SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
EVANSVILLE, IND.
AIRED LIVE ON FOX
Announcers: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Samantha Irvin
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a four minute video package on Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber and then Kevin Owens explaining on Raw that he didn’t do anything for Sami but rather to spare Sami’s family from what his family went through.
-Kayla Braxton stood near the arena entrance when Jimmy Uso walked in. She asked if he’s had a chance to talk to Jey since the Chamber. He said he texted and called and left a voice mail telling him to meet him in the middle of the ring tonight. He said he can get whatever he needs to get off his chest. “He can look me in the face and tell me,” he said.
-They cut to the arena where Michael Cole introduced the show.
(1) MADCAP MOSS & BRAUN STROWMAN & RICOCHET vs. IMPERIUM (Gunther & Giovani Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser)
The bell rang eight minutes into the show. Kaiser had Ricochet down and then took a cheap shot at Braun. Braun entered the ring, distracting the ref, opening up Ricochet to be triple-teamed at ringside. They cut to a break at that point, about 3:30 into the match. [c]
Back from the break, Ricochet fought back against Kaiser mid-ring. Drew McIntyre walked out and looked at Gunther as he was battering Ricochet. Drew smiled. Cole wondered what he was doing out there. (Seed planted for an IC Title match between them at WrestleMania.) Cole noted Gunther’s title reign is 259 days and counting. Ricochet leaped and hot-tagged in Strowman at 9:00. He went after Kaiser in the ring. Gunther blind-tagged in. He chopped Braun. Braun tried to absorb them, but ended up phased. Gunther went for a sleeper, but Braun flipped him over his shoulders and then tagged in Moss. Moss went on a flurry of offense against Gunther. Gunther made a comeback after a distraction by Vinci on the ring apron. Gunther finished Moss with a powerbomb seconds later.
WINNERS: Imperium in 11:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Looks like they’re setting up Drew challenging Gunther at WrestleMania for the IC Title. That’s a WrestleMania-worthy match for both of them. I suspect it’ll be a further step in Gunther’s build into a top tier player in WWE at the expense of Drew, but it’s a good spot for Drew who has been a little out of the limelight other than putting on bangers with Sheamus lately.)
-Drew continued to watch Imperium as they celebrated their win. He began to take off his jacket when The Viking Raiders attacked him from behind. Sheamus ran out for the quick save. Strowman the joined in, knocking the Raiders down. Ricochet then landed a running corkscrew dive onto the Raiders. Drew and Sheamus gave running boots to the Raiders, knocking them over the ringside barricade.
-Kayla interviewed Rey Mysterio in the ring set backstage. He said he’s going to put down Karrion Kross once and for all. In walked Santos Escobar. He talked about what an honor it was to receive the mask from Rey. He said he wanted to show “the WWE Universe” how much he respects him. Rey said the feeling is mutual. Dominik Mysterio walked in with Rhea Ripley and asked Escobar how long he’s going to kiss up to Rey. Santos told Dominik that he needs to learn respect and he’ll teach him. Dominik said those in prison who didn’t back up what they said got dealt with. Escobar turned and laughed with Rey, then turned back and Ripley was in his face. Dominik sarcastically wished Rey luck, then left. Escobar told Rey not to let that bother him. Rey said how could he not be bothered because that’s his son. [c]
-Jimmy told Solo Sikoa that a few weeks ago when they had to defend the tag titles, he knew Jey would be there for them. He said since Montreal, it feels different. He said he might be spooked because of the Sami thing. Paul Heyman walked up to them and said he’ll stay back with Solo while he faces Jey man-to-man, Uso-to-Uso. “Yeet,” Jimmy agreed.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good hook for later. I’m glad they’re delving into the Jey-Jimmy dynamic more because there’s so much to explore there and they’ve shown themselves each able to deliver nuanced acting in the context of pro wrestling.)
-L.A. Knight made his ring entrance. Barrett was so excited to hear from Knight, Cole said he doesn’t have a lot going on in his life. “Wise up, Cole,” said Barrett. Knight said it’s the season everyone is talking about their WrestleMania Moments. He said he didn’t come to WWE for “moments.” He said he came to WWE for money and titles, but the path to that is WrestleMania. He said you can’t have an L.A. WrestleMania Moment without L.A. Knight. He said he’s going to give WrestleMania an L.A. Knight moment.
