Ups & Downs: WWE SmackDown Review (Apr 26)

Our WWE SmackDown review as Simon Miller recaps the WWE Draft, Cody Rhodes vs. Carmelo Hayes, Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton, Bron Breakker vs. Cedric Alexander, Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Legado del Fantasma and much more.
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[@user-mh6mw6jn4h]

Nick Aldis negotiated with Bron for weeks and now RAW just takes him away😂

[@akunwanneprosper7016]

Damn, 😂 😂 😂

[@khesipresents1885]

Lazy creative is the reason for this..and lack of actual planning

[@travishopper5133]

sooo dumb

[@gregmfarmer]

😂😂😂

[@andrewclayterman6230]

@@khesipresents1885 hhh is a genius though!!

[@chrisg3193]

Tiffani making puns from her name always has me laughing "Tiffanie-epiphany" LOOL

[@user-mh6mw6jn4h]

Its time for rey mysterio to question himself, why so many people turn on him. Dom, Santos, Carlito...maybe its Reys fault after all

[@JordanODash]

😂😂😂 What I said when I was watching 1x okay 2x hmmmm 3x maybe you have to look at yourself

[@numero1superfly393]

Exactly. They should totally do that for Rey. 🤣🤣

[@GucciWF]

Don’t forget Batista and I believe Kane as well

[@allspark2013]

@@GucciWFEddie?

[@thedeadlynose5127]

Has rey ever been a heel in wwe?

[@donovanmawroh3787]

Rey the most betrayed man in WWE 🤣🤣

[@ChrisSuswal-de9tj]

He learned to trust people from Sting!

[@Underwearscares]

Deadbeat dad 😂

[@kennyhudson9201]

If it smells like shit everywhere you go, maybe it's you.

[@residentsteve]

Andrade will betray him next now he’s on smackdown 😂.

[@YoshiTatsu1]

Always the betrayed, never the betrayer

[@G.MONEY.]

Does anyone else think that Teddy Long should've said "With the fourth round pick, Smackdown selects........The Undertaker."?

[@MichaelVezi]

😅😅😅😅

[@AnarkeeSoundVibes]

That would've been gold

[@thedeadlynose5127]

Shoulda introduced a tag match playa

[@nathanross5527]

I was hoping JBL was going to mouth off to Teddy for whatever reason, and then Teddy could have then called for the Undertaker. Taker could then scare JBL away and read the cards.

[@TheRealRehman]

Teddy Long "the next draft pick will be decided by a tag team match with a one on one with the undertaker!"

[@ingobernoble2678]

The show explained pretty well why the Bloodline wasn't picked first. With Roman removing himself their value tanked

[@wittvonwitt4403]

I absolutely missed Brons match going to the kitchen to get water.

[@Unethical_Ethical_HackTips]

Me too lmao I went to smoke a cigarette at commercial came back in n they drafting ppl again lol

[@tompatchak8706]

I blinked

[@Kevmaster2000]

I’m so over the jobber squash matches. It doesn’t make him look impressive, it just makes him look like he can’t wrestle real competition. It’s so boring and forgettable.

[@okyep]

The crazy part is you live in a one bed room apartment the kitchen is in the living room

[@tompatchak8706]

@@okyep haaaa!!

[@numero1superfly393]

WWE Rematch Counter: 67 After looking at the draft, realistically, Raw only got 3 new picks to come to Raw, while Smackdown only got 4 new picks to join Smackdown. The majority of the picks pretty much remained where they were on the respective brand.

[@GucciWF]

Do you expect them to throw away the current beefs?

[@sajidsh911]

Isn't it better for long term story telling?

[@retrokid562]

We still have drafts to do on Raw, and maybe on that show, there's a lot more switching.

[@ScarredCore1]

Aew mark kiddo

[@wstine79]

Two boys from Georgia, TNA, NWA, ROH, and BULLET CLUB.

[@akunwanneprosper7016]

Long Rhode together 😁

[@100amitty]

@@akunwanneprosper7016they weren’t in there the same time though

[@travishopper5133]

Why would anybody outside that state give a shit? hint, we dont.

[@kennyfleck8630]

I love when people think they can speak for everybody! Hint: you don't...

