4/14 WWE SMACKDOWN TV RESULTS: McDonald’s “alt perspective” report on Morgan/Rodriguez Championship Celebration, Nakamura returns, Escobar vs. Priest, Woods vs. Knight

WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
APRIL 14, 2023
LINCOLN, NE AT PINNACLE BANK ARENA
AIRED ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

[HOUR ONE]

-The Smackdown video introduction played. Rhea Ripley has now been added.

-Pyro exploded on the stage and the camera panned the crowd as Michael Cole introduced the show to the audience.

-Kevin Owens’ music played and he made his entrance with the Tag Team Championships. Owens paused at the top of the stage and Sami Zayn’s music played. The crowd sang along as Zayn appeared with Owens on the stage. They held up the Tag Team titles as they walked down the ramp. Cole mentioned that they beat the Usos at Wrestlemania but they still have problems with the Bloodline. Cole then threw to a video recap of Solo Sikoa’s attack on Owens, then Jey Uso’s victory over Zayn with help from Sikoa. The video then showed Matt Riddle’s return to Smackdown.

-Owens and Zayn stood in the middle of the ring with microphones. The crowd cheered as the music faded out. Zayn thanked the crowd then said it’s only been two weeks since Wrestlemania and for the first time ever the Tag Team titles were the main event. He said that he and Owens had been together forever and they closed the show as champions. Zayn said they haven’t had time to think about it with everything going on. He said everything with the Bloodline and the Draft has caused uncertainty. Owens took the mic and said the unpredictability of the Draft creates a certain atmosphere. Owens said regardless of where they end up, they’re the Undisputed Tag Team champions and they will defend them with everything they have no matter what brand they’re on. Owens said he knows the Usos are going to come for a rematch.

-The Usos made their entrance and cut Owens off. Jey and Jimmy Uso appeared on the stage with Solo Sikoa at their side. Jimmy said Zayn and Owens are folding under the pressure and they’ve only been champions for two weeks. Jey said they know about pressure after being champion for over 600 days. Zayn said they always have to report back to Reigns. Jimmy taunted Zayn, then said the Bloodline is more dangerous and stronger than ever. He said the Usos have leveled up. Jimmy then said that they don’t want the savage to come out of Sikoa. Jimmy said that the Usos will be Tag Team champions again. Jey said there’s no cracks in the Bloodline and they’re solid. Jey said after they take the titles back, Owens and Zayn will turn on each other again. Jey said he was wrong about Owens, because Zayn is going to backstab Owens just like he backstabbed the Bloodline. Zayn said he wished he was as good at anything as Jey is at lying to himself. Zayn said it’s fine that the Usos act like everything is fine. Zayn said he didn’t think the Usos came out to talk. Jimmy said they didn’t and the Usos dropped their mics. Jey and Jimmy circled the ring. All three members of the Bloodline hopped on the apron. Riddle appeared and pulled Sikoa off the apron. Zayn and Jimmy brawled on the outside. Zayn tossed Jimmy into the timekeeper’s area. Jey and Owens brawled on the announce table. Riddle took out Sikoa in the ring with a pair of knee strikes. The Usos pulled Sikoa from the ring as Riddle, Owens, and Zayn stood tall. The Bloodline retreated up the ramp and looked on. [c]

(McDonald’s Analysis: Solid opening segment. All of these guys work well together and the insertion of Matt Riddle really works. He fits in well with Owens and Zayn and he and Sikoa could put on a great match if given the opportunity. With Riddle’s past character work and the “off-field” issues, I wonder how far they’ll go with him. I like how he’s been booked under Triple H better than what he did under McMahon, but I don’t think Riddle has ever reached the heights he’s capable of. This could be a step in the right direction for him. I assume they’re going to set up a rematch with the Usos against Zayn and Owens for Backlash, but I don’t know if that’s the best course of action right now. The Mania match felt like the end of the story, so the continuation feels a little forced. Obviously, the Usos should get a rematch, but at this point, I don’t know if a rematch so soon can come anywhere close to the match they just had. It’ll be good, don’t get wrong, but we need some room to breathe.)