New Day danced out. Kofi Kingston said Knight’s only been on the WWE roster for a few months, so who is he to be demanding anything right now. Knight said he didn’t recall inviting The Nerd Day out there and took a dig at their video game playing. He said he has undeniable charisma and let out a “Yeah!” Xavier Woods said being nerds has made them a hell of a lot of money. Xavier said WrestleMania Moments aren’t handed out, they’re earned. He brought up Kofi Kingston’s WrestleMania Moment.
Knight took offense to Xavier accusing him of wearing fake leather. He asked Kofi how that Kofi Mania thing worked out for him. Kofi entered the ring and said he won the WWE Title “on the grandest stage of them all.” He said he wasn’t waiting for a WM Moment, but was fighting in the ring and behind the scenes for it. He said he’d like a chance to shut him up in the ring tonight. Fans chanted, “New… Day Rocks!” Knight said if that’s a challenge, since the fans feel so strongly about it, he’s game. Xavier called for Adam Pearce to make it official. A referee ran to the ring and they cut to a break just as the bell was about to ring. [c]
(2) L.A. KNIGHT vs. KOFI KINGSTON (w/Xavier Woods)
Cole talked about Kofi’s history with various singles and tag titles over the years. Kofi went on early offense. Cole said Kofi is right that you have to earn you way onto WrestleMania. Kofi leaped off the top rope with a crossbody and then grounded Knight with an armbar. Cole said nobody denies that Knight is a tremendous athlete, “but the problem is he’s a narcissist.” Barrett said they should be rolling out the red carpet for him at WrestleMania. When Knight took over, they cut to a break with Kofi down at ringside. [c]
Back from the break, Knight shoved Xavier away from Kofi when Xavier went to check on him. Knight told him to back away and play a little trombone. He elbowed Kofi and asked Xavier if he wanted to be next. “It’s a two-for-one special,” Knight said. Knight catapulted Kofi chest-first upward into the bottom rope and continued a methodical beatdown. Knight slingshot himself into the ring and shoulder tackled Kingston. Kofi caught Knight with a knee to the chin. Xavier played trombone at ringside to the beat of fan chants. Kofi rallied with a flurry of offense and then rolled up Knight for a near fall. He landed a Boom Drop. Knight ducked a Trouble in Paradise and a lift-and-drop chokeslam for a two count. Barrett said someone should “stop this idiot at ringside” when Xavier got the crowd worked up. Knight knocked Xavier down. Barrett said it’s exactly what he deserved. Kofi flip dove onto Knight at ringside.
Xavier distracted Knight on the top rope with a trombone noise. Kofi then landed Trouble in Paradise for the win.
WINNER: Kingston in 13:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good match. One might say Knight and Barrett made good points about New Day being annoying. That said, if you’re on the side of New Day, Kofi made good points that you have earn your WrestleMania spot not just talk about it being owed to you.)
-They went to Cole and Barrett at ringside, who threw to a sponsored video package aired on the Charlotte Flair-Rhea Ripley feud.
-Charlotte made her ring entrance. She said it’s just 35 days until WrestleMania. She pointed at the sign. She said Ripley likes to run her mouth on Raw, so she can’t wait to hear what she has to say to her face. She invited her to the ring. After a pause and no music, Charlotte went, “Hmmm, I think I smell hesitation.” She said it’s okay to be scared and having second-thoughts about choosing her given what happened the last time they faced off. Dominik walked out.
[HOUR TWO]
Dominik said he’s not going to let her take shots at Ripley. Charlotte said, “This is adult time, so how about you go get Mommy and tell her to come out here and face me like a real woman instead hiding behind her boy toy.” Dominik said she sounds jealous, almost bitter. He said Ripley is the hottest thing in WWE right now, and that bothers her. He said no woman has ever entered the Royal Rumble at no. 1 and won it all. He said she should smile more often because she’s beautiful. He said Ripley is strong and “when she hugs me, she damn near breaks my back.” He added, “And when she makes sweet…” Charlotte interrupted and said she has a real Latino man at home with a much thicker (pause) accent. She said she doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Dominik said he thinks they have a lot in common. He said they’re multi-generational WWE Superstars and they know what it’s like to be compared to their fathers and be better than them and surpass them even though they don’t like to see it. Fans booed. Dominik said he knows that his dad was a lot worse. He said Rey was a dead beat and an afterthought of a father. He said that messed him up. He said the fans don’t know what that’s like, and it put a big chip on his shoulder. He said when Mommy beats her at WrestleMania, she’ll realize her dad was right that she isn’t good enough. Dom wore a self-satisfied, smug smile. Charlotte said unlike Dom, she loves her dad. She said his 74th birthday is tomorrow “and he still could go.” She said if he was there, he’d kick his ass, but since he isn’t – at which point she made a move toward Dominik. Dominik put his hands up and backed away with a smile on his face. Ripley then walked out to her music.