[@tomseville2345]

Weird because Backlash is in France, not Georgia...

[@Arirmar]

Smackdown was a snooze fest last night. Something needs to happen Fridays for WWE cuz this ain’t it.

[@heisman__]

Watching this while waiting for my little girl to be born lol

[@Verse314]

Congratulations

[@markphillips8668]

Cool dude

[@pito2697]

Congrats bro!

[@ryanwilliams4561]

Congrats bruv! 😊

[@Jef_Jingles]

Name her Simona

[@Unethical_Ethical_HackTips]

Makes no sense all that time they focused on Bron breaker signing with smackdown just to get drafted to raw? Also showing them cheering in the draft room makes no sense like they didn't know beforehand. Ngl this looked like some vince McMahon ish

[@andrewclayterman6230]

hhh is a genius lol

[@night6724]

Wwe should’ve waited until after WM to have Bron debut

[@okyep]

Brother that's called kayfabe it's like how the undertaker is an undead god with magical powers. No, he's just a big guy wearing eyeliner. Logic would dictate you'd celebrate a big pickup like Bron and the smackdown room was mad about it.

[@bbsy1]

@@okyepyou guys are arguing two different things without any correlation; however, you are both correct.

[@tomseville2345]

The funniest unintentional bit during the Draft was Bubba doing the bit where he "couldn't see" the card, and he and D-Von putting on their Dudley glasses, when you could see his ACTUAL eyeglasses (which he really needs nowadays) hanging from his shirt pocket...🤣🤣🤓🤓

[@kidwilks]

Can we take a moment to recognize that Solo was wearing Rikishi's "I did it for the Rock" gloves on this episode?

[@okyep]

I thought that was an oj Simpson reference

[@AnarkeeSoundVibes]

Am I the only one who felt like the match between Cody Rhodes and Carmelo Hayes was lackluster?

[@SherrieW1963]

Cody's entire title run has been lackluster. I just commented that it was like dad teaching son a lesson. No pizzazz at all. No firing up with AJ. Boring.

[@dale444ify]

It was weak

[@sheltondmello8031]

It hasn't even been a ppv yet what? Roman didn't even show up weekly and his run was great​@@SherrieW1963

[@Young_LJ]

​@@SherrieW1963it's literally been three weeks pal

[@tomseville2345]

Yes. Less than seven minutes. And that injury scare and botch was terrible; can you imagine if Cody gets injured like Punk, and they have to strip him of the title? After all THAT? 🤦‍♂🤦‍♂

[@ShieldYoung]

I love how this draft was more inclined towards future of the brand

[@BigJim0921]

This is not how you do a draft. The whole point of a draft is to pick people to come on your show who aren't on the show already!!! You can't draft someone who is already on the show. That makes it pointless. Unless you're saying everyone is considered a "free agent" when the draft starts. But no one said or mentioned that. Also Nick Aldis signed bron breaker to smackdown then he gets drafted to raw. That was the only actual draft that happened Friday night. U can't count Carmelo because he was on smackdown wrestling months ago during the us title tournament

[@carlb5558]

They do consider the opposing roster as draft eligible. It's pretty much been that way. Sometimes you draft a superstar to keep them from being stolen. They did mention that champs basically were not eligible to be drafted from respective brands. It's really lame when Nia Jacks, Liv and unknown NXT ex-tag champ girly go in the first 3-4 rounds before Punk, AJ, Drew, Seth, LWO, etc.

[@RAZmainianDareDevil]

Surely they should have made a bigger deal of Bron leaving after Nick just signed him 🤣 total nonsense

[@MrBobbyz24]

NXT stars were eligible for the draft last year too, that's not new. Waller and Hartwell both got drafted last year.

[@dv823]

Were they first round picks?

[@ourladyofguadalupebotanica6732]

I would have given WWE my wallet had Triple H came out in a neck brace - It's draft time! Hahah

[@ChrisSuswal-de9tj]

Lmao

[@andrewclayterman6230]

your prison wallet

[@megamarcbeats]

I personally hope Aj has one more run left. I missed all of his run when he initially came to WWE. Was a huge fan of his in the early TNA days

[@kennyhudson9201]

I love AJ, but I can't see him winning another world title without some significant character change or story element. He's great, but wouldn't be an interesting champion.

