By: Dave LeClair
SmackDown aired live from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Leading into the show, WWE pushed a face-to-face between two of the biggest stars in the company, Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns. The company also advertised matches with Sasha Banks and Naomi taking on Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, Kofi Kingston battling Ridge Holland, and Drew McIntyre working with The Viking Raiders to fight Happy Corbin, Madcap Moss, and Jinder Mahal.
Match Results:
- Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs defeated Los Lotharios
- Drew McIntyre & The Viking Raiders defeated Happy Corbin, Shanky & Jinder Mahal
- Sasha Banks & Naomi versus Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan was thrown out due to interference from Natalya and Shayna Baszler
- Ridge Holland defeated Kofi Kingston
Roman came out for his advertised face-to-face with Brock Lesnar before Paul Heyman claimed Brock wouldn’t make it due to travel issues. However, it was quickly revealed that Lesnar would arrive shortly.
As the Bloodline attempted to flee, Brock Lesnar smashed into their SUV with a forklift. RIP to the whole faction, it was a good run, but they’ve gone to a better place.
Shockingly, I misreported, as they’re alive and well, despite taking a forklift to the face. The group escaped the SUV before Lesnar flipped it over, only to jump into a random pickup truck (but not before Brock ripped a door off). It was an eventful first 20 minutes.
Brock cut a brief promo in the ring, reiterating his intention to get blood from Roman Reigns.
.@BrockLesnar is more eager than ever to meet @WWERomanReigns at #WrestleMania! #SmackDown @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/igCOhjoNwf
— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2022
Rick Boogs got a new guitar, which he used to play himself and Nakamura to the ring for a match against Los Lotharios. As expected, Boogs and Nakamura won fairly easily.
Like NOTHING! 😮#SmackDown @rickboogswwe pic.twitter.com/KegZWYdDsX
— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2022
Originally, a trios match was advertised with Drew McIntyre working with The Viking Raiders to fight Happy Corbin, Madcap Moss, and Jinder Mahal. However, the WWE replaced Moss with Shanky, though Moss was at ringside and didn’t appear to be injured.
.@DMcIntyreWWE and The #VikingRaiders have been waiting to take on Happy @BaronCorbinWWE, @JinderMahal and @DilsherShanky! #SmackDown @Erik_WWE @Ivar_WWE @MadcapMoss pic.twitter.com/SUdf6iDBOu
— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2022
Sami Zayn challenged Johny Knoxville to an “anything goes” match at WrestleMania, which makes sense, as Knoxville in a straight-up wrestling match isn’t what anyone wants to see.
"I accept, shnookums!"
If @SamiZayn wants ANYTHING GOES at #WrestleMania Sunday, he's got it! @realjknoxville #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/eevfwFXZMr
— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2022
After a fairly long match that saw Sasha Banks and Naomi taking on Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, Natalya and Shayna Baszler interfered, leading the match being thrown out. After the commercial break, Sonya Deville added Natalya and Shayna Baszler to the Women’s Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania.
All out madness ahead of #WrestleMania! #SmackDown@SashaBanksWWE @NaomiWWE @RheaRipley_WWE @YaOnlyLivvOnce @NatbyNature @QoSBaszler pic.twitter.com/IVb9c8HuZ0
— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2022
Pat McAfee was called back to Vince McMahon’s office, where he was told to apologize to Austin Theory. As you might expect, Pat gave a backhanded apology, where he called Theory a slew of names.
WWE showed a recap of the Big-E situation last week, including the footage of him being taken out on a stretcher and giving the thumbs up. Our thoughts remain with Big-E as he recovers from this terrible situation.
❤️❤️❤️#SmackDown @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/MwcO57EZyM
— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2022
Butch got involved in the Kingston versus Holland match, leading to himself and Sheamus getting thrown out of the ringside area. As Butch was leaving, he ran back to the ring and distracted Kofi, leading to Holland picking up the win.
.@RidgeWWE takes down @TrueKofi… but it looks like Butch is still looking for a FIGHT. #SmackDown @WWESheamus pic.twitter.com/A17TYTdcmC
— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2022
The show was wrapped up with a Charlotte Flair promo, which led to her calling out Ronda Rousey. After a brawl, Flair put Ronda through a table.
.@MsCharlotteWWE puts the Baddest Woman on the Planet through a table!!!#SmackDown @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/rHzXEhd83q
— WWE (@WWE) March 19, 2022