-Cole threw to a recap of the previous segment.

-Adam Pearce was in the back talking to an official. He told the official to find Riddle and Sikoa so they can face each other in the main event tonight on Smackdown.

-Cole and Wade Barrett sat ringside. Cole threw to social media videos from Xavier Woods and L.A. Knight. The two cut promos against each other on social media. They also showed the altercation between the two last week on Smackdown.

(McDonald’s Analysis: That was a cool little video package to hype this match. It gave meaning to something that, otherwise, would have been pretty useless. Good move.)

-Xavier Woods made his entrance in the arena. Woods played his trombone in the ring. Barrett said if you touch another man’s joystick, there’s going to be consequences and Woods is upset.

-L.A. Knight made his entrance. Cole mentioned that Knight is upset he didn’t have a match at Wrestlemania. Barrett said he was justified.

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

Knight said “yeah” and the crowd responded with a “yeah” of their own. Knight got a headlock on Woods and Woods shot Knight off the ropes. Knight took Woods down with a shoulder block. Woods answered with a dropkick. Woods kicked at Knight and grabbed a headlock of his own. Woods took Knight down with the headlock. Knight rolled into a pin and Woods kicked out. Knight went for a back suplex but Woods landed on his feet. Knight took Woods down with a shoulder block. Knight sent Woods off the ropes and Woods hit a headscissors into a Russian Leg Sweep. Knight dropped to the outside and Woods ran the ropes before he hit a plancha to Knight on the outside. Knight got back in the ring and Woods climbed to the top rope. Knight saw him there and rolled to the outside. Woods went for a dropkick through the ropes but Knight moved and slammed Woods’ back on the apron. Knight then tossed Woods into the ring post and stood tall on the outside. [c]

Woods was in control and took Knight to the corner. Woods tried to take Knight to the other side but Knight recovered and hit a neckbreaker for a near fall. Knight beat on Woods in the corner then brought him to the center of the ring but Woods countered with a jawbreaker. Woods hit a series of punches. Knight went for a clothesline but Woods ducked and hit a superkick. Woods ran the ropes and slid under Knight before he hit a flying forearm. Woods made the cover for a two count. Woods went for a suplex but Knight landed on his feet. Woods then went for a kick but Knight countered and hit a DDT and covered Woods  for a near fall. Knight stood over Woods as the crowd cheered. Knight lifted Woods and set up for a suplex but Woods blocked a pair of attempts. Knight clubbed at the back of Woods to take him down then stomped away. Knight set up another suplex and lifted Woods, but Woods countered and suplexed Knight on the top rope. Woods left Knight hanging then went to the top rope and hit a leg drop on Knight in the ropes. Woods went back to the top rope and hit another leg drop. Woods made the cover for another near fall. Knight countered Woods with a powerslam then hit a big elbow drop. Knight went for BFT but Woods countered and got a waistlock. Knight reversed and rolled up Woods but the ref wouldn’t count as Knight had the tights. Woods rolled up Knight and held the tights himself. The ref didn’t see it and Woods got the win.

WINNER: Xavier Woods in 12:00

-Barrett complained about the finish as they showed the replay. Knight protested the finish in the ring.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Really solid effort from both guys and a decent TV match. The impact of this was lessened with the cheap finish that doesn’t do anything for either guy. Knight gets caught cheating then Woods cheats himself. After trash talking each other the face has to cheat to beat the heel who he couldn’t put away using his actual moveset. It’s silly and doesn’t make any sense. I don’t get the idea for Knight’s character either. He’s the cockiest loser on the roster? Is that it? Woods is the third wheel of a tired act and Knight is very popular. With those two things being the case, finishes like this just don’t make any sense.)

-They showed a video package on Solo Sikoa, then they showed the graphic for Sikoa and Matt Riddle in the main event. After this graphic, they showed a picture of Riddle on a stretcher last December on Raw. Cole said they would show the footage after the break. [c]

-They showed a commercial for the draft. It said it starts in two weeks on Smackdown, then continues on Raw.