[@megamarcbeats]

I agree sadly, he’s still phenomenal tho

[@kennyhudson9201]

@@megamarcbeats I agree he is phenomenal. And I hope he does get some significant change that would make him an interesting champion. But it hasn't happened yet.

[@georgeharvey4226]

Why didn't Dragon Lee just say it was Carlito? Could he not see who was attacking him that whole time?

[@theblack7772]

Triple H LOVES putting himself on television.

[@tomseville2345]

The "Get Well Soon, TK" sign sent me... 🤣🤣

[@kennyhudson9201]

Damn, it's crazy, but I already don't care about this new Bloodline stuff. They are fighting KO and Randy? Don't care.

[@mattschenk256]

I missed Smackdown last night because I went to see The Last Match. It was pretty friggin great!

[@DJDoubleCee]

Didn’t see too many big names drafted aside from Seth Rollins, hopefully we’ll see some interesting trades on RAW.

[@karabomafa5609]

Gunther, Cargill and Bel Air will be on both brands after winning the tag team titles... Damage Ctrl, Jimmy USO will be drafted to Raw... They pushed all the better names to Smackdown because it was a SD show

[@monkeytime9851]

I'm now back to watching Raw and Smackdown in 30 seconds by skippin through Simon's recaps. Thanks Simon!

[@jabunzama]

I believe Tama Tonga had a run where What Culture almost ceased to exist 😅

[@MrBobbyz24]

Seth Rollins was obviously going to be drafted to Raw since that is where Becky is. They travel together in a bus.

[@maricondones]

​@@ibrakena2277no we don't, so enlighten me please

[@ChrisSuswal-de9tj]

Bianca really needs to work on the gimmick. She's extremely talented but always presents herself as a goofball

[@travishopper5133]

@@ChrisSuswal-de9tj super cena bianca

[@carlb5558]

​@@ChrisSuswal-de9tjher natural mannerisms are actually quite hellish. She hides behind that million dollar smile of hers. Very pretty but too cocky for me, personally.

[@killer109536]

Hope Cody didn't injure his shoulder in that flubbed spot , hope he was just selling.

[@retrokid562]

I am going to need WWE to give me a future rematch of Hayes vs. Rhodes in a longer match. It was a solid 6-minute match they had.

[@Chewie316]

Good show even though I was thinking they were gonna bring in Jacob Fatu. They could’ve wrecked KO. Also, what’s with the crazy orbs flying through your shots? The internet will say your room is haunted 😂.

[@tomseville2345]

The sounds Tama was making during the KO attack were feral; Simon must have got PTSD...

[@bloodsiphon4695]

The draft picks were stupid and made no sense. I won't call out specific picks (you know who they are), but Gunther, Drew, CM Punk, Jade and kevin Owens weren't drafted right away? Way to establish them as important. Especially Jade. They built her up to be the best thing on earth and then it's forgotten about in the first 3 rounds lol

[@carlb5558]

Yup. Pissed me off seeing Nia and Liv and that NXT nobody called before those guys, LWO, Punk, Charlotte, Rhea... Hard to take seriously.

[@RAZmainianDareDevil]

Exactly! They always treat us like we're dumb. Should of had the big names first because..... logic 😅 Waste of time.

[@Iwillone]

Bianca and Jade arriving in the arena in some good jeans and genes 😎

[@ryanwilliams4561]

Bruv, literally there was no superstars drafted besides bron. They just stayed on the same show lol.

[@aztecwrrior1997]

Kiana James got moved to RAW from NXT and Bron got moved to RAW from SD

[@ryanwilliams4561]

@@aztecwrrior1997I stand corrected. My apologies bruv.

[@ps7711]

Wow..Kiara James and Bron who hasn't featueted in anything of substance anyways...this draft was boring and ridiculous as hell..At least they should have moved LA knight ..the idea of the draft is to shake up things ..exactly opposite of what they did in smackdown..hope raw is better

[@Barry80Elms]

Nia Jax aswell was drafted

[@Unethical_Ethical_HackTips]

​@@ryanwilliams4561 stop saying bruv you sound like a complete moron. Take that ish back to aew

[@Pepega90]

Teddy should advertise The Bloodline vs The Undertakaaaaa Regarding Bron and Baron, I hope that after draft is finished they will do some trade between Raw and SmackDown to reunite them so they can win the Tag Titles.

