SmackDown notes: RK-Bro and McIntyre vs. Bloodline added to WrestleMania Backlash

April 29, 2022 Dave LeClair NEWS
Photo Courtesy: WWE

SmackDown notes: RK-Bro and Drew versus Bloodline added to WrestleMania Backlash, McIntyre-Zayn cage match

By: Dave LeClair 

SmackDown was a taped show from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York. Going into the show, WWE announced a Drew McIntyre versus Sami Zayn steel cage match, a Ricochet IC title defense against Shanky, and Raquel Rodriguez making her in-ring debut.

Match Results:

  • Drew McIntyre over Sami Zayn
  • Ricochet over Shanky
  • Raquel Rodriguez over Cat Cardoza
  • Xavier Woods over Ridge Holland
  • Sheamus over Kofi Kingston
  • Ronda Rousey over Shotzi
  • Charlotte Flair over Aliyah
  • Ronda Rousey over Charlotte in Beat the Clock Challenge

The taped episode started with the Zayn versus McIntyre cage match. Drew Gulak was at ringside, auditioning for the role of time-keeper. After a back-and-forth match, Drew hit Zayn with his Claymore kick and pinned him for the win. After the match, Drew climbed to the top of the cage to celebrate with his sword.

Charlotte cut a brief backstage promo where she claimed she never gets embarrassed and that she’s worshiped by all. She promised to defeat Ronda Rousey in the Beat the Clock challenge, which is set to happen later in the show.

Happy Corbin came out to the ring for an episode of Happy Talk. Michael Cole reminded everyone how Corbin “absconded” with the Andre trophy last week. After a lengthy diatribe, Cobin announced that his guest was the trophy, which he promised to destroy. Shockingly, Madcap Moss was pretending to be one of the people presenting the trophy, which led to Moss attacking Corbin and sending him fleeing.

Shanky challenged Ricochet for the Intercontinental Championship while Jinder Mahal hung around the outside. While Jinder did interfere, Ricochet managed to hit a rollup on Shanky to win the match. After the match, Jinder yelled at Shanky, which led to Shanky screaming “no” at Jinder and walking off.

Raquel Rodriguez cut a short backstage promo before coming out to the ring for her main roster debut match. She took on Cat Cardoza, who attacked Rodriguez before the bell. Once the match started, Raquel took control. As the match progressed, Cardoza got a shocking amount of offense in before eventually losing to Rodriguez. 

Ludwig Kaiser introduced Gunther backstage with a quick promo and highlight reel. Gunter said he will take respect to end the segment.

RK-Bro made their way to the ring for a contract signing to make their match with The Usos official. After a commercial break, The Usos also came to the ring. Adam Pearce led the contract signing and The Usos cut the first promo. 

Of course, after some talk, there was a brawl. Eventually, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman made their entrance. The Usos used the distraction to get the upper hand on RK-Bro. Reigns ripped up the contract for the unification match.

McIntyre came out to confront Reigns, which led to the pair brawling in the ring before Drew tossed Roman Reigns out of the ring. This appears to start the build for McIntyre as Roman’s next challenger.

Paul Heyman proposed that RK-Bro and Drew McIntyre take on The Usos and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania Backlash instead of the Tag Team unification match. Pearce declined, and Heyman threatened to have him fired if he didn’t make the match. Later in the show, Micahel Cole announced that the six-man tag match was official, so the unification match appears to be off.

Naomi and Shayna Baszler had a match with Natalya and Sasha Banks looking on. Naomi won, which led to a post-match brawl. 

Xavier Woods did battle with Ridge Holland. After a relatively lengthy match, Xavier won with the Back Woods (his name for a roll up). Sheamus challenged Kofi Kingston to a match to show Holland how it’s done, which Kofi accepted. Sheamus picked up the win, and then he and Hollard beat down Kingston and Woods after. They still don’t know where Butch is.

Another Lacey Evans segment aired. She talked about her time in the Marines. It’s hard to care after four weeks of these.

Next week on SmackDown, Kofi and Xavier Woods will have a tables match versus Ridge Holland and Sheamus and Sasha Banks will face Shayna Baszler.

Shotzi started the Beat the Clock Challenge by running away from Rousey for a few seconds. Once Ronda got her hands on Shotzi, she managed to win the match with a time of one minute and forty-one seconds. 

Charlotte then entered the ring to take on Aliyah in her Beat the Clock Challenge. Flair won her match against Aliyah, but it took a few seconds longer than Rousey. After the match, Flair blamed Gulak for not ringing the bell fast enough. She beat Drew Gulak down, including hitting him with the bell to send the show off the air.

About Dave LeClair 47 Articles
A long time POST Wrestling fan and technology writer, Dave LeClair joins the POSTmarks to cover AEW Collision.
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