- Morning Dirt Sheet
- Posts
- Werewolf Attack 🐺, Jericho Back in WWE? 🔄 , The Rock's No-Show 🎤
Werewolf Attack 🐺, Jericho Back in WWE? 🔄 , The Rock's No-Show 🎤
WWE Smackdown Results for April 11th, 2025
Saturday, April 12th, 2025
…Morning Dirt Sheet has come back… To your inbox!
Good morning. I’m so happy to be back. It’s been a week, and we’ve missed a lot together. Mox is still AEW Champ… disappointing, but maybe they’re saving Ospreay to take it off him. We can hope!
Today we’ll pick up right where we left off. We’ve got just a few matchups left in our Winter Madness Tournament (it was supposed to wrap up by the end of March Madness… oh well!).
We’ve also got a look back when The Godfather won the IC title, a recap of WWE SmackDown, a preview for AEW Collision, Reddit highlights, and much more. But before we get started we also have the weekly crossword, Pt. 2 of WrestleMania matches that didn’t main event.
Let’s dig in!
🗓️ On This Day - 1999
The Godfather Puts the IC Title on the Ho Train
25 years ago today, Raw Is War rolled through Detroit, Michigan, where The Godfather defeated Goldust to capture the WWF Intercontinental Championship. The match marked The Godfather’s first and only reign with the title, adding championship gold to one of the most colorful characters of the Attitude Era. His victory came during a chaotic period in WWF, with titles frequently changing hands and personalities like Goldust constantly reinventing themselves. This win solidified The Godfather as more than just an entertaining gimmick—he had gold to back it up.
Things that would never fly today…
❄️ Winter Madness 🏆
The Elite Eight Ten
Welcome to Winter Madness, where we’re on a mission to crown the most popular WWE star across Morning Dirt Sheet! Every day, two legends step into the spotlight, but only one can advance.
Last week (6) Mankind’s fabled run came to an end as he was beaten by (1) Stone Cold Steve Austin!
Today we will see if (6) Kurt Angle can continue the underdog magic as he takes on (1) John Cena!
⬇️ Vote for the wrestler you want to see advance! |
WWE SmackDown Results - April 12th, 2025
How it started
Randy Orton demanded a WrestleMania match — and got more than he bargained for. Orton opened the show by confronting GM Nick Aldis, demanding a WrestleMania 41 opponent. Before Aldis could respond, Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga interrupted. Orton fought them off briefly but was overwhelmed until LA Knight made the save. Knight challenged them to a tag match later in the night, which Aldis made official on the spot.
How it ended
LA Knight & Randy Orton def. Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga. In a chaotic main event, Knight and Orton overcame the Bloodline duo after Orton hit an RKO on Tonga and Knight followed with the BFT for the win. But the celebration was short-lived — Jacob Fatu attacked post-match, laying Knight out with a superkick, senton, and multiple moonsaults. The “Samoan Werewolf” stood tall over the fallen U.S. Champion, belt in hand, to close the show.
Everything else that happened
Bayley & Lyra Valkyria won a six-team gauntlet match to become #1 contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles, last eliminating Alba Fyre & Piper Niven.
Drew McIntyre destroyed Damian Priest in a brutal backstage brawl, hitting a Future Shock DDT on steel steps and ripping off Priest’s necklace. Drew then revealed he’s been medically cleared and promised a street fight beatdown at WrestleMania.
Rey Fenix def. Humberto Carrillo. Post-match, Santos Escobar encouraged Carrillo to show respect to Fenix, then appeared to scout him for Legado del Fantasma.
Zelina Vega def. Chelsea Green by countout. Green begged her security detail for help mid-match to no avail.
Tiffany Stratton def. Roxanne Perez. Charlotte Flair attacked Stratton post-match, throwing her into the barricade and announce table before being restrained.
Cody Rhodes paid tribute to past WWE Champions in a heartfelt promo surrounded by historic belts. He promised to defend the Undisputed Title’s legacy and told Cena, “The fans are allowed to love someone else.”
The Street Profits, Miz & Carmelo Hayes exchanged words backstage, teasing a potential title feud.
Naomi and Jade Cargill traded dueling promos ahead of their WrestleMania clash, with Naomi warning Jade to “proceed with caution.”
Randy Orton and LA Knight’s partnership was cemented in the opener and paid off by night’s end with a huge tag team win.