When Ripley got into the ring, Dominik pulled her away from Charlotte. Ripley ran back and got in Charlotte’s face as Charlotte held up her Smackdown Title belt. Dominik convinced Ripley to leave the ring with him.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was so much fun. Charlotte played well off of Dominik, looking at him as a joke. Dominik is great dead-panning his history in prison and his confidence, plus the insinuation of his relationship details with Ripley.)
-Cole said Dominik is “a real piece of work” and “delusional.” He said WWE is the hottest ticket lately. He said Money in the Bank at O2 Arena sold out earlier in the day instantly. He said they put a number of full view seats on sale for both Saturday and Sunday night at WrestleMania and they’re going fast. He said it’s the hottest selling ticket in WrestleMania history. Cole shifted to talking about a back and forth on social media between Shayna Baszler and Natalya.
-As Natlaya made her ring entrance, they showed a clip from earlier of Pearce saying Natalya was medically cleared. Tegan Nox showed up and told Natalya that she’d have her back in case Ronda Rousey showed up. [c]
-A clip aired of Sami Zayn making appearances in Montreal at a Canadiens game and various local media appearances including with his family.
(3) NATALYA (w/Tegan Nox) vs. SHAYNA BASZLER (w/Ronda Rousey)
Baszler came out to Rousey’s music. The bell rang 13 minutes into the second hour. Cole talked about how Natalya and Rousey were once friends but now are bitter enemies. Cole said Natalya is banged up from her experience inside the Elimination Chamber. After some early offense by Baszler, Natalya made a comeback with a back suplex and a discus clothesline followed by a sharpshooter attempt. Baszler kicked Natalya off of her. Baszler bailed out to ringside. Natalya kicked Baszler and then yelled at Rousey. When Natalya began to re-enter the ring, Baszler hit a knee to the jaw and then applied an armbar for the tapout win.
WINNER: Baszler in 3:00.
-Afterward, Baszler knocked Nox off the ring apron. Baszler held Natalya as Rousey set up a move, but Nox returned to the ring and blocked her. Rousey and Baszler bailed out. Rousey was fired up and trash-talking from ringside.
(Keller’s Analysis: Rousey is a much better heel than babyface. The match was too short to amount to much but was pretty clunky in spots.)
-The Firefly Funhouse jingle played as Cole hyped it was coming up soon. Cole then threw to the Seth Rollins-Joker video. [c]
-The Firefly Funhouse: They showed the Funhouse set. Then it cut to an old console TV and then a battle between two Undertaker action figures. Then they cut to Bray watching a clip of himself on an iPad calling out Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley. Then a clip aired of Lashley talking about being disrespected with Funhouse sound effects. Bray then welcomed everyone to Funhouse News. He had Ramblin’ Rabbit with him. Bray said it’s time for a weather report. Uncle Howdy showed up. Bray then appeared as a talk show host with a wig. They aired black and white footage of teenage girls in the 1960s screaming. Then they advertised “Can you keep a secret” as upcoming shows on the channel. Then odd images aired through the Funhouse doorway. Howdy then asked, “If I told you a story, could you keep a secret?”
(Keller’s Analysis: More randomness that feels more about creating eerie feelings and disorientation than telling any kind of actual cohesive story.)
-They cut backstage to Solo and Jimmy with Heyman on his phone in the background. Jimmy told Solo he wants to hash things out face to face. Heyman then showed Jimmy a text from Roman Reigns. Heyman said Roman says he’ll be live on Smackdown next week. He said if Jimmy doesn’t handle Jey tonight, then the Tribal Chief will handle him for him next week personally.
-Cole hyped Rey vs. Kross was up next. [c]
-A graphic touted the instant sellout to Money in the Bank in London, England.
