Tag: wwe draft

Date: May 1, 2023
Location: Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX 

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Show Recap —

There was a video recap of the draft picks on Smackdown.

Triple H entered to kick off night two of the draft. He got a big reception and he noted the sold-out crowd tonight. He explained the rules as the fans patiently listened. He mentioned Roman Reigns getting drafted to Smackdown and the fans loudly booed as soon as his name was spoken. Triple H announced that the new World Champion would be exclusive to Raw.

Triple H also announced that Brock Lesnar was not eligible to be drafted because he renegotiated his contract earlier today and is a free agent who can appear on either show.

WWE Draft Round 1

Round 1, Pick 1: Raw selected Rhea Ripley (Smackdown Women’s Champion)
Round 1, Pick 2: Smackdown selected Austin Theory (United States Champion)
Round 1, Pick 3: Raw selected Seth Rollins
Round 1, Pick 4: Smackdown selected Charlotte Flair 

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Paul Heyman/Seth Rollins segment

Triple H introduced Paul Heyman who entered for the next segment. He showed Heyman the new World title belt and Heyman was impressed.

Heyman spoke about Reigns and Solo Sikoa getting drafted to Smackdown before making it very clear that the Usos did not win back the tag titles against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Heyman said he would speak to them privately but they could take care of their problems at Backlash in the six-man tag match against Owens, Zayn and Matt Riddle.

Heyman threw out the idea of Reigns becoming the new World title (the crowd booed) but reminded us that Reigns isn’t eligible to win it. Heyman said people in the back who considered themselves men who were flapping their gums about the Tribal Chief — men who were “freakin’” jokers, men who were “freakin’” jokes, men who were “freakin’” clowns.

Seth Rollins interrupted. Rollins said Reigns was on Smackdown and Heyman no longer had to waste energy pulling strings to ensure that he didn’t get another title shot. Now Heyman could concentrate on making sure the Bloodline did go “poof.” Rollins said he would win the World title but as he spoke, Heyman was suddenly on a phone call.

Rollins encouraged the fans to sing his song so Heyman wouldn’t be able to hear Reigns on the phone. Heyman warned Rollins that he was pissing off the Tribal Chief. Rollins laughed that off.

Rollins asked the crowd how long they thought it would take him to drop Heyman on the mat and stomp him. Rollins began counting down when Sikoa marched out.

Heyman held back Sikoa. Heyman said the Bloodline were pulling strings right now and by the time they got back from commercial, a match would be official for tonight: Sikoa against Rollins. Rollins said they didn’t have to wait and he accepted.

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Adam Pearce greeted Cody Rhodes as he arrived at the arena earlier tonight. Pearce said Brock Lesnar was there but it was a big night and he didn’t want it to spiral into chaos. Rhodes smiled and kept walking.

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Non-title match: Bayley & Dakota Kai defeated Women’s Tag Team Champions Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan (8:05)

The first match of the night started at 8:30pm and they went to break less than two minutes into it.

Kai gave Morgan a flipping backcracker but Rodriguez broke up the cover. Bayley held Rodriguez as Kai booted her from the ring. Morgan gave Kai a Codebreaker but Bayley made a blind tag and she rolled up Morgan for the pinfall win.

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Pearce approached Lesnar earlier tonight and asked him to keep the peace. Lesnar chuckled and responded, “Good luck with that.”

There was a video package of Lesnar destroying Rhodes weeks ago.

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Booker T and Sharmelle entered to make the picks for Raw and Smackdown respectively.

WWE Draft Round 2

Round 2, Pick 1: Raw selected Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (Tag Team Champions)
Round 2, Pick 2: Smackdown selected Jimmy & Jey Uso
Round 2, Pick 3: Raw selected Judgment Day – Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio
Round 2, Pick 4: Smackdown selected LWO – Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde 

Not many changes so far and the Usos remain with Reigns and Sikoa on Smackdown. 

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Braun Strowman & Ricochet defeated Alpha Academy (w/Maxxine Dupri) (2:29)

Ricochet shined for a bit before Chad Gable gave him a Chaos Theory suplex. The two big men tagged in to the delight of the crowd and Strowman got the better of their exchange, dropping Otis with a crossbody and a body slam. Ricochet did a great-looking senton bomb off Strowman’s shoulders for the pinfall win (over Otis).

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Shawn Michaels and Adam Pearce were shown exiting the Raw and Smackdown “war rooms.” Pearce walked out of his room like it was meant to be a big reveal as if we don’t see him 20 times on every show.

[SECOND HOUR] 

There was a video package for Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest. (They added bad sound effects to emphasize Bad Bunny’s kendo stick shots.)