🔮 AEW Collision Preview
Live Tonight, 8pm EST on MAX and TNT
Anthony Bowens vs. Blake Christian
Owen Hart Men’s Tournament Quarter-Finals: Brody King vs. Konosuke Takeshita
Owen Hart Women’s Tournament Quarter-Finals: Jamie Hayter vs. Billie Starkz
Owen Hart Women’s Tournament Quarter-Finals: Harley Cameron vs. Athena
We’ll hear from FTR
WWE News, Rumors & Updates
WrestleMania 41 is set to witness a fiery clash as WWE Raw GM Adam Pearce announces a tag team title match. The high-stakes contest will feature two of the hottest tag teams – The New Day and The War Raiders. Pearce made the announcement on WrestleMania X, stating: "New Day [is] now holding a victory over the World Tag Team Champions...I have now signed the match for the World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders will defend against The New Day." The brewing tension between the teams escalated after a disqualification during an earlier match, setting the stage for an epic showdown at WrestleMania.
Contrary to circulating rumors, WWE's Jordynne Grace didn't take a pay cut to join the WWE, according to Fightful Select. Instead, her reduced earnings were attributed to other outside ventures, various brand deals, and her TNA salary. Fightful has now clarified that 'The Juggernaut's' WWE salary is a main roster level deal, and is more than what she was making in TNA. Prior to WWE, Grace was making well over seven figures from additional incomes, including an OnlyFans account, which she subsequently shut down to focus on her wrestling career and avoid any potential conflict with WWE.
Hulk Hogan recently addressed the long-standing debate over the cause of his black eye at WrestleMania 9. The wrestling legend refutes claims that his injury was due to a fight with 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, "I never had a fight with Randy. If they still want to believe it after we tell them what really happened, fine with me." Instead, Hogan maintains it was a jet ski accident that led to his infamous black eye. Brutus Beefcake, who was with Hogan at the time, corroborated the jet ski story. However, given Hogan's history of tall tales, fans remain divided on the truth.
WWE President Nick Khan has asserted that the company won't be swayed by social media outcry. Speaking at the recent NAB Show in Las Vegas, Khan stated: "As much as we listen to our audience, we won’t listen to social media and respond... It’s a mistake to respond to your business based off of that. You’ve got to base it off your gut and the results." The statement has sparked debate about WWE's responsiveness to fan feedback, with past instances of social media influence, such as the #GiveDivasAChance movement, being cited in contrast.
Tonight's SmackDown live show from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle might feel a bit empty. The Rock's absence from WWE programming has left a noticeable gap in the build towards WrestleMania 41, particularly given his role in sparking John Cena's heel turn. Despite WWE Champion Cody Rhodes' return to SmackDown after a two-month hiatus, there's a noticeable lack of heat without The Rock or Cena's presence. As the main event draws near, "a key ingredient is missing during WWE’s build to the WrestleMania 41". Beyond that, it’s still unknown if The Rock will even show up at WrestleMania, leaving fans and foes in suspense.
AEW News and Rumors & Updates
With Chris Jericho's AEW contract expiring in December, speculation is rife about a potential return to WWE. Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer suggests that unless AEW can outbid WWE or Jericho's loyalty to AEW prevails, a return to WWE might be on the cards. "Jericho is fighting a fight that he can't win with the fans," Meltzer notes, pointing out parallels with the fan backlash Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and The Young Bucks faced. Ultimately, the lure of a lighter WWE schedule, potential Hall of Fame induction, and positive fan reactions could prove enticing for Jericho.
In a recent interview with TheOneMona, Danhausen openly supported John Cena's heel turn, stating he's in favor of anyone "becoming very evil". He even offered Cena some unconventional advice for his upcoming match against Cody Rhodes at WWE WrestleMania 41. "Before the bell rings, you say, 'Hello, Corey,' and you punch him in the groin! Then he can do his little thing [does the 'You Can't See Me' hand gesture] after that." Danhausen did not comment on Cena's recent attack on his friend, Pepsi Phil (CM Punk).
In a stirring recount of his first pay-per-view singles match at AEW Dynasty, Kevin Knight highlighted his experience facing off against Will Ospreay. Despite his defeat, Knight's performance was impressive, marking one of his best matches in AEW. "Another validating moment for me in my career... it was mono e mono and unfortunately, I didn't come out with the win but I feel like I stacked up great against one of the best, if not the best in the world," Knight stated in an interview with Adrian Hernandez. He also appreciated the strong reactions from the Philadelphia crowd, indicating his growing presence in the AEW.
Top Reddit Threads
🏃 Before you go…
💬 Thoughts on Morning Dirt Sheet? I would love to hear your feedback. Please fill out this quick survey here.
How would you rate todays dirt sheet? |
🤝 Got anyone who would enjoy Morning Dirt Sheet? Send this to a friend or refer them and get some awesome wrestler stickers from PixelStickArt!
🙂 Have a nice day!
