corbin then sent everyone to the Progressive Match Flo replay for this week, which showed how Moss won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Corbin then begin to rant about how he is about to take a sledgehammer and destroy the statue, and then drop all the pieces off at a junkyard. The fans began to cheer because they saw that one of the crew members that was actually Moss in disguise.

Corbin turned around and Moss was in the ring and stared him down. Moss dodged the sledgehammer from Corbin and stopped him from retreating out of the ring. Moss then unloaded on Corbin and destroyed the Happy Talk set. Moss set Corbin into the turnbuckles, which caused him to fall to the floor. Moss lifted up the Andre Battle Royal statue in the air and continues celebrating as a very upset Corbin looked on.

Ricochet retained the WWE Intercontinental Championship over Shanky
The conclusion of the match saw Shanky drive Ricochet down to the mat, then drop an elbow. Shanky went for the pin, but Ricochet kicked out at two. As Ricochet attempted to make a comeback, Shanky launched him from the second turnbuckle, across the ring. Shanky then hit Ricochet with a big right hand. Shanky then knocked Ricochet down again and went for an elbow drop, but Ricochet moved out of the way. Ricochet then came back with offense and hit strikes and a springboard crossbody. He then went for the pin, but only got a two count on Shanky. Ricochet then hit Shanky with a running Spear in the corner, and then kicked Shanky in the head from the apron. Ricochet then went up to the top rope, but Jinder Mahal took the legs out from under Ricochet as the Shanky had the referee distracted. Shanky then put Ricochet on his shoulders, but Ricochet countered by sliding down and rolled up Shanky for the 1, 2, 3.

Post-Match: Ricochet immediately went to the floor. Mahal entered the ring to scold Shanky, who had heard enough and yelled “no!” at Mahal. Shanky walked off by himself.

Raquel Rodriguez defeated Cat Cardoza by pinfall
This was a short match.

Cardoza has also appeared in AEW Leila Grey. Cardoza then immediately hit Rodriguez with a big boot, and beat her down. Michael Cole and Pat McAfee talked about how Cardoza had cut a heel promo during the commercial break. The bell finally rang and Rodriguez smiled as she dropped Cardoza with a clothesline. Rodriquez hit Cardoza with a shoulder tackle and then whipped her into the turnbuckles. Rodriquez then hit Cardoza with two big fall-away slams – all while smiling. Rodriguez then hit Cardoza with a spinning Vader Bomb from the second rope. Rodriguez got dropped over the top rope. Cardoza came back and hit Rodriguez with a running high knee to the jaw in the corner. Cardoza then choked Rodriguez using the top rope. Rodriguez was able to block a big boot by Cardoza then lift Cardoza up for the Chingona Bomb and slammed her down on the canvas to get the 1, 2, 3.

After the match, they cut backstage to Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser. Kaiser said that Gunther is the embodiment of greatness, and that he pulverizes any and every opponent that is not worthy of stepping on the mat which is sacred to them. Kaiser then spoke in his native language. Gunther then spoke and said respect will be taken by The Ring General.

After a commercial break there was a video with the Make a Wish Foundation.

Back from the break, there is a contract signing for the unification of the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Backlash on May 8.

Adam Pearce is in the ring with RK-Bro as the SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos come out. Pearce welcomed everyone to the contract signing for the Winners Take All match that will crown the inaugural Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. Pearce said to each team that they all have part of contract signings so they know how it goes and just need four signatures to make it all official.

The Usos said they have nothing to prove to the fans or RK-Bro because everyone in the world knows they are number one, because The Bloodline is about to be draped all the gold, and that after WrestleMania Backlash they will need bigger luggage, while RK-Bro will be doing a whole lot of acknowledging. Riddle then joked that he can’t tell The Usos apart. Riddle then said Orton has great tattoos, and Riddle has long hair. Riddle then suggested Pearce order The Usos do something so they can stand out, like having name tags or a mustache. Pearce told Riddle he would take it into consideration. Orton then said how he can recognize who is who. He then called Jey the right hand man, and then said that Jimmy nothing but a little b—h. The Usos attacked RK-Bro and a big brawl broke out. The music then hit and out came the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion – Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman. Heyman stopped on the stage holding both title belts. Reigns looked upset as he slowly made his way down to the ring. Orton and Riddle waited for Reigns. The Usos then took advantage and attacked RK-Bro from behind. They took out Riddle out and hit double superkicks on Orton. The Usos then hit Riddle with a 1D. Reigns grabbed the contract and ripped it and then as The Usos held up Riddle, Reigns shoved the ripped up contract into Riddle’s mouth. Music hit, and out came Drew McIntyre to a huge ovation from the fans.