WWE Draft Round 3 Brock Lesnar/Cody Rhodes segment

Michaels and Pearce entered to make the next picks but Brock Lesnar’s music interrupted. Lesnar marched out and Michaels seemed amused while Pearce panicked. Pearce tried reasoning with Lesnar but Lesnar shot him a look and he backed off.

Lesnar asked Fort Worth what it felt like to be looking at the only real cowboy in the state.

Pearce interrupted him and asked that he leave as a dozen security guards ran out. Lesnar said it would take more men than that, so Pearce called out even more guards.

Cody Rhodes’ music hit. Rhodes appeared from behind and decked Lesnar, knocking him down with one punch. Lesnar watched from the ramp as security swarmed. Rhodes tried escaping but there were too many of them. Lesnar backed away down the ramp and wiped away blood from the punch. Lesnar smirked as Rhodes screamed, “Make me earn it!”

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WWE Draft Round 3

Round 3, Pick 1: Raw selected Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan (Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Round 3, Pick 2: Smackdown selected Asuka
Round 3, Pick 3: Raw selected Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston
Round 3, Pick 4: Smackdown selected Sheamus, Ridge Holland & Butch 

When Morgan and Rodriguez were selected, Corey Graves said, “The women’s tag team champions will be able to defend their titles on Monday night,” so take that for what it’s worth.

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In the back, Riddle told Owens and Zayn that they all got drafted to Raw which meant they could hang out all the time. Owens didn’t seem thrilled.

Matt Riddle (w/Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn) defeated Jimmy Uso (w/Jey Uso) (7:43)

Jey Uso immediately interfered behind the referee’s back so he was confronted by Owens. Owens and Zayn then did the Eddie Guerrero trick on Jey. Owens fell and acted hurt while Zayn chucked a chair into Jey’s hand. Zayn showed the result to the ref who tossed Jey from ringside.

Back from a break, Jimmy fought back by shoving Riddle off the top to the outside before superkicking Owens. Jimmy caught Riddle with superkicks for consecutive two counts.

Jimmy untied a turnbuckle cover and Zayn jumped on the apron to complain. With the ref distracted, Owens drove Jimmy’s head into the exposed turnbuckle before Riddle hit a knee strike and floating bro for the pinfall win.

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There was an IYO SKY video package.

Eric Bischoff and RVD were shown leaving the Raw and Smackdown war rooms. RVD led Elias and Rick Boogs in doing his pose along with him.

Jey Uso approached Heyman and Sikoa and asked why Sikoa wasn’t at their brother’s side tonight. Heyman said Sikoa had an assignment to exterminate a clown and he needed to concentrate. It seemed like Jey wanted to stick around with them backstage but Heyman left with Sikoa.

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Bischoff and RVD entered to make the next selections. They shook hands. The crowd chanted for RVD.

WWE Draft Round 4

Round 4, Pick 1: Raw selected Trish Stratus
Round 4, Pick 2: Smackdown selected Karrion Kross & Scarlett
Round 4, Pick 3: Raw selected Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler
Round 4, Pick 4: Smackdown selected LA Knight

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Miz TV with guest Shinsuke Nakamura

Miz recapped Raw’s draft picks and introduced Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura entered to a good reaction and Miz ran down his accolades. Miz asked Nakamura if he thought he could win the World title and Nakamura simply smiled and said, “Hi.”

Miz wasn’t sure what to make of that. Miz went ahead and ran down his own accolades and called himself the epitome of a workhorse. Miz suggested they join forces.

Nakamura had a nickname in Japanese for Miz and they chanted it together. Miz was happy until Nakamura revealed it meant, “the guy with tiny balls.”

Miz tried to attack but Nakamura ducked and hit Kinshasa.

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Omos (w/MVP) defeated Anthony Alanis (0:48)

Omos won with a tree slam. 

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Kevin Patrick spoke about the tournament to crown a new World champion. They continue to be allergic to announcing specific dates because he said the finals would occur “at WWE Night of Champions on the last Saturday of this month.”

[THIRD HOUR] 

Molly Holly and Road Dogg entered to make the next picks.

WWE Draft Round 5

Round 5, Pick 1: Raw selected Braun Strowman & Ricochet
Round 5, Pick 2: Smackdown selected Shotzi
Round 5, Pick 3: Raw selected Bronson Reed
Round 5, Pick 4: Smackdown selected NXT’s Pretty Deadly – Elton Prince & Kit Wilson

Pretty Deadly were shown getting a round of applause at the Performance Center.

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Judgment Day promo 

Damian Priest was happy to announce that Judgment Day were remaining together on Raw and the first pick of the night was our champion, Rhea Ripley.

