4/14 WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS (Updated): Keller’s report on L.A. Knight vs. Xavier, Escobar vs. Priest, Shinsuke Nakamura returns

WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
APRIL 14, 2023
LINCOLN, NEB. AT PINNACLE BANK ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON FOX

Announcers: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin

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[HOUR ONE]

-After “Then, Now, Forever, Together,” the opening theme aired. As the camera panned the audience, Michael Cole welcomed viewers to “the most exciting show in television.”

-Kevin Owens walked out to his music. Sami Zayn came out to his music and they walked to the ring together. A clip aired of last week’s win by Jey Uso over Sami Zayn after Solo Sikoa interfered and then Matt Riddle making his return to help Sami. Fans chanted “Sami!” Sami thanked the fans and then said that for the first time ever, the WWE Tag Team Championship match was the main event of WrestleMania. He said they closed out the night as champions. He said as amazing as it was, they haven’t had time to process it because of everything going on with the Bloodline and the upcoming draft. Fans booed the mention of the Bloodline. KO smiled.

Owens agreed with Sami, but he said they know two things. One, they are the undisputed tag team champions of WWE. He said as hard as they’ve worked to win the titles, they will defend them with everything they have every time. Owens said the second thing he knows is that sooner or later, the Usos are coming for a rematch. The Usos interrupted. Cole said, “Speaking of the devils.”

The Usos came out onto the stage with their younger brother Solo Sikoa. Jimmy said it sounds like the pressure is getting to them and they’ve only been champs for two weeks. Sami said maybe they’re right and they don’t know about pressure. He said they are the ones who have to report back every single week to their “daddy, Roman Reigns.” Jimmy mocked them for predicting that The Bloodline is going to fold. Jimmy said The Bloodline is more dangerous than ever. He warned them about the savage coming out of Solo Sikoa. He said they will become nine-time WWE Tag Team Champions. Fans booed. Jey emphasized that there are no cracks in The Bloodline, but he told Sami and KO that they’re going to turn on each other. He predicted Sami would turn on Owens “just like he back-stabbed my whole damn family.”

Sami said he wishes he was as good at anything as Jey is at lying to himself. He said they can pretend Reigns is okay with them losing the titles or that there are no cracks in The Bloodline or that Solo wasn’t ready to drop him last week. He said that’s fine, but he said they likely didn’t come out there just to talk. The Usos and Solo surrounded the ring. Riddle ran out again to cheers and went after Solo at ringside. Sami knocked Jimmy into the time keepers’s area. Owens threw Jey near Jimmy. In the ring, Riddle took Solo down with a couple of flash knees. He set up a top rope move, but the Usos yanked Solo to safety. Riddle was wearing a purple “420 Bro” t-shirt.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good opening segment. It hit the basic talking points in this feud, with each side predicting the others won’t coexist peacefully and then an angle to set up the TV main event.) [c]

-Cole and Wade Barrett commented on a clip of the angle from before the break. Cole said Solo cost Riddle four months of his career with an attack last December.

-WWE official Adam Pearce told a referee to let Riddle and Solo know that they’ll wrestle each other in the main event tonight.

-They went to Cole and Barrett at ringside who threw to soundbites from social media of Xavier Woods and L.A. Knight promoting their match tonight.

(Keller’s Analysis: I like this approach to hyping a match sprinkled in with the more traditional approach of promos just for TV. Obviously it helps social media metrics for WWE, but it also gives off more of a legit vibe that these two can’t wait until getting to TV to take shot at each other and it gives fans a chance to get invested in the match before the TV show starts.)

(1) XAVIER WOODS vs. L.A. KNIGHT

Barrett said he doesn’t know much about video games, “but if you touch another guy’s joystick, there are going to be consequences.” The bell rang 21 minutes into the hour. Xavier landed an early running flip dive onto Knight at ringside. Knight came back and threw Xavier into a ringpost as they cut to a break a few minutes into the match. [c]

Cole talked about Kingston being out injured, and he noted that they could be broken up in the upcoming draft. At 11:00, Knight rolled up Xavier and yanked on his trunks. The ref saw it and refused to count. As Knight complained to her. Xavier rolled up Knight and yanked on his tights, but the ref didn’t see it, so he got the three count.

