WWE SmackDown Memphis, Tennessee
Commentators are Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.
– Tonight on WWE SmackDown, The Blue Show kicks off with the commentators welcoming us, then Bloodline invades the arena! Roman Reigns’ music plays and then he makes his entrance with Paul Heyman. The Tribal leader Sami gives it to Zayn, asking Memphis to identify him. The latter says they started Smackdown the same way as RAW and they’ll do it all year. 2023 will be the year of the bloodline. Roman Reigns says he’s not worried about 2023, he mostly wants to talk about the past year. Last week, they had SmackDown’s biggest match of the year against John Cena and Kevin Owens… and they lost. Finally, he didn’t lose, Sammy Jay did!
Roman Reigns wins when he says he will, unlike Sami Zayn. Sami asks Zayn if Zayn wants to stay and Reigns starts to get angry Tribal leader. Why is Sami Zayn trying to do like him? Kevin Owens’ music hits and he takes the stage. Owens urges him to calm down and take a breather, saying that the last time he saw Reigns like this was because of him. His problem isn’t with Sami Zayn, it’s with Kevin Owens. If he wants to fix it, they can title it at the Royal Rumble!
Roman Reigns responds that he doesn’t care about Kevin Owens, he lets loose! Kevin Owens says he’ll see Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. As for Sami Zayn, they look at each other as he takes his balls out of Reigns’ pocket!
– Charlotte Flair enters the arena.
– Earlier today, Kofi Kingston and Santos Escobar had an altercation backstage.
– Commentators confirm that the winner of the Men’s Royal Rumble match will have a title match in the main event of WrestleMania 39!
Singles match
Kofi Kingston (with Xavier Woods) vs. Santos Escobar (with Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro & Jelena Vega)
At the end of the match, Legado del Fantasma stops Kofi Kingston, and Santos Escobar takes the opportunity to follow him and kick his Phantom Driver for the pinfall win.
Winner: Santos Escobar
– WWE formalizes the match between Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble.
– Backstage, Sami Zayn wants to enter the Bloodline locker room to talk to Roman Reigns, but Paul Heyman tells him there’s no time now. The Usos enter the locker room.
– Liv Morgan announces her participation in the Royal Rumble and confirms that the WWE winner will keep her title match in the main event of WrestleMania 39!
– Backstage, Kayla Braxton is with LA Knight to talk about her match at the Royal Rumble. He says he’s happy, not in Memphis, but because Bray Wyatt’s plans are right in front of his eyes. Moving forward, no one will be talking about Bray Wyatt’s return, we will be talking about LA Night.
Mixed Tag Team Match
Carrion Cross and Scarlett vs Madcap Moss and Emma
At the end of the match, Garrion Cross uses his cross jacket on Madcap Moss, who is no longer responsive… The referee ends the match.
Winners: Carrion Cross and Scarlett
– After the match, Carrion Cross and Scarlett put a Rey Mysterio mask in the face of Madcap Moss.
– The commentators recall that the last Smackdown was the most watched in 2 years.
– Charlotte Flair’s return video was released last week.
– We remind you that 2023 Money in the Bank will be held in London.
– At Jerry Lawler’s restaurant, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre talk together and punch each other at the end of every sentence.
– Charlotte Flair enters and grabs the microphone. She asks the fans what’s next: “Payback”… You’ll have to ask Ronda Rousey, she knows! The crowd thanks Charlotte Flair. The latter says he’s been out for 8 months and whether we like it or not, he liked the fans’ reaction last week. She represents three things: passion, consistency and dedication to what she does in the ring. She intends to throw away all the obstacles and all the people who stand in her way. A champion must expect the unexpected and deliver every time, and she did it 14 times.
Sonya Deville’s music hits, Charlotte tells Flair that a star should be next for the 14th Reign, who almost beat Ronda Rousey to death… Well done! What about another female fighter? Deville asks to put his title on the line now! Charlotte Blair accepts.
SmackDown Women’s Championship – Singles Match
Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Sonya Deville
At the end of the match, Charlotte Flair hits Sonya Deville with her figure 8 leglock.
Winner: Charlotte Blair – Still Champion
– A video of Cody Rhodes’ return to WrestleMania 38 and another on Lacey Evans aired.
Singles match
The winner will qualify for the men’s Royal Rumble match.
Ricochet Vs. Top Dolla (with Ashante Adonis and Be Fab)
At the end of the match, Ricochet does a shooting star press on the top doll, followed by the pinfall for the win.
Winner: Ricochet
– After the match, Top Dola shakes hands with Ricochet, but Ashante Adonis kicks Ricochet! Hit Row continues the attack, but Braun Strowman’s music plays and the latter comes to Ricochet’s aid, leaving Hit Row out of the ring.
– Backstage, the Usos leave Roman Reigns’ locker room for their match. Reigns then asks Paul Heyman to bring in Sami Zayn.
– A video airs teasing Gunther vs Braun Strowman for next week’s Intercontinental Title.
– Still in Roman Reigns’ locker room, Sami Zayn comes in and says he wasn’t trying to be Tribal leader. If he gave off that feeling, he apologizes… Roman Reigns responds that he doesn’t accept his apology. He is in a very high position and he needs to control his anger. He doesn’t accept her apology because he’s the one apologizing…sorry. Kevin Owens is right, he has a problem with Owens!
Paul Heyman announces Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens next week on SmackDown! Roman Reigns invites Sami Zayn to follow the Usos match in the locker room.
Undisputed Tag Team Championship – Tag Team Match
The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) (C) (with Solo Chikova) vs. Drew McIntyre & Sheamus
At the end of the match, Butch and Ridge Holland come out to attack Solo Sikova, who attacked Drew McIntyre. In the ring, Sheamus Brock followed with a pinfall on Jimmy Uso, but Jey pulled his brother out of the ring. Sheamus climbs the ring post and jumps on The Usos before putting Jimmy back in the ring. He puts it on for white noise, but Jey gets back on the ring apron and Sheamus knocks him down…Jimmy takes the opportunity to roll up with Jey’s help for the win!
Winners: The Usos – Still champions
– The show ends with the Usos celebrating.
Photo credit: WWE
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