(McDonald’s Analysis: There goes my dream for this being a Peacock special. Oh well, I hope we get some new wrinkles to the Draft process to make it feel different.)

-Imperium was in the back. Gunther talked to Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci. Woods interrupted with his trombone. Kaiser told him to get lost. Woods told them to continue. Gunther started to talk and Woods interrupted him again. Gunther cut Woods off and said he knows that Woods wants his attention. Gunther called Woods a goof and goofs don’t deserve respect. Gunther than challenged Woods to a match so he can teach him a lesson. Woods said he hasn’t had a title shot and he’s ready to step in the ring with Gunther so he can take the title.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Can someone please explain to me why I’m supposed to like Woods more than Gunther? Everything Gunther said is true and Woods is an annoying goof. The match will be solid, but there’s a zero percent chance of Woods winning. Oh well, Gunther matches on Smackdown are a treat, regardless of the opponent.)

-Cole and Barrett sat ringside. Cole threw to a video recap of Sikoa’s attack on Riddle last December on Raw.

-Riddle was in the back with Zayn. Zayn thanked Riddle for backing them up, but he told Riddle to be careful with Sikoa. Zayn said he would feel bad if something happened to Riddle. Zayn told Riddle to be careful. Owens interjected and said Riddle shouldn’t be careful, he should exact revenge. Riddle said that he learned to stay on his own side of the street. He said he can’t control how dangerous the Bloodline is, but he can control how much revenge he exacts on Sikoa tonight.

-Kayla Braxton was in the back and welcomed Rhea Ripley, Damien Priest, and Dominik Mysterio. Kayla said they got a win last week, but Zelina Vega embarrassed Ripley. Ripley cut her off. Dominik stopped Ripley. Priest stepped in and said that Santos Escobar is talented but he’s not good at making friends. He then said he knows Kayla is going to ask about Bad Bunny, but Priest is going to address that in the ring.

-Judgment Day made their entrance in the arena. Cole mentioned that Priest will face Santos Escobar later on. Judgment Day entered the ring and posed. Priest asked for a mic and stood in the center of the ring. He said Backlash is in Puerto Rico and the host is his friend Bad Bunny. Priest said it’s fine if Bad Bunny sits front row, but if Bad Bunny puts his hands on his family again, we all know what will happen. Cole narrated a recap video of Priest’s attack on Bad Bunny two weeks ago on Raw. Barrett said Bad Bunny was the one who made a mistake. Priest reacted to the video and said it was bad. He then asked for the video to be played again in slow motion. The video aired again. Ripley and Dominik laughed.

-Santos Escobar’s music played and Zelina Vega appeared on the stage. Ripley exited the ring. The LWO hit the ring and attacked Priest and Dominik from behind. Priest and Dominik stared them down. Cole said the match is up next. [c]

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

The match was in progress. Escobar came off the top with a crossbody and took Priest down. Escobar knocked Priest to the outside and set up a dive but Priest moved. Escobar recalibrated and went for a dive off the apron but Priest caught him coming with a right hand. Priest took Escobar back into the ring and hit a modified suplex for a near fall. Ripley screamed from ringside that the count was wrong. Escobar fought back with a chop but Priest wrenched on his arm. Priest landed a series of kicks and Escobar answered with chops. Escobar took the advantage with chops then hit a big dropkick for a near fall. Escobar hit a running knee on Priest in the corner. Escobar hit another running knee in the corner then took Priest to the opposite corner. Escobar mounted Priest and rained down punches in the corner. Priest grabbed Escobar around the throat and pulled him to the center of the ring. Priest landed a kick that sent Escobar to the outside. Priest ran around the ring and leapt off the stairs to deliver a double axe handle that took down Escobar. Priest posed with Escobar down. [c]

Priest pounded on Escobar in the corner with right hands. Escobar fought back but Priest countered with a big facebuster and covered Escobar for a near fall. Priest pulled back on Escobar’s arms with his knee in Escobar’s back. Escobar fought to his feet but Priest took him back down with a knee to the gut. Escobar fought back again but Priest took Escobar down yet again. Dominik and Ripley cheered Priest on. Priest went to the top rope holding Escobar’s arm but Escobar fought back. Escobar climbed to the top himself and hit a hurricanrana. Both men were down. Escobar crawled over and made the cover for a near fall.