WINNER: Xavier in 12:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: I don’t think Xavier is shining or failing as a singles act with both of his New Day partners out of action now. It does seem like Knight is positioned lower than fans would be willing to embrace him at, but that’s WWE call and they have their reasons, I suppose. It just seems like they could have settled him into this slot easily in a year, but built him up for some higher-end feuds in the mean time before defining him down to losing to Xavier. The match itself was just fine. Xavier cheating to beat Knight using the cheating method Knight got caught using makes sense in that fans can take satisfaction in Knight getting a piece of his own medicine. It also “protects” Knight a bit since he didn’t lose clean. I’d rather Knight just beat Xavier clean, though, since I think he can still be elevated with a string of clean wins over established mid-carders like Xavier, though.) [c]

-A commercial hyped that the WWE Draft starts on Smackdown in two weeks and finishes at Raw the following Monday.

-Backstage, Gunther talked to Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser. Xavier interrupted with his trombone. Kaiser complained. Xavier apologized, but didn’t mean it as he began playing again. Gunther said Xavier clearly wants his attention, so he should approach him in a respectful manner. He called Xavier a goof who doesn’t know what respect is. He said he’d beat the respect into him on the mat. Xavier said, “Now we’re talking.” He said he’s never had a shot at the IC Title. He said he’s the hottest free agent and might not be on Smackdown after the draft, so he wants to win and “take that title back to my place.” He began playing the trombone again.

(Keller’s Analysis: In what world is Xavier not the obnoxious heel there and Gunther the likable grown up in that situation?)

-Cole and Barrett narrated a clip of Riddle being stretchered out of the arena four months ago.

-Sami thanked Riddle backstage for his help. He told Riddle to be careful because Solo is dangerous. He said he feels horrible about his role in being part of The Bloodline back then. He told him to be careful. Owens interjected and told Riddle not to be careful, but instead go in there and give it his all. Riddle vowed to inflict pain on Solo and he shoved KO in the chest to show he saw things his way. Sami looked on wide-eyed at that exchange.

(Keller’s Analysis: Sami and Owens are showing how they’re just wired differently, and while neither is coming off more heelish or unlikable, and in some ways their differences can be complimentary as a tag team, this seems to be laying the groundwork for issues between them. I don’t know how that plays out ultimately, and having them wrestle each other again will feel too familiar and having Owens turn again anytime soon just feels ridiculous, but we’ll see. At least if it happens, their matches will likely be excellent. Sami, to me, feels like he’s something less than he was heading into Montreal. I suppose that was to be expected and perhaps was inevitable, and I’m still interested in the dynamic between him and the Bloodline.)

-Kayla Braxton interviewed Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Dominik Mysterio backstage. Kayla said Zelina Vega kind of embarrassed Ripley last week. Dominik told her she doesn’t want to make Mommy mad. Priest said Escobar “can go,” but he can’t pick friends. He said he shouldn’t have gotten involved in their business. He said regarding Bad Bunny, he’ll address that in the ring.

-Priest, Ripley, and Dominik walked to the ring. Priest warned Bunny not to put his hands on his family again. A clip aired of the angle with Bad Bunny two weeks ago. Back live in the ring, Priest said he knows what he did to Bunny was bad, but he wanted it to be replayed again. They replayed Priest chokeslamming Bunny through a table at ringside. Ripley and Dominik laughed. Zelina Vega walked out and got the attention of The Judgment Day. Legado del Fantasma attacked them from behind. [c]

(2) DAMIAN PRIEST (w/Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio) vs. SANTOS ESCOBAR (w/Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro, Zelina Vega)

A few minutes in, Escobar punched away at Priest in the corner. Priest lifted Escobar out of the corner and side kicked him over the top rope to the floor. Priest leaped off the steps and hit Escobar with a hammer fist as they cut to a break. [c]

Priest controlled the action for a while after the break until Escobar took Priest off the ropes with a huracanrana. He crawled over and made the cover, scoring a two count.

