SmackDown Notes: Reigns vs. Zayn set for Montreal, Ricochet & Strowman win, Flair retains

February 3, 2023 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports

February 3, 2023
Bon Secours Wellness Arena – Greenville, SC

By: John Kleinchester

SmackDown kicked off with a recap of The Bloodline implosion from last Saturday’s Royal Rumble where Sami Zayn hit Roman Reigns with a chair and Jey Uso left the ring refusing to retaliate. We then cut to live with Kayla Braxton attempting to interview The Bloodline as they arrived at the arena. Roman, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso blew past Kayla refusing to answer her question about whether Jey was still a member or not. Paul Heyman stopped to say they could not confirm nor deny the status of Jey Uso within The Bloodline. Heyman then thanked Kayla for wearing their colors (she was wearing black and red).

The first match of the evening was the Tag Team Title Contender’s Tournament Final between Ricochet & Braun Strowman and Imperium, accompanied by Gunther whom the announced team noted had a “career-changing, star-making night” at the Royal Rumble. At one point during the match, Ricochet got into Gunther’s face on the outside causing Gunther to shove him to the ground which then prompted the referee to eject Gunther from ringside. Ricochet & Braun Strowman picked up the win with the one-two of a Monster Bomb followed by a Swanton bomb from Ricochet off of Braun’s shoulders.

Next, a recap of Rhea Ripley’s Royal Rumble performance and the subsequent win was shown followed by highlights from this past Monday on Raw where Rhea announced that she was choosing to face Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Wrestlemania. After the video, Charlotte was interviewed backstage and said that Wrestlemania will be epic, but she is focused on Sonya Deville tonight. Sonya interrupted saying that they are in Flair country but that wouldn’t stop her from winning the title.

Next up, Rey Mysterio, The New Day, and The Judgement Day appeared in a video that was essentially an extended Nascar commercial. Rey and Dominik got into Nascars and “raced” each other. The two traded ridiculous insults over the radio and Rey Mysterio won the race. Dominik complained that Rey cheated and the two had to be held back from each other. There was absolutely no mention or reference to Dominik taking Rey out at the Royal Rumble. 

Our next match of the night was Charlotte Flair defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Sonya Deville. Charlotte was victorious after getting Deville to tap to the Figure Eight. 

Next, the Cody Rhodes promo package that was shown on Raw on Monday aired showing Rhodes’ triumph at the Royal Rumble last Saturday. This led directly to a brief recap of Cody’s promo from Raw as well. From there we cut right to The Bloodline’s locker room with Roman Reigns asking Jimmy Uso where Jey was. Jimmy said he didn’t know and hadn’t heard from him. Roman said it was disrespectful to not have heard from him for a whole week, especially with The Usos’ tag team title defense coming up next week. Roman demanded that Jimmy and Solo find Jey and they left the room.

A “WWE Celebrates Black History Month” video aired featuring Kofi Kingston highlighted his big title win at Wrestlemania. 

The Brawling Brutes were out next to face The Viking Raiders. The Raiders were victorious after a Ragnarok double powerbomb on Butch for the win. After the match, Drew McIntyre & Sheamus attacked the Viking Raiders chasing them off. 

A recap of the Mtn Dew Pitch Black Match was shown. Afterward, we saw Bray Wyatt rocking in his chair and Uncle Howdy approaching and turning into the camera as they cut to black.

Next up we had a Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Fatal 4-Way match between Shotzi, Natalya, Shayna Baszler, and Zelina Vega. Michael Cole explained that Asuka, Raquel Rodriguez, Liv Morgan, and Nikki Cross were awarded byes and were already qualified for the Elimination Chamber match as they were the final four remaining besides Rhea Ripley at the Royal Rumble. Cole also explained that the winner of the Chamber match would go on to face Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Natalya scored the win with Zelina Vega tapping out to the Sharpshooter. 

Back in The Bloodline’s locker room, Paul Heyman was apologizing to Roman as Jey’s phone was going straight to voicemail. Jimm and Solo returned, unsuccessful on their mission to find Jey. Reigns complained that he was being pulled in two different directions and apologized to Jimmy for speaking to him the way he did earlier. Roman said he needed The Bloodline to be strong. He then told Jimmy and Solo to head to their bus to eat dinner while he heads to the ring to “handle some business”.

Two more Fatal 4-Way matches were announced for next week. The first happening this Monday on Raw for the final spot in the Elimination Chamber between Candice LeRae, Michin, Carmella, and Piper Niven. The second will be next week on SmackDown between Rey Mysterio, Madcap Moss, Karrion Kross, and Santos Escobar with the winner moving on to face Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship. 

Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman came to the ring and cut a promo saying that he’d rather be talking about Cody Rhodes, someone who deserves his attention but instead he has to talk about Sami Zayn. Roman said that back at WarGames he looked into Sami’s eyes and saw greed. Reigns said that Zayn used him and his bloodline. Sami Zayn then appeared out of nowhere attacking Roman.

Reigns quickly gained the upper hand and called for a chair from Paul Heyman but Zayn hit Reigns with a spear to a huge pop. Sami then went to hit Roman with the chair but Reigns was able to escape. Sami then grabbed the mic and said “you’re wrong about me. I never wanted anything from you until now”. Sami said he was coming after him and the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. Then Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa jumped Zayn from behind setting up a chair on Zayn’s neck in the corner. Reigns stopped Solo from the kill shot with the crowd chanting “we want Jey”. Roman told Sami that he doesn’t have Jey because Sami broke up his Bloodline, his family. Roman said he wanted Sami at Elimination Chamber in Montreal in front of his family and friends. The show went off the air with Roman standing tall.

Announced for Raw This Monday in Orlando, FL:

  • Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Fatal 4-Way Match: Candice LeRae vs. Michin vs. Carmella vs. Piper Niven

Announced for SmackDown Next Week in Uncasville, CT:

  • SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Usos vs. Ricochet & Braun Strowman
  • Fatal 4-Way: Rey Mysterio vs. Madcap Moss vs. Karrion Kross vs. Santos Escobar

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

  • Tag Title Contender’s Tournament Final: Ricochet & Braun Strowman over Imperium in 16:24
  • SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair over Sonya Deville in 10:21
  • The Viking Raiders over The Brawling Brutes in 9:42
  • Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Fatal 4-Way Match: Natalya over Shotzi, Zelina Vega & Shayna Baszler in 7:22
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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