[@TheRockingRoller]

I like that HHH announced the champs were ineligible, but there must be a reason why they still refuse to make the draft order make sense. I just can’t figure out what it is. Also, that Carmelo Hayes match was hard to watch. I don’t know what happened, but it looked like they had to call the last few minutes on the fly. It was awkward. The last match I remember him having on the main roster was against Austin Theory when they went for that Spanish fly off the turnbuckle and Theory landed on his head. I hope his next match is more on par with his work in NXT.

[@carlb5558]

I think it went south in that last minute when they both went for a springboard cutter at same time. Cody may have hurt his shoulder a bit and called it. I wonder if they were to double cut each other from opposing sides. That would have been amazing.

[@justsomeguy862]

They literally said that it was just as important to protect your biggest superstar as well. I don't know how nobody sees that Raw will be the show people switch it all up.

[@RAZmainianDareDevil]

So Smackdown is pointless... That's why most people feel like their time was wasted by WWE again

[@matthewhostetter8974]

This Smackdown was a letdown, The Draft was pretty disappointing except for the 4 names that actually moved around. Cody and AJ's contract signing was fine. Bron Breakker got one last squash before moving to RAW. We finally got the Carlito heel turn. Confirmed the Bianca/Jade vs Damage CTRL match... sadly we all know who is winning. Tiffy Time vs Naomi was good, but once again ended in a DQ, which I'm tired of. The one real highlight was Cody vs Carmelo which was a great match till that weird spot at the end. I just hope Cody isn't seriously hurt and he was just overselling.

[@RAZmainianDareDevil]

Not much actually wrestling

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

I didn’t like this episode. Mostly because I don’t understand this overly complicated Draft and the presentation. I liked it when wrestlers would show up on the show unannounced. Bron Breaker needs to do something different. Can’y believe Backlash is next weekend. There is no build to it. Should’ve waited longer for next PLE

[@Littlemswwe]

I honestly had no problem with this episode of smack down at all. I liked it, they treated it like it really meant something. Bianca as 1st pick is huge and jey being 1st for raw is huge for him too.

[@joeywinters2968]

Jade and bianca is a badass team. jeezus, the power alone lol

[@donniethedealer2623]

Tribal mafia Solo is killing it

[@Algo1]

Ugh, just came back to wrestling after a long hiatus from watching and I didn't know there matches on draft night

[@MJCKCA]

I really like the Carlito turn. Ever since Rey's announcement of who would be his partner for WM we could see Carlito acting a bit off. It really feels like WWE rewards us for watching the show

[@John_Lark-b8e]

Seth Rollins got drafted even though just had knee surgery but neither brand drafted Rhea Ripley 🤔🤔

[@Harlan6493]

I was at this show live with my two sons. It was a great show and the pre and post show dark matches were awesome.

[@whatsitall4]

I haven't been so impressed by one of their homegrown talents like I am with Tiffany Stratton she's the complete package and should be champ sooner rather than later

[@willjr.9021]

Awesome show!

[@andrewclayterman6230]

it was boring, mush

[@tomseville2345]

Paul Ellering was apparently threatening to cut off Tyler or Pete's fingers with a pair of wire cutters; no one seems to have even noticed this...🤣🤣

[@ronald-xs7sp]

Good morning, Simon!

[@RealElMaximo]

Unpopular opinion: Rey deserves a beating from Carlito, who came back to WWE specifically to partner with Rey and back him up, only to get passed over TWICE by Rey for a Wrestlemania spot and accompanying Wrestlemania payday.

[@dustinsensenig9798]

Wait, we actually had a contract signing without a brawl?!

[@ronald-xs7sp]

Wouldn't happen if Vince were still in charge!

[@carlb5558]

The Draft could be epic but its hard to take it seriously when people like Nia, Liv and an NXT female ex-tag champ is called before Seth, Drew, Punk, LWO, Judgment Day, AJ, Bobby Lashley, and such. I'd still be drafting Rhea and Charlotte pretty early, injuries or not.

[@drewc4619]

How was Mami not drafted in the first round?! I know she's injured, but so is Seth!