Ripley said there was no surprise because “Mami is always on top.” Ripley said Judgment Day ran Monday Night Raw and Zelina Vega would regret everything she’s done to her when she turns her into a pretzel.

Bálor said Ripley would flick Vega like a hot snot while Priest would leave pieces of Bad Bunny all over Puerto Rico.

Priest had a message for Bad Bunny and delivered the promo in Spanish. Priest referred to Bad Bunny by “Benito” (his name) and ended by saying Benito would receive his punishment at Backlash.

Dom said one word and was immediately drowned out by booing. Dom tried to cut his promo but the crowd booed louder and louder. Dom said he couldn’t wait to see Ripley and Priest dominate at Backlash. Dom went on and got just an insane amount of heat. Dom issued a warning to LWO.

Rey Mysterio, Zelina Vega and Santos Escobar entered. Rey was glad they wouldn’t be on the same brand. If Dom thought getting whipped by a belt at WrestleMania was bad, he should just be glad he didn’t get beat with “la chancla.” (That got a big cheer.)

Rey looked forward to seeing Vega win the title in Puerto Rico and looked forward to Bad Bunny beating Priest. Rey said Judgment Day would get smacked right now by the LWO.

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There was a Gunther video package.

Six-person tag team match: Smackdown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio (w/Finn Bálor) defeated Zelina Vega, Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar (8:50)

Rey wiped out Priest with a seated senton off the apron which led to break.

Rey and Dom tagged in after a break and Rey went to town on his son. Rey hit a springboard crossbody but Ripley broke up the cover and decked Vega. Ripley was about to chuck Rey from the ring but Vega hit Ripley in the mid-section with a 619.

Priest tagged in but ran into the ring post and Rey dropped him on the middle rope. Bálor distracted the ref while Dom tripped Rey. Escobar wiped out Dom with a suicide dive, Ripley dropkicked Escobar, and Vega gave Ripley a Meteora.

Rey went for the 619 again but Bálor stepped up on the apron to take the bullet for Priest. This allowed Priest to hit Rey with his South of Heaven chokeslam for the pinfall win.

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Cathy Kelley asked Rhodes if Lesnar was in his head. Rhodes said Lesnar has been in his head since the night after WrestleMania. Rhodes said Lesnar was a free agent but he had to be in the ring with him on Saturday.

Rhodes said he had to win at Backlash because if he didn’t, the idea of finishing the story would cease to exist and he would have to go to the back of the line. Rhodes refused to ever go to the back of the line.

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There will be a live Backlash press conference at noon on Friday airing on the Network.

Byron Saxton interviewed Bianca Belair. Belair said it didn’t matter which brand she was on but planned on representing the blue brand despite still having love for Raw. She was about to move on to SKY when she was interrupted by Damage CTRL. Bayley said Belair would feel blue after losing to SKY.

Belair said she was excited when SKY debuted but she’s been held back by two females who have done nothing. Belair was excited to see SKY step up and shine — after Belair beat her at Backlash. SKY cut a promo on her in Japanese. Kai was about to translate but Belair cut her off and said, “IYO and I, we understand each other.”

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This was the final televised round of the draft. Final picks will be made on Raw Talk.

WWE Draft Round 6

Round 6, Pick 1: Raw selected Chad Gable & Otis
Round 6, Pick 2: Smackdown selected Rick Boogs
Round 6, Pick 3: Raw selected NXT’s Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
Round 6, Pick 4: Smackdown selected Cameron Grimes 

Graves noted that Maxxine Dupri was also drafted to Raw (so her storyline with Alpha Academy will continue). 

Katana Chance and Kayden Carter were shown at the PC very excited about being picked but their celebration was cut short when they were confronted by Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn.

Xavier Woods cut a short selfie promo saying New Day would bring new life to Raw.

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Seth Rollins defeated Solo Sikoa (w/Paul Heyman) via disqualification (10:43)

Sikoa took control ahead of a break with a spinning heel kick but Rollins came back after the break with an enziguri, chops, fists, a forearm, clotheslines, a thrust kick, another clothesline and three consecutive suicide dives. Sikoa ducked a springboard knee and hit a Samoan drop for two.

Rollins applied a schoolboy for two and hit a superkick but Sikoa countered a forearm into a Spinning Solo for two. Rollins slapped Sikoa and laughed at him so Sikoa gave him another Spinning Solo. Sikoa hammered away at Rollins until the ref made him stop. (They said it would be a DQ otherwise.)

Sikoa went after Rollins outside the ring but Rollins posted him. Rollins followed with strikes but the Usos attacked him for the DQ.

Owens, Zayn and Riddle immediately ran out to make the save and everyone brawled as the show quickly went off the air.