[HOUR TWO]

Escobar rallied and sent Priest into the corner with a head scissors. He landed a high roundkick followed by a top rope moonsault press for a two count. As Escobar lifted Priest onto his shoulders, Ripley distracted the ref as Dominik yanked Priest off of Escobar. Priest then hit Escobar with a clothesline. Wilde and Del Toro attacked Dominik. Priest dropped to ringside and shoved Del Toro and Wilde over the barricade into the time keeper’s area. Escobar leaped through the ropes and speared Priest. Ripley grabbed Escobar’s leg. Zelina gave Ripley a huracanrana. Priest gave Escobar a South of Heaven coming out of the chaos for the win.

WINNER: Priest in 11:00.

-After the match, Priest cleared the announce desk and set up Escobar for a chokeslam when Rey Mysterio’s music played, so Priest turned to him. Rey blind-sided Priest and attacked him. Rey then punched away at Dominik in the ring and went for a 619, but Priest yanked Dominik to safety. Rey and Legado Del Fantasma stood in the ring, all wearing LWO t-shirts.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good match and logical, high-energy post-match beatdown and run-in save by Rey.)

-The Usos and Paul Heyman were standing backstage with Solo. Heyman said he just got off the phone with Reigns. He said when someone embarrasses one of them, they embarrass all of them and Sika, Afa, Umaga, and Rikishi too. Solo turned to Heyman and said with a slow, intense cadence, “Tell the Tribal Chief, I’ve got this.” Heyman was wide-eyed and the Usos looked nervous as Solo actually spoke.

(Keller’s Analysis: Solo’s character continues to develop, and the way Heyman and the Usos reacted to him speaking is a window into how he’ll be portrayed as he continues to assert himself.)

-Cole hyped that Shinsuke Nakamura would return later.

-Liv Morgan made her ring entrance and was laughing about something, as usual. The music switched to Raquel Rodriguez’s and Raquel joined Liv and they walked to the ring. [c]

-Raquel and Liv celebrated their tag title win. Raquel thanked Liv for working so hard toward their success. Liv thanked her and said they’re just getting to know each other, so imagine how much better they can be as time goes on. Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green interrupted. Deville said she was getting sick to her stomach listening to them. She also demanded proper respect from the fans. They walked toward the ring. Deville said they didn’t even beat the actual tag team champions. She brought up how Lita was attacked. She said maybe upper management overlooked everything. Green said it was “that pea-brain, Adam Pearce.” Green and Deville took issue with “being overlooked for this mediocre tag team.” Green asked if they know who they are. Liv said they know who they are and, after they talk to Pearce, they’ll be their next challenges. Liv and Raquel attacked Green and Deville. The heel duo fled.

(Keller’s Analysis: Liv is just so awkward in almost everything she does. Her body language and facial expressions look like early-draft A.I. – something resembling human expression but not quite in sync with a how humans actually emote. What is she laughing at when she comes out onto the stage? Why does she make facial expressions constantly like there’s a cute baby she’s interacting with on an airplane? What message is she trying to send with her body contortions as she strikes these awkward poses that seem like they’re meant to be sexy but come across as patronizing and cringy and, frankly, kind of inappropriate for the room. The chemistry between Raquel and Liv feels so forced, like they’re searching for something that isn’t there. Liv’s character has jumped between so many things every month or two for years and it never settles on anything that feels natural for her. She’s got talent, but her instincts seem way off and the direction she’s given isn’t helping her. The script they’re executing doesn’t help. I do enjoy Green and Deville together. They’re both very good on the mic and play their characters well.)

-Cole plugged Nakamura again. [c]

-Barrett hyped the Riddle vs. Solo main event.

-Nakamura made his ring entrance as a cool light show filled the stage and arena. He wore a black robe and hood.

-Backstage, Emma told Madcap Moss that Nakamura doesn’t have his looks or his strength, so he should go out there and prove he should be the top pick in this year’s draft.

(3) SHINSUKE NAKAMURA vs. MADCAP MOSS (w/Emma)

Fans weren’t sure how to respond as they first began wrestling. Nakamura fended off an early attack by Moss and landed a flying knee off the second rope. He followed with his Kinsasha for the win.