McIntyre dropped Jey at ringside, then Jimmy at the apron. McIntyre then gave Reigns a stare down. Reigns stared back and looked around at the crowd as the loud ovation for McIntyre continued. Reigns hits McIntyre with big right hand, who fought back and a brawl began in the middle of the ring. McIntyre then knocked Reigns to floor with sent Reigns retreating. McIntyre yelled at Reigns, telling him to bring it. Orton and Riddle recover and stood with McIntyre.

Backstage after a commercial break, Paul Heyman approached Adam Pearce. Heyman told Pearce that Roman Reigns is not happy. Heyman said that he wants to have a good relationship with Reigns. Heyman then proposed that the Winners Take All match at WrestleMania Backlash be upped a bit in prestige. Heyman suggested that the match be changed to RK-Bro and Drew McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns and The Usos. Pearce said he cannot just change the match. Heyman then threatened Pearce by saying that he would go to the WWE Board of Directors. Heyman told Pearce he can change the match, and that he assured that Pearce he will. Heyman then walked off as Pearce was deep in thought.

Naomi defeated Shayna Baszler by pinfall
The conclusion of the match saw a lot of back and forth. Naomi fought back with several punches that sent Baszler into the turnbuckles. They then traded more punches. Baszler blocked a Full Nelson Slam attempt by Naomi, who blocked the Kirifuda Clutch and Baszler blocked the Rear View. Naomi sent Baszler into the turnbuckles, and then rolled her up for 1, 2, 3.

Post-Match: Natalya immediately dropped Naomi as Banks was out celebrating with fans. Banks quickly ran in to make the save, but Natalya took her down and slammed her knee into the apron. Natalya locked in a Sharpshooter on Banks. Baszler put a Stretch Muffler on Naomi in the middle of the ring. Natalya released the Sharpshooter and then bent Banks’ ankle while she made her watch as Baszler stomped on Naomi’s elbow.

Xavier Woods defeated Ridge Holland by pinfall
The conclusion of the match saw Holland go for a powerbomb on but Woods collapses. Holland tried the powerbomb again, but ended up instead beating Woods back down with several forearm strikes. Woods countered the powerbomb attempt from Holland with the Back-Woods roll-up for the pin on Holland.

Sheamus defeated Kofi Kingston by pinfall
The conclusion of the match saw Sheamus attempt the Brogue Kick, but Kofi ducked and then hits the SOS on Sheamus. Kingston went for the pin, but only got a two count….Kofi was caught in mid-air with a jumping knee. Sheamus then immediately hit the Brogue Kick for 1, 2, 3.

Post Match: Ridge Holland attacked Xavier Woods at ringside and beat him down and then sent him into the barrier. Sheamus pulled a table out from under the ring as Holland kept Woods trapped against the steel ring steps. Holland then grabbed Woods and powerbombed him through the table.

Michale Cole then introduced Chapter 4 in the story of Lacey Evans.

I Quit Beat The Clock Challenge: Ronda Rousey vs. Shotzi
The conclusion of the match had Rousey with another suplex on Shotzi. Shotzi got up, but Rousey rolled her into an ankle lock submission. The referee checked on Shotzi who quit. Drew Gulak who was the timekeeper for the I Quit Beat The Clock Challenges, rang the bell. The time to beat was 1:41.

I Quit Beat The Clock Challenge: Charlotte Flair vs. Aliyah
The conclusion of the match saw Flair rush to apply the Figure Four at 10 seconds. Aliyah resisted, but Flair then transitioned into the Figure Eight at the 2 second mark. The referee asked Aliyah if she quits. However, Flair was too late, which meant that Rousey wins.

Winner: Ronda Rousey

Post-Match: Flair was mad in the ring. Rousey headed to the back as fans chanted “you tapped out!” at Flair. Flair then approached Gulak in the timekeeper’s yelling at him for how he did his job. She called him stupid. Flair leveled Gulak with a big boot while sat in his chair. Flair then man-handled Gulak around the ringside as she yelled at him to ring the bell. Flair grabbed the ring bell over and brought it into the ring. Flair dropped Gulak with a ring bell shot to the back of his neck….SmackDown went off the air.