[@carlb5558]

Charlotte too. 🤷‍♂️

[@9009q]

I got a bad habit of saying "yeah" everytime I hear LA Knight name 😭😅😂

[@aaronhurst4379]

Cedric Alexander must have pissed in someone's cereal or something two years ago, for him to be booked to be squashed consistently for so long. Man's so talented and deserves more

[@mozgang101]

Nice change of pace with last night's episode, good fun to see old faces making appearances! Good to see Melo getting the push

[@johnbennett7863]

Very good smack down and I was in the hospital last week but I watched up and down thank you Simon I appreciate you because I go all my WWE news

[@andrewclayterman6230]

it was lousy and boring, mush

[@bradevans449]

This show was a dud for me. The main event was fun but the other matches were mostly rehashes and predictable angles. The draft was a bunch of nonsense and Kiana was the only real surprise. I hope the Raw draft turns out more interesting.

[@leelynch5202]

Hey Simon, if you check your previous comments on a different up and downs I commented that Carlito was the one that did attack Dragon Lee!! So I will give you a golden up and I will give myself a golden up for calling it before the PLE. Have a fantastic day Simon!!!

[@TheRuffian81]

Simon Miller the wrestling prophet, I salute you sir

[@nathanbartlett5841]

Not gonna lie when Cody was holding his shoulder from just landing on it without taking a move I was worried. That can’t be how Cody loses the title and not this early in the run.

[@bbsy1]

Didn’t notice it as much the short while I watched new Japan, but Tama looks more like Barbarian than Meng, lol! Barbarian is the OG Eddie Guerrero!

[@johnbernaudo7631]

Was Sean Michael’s cross eyed I didn’t see his eyes

[@JosephFeleppa]

I don't get it. Bron was signed to Smackdown a few weeks ago, so how is it he can be drafted to Raw?

[@kennyhall9117]

SIMON IS THE BEST, SIMON NUMBER ONE 👏👏

[@philipbickham7551]

We got to see some old wrestlers that was good and jade Cargill didn’t get drafted what the actual flube 😂

[@CANEXXLT]

Roman is filming a movie….

[@JordanODash]

I doubt that coz we would have heard that maybe he's doing another oral chemotherapy cycle or just resting

[@Dalehjun]

@@JordanODashYou didn’t see the pictures?

[@johnwalton7613]

Roman is filming an action comedy with Seth Rogan, Keke Palmer,Keanu Reeves and Aziz Ansari (who is the director). It's called Good Fortune.

[@andrewclayterman6230]

@@johnwalton7613 can't wait to not watch it.

[@geenaxion]

I wish they did the draft with the GMs. Also pick with the lottery type draw like before. Much better format than what they did currently.

[@travishopper5133]

Soooo jade cargill is an afterthought already?

[@Morganj27]

She's teaming with Bianca

[@daigar0]

The Draft is a big waste of time, lets draft people we already have

[@I-Am-Batman_1988]

What WWE needs to do is get rid of the double titles, only have one tag team titles (not raw and smackdown tag titles) one main title (not WWE title and undisputed title) one women's title (not raw and smackdown women's title) have the title holders on both raw and smackdown. Whereas non title holders are signed to a specific brand and if a champion loses then he or she will take the spot of the former non title holder. Idk, just seems a bit meaningless in having 2 world titles, 2 women world titles and 2 men tag titles. Having champions be on both brands instead of having each brand with it's own titles would make the titles feel more important. That's just my opinion though.

[@ChrisSuswal-de9tj]

TBH as a fan of 90's wrestling I think one more taped show on Saturday or Sunday would be perfect. I don't get the "brands." It's all the same company. I wanna see the top guys on both shows. Upper and lower mid carders can work on the weekend show to get over. When wrestling is hot, fans will take in as much content as they can. Do away with the draft and split brands

[@I-Am-Batman_1988]

I feel ya man, Sunday night heat was the shit. And having that as a show before every ppv instead of these panels now, I liked it much better than the current "let's go over the matches and make our picks for who's gonna win".

[@kennyhudson9201]

@@ChrisSuswal-de9tj I respect your opinion, but I do disagree. When the brand isn't split, the second show always becomes weaker, imo.