(4) REY MYSTERIO vs. KARRION KROSS (w/Scarlett)
Rey’s ring entrance took place first. Then Kross’s elaborate ring entrance aired. Cole wondered if Rey can focus with all that is going on with his son. The bell rang 34 minutes into the hour. Rey hit an early 619 and then leaped through the ropes and tackled him. [c]
Back from the break, they showed Kross driving Rey into the ringpost Razor’s Edge style. Back live, Kross beat on Rey for a while. Rey head-scissored Kross into the corner turnbuckle and then rallied until Kross side-stepped him and threw him head-first under the bottom rope where Rey crashed to the floor. Rey came back a few minutes later at 8:00 and set up a 619. When he hit the opposite ropes, Scarlett was standing on the ring apron and she flipped over the top rope. That distracted the ref, who turned to check on her. Rey went for the 619, but Dominik showed up out of nowhere to block it. Dominik yelled at Rey to hit him. He stuck his chin out. Rey shook his head and returned to the ring where Kross elbowed Rey in the head and then applied a Kross Jacket. Rey’s arm dropped three times and the ref called for the bell.
WINNER: Kross in 9:00.
-Cole wondered how much more disrespect Rey could take. Dominik shoved Rey around and trash-talked him for over a minute. Rey turned away. Dominik said, “Exactly what I thought.” Fans chanted, “Do it! Do it!” Dom spun Rey around. Rey held his head in agony. Then he hung his head, kicked the bottom rope, and left the ring.
-They showed Jimmy exhaling backstage, awaiting word from Jey. [c]
-Cole and Barrett hyped next week’s Smackdown line-up: Reigns returns, Liv Morgan vs. Ripley, and Rousey & Baszler vs. Natalya & Nox.
-Jimmy Uso made his ring entrance to the Usos’ theme. Cole said Jimmy seems much less confident Jey will show up this time. An emotional Jimmy addressed Jey through the hard camera. He said from brother to brother, he knows he’s torn and hurt. “When you hurt, I hurt, Uce,” he said. He said he’ll always be there for him and he needs him to be there for him right now. He said people are saying there are cracks in the Bloodline. He said there are issues and everything has been crazy. He said they have a Sami Zayn problem and a Kevin Owens problem. He said they have issued with the Tribal Chief, “and I can’t do this alone.” Sami Zayn showed up out of the audience with his black hoodie on.
Sami lowered his hood and said he’s not there to fight. He said needs to talk to Jimmy. He said when he hears him use the word “brother,” that breaks his heart “because that is what you were to me.” He said they were dawgs. He said Jimmy had his back all along and saw value in him. “You were the one who made me the honorary Uce,” he said. “Remember that?” He said without him, there was no Honorary Uce or Feeling Ucey. He said when things went south at the Royal Rumble, he didn’t think twice and he took him down with zero hesitation. He said that hurt. Jimmy snarled at him, but also seemed conflicted emotionally.
Jimmy told Sami he’s so damn selfish for trying to blame him. He said it was Sami who made the choice. He said he made the choice. “You stepped on me and you stepped on Jey,” he said. “What was I supposed to do, huh?” He said he made the choice and he did what he had to do. He said that’s what family does. Sami said something family doesn’t do is make them test their loyalty every single week and jump through hoops to prove your worth something and manipulate you ever week like Roman has done every week. He said Roman has done that to his twin for not weeks, but years. Fans cheered because Jey suddenly appeared in a concourse entry in the crowd.
Sami said the last thing he’s going to do is make sure the Bloodline comes crumbling down. He said there’s a way out for him. He said he doesn’t have to go down with the ship. He said he can see in his eyes that he knows it’s true. Sami glanced up at Jey. Jimmy hit Sami with the mic and pounded away at him with it in the corner. Cole said Jimmy didn’t want to hear more of what Sami was saying because it made too much sense. Jimmy turned to check on Jey and call him to the ring. Sami caught him with a surprise Helluva Kick from behind. Jey watched, stoically and emotionless. Fans chanted “Sami! Sami!” Sami paced in the ring over Jimmy, who was holding his jaw. Jey looked on. Solo Sikoa walked out and checked on Jimmy. Sami retreated into the crowd.
(Keller’s Analysis: This is so good. That’s the type of promo from Sami I’ve been waiting for. I wanted to hear him explain explicitly how disrespected he felt. There’s still more to say, including why he chose to break from the Bloodline when he ultimately did, but this was a really good compelling segment. There’s so much more story to tell with the dynamic with everyone involved.)
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