WINNER: Nakamura in 2:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Why was Moss the first opponent for Nakamura on his return. If they wanted Nakamura to win in two minutes, why not Drew Gulak or Angel Garza or someone along those lines? Or a quick program with L.A. Knight – ideally after he defeated Xavier clean? Emma seems delusional thinking Moss is one win away from being the top overall draft pick. I didn’t get this segment , but maybe it’ll end up becoming more clear in coming weeks. Nakamura’s entrance was cool, but I’d have liked his return match to reveal more about what his aspirations are now and how we’re supposed to feel about him rather than have the opponent be another babyface with a story of his own regarding Emma’s high expectations for him. Even worse, Nakamura is not a small wrestler, but Moss made him look relatively small. The crowd didn’t react much as a result of how muddled this was.)

-A vignette aired with Karrion Kross and Scarlett indicating they’re going after Nakamura.

(Keller’s Analysis: If they’re going with a Kross-Nakamura feud right away, that’s even more reason for Nakamura to have been a heel jobber who could bump like crazy for him and gives fans more of a clear-cut reason to cheer him for him doing so.)

-They showed Riddle warming up backstage with Sami and Owens chatting in the background.

-A Raw commercial showed Cody challenging Brock Lesnar to a match at Backlash with a tease that Lesnar might answer the challenge. Also, Trish Stratus will address why she attacked Becky Lynch and Austin Theory defending against Bobby Lashley. [c]

-A clip aired of Trish attacking Becky.

-Backstage, they showed Braun Strowman and Ricochet walking backstage for no apparent reason when suddenly The Viking Raiders attacked them from behind.

(Keller’s Analysis: What is the presupposition for why Braun and Ricochet were shown walking backstage? They had no match or promo announced. It was almost time for the main event so there was no time to fit anything in involving them. WWE should do a better job with that stuff because it’s just lazy not to. They easily could have just had a backstage interview about the tag team scene and their reaction to Owens & Sami being champs and then have the Raiders attack them during that.)

-After ring entrances for the main event, Heyman announced that in two weeks on Smackdown, “the WrestleMania Night 1 main event get rematched live.”  He guaranteed Owens & Sami will lose those tag team titles because the Tribal Chief is losing his patience with them. He looked at the Usos as he said that, even though the assumption might’ve been he was referring to Sami & Owens since he kept pointing at them. The Usos didn’t react or didn’t pick up on what Heyman seemed to be indicating because he was standing behind them.

(Keller’s Analysis: Will the Usos become aware that Heyman indicated he was talking about them, not Sami & KO? Or was it meant to be subtle enough that there’s plausible deniability that Heyman meant that, thus it won’t be brought up by anyone? Owens seemed to pick up on it, though, so his character should taunt the Usos with it.) [c]

-Cole and Barrett hyped next week’s line-up: Gunther vs. Xavier, Raquel & Liv vs. Green & Deville, and the Raiders vs. Ricochet & Braun.

(4) SOLO SIKOA (w/Paul Heyman, The Usos) vs. MATT RIDDLE (w/Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens)

The bell rang for the main event 44 minutes into the hour. Riddle went on the attack with roundkicks to the chest and then an armbar attempt. Solo broke free. They battled back and forth for a while. Owens & Sami got into it with the Usso at ringside after Jey tripped Riddle as he ran the ropes. The ref kicked all four out of ringside. Then they cut to a break. [c]

Solo was in control after the break. Riddle made a comeback. The Usos returned to ringside. Sami and Owens then returned, protesting the Usos return. They brawled at ringside. Riddle rallied against Solo and then springboard flip-dove onto the Usos at ringside. He followed up with a top rope leap, but Solo kicked him in the gut out of mid-air followed by a Samoan Spike.

WINNER: Solo in 11:0o.

-Afterward, Solo chokeslammed Riddle onto the announce desk. He followed up by tipping the desk on Riddle. Sami, Owens, and referees checked on Riddle as Solo and the Usos celebrated in the ring. Cole said Riddle, Owens, and Sami learned not to pick a fight with The Bloodline.

(Keller’s Analysis: Nothing unpredictable here, but that’s not bad. Solo and Riddle had a nice 11 minute TV main event. It made sense for the Usos and Sami & KO to be involved as they were. Solo looked badass throughout. Riddle has a logical reason to want to go after Solo, but his inclusion in this feels like they’re hedging a bit on putting a lot on his shoulders character-wise. He’s merely pals with Sami and KO due to having a common enemy, and because he is a third babyface to take on Solo & The Usos. We’ll find out how much WWE wants to invest in Riddle once the Solo feud plays itself out.)