[@Kevmaster2000]

I’m so over the jobber squash matches. It doesn’t make him look impressive, it just makes him look like he can’t wrestle real competition. It’s so boring and forgettable.

[@deathmauler181]

To casuals it absolutely makes him look like tank

[@madmattmcgin3578]

Don't often disagree, but, they need to do more with Bron now.....

[@RedHoodFH]

Did anyone else notice Bubba Ray pulled out glasses but had another paid of glasses on his shirt?

[@YoshiTatsu1]

The draft should completely be random. Like legit. Not pretend to be random or picked by managers. It should be like a lotto. Where each show picks a ball with a number that corresponds to a superstar. True randomness would really shake things up.

[@carlb5558]

The writers would revolt. "M-muh-my storylines!"

[@HeelSection3825]

I guess everyone who said that Cody Rhodes would lose ALL of his steam once he had the title were right. Everybody just HATES him now!?!?😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@John_Lark-b8e]

I was rooting for Carmelo.

[@stickydoodle8198]

8:55 They literally tried to kill him 😂

[@dionshare7103]

Hopefully they do more moving around on Monday night because this draft this year is almost pointless so far.

[@THEREALTJP]

I like R-KO...but who else wanted Sami Zayn to run down for the save?!

[@RedHoodFH]

Samis doing IC things

[@Froyruiz415]

Not to be a negative Nancy but draft night 1 was LAME, hardly anything changed 😪

[@Wildberryjamband]

When Charlotte comes back, SHE should challenge Cody for the title ! Flair versus Rhodes for the belt ! A serious match. Not just comedy male female. Build up Charlotte with a couple of big wins and have her challenge Cody during a promo. Do it like a normal match and really make a main event out of it. Andrade would be there in Charlotte's corner, maybe Becky interferes. Very unlikely, but Charlotte vs Cody would look really cool

[@tompatchak8706]

The thing with the double springboard and the Cody match. One of two things come to mine. Like either, they were trying it at the same time to hit each other with their backs or whatever or they were thinking the same thing kind of along the line of a double clothesline when guys do that I didn’t look weird, and I felt kind of bad for Cody because it landed hard and hopefully he’s OK

[@Trombonus]

I was really hoping they would change the format of the draft this year. Not only was I disappointed with that, it turned out to be one of the worst drafts they've ever done. I really hope that the second half of the draft is better because this was garbage. Gotta give it the brown down.

[@jakesapir]

I feel like if this was an AEW show, Simon would have criticized these matches for having such obvious outcomes.

[@dragonchaserkev]

Hey Simon, I got a new puppy today and it's a hairless so named him Simon. haha OK no he is a brindle pitbull and I named him Zen.

[@jamescarrico1233]

I hate the draft because I hate the Brand split

[@CallMeCrazyCallMePoor]

Non-finishes get old fast, but there's something to be said for heels being heels because they ruin everything everyone else is trying to do.

[@tonyjunbeg2202]

Simon Miller keep up the good work PS thank you 😂

[@willmullinax9693]

Useless draft, Nia is the only move. Everyone else stayed put. Except Bron and melo. SoS with this one, they even made the new day rule apply to every faction. Way to bring up a down!

[@jamesjamison5574]

What’s the point of the draft all the main stars stayed

[@andrewclayterman6230]

to get weee zombies to watch

[@jeysmoothies]

No one really switched brands so it was lack luster

[@John_Lark-b8e]

I was rooting for Carmelo Hayes even though I was sure he wasn’t going to beat Cody.

[@Cam987.]

make a video on that new article sidgewick wrote about triple h

[@ChrisLT]

Simon giving ups and downs with NXT people on screen, that's not allowed anymore! I also like how people cheer these picks, even though we're just gonna watch both, anyway.

[@jabunzama]

I'm calling it NOW!!! Tiffany and Bron winning Money in the Bank. If not him then Gunther

[@nicholaspitts9561]

Simon ain't got no chill. Bro wanna see every tag team break up so they can properly feud lol

[@richardcoffer4758]

Its not how to do a draft. 3 transfers isnt even a breeze let alone a draft. Its called a waste of time. Nobody moved.

[@andrewclayterman6230]

low IQ idiots think it was good though