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Darby Allin Wins Match Day After Getting Hit By Car, Brawling Brutes Win | WWE SD x AEW Recap

Wrestling
Colin Tessier Apr 8, 2023 2:29AM

Here is your fight size update for WWE Friday Night SmackDown, AEW Rampage, and AEW Battle of the Belts VI on Friday, April 7, 2023.

WWE SmackDown

WWE NXT (12/24) Records Increase In Total Viewership, Key Demo Rating Ticks Down

- The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch & Ridge Holland) renewed their rivalry with Imperium (Gunther, Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser). In the end, Sheamus pinned Vinci with a Brogue Kick.

- Ricochet took on Ivar of the Viking Raiders, and their respective tag team partners were not present at ringside. Though Ivar overpowered him early on, Ricochet scored the victory with a Shooting Star Press.

- A video package recapped Brock Lesnar's attack on Cody Rhodes on the April 3 episode of WWE Raw.

- In an interview, Paul Heyman, alongside Solo Sikoa, was asked about Brock Lesnar's actions on WWE Raw. Heyman responded by instead focusing on Roman Reigns' victory at WrestleMania 39. Jey Uso arrived, and Heyman informed him that Reigns told Jimmy Uso to stay home so he could watch Jey beat Sami Zayn. Once Jey walked away, Heyman turned to Sikoa and told him that if Jey failed to handle Zayn, Sikoa would be expected to handle their "problems."

- Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan took on Shotzi and Natalya. Morgan pinned Shotzi to earn more momentum for her team ahead of WWE Raw, where they will challenge Becky Lynch and Lita for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.

- SmackDown Women's Champion Rhea Ripley came to the ring and celebrated her win at WWE WrestleMania 39. She said it was time for everyone to rise for her. Finn Balor commented on his loss to Edge at WWE WrestleMania 39 and noted that he got a number of staples in his head. Dominik Mysterio shared his thoughts on his loss to Rey Mysterio and claimed that he pulled his punches at WrestleMania. He said Rey and the rest of their family can go to hell, and they can take Bad Bunny with them. Damian Priest said he hoped Bad Bunny would find it in his heart to forgive him for what he made him do on WWE Raw.

- Triple H came to the ring and hyped up the success of WWE WrestleMania 39. He stated that it was time to talk about the future. He announced that the draft will be in a few weeks, and it will change the game, as it will be bigger than ever.

- In a backstage segment, Sami Zayn admitted that he felt a sense of obligation to talk to Jey Uso, even after everything that happened. Owens made it clear that he thought it was a bad idea, but Zayn told him he had to do it. Later on, Zayn approached Uso and tried to tell him that there was another way out of everything. He heard a clatter, and Kevin Owens had been attacked by Solo Sikoa, as a big piece of equipment was on his leg.

- Backstage, LA Knight confronted Xavier Woods and Madcap Moss whole they were playing video games. Knight got frustrated because he wasn't on the WrestleMania card. After Woods mocked Knight, they seemingly agreed to match and Knight broke his controller.

- Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar faced Dominik Mysterio and Damian Priest in a tag team match. Rhea Ripley got involved, and Zelina Vega took the fight to her. Ripley chased her into the crowd. With Ripley removed from the equation, Rey and Santos took control, but Priest snuck in and slammed Escobar for the win.

- WWE announced that Shinsuke Nakamura will return on the April 14 episode of WWE SmackDown.

- In the main event, Sami Zayn battled Jey Uso. During the bout, Solo Sikoa came to ringside. The former friends battled it out, but Sikoa ultimately cost Zayn the bout by hitting him with a Samoan Spike. Uso then pinned Zayn to score the win. Sikoa attacked Zayn after the match. Uso initially stopped Sikoa from hitting a second Samoan Spike before he drilled Sami with a superkick. Matt Riddle ran to the ring to make the save.

- In a WWE Digital Exclusive, the LWO (Rey Mysterio Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, and Zelina Vega) made it clear that they're not done with The Judgment Day.

- Check out the card for the April 14 episode of WWE SmackDown here.

Catch up on our coverage of WWE SmackDown here.

AEW Rampage

- Darby Allin battled Lee Moriarty and picked up a hard-fought win with the Coffin Drop. The broadcast team noted that Darby was hit by a car the day before the match.

- Swerve Strickland revealed that he merged with The Embassy, as Brian Cage attacked Darby Allin.

- HOOK defended the FTW Championship against Ethan Page. Page took the fight to HOOK early on. HOOK grabbed a table before the two stars brawled into the crowd. HOOK maintained the advantage as the match as the fight continued throughout the arena. Page took control and grounded the champion. HOOK rallied with a suplex on the floor. Page fired back with a powerslam through a table. HOOK made Page tap out to the Redrum, and he proceeded to slam Page through a table after the bell.

- The Acclaimed (Max Cazster & Anthony Bowens) teamed up with Angelo Parker and Matt Menard to defeat LSG, Bobby Orlando, and The Infantry (Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo). Menard, Parker, and Jake Hager attacked The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn after the bell.

- In the latest edition of QTV, QT Marshall noted that Powerhouse Hobbs got a car. Marshall looked forward to Battle of the Belts VI, where he and Hobbs would challenge the Lucha Brothers (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo) for the ROH World Tag Team Championship. He also took a shot at Dante Martin suffering a broken leg.

- TBS Champion Jade Cargill had a sit-down meeting with Taya Valkyrie, and tensions quickly rose. Despite the best efforts of moderator RJ City, Mark Sterling told Valkyrie he would see her in court.

- Anna Jay A.S. faced Julia Hart in a singles match, and the House of Black member used black mist to clinch the win.

- Check out the card for the April 12 episode of AEW Dynamite here.

Catch up on our full coverage of AEW Rampage here. For a full review of WWE SmackDown and AEW Rampage, check out our post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.

AEW Battle of the Belts VI

- Orange Cassidy successfully defended the AEW International Championship against Dralistico.

- Malakai Black sent Cassidy a message after the bell, and Buddy Matthews challenges him to a title match.

- Jade Cargill defeated Billie Starkz to retain the TBS Championship. The match marked Starkz' debut on live TV; her other televised bouts had been taped ahead of time. Taya Valkyrie came out to the ring after the bell and gained the upper hand when she brawled with Jade.

- Jay Briscoe agreed to work with Jay Lethal by himself, but when Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, and Satnam Singh, it looked like he may have changed his mind.

- Alex Marvez went to The Elite's locker room. Brandon Cutler noted that he has ridden in too many ambulances lately. He stated that, when faced with bullies, you have to stand up and be elite. Michael Nakazawa simply said, "No more."

- Jade Cargill commented on her win over Starkz in a tweet.

- The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) defeated QT Marshall and Powerhouse Hobbs to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship.

- AEW World Champion MJF reacted to Brian Cage attacking Darby Allin.

Catch up on our coverage of AEW Battle of the Belts VI here.

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