Friday Night Smackdown Notes: Kevin Owens added to War Games match, Butch & Ricochet advance in World Cup tournament

November 19, 2022 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

November 18, 2022

XL Center, Hartford, CT

By: John Kleinchester

The show began with The Brawling Brutes coming down to the ring with Drew McIntyre. Sheamus asked McIntyre to be their “Brutey” playing off of The Bloodlines’ “Ucey” term. Drew accepted but wondered who their fifth member would be. Before they could reveal their final partner, Sami Zayn interrupted saying that The Bloodline doesn’t care who the fifth member is. Sami personally guaranteed that The Bloodline would win War Games. Sheamus told Zayn that their partner would be the last thing he’d expect.

Ricochet defeated Mustafa Ali in a SmackDown World Cup Tournament Match. The story of the match was that Ali was still suffering the effects of Bobby Lashley’s beatdown on Monday Night Raw. Ricochet goes on to face Braun Strowman in the Semi-Finals next week. After the match Ricochet fist-bumped Ali and then helped him to the back.

Backstage The Bloodline was arguing about Sami Zayn guaranteeing victory at War Games. Jimmy Uso said that they had to all get on the same page and figure out who the fifth man was before Roman Reigns’ arrival to the building. Sami then vaguely referenced something that he and Jimmy had talked about earlier and said he would tell Jimmy all about it later. This combined with Sami & Jimmy doing their secret handshake in slow motion led to Jey Uso corpsing in the background.

The New Day were interviewed backstage asking about their loss to The Usos last week. Imperium interrupted saying that The New Day were exactly what was wrong with wrestling today. New Day responded by saying that Gunther looks like Lurch from Addams Family and Gunther thanked them for proving their point. Xavier Woods said they would find a partner and challenged them to a three on three match to which Gunther accepted.

Madcap Moss and Emma were backstage with Madcap lamenting his voice still being affected by Karrion Kross’ Kross Jacket two weeks ago. Madcap Moss then lost to Kross via the Kross Jacket in under four minutes. After the match, Emma ran down to the ring to check on Moss. 

Bray Wyatt came to the ring to cut a promo and he apologized to LA Knight for what he did to him last week. Knight then interrupted and said that he knew that Bray respected him. Knight then hit Bray with a cheap shot slap, immediately retreating afterwards claiming that they were now even. Bray agreed and extended his hand and Knight responded with another slap to the face. This left Bray Wyatt seething in the ring. As LA Knight was returning to the back, the TitanTron flickered strangely.

Karrion Kross was approached by The Usos backstage asking him if he was the fifth member of the team. He denied it and said that when he takes Roman’s titles, he’ll be doing it solo.

Shotzi defeated Shayna Baszler with Ronda Rousey via roll-up after Raquel Rodriguez came out to help even the odds, distracting Baszler.

LA Knight was hurriedly leaving the arena and as he opened the door to leave, Uncle Howdy’s mask appeared in the darkness but Knight didn’t see it. The door closed and Uncle Howdy appeared briefly full screen before the show went to commercial. After the break LA Knight was found unconscious under a myriad of items like chairs and a keg of beer backstage.

The New Day’s partner was revealed to be Braun Strowman. At the end of the match Gunther jumped out of the ring choosing not to break up the pin with Strowman standing in the way. After the match Braun Strowman was interviewed saying he was going to win the tournament and beat Gunther for the Intercontinental title. Ricochet then entered saying he shouldn’t look past him and other “flippy flippers”.

In the main event, Butch defeated Sami Zayn with the Bitter End. After the match, a brawl erupted between the two teams which led to Roman Reigns coming out and clearing house. Kevin Owens then came out and took it to Reigns. Owens turned around and had a stare down with Zayn allowing Reigns to hit the Superman punch. But before Roman could hit the spear, Owens reversed and hit the stunner on Reigns, shocking Sami Zayn and The Bloodline.

Announced for SmackDown Next Week from Providence, RI:

*SmackDown World Cup Tournament Semi-Final Match: Ricochet vs. Braun Strowman

*SmackDown World Cup Tournament Semi-Final Match: Sami Zayn vs. Santos Escobar

*Shotzi & Raquel Rodriguez vs. Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler

*War Games Advantage Match: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus vs. The Usos

 

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

*SmackDown World Cup Tournament Match: Ricochet over Mustafa Ali in 11:03

*Karrion Kross over Madcap Moss in 3:44

*Shotzi over Shayna Baszler in 4:51

*The New Day and Braun Strowman over Imperium in 7:21

*SmackDown World Cup Tournament Match: Butch over Sami Zayn in 7:48

About John Kleinchester 204 Articles
New Jersey born and raised. Wrestling fan since Lex slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid. Favorite Wrestler of all time is Owen "The Rocket" Hart.
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