[HOUR TWO]

Both men got to their feet and traded punches. Priest hit kicks to the gut but Escobar answered with a knee strike followed by a pair of flying forearms. Escobar then hit a headscissors that sent Priest to the corner. Escobar stayed on the attack and hit a moonsault off the top to a standing Priest. Escobar made the cover for another near fall. Escobar lifted Priest to his shoulders. Ripley distracted the ref and Dominik pulled Priest off Escobar’s shoulders. Priest delivered a big clothesline in the ring. The LWO beat on Dominik at ringside. Priest came out and took out the LWO. Escobar came over the top rope and took out Priest. Escobar sent Priest back into the ring and measured Priest. Ripley grabbed Escobar’s leg. Zelina Vega came and took out Ripley with a hurricanrana. Escobar charged Priest in the ring but Priest delivered a kick followed by South of Heaven and made the cover for the win.

WINNER: Damien Priest in 12:00

-Priest tossed Escobar to the outside and teased an attack. Rey Mysterio’s music played and Mysterio took out Priest. Dominik was alone in the ring with Mysterio. Mysterio took the advantage and set up Dominik for the 619. Priest pulled Dominik to safety and Judgment Day retreated up the ramp as Mysterio stood tall with the LWO in the ring.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Unlike the beginning of the show, this feud feels like it still has a ton of juice left. This match was really good for what it was. Escobar is super talented, but is another guy who never wins for some reason. Priest has been on the backburner for months but did well in the promo segment and the match tonight. Both of these guys showed they deserve a little more tonight. I wonder if it will mean anything as they seem to be the backdrop for Dominik and Rey. There’s nothing wrong with that, but Escobar and Priest are also talented and capable of carrying larger roles if given the chance.)

-The Bloodline was in the back. Paul Heyman said he just got off the phone with Roman Reigns. Heyman said that Riddle embarrassed Sikoa earlier. Heyman said when someone embarrasses you they embarrass the entire family. Heyman mentioned numerous members of the family, including Afa, Sika, Rikishi, Umaga, and Yokozuna. Heyman continued his rant before Sikoa put his hand on Heyman’s shoulder. Sikoa told Heyman to tell Reigns he’s got this. Heyman said ok and backed off. Sikoa looked forward menacingly as he fixed his wrist tape.

-They showed a graphic for Sikoa against Riddle. Barrett hyped the match as the main event.

-They showed footage of Shinsuke Nakamura. Cole mentioned Nakamura’s accolades and hyped his return for later in the show.

-Liv Morgan made her entrance and Raquel Rodriguez followed. They made their way down the ramp with the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Cole mentioned that they won the titles this past Monday on Raw. [c]

-Cole touted ticket sales for Summerslam as a graphic was shown for Summerslam at Ford Field in Detroit.

-They showed a recap of Raw this past Monday. Trish Stratus replaced Lita after Lita was attacked in the back. The video then showed the match with Stratus and Becky Lynch against Morgan and Rodriguez. Morgan and Rodriguez got the victory and the video ended with their celebration.

-Morgan and Rodriguez were in the ring. They were introduced as the new Women’s Tag Team Champions. Pyro exploded on the stage. There was a red carpet in the ring. Morgan said they were happy and proud to be champions. Rodriguez said they brought the hardware home to Smackdown. Rodriguez then said she wanted to thank Morgan for sacrificing her body so she could be Rodriguez’s weapon. Rodriguez said they’re the perfect combo of chaos and power. Morgan said she’ll always let Rodriguez throw her into people. Morgan said incredible things happen when you least expect it. She said they’ve gotten this good this quick.

