We bring you coverage for the episode of WWE SmackDown airing on April 12, 2024.
The show begins with Cody Rhodes, the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. He talks about how it felt to be face-to-face with The Rock on RAW. It was uncomfortable, and awkward, but he believed him when he said he would be going away, and would later return for him. The Rock won’t need to look far, because he will be standing right here. That is in the rear view.
Next up, they get on a plane and head to France for Backlash. He is going to face one of the six competitors we see tonight. Cody talks about each of them one by one. Forgive him for a moment. We are very sold out tonight. He takes a good look at everyone. Before he goes, he reminds everyone on the blue brand who he is.
The Bloodline show up (minus Roman Reigns) to find Cody Rhodes has the VIP locker room usually reserved for them. Kevin Owens enters and tells them there is a broom closet down the corridor. Paul Heyman tells Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso this is the consequence of losing. They will make it right.
#1. [Winner Advances To #1 Contenders Match] LA Knight vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Santos Escobar – Winner: LA Knight
Rey Mysterio believes that Santos Escobar attacked Dragon Lee, despite him saying otherwise. He also believes he has one last run as WWE Champion in him.
The Bloodline make their way to the ring for a promo. Paul Heyman says that by order of the Tribal Chief, they do not make excuses for what happened at WrestleMania. Accountability is a big word on the island of relevancy, and Roman Reigns has ordered that we accept it. At WrestleMania 39, Roman Reigns was on the ball and successfully defended the title. Cody Rhodes flipped the script at WrestleMania XL. Seth Rollins said he would be his shield.
So, when Reigns had a chair in his hand, he could have smashed Cody with it. Instead, after ten years of waiting for revenge for what Seth Rollins did to the shield, Reigns gave in to temptation, and Cody Rhodes was ready to capitalize. The new undisputed champion is Cody Rhodes. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes… Solo Sikoa stops Heyman. He says losing and winning matters, right? There are consequences for losing, right? Consequences need change.
Sikoa looks at Jimmy, who looks worried for a moment. He hugs Jimmy and tells him that he loves him. When Solo turns his back, a hooded man jumps in the ring and blindsides Jimmy. It’s Tama Tonga! They viciously destroy Jimmy while Heyman looks on in horror. Sikoa tells him to come and raise the finger in the air with them, but he does so reluctantly while trying to call Roman Reigns. Solo takes the phone and smashes it! They grab a steel chair, wrap it around Jimmy’s head, and Sikoa finishes him off. He tells Heyman to walk with them.
#2. Cameron Grimes vs. Bron Breakker – Winner: Bron Breakker
Bayley makes her way to the ring. She is so happy to be a champion again. While she has held titles before, this means so much more to be doing it in the new era. She thanks the fans for supporting her all the way. When she thought she had nothing else to give, they kept pushing her and never gave up on her vision, so thank you very much. Bayley wants to hand out an opportunity. Tiffany Stratton interrupts her. She is annoyed to have not got an opportunity at WrestleMania.
Bayley seems to be handing out some kind of open challenge, and she accepts, because it is Tiffy Time. Bayley said she wanted to give it to someone else. Naomi joins them in the ring. Tiffany reminds Naomi she already beat her. Naomi says she is trying this on the wrong night. She has beat her before, but she has earned everything she has got in WWE, and doesn’t plan on stopping now. Naomi cannot accept Bayley’s challenge, because she wants to take on clueless Tiffany right here, right now.
Paul Heyman leaves the doctor’s room and tells us that Jimmy is not doing well. Tama Tonga appears to let him know this way by the Tribal Chief’s orders. Solo Sikoa shows Paul the spike, and then the pair walk away. Heyman does not know what is happening.
#3. Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton – Winner: Naomi
#4. Piper Niven & Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair – Winners: Belair & Cargill
Before the next match, Kevin Owens takes Byron Saxton’s microphone and cuts a promo backstage while on the way to the ring. During the walk, he picks up a Detroit Tigers championship belt and knocks off a CM Punk shirt from the same table. He is beating his opponents to get in to the #1 Contenders match.
#5. [Winner Advances To #1 Contenders Match] Kevin Owens vs. Rey Mysterio vs. AJ Styles – Winner: AJ Styles
The show closes with a stare down between LA Knight and AJ Styles, with Knight talking a lot of trash.
WWE SmackDown Results (4/12/2024)
