Weekend Round Up 3.5. to 4.5 2024

Intro

In our year of 2024, we have seen upheaval, we've seen, major fan backlash, an icon has retired, a former C.E.O has fall even further into the depths of cancellation, and an owner of a company, has brought his empire further into the fallstate. But, what I think is important, the globalisation of wrestling as a genre. This weekend. WWE are bringing a major PLE to mainland Europe, when Lyon. France. Will host. WWE Backlash, and in my personal opinion, this is a good thing. Back in late 2021. WWE announced that they will be bringing a major PLE to the UK. The PLE was called. Clash At The Castle. Cardiff would hold the event, at the time this was one of the biggest shows to take place on these shores. And what has happened since then, is the start of something special, with more territories soon to be on the horizon. Stay tuned, because things are going to get interesting.

Smackdown

8 Woman Tag Match

Bayley. Naomi. Jade Cargill, and. Bianca Belair, beat. Damage Ctrl, and. Tiffany Stratton, in a fun, and well worked opening match. The fans were electric here, and there energy could be felt from the start of the broadcast, until the very end. Bianca, was backstage later on, with her team, and her anger was palpable. Bianca, eat a snickers, because your not you, when your hungry.

Theory and Waller

A Town Down Under. Austin Theory and. Grayson Waller, were backstage, and both boys said, that they could smell a scent, no lads it's not the Street Profits smoke, you can smell, its s***, check your locker room toilet.

Carmelo Hayes. Bobby Lashley segment

Carmelo Hayes, was backstage talking to Nick Aldis, when. Bobby Lashley stepped in, he tried to give Carmelo some advice, but the young and hungry dog, wasn't interested.

New Catch Republic vs AOP

Aop, beat. The New Catch Republic, in a fun tv match, that had its moments, from. Tyler Bate proving why he is called a big strong boy, when he swung akom, over his head, to AOP proving that dominance, is power, and getting the win, by slamming Bate.

Paul Heyman and Nick Aldis segment

This. Was. Genuinely excellent. Paul Heyman was talking backstage with Nick Aldis. Heyman told Aldis, for the benefit of. Kevin Owens, and. Randy Orton, their match against. Solo Sikoa, and. Tama Tonga, must be pulled from the show. Aldis told paul, he wasn't going to do that, he then admitted, to Aldis, he was the one who removed Roman Reigns from the Draft. The Smackdown GM realed in the shock, and asked one question, why? Paul said. that it would not be a good idea, with The Bloodline in the shape that it's in.

RKO Show segment

I liked all of this. Both. Randy, and. Kevin came out. Randy, and had fun with the fans. Kevin spoke in French, whilst Randy basked in the fans admiration, both men welcomed us to the first RKO Show. Paul Heyman came out. He gave both men a slice wisdom, he said that. The Bloodline is under new rules, brought in by solo and Tama, and it would be in their best interests, to not take the match tomorrow. Randy had a question for the wiseman. Who's the real Tribal Chief? Solo, and. Tama then attacked. Randy, and. Kevin Owens, security came out, and tried to control the chaos, but, they failed, because the fight would end the broadcast later on. The fans were eletric for this.

LA Knight vs Angel

LA Knight, beat. Angel in a standard tv match, he then announced himself for the king of the ring tournament, this didn't sit well with. Santos Escobar.

Carlito segment

Carlito, was being interviewed by. Byron Saxton, he tried to explain his actions for attacking Dragon Lee, that was until Lee, got his own back, and attacked him, from out of nowhere.

Atown Down Under vs The Street Profits WWE Tag Team Championship

Atown Down Under, retained their Tag Team Championships, by beating. The Street Profits, in a standard tv match. I thought the match was a bit flat if i'm honest, the action was decent, but overall the whole thing felt, a bit lofi.