-Sonya Deville made her entrance with Chelsea Green. Deville said listening to them made her dumber by the minute. Deville told the crowd to listen to her. Deville then asked how Morgan and Rodriguez are champions when they didn’t beat the actual champions. Deville said she didn’t understand. Deville then said it must have been management. Green interjected and said it was Pearce. Green then said they’ve been overlooked for a mediocre team. Green asked where their celebration, pyro, and opportunities were. Green asked if they knew who they were. Morgan said they know who they are. Morgan said after they talk to Pearce, Green and Deville will be their challengers. Morgan and Rodriguez attacked Green and Deville. Green and Deville retreated. Morgan and Rodriguez taunted them with the championships.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Everything about this was terrible and cringeworthy. Other than Deville, none of these women should be carrying a segment based on their mic skills. Please do less of this moving forward. The draft can’t come soon enough to bring some talent to the Smackdown side of the Women’s Division.)

-They showed a video for Nakamura and Cole hyped his return for after the break. [c]

-They showed a graphic for Riddle and Sikoa. Barrett hyped the match again.

-Shinsuke Nakamura’s music hit and he made his entrance in a coat. The crowd popped big time.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Again, call me crazy, but if done right, a new push of Nakamura could make him a credible challenger for Reigns in the coming months. I hope that’s where they go with this.)

-Madcap Moss was in the back with Emma. Emma said Nakamura doesn’t have anything on Moss. She said they need this. Emma said Moss is going to prove why he’s going to be a top pick in the draft. Moss got hyped up and walked toward the curtain. Moss then made his entrance in the arena.

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

Moss charged Nakamura and beat on him in the corner. Moss then charged and hit a shoulder block. Moss took Nakamura down and made the cover for a quick one count. Nakamura recovered with a kick. He then beckoned Moss. Nakamura hit a kick then a running dropkick. Nakamura hit another kick then the sliding German suplex. Nakamura went to the second rope and hit a flying knee. Nakamura measured and hit the Kinshasa. Nakamura made the cover for the win.

WINNER: Shinsuke Nakamura in 2:00

(McDonald’s Analysis: Remember when we thought they were going to do something with Moss? That’s out the window. This is exactly what they should have done here and I’m glad they went this direction. Nakamura could really mean something if pushed the right way. He’s been gone long enough that he could feel like a big deal again. I hope that’s the plan. If so, this was a good step in that direction.)

-Moss attacked Nakamura but Nakamura countered into an armbar. Emma helped pull Moss to safety. Nakamura posed in the ring. Cole called him a force to be reckoned with.

-Scarlett was in the back with Tarot Cards. Karrion Kross appeared. He said tick tock and the screen faded away.

-Riddle was shown warming up for his match. Cole hyped his match with Sikoa for after the break. [c]

-They showed a recap of Raw highlighting Trish Stratus’ heel turn on Becky Lynch. Cole said we’ll find out why this Monday on Raw.

-Braun Strowman and Ricochet were in the back. The Viking Raiders appeared out of nowhere and attacked them. Valhalla screamed instructions and the Raiders delivered Ragnarok to Strowman.

-Matt Riddle made his entrance in the arena with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in tow. Cole threw to another video of Sikoa’s attack on Riddle last December.

-Sikoa made his entrance with the Usos and Paul Heyman at his side. The Usos held their ones to the sky as they followed Sikoa to the ring. Paul Heyman took the mic. He said his name is Paul Heyman and he has a historic announcement. He said he just got off the phone with Roman Reigns and two weeks from tonight on Smackdown the Usos will get their rematch with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Jimmy smiled, then the Usos posed. Heyman said Owens and Zayn will lose because Reigns is losing patience with the Usos. Heyman exited the ring.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Huge announcement. I’m surprised they’re going to have that match on Smackdown instead of at Backlash, but I assume they know what they’re doing. I don’t know what the finish will be, so it’s an interesting match to look forward to. I wish the Usos had reacted a bit more when Heyman dropped the line about Reigns losing patience with the Usos. They kind of no sold it. That probably won’t mean anything, but it was noticeable in the moment.)

-They showed the graphic again and Cole hyped the match for after the break. Sikoa and Riddle stared each other down in the ring.