Cody and AJ face to face

I loved this segment, from. Cody wearing his heart for all to see. AJ accused Cody, for not being focused enough. Both men put over the face, and, heel dynamic perfectly, from their history, of running the same roads. AJ calling the fans disrespectful, and him bringing all of Codys achievement into focus, just added an extra layer of excitement, to what is going to be a predictable match, you could say it's going to be, two sweat. AJ ended the segment by saying, what does the five fingers say to the face, slap. Be still my NJPW loving heart.

WWE Backlash

Kevin Owens and Randy Orton vs Solo  Sikoa and Tama Tonga

This. Was. A shot of adrenaline to the senses, and a great way to start the show. Both teams started the fight, before the bell rang, security came running down to the ring, and were all taken out, Kevin Owens stunned multiple members of the team, forcing Smackdown GM. Nick Aldis, to come out, and throw his hands in the metephorically, and tell'em that, this match is now a street fight, and my god it was bats*** crazy, from both teams fighting in the crowd. Randy smashing Tama onto the announcers table. Kevin put Tama through a table, with a frogsplash. Randy also went through a table, when Solo hit him with a Samoan Backdrop. Solo also had some table acupuncture, thanks to Kevin Owens. Kevin Owens hit a sick looking Brainbuster to Tama, putting him a through a bed of steel chairs, but the near fall was broken up, when. Tama's brother Tonga Loa showed up. This gave Solo Sikoa the chance to get the win for his team, by giving Kevin a Samoan spike for the win. The Bloodline is now even stronger, and even more visceral than ever.

WWE Womens Championship Match Bayley vs Naomi vs Tiffany stratton

This. Match worked as an advertisement for the developmental system, It was a three way mental game of chess, with built in bursts of energy, that allowed all three ladies to hit their stride, the physicality was timed to perfection, this allowed the match to have time to breathe. Tiffany Stratton had a fantastic showing here, the final exchanges, saw. Bayley take the win by roll up. I liked all of this.

Damien Priest vs Jey Uso WWE Heavyweight Championship

I liked all of this. Jeys entrance was a sight to be seen, when french fans held the phones up in salute to the loan Uso. Both mens styles meshed together well, the match was heavily story led, thanks to. JD Mcdonagh, and Finn Balor, coming out. But overall this was a decent showcase for Priest. The physicality, and, chemistry, between both men was clear to see, this allowed the match to run its course, and please the fans in attanence. Priest retained his Championship, in an enjoyable match.

WWE Record Gate Announcement

The WWE then announced that over the past two nights. WWE have broken their own record for an indoor arena show. This. Was. Fantastic to hear. But for all french fans in attendence. I don't think your bank balances are going to thank you, anytime soon.

The Kabuki Warriors vs Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill WWE Womens Tag Team Championship Match

This to me, was a lofi burner, that took a while to get going, but when it did, it felt like it was over to soon. Bianca, and. Jade got the win, and they're now our new WWE Womens Tag Team Championship. I don't know what else to say.

Cody Rhodes vs AJ Styles WWE Undisputed

This match was brilliant, the fans were electric throughout the show, but here, they were on another level. Both men benefitted from this, the fans became the focal point of the match, acting like a fourth man in the ring, making this a must see, and a treat for fans, who were watching from home. The two Georgia boys had a fantastic barn dance of a match, the physicality helped weave the story, of anything you can do. I can do better. Cody, and. AJ dug deep into their arsenal, in order to make magic happen, and the fans lapped it up. The near falls were timed to perfection, and the final exchange, saw. Cody retain his Championship with a cross Rhodes.

Overview Of The Weekend

From Smackdown acting like, eating a desert before your main course, whilst Saturdays PLE, took the form of a delicous steak and chips, that just kept on coming, even after I was full. This weekend has been a blast, that I have enjoyed, so here's hoping, that WWE can do this again, when Scotland, and. Germany, come a calling later this summer. either way, these times they are a changing.

Friday Night Smackdown is a high 7/10.

And Backlash 2024 is a high 9/10.