-They showed a graphic for Owens and Zayn against the Usos in two weeks. Cole hyped the match. They then announced Gunther against Xavier Woods for the Intercontinental Championship next week. They also announced a Women’s Tag Team title match with Morgan and Rodriguez against Deville and Green as well as the Viking Raiders against Strowman and Ricochet.

(4) MATT RIDDLE (w/ Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens) vs. SOLO SIKOA (w/ Paul Heyman, Jey & Jimmy Uso)

Riddle attacked Sikoa. Riddle jumped on Sikoa and went for the arm but Sikoa slammed Riddle down. Riddle jumped on Sikoa’s back and went for a sleeper. Sikoa fought him off but Riddle went back to it. Sikoa dropped to his back and took down Riddle. Riddle went back to the sleeper again. Sikoa got to his feet and pulled Riddle over his head and to the mat. Sikoa charged Riddle in the corner but Riddle caught Sikoa coming in. Riddle charged Sikoa and Sikoa met him with a big right hand that took Riddle down. Sikoa mounted Riddle and beat on him. Sikoa choked Riddle with the middle rope. Sikoa stalked Riddle and chopped him in the corner. Riddle fought back and delivered a series of strikes. Sikoa reversed an Irish whip and Jey tripped Riddle. Zayn and Owens started toward the Usos and the ref dropped out of the ring to break it up. The ref sent Zayn and Owens to the back. The ref then turned to the Usos and sent them to the back as well. Riddle rolled up Sikoa in the ring and got a near fall. Sikoa delivered a Samoan Drop and stalked Riddle as they cut to break. [c]

Riddle landed strikes on Sikoa then charged off the ropes. Sikoa took him down with an elbow. Sikoa made the cover for a near fall. Sikoa taunted Riddle then clamped on a nerve hold. The crowd cheered on Riddle. Riddle fought to his feet and landed a big punch. Sikoa answered the two traded punches before Sikoa hit a big punch that took Riddle down. Sikoa charged Riddle in the corner but Riddle moved and Sikoa hit the post. Riddle hit a series of strikes then a drop down kick. Riddle hit a splash in the corner and Sikoa answered with elbows. Riddle countered with a big suplex then went for a running senton but Sikoa got his knees up. Riddle recovered in the corner and hit a Floating Bro off the top rope. Riddle made the cover for a near fall. The Usos appeared in the crowd. Riddle stared them down. Owens and Zayn ran down the ramp as the Usos circled the ring. The Usos brawled with Zayn and Owens on the outside. In the ring, Sikoa went for a suplex but Riddle landed on his feet then landed a kick. Riddle jumped over the top rope and took out the Usos. Riddle went to the top rope and leapt off at Sikoa but Sikoa landed a big superkick. Sikoa then delivered the Samoan Spike and made the cover for the win.

WINNER: Solo Sikoa in 11:00

-Riddle rolled to the outside and Sikoa followed him out. Sikoa delivered a Rock Bottom on Riddle on the announce table. The table didn’t break. Riddle bounced off and rolled to the floor. Sikoa tipped the table over on top of Riddle. Refs appeared and pulled Sikoa back. Sikoa got in the ring and looked on as Zayn and Owens tried to help Riddle. Sikoa stood tall in the ring as the Usos posed behind him. The refs checked on Riddle with Zayn and Owens. Sikoa and the Usos left up the ramp.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Really good main event. These guys are both good and they didn’t disappoint here. The beatdown by Sikoa after the match was a good way to end the show. They make it seem like Sikoa needs the interference, but at the same time, he comes off like such a badass that he could win anyway. It’s a fine line, but they walk it well. Sikoa is going to be big time in a short period of time and performances like this are only going to help his cause. I hope WWE realizes this and starts saving some of these marquee matches for major events. I don’t know if Riddle is at that level, or ever will be, but this was a good match to build a show around and both guys did a good job. The interactions with Zayn and Owens and the Usos was good as well and their match in two weeks feels like a big deal. Again, I think it’s a little soon, but I’m excited to see the match and I could make a case for either team winning.)