SmackDown notes: Title unification added to Backlash, Ricochet defends title, Riddle vs. Jimmy Uso

April 15, 2022 Dave LeClair NEWS
Photo Courtesy: WWE

SmackDown notes: RKBro accepts Usos unification challenge, Ricochet versus Jinder Mahal

By: Dave LeClair

Social Media Summary:

  • RKBro versus Usos official for WrestleMania Backlash
  • Drew Gulak debuts as an interviewer
  • Zayn versus McIntrye to have a lumberjack match next week
  • Ricochet retains

SmackDown aired live from Worcester, Massachusetts, and saw The Usos confronting RKBro. Additionally, WWE advertised a match between Ricochet and Jinder Mahal for the Intercontinental championship.

Match Results:

  • Rhea Ripley over Naomi in 8:47
  • Madcap Moss over Humberto in 2:28
  • Drew McIntyre over Sami Zayn by count-out in 2:39
  • Ricochet over Jinder Mahal in 3:03 to retain the Intercontinental title 
  • Riddle over Jimmy Uso in 8:45

SmackDown opened with the RAW Tag Team Champions RKBro making their way to the ring, where Riddle talked about Worcester and Worcestershire sauce. Orton called the Usos out to the ring and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions were happy to oblige. 

After a fantastic Uso promo, Randy Orton responded with a solid promo of his own, eventually accepting the challenge to unify the titles. After pretending to leave, the Usos attacked Riddle quickly, causing him to hit his neck on the ropes.  Later in the show, Michael Cole announced that the tag team title unification match was official for Backlash.

A brief backstage encounter between Liv Morgan, Rhea Ripley, Sasha Banks, and Naomi led to a match between Naomi and Rhea Ripley. Before the match, Riddle asked to go one-on-one with Jimmy Uso tonight, which Adam Pearce allowed.

Sasha Banks and Liv Morgan were on the outside for the match, which featured a massive lariat that floored Naomi before a commercial break. After a solid match, Rhea Ripley picked up the win to build to her and Naomi challenging for the tag team titles.

WWE aired a lengthy recap of Moss turning his back on Baron Corbin before cutting to a backstage interview with Corbin. 

Apparently, Drew Gulak is auditioning to be a member of the SmackDown commentary team through an interview with Madcap Moss. The Kiss Cam screen highlighted Madcap Moss’ backside, suggesting that he would like Los Lotharios to kiss his butt. This led to him taking on Humberto in a singles match.

The pair had a decent match, which Madcap won using his Punchline finisher. I was genuinely surprised that Corbin didn’t interfere in the match and that Moss actually got a clean win.

Drew Gulak interrupted Charlotte while she was talking to Adam Pearce, which led to Flair telling him to interview her in the ring. After the commercial, Gulak introduced Charlotte Flair in an epic introduction. During the interview, Flair got some strong insults in against Ronda Rousey, including citing how fragile her ego is. Flair actually used “what” chants on the fans when they chanted “you tapped out” at her, which was interesting.

After telling Gulak to leave, Flair attacked him and put him in a Figure8, which led to him tapping out and screaming “I quit.”

Michael Cole hyped up a bunch of random social figures about WrestleMania, while McAfee yelled “stupendous” after each of them. From there, WWE aired a backstage interview with Gunther and Kaiser that included highlights of Gunther destroying people.

Zayn and McIntyre had a match, which mostly consisted of Zayn trying to get away from Drew. Eventually, Zayn escaped through the crowd, leading to Drew winning via count-out.

Ricochet cut a brief backstage promo before making his entrance to take on Jinder Mahal for the IC title. However, before the match, they showed Zayn backstage with Adam Pearce where he announced that Sami would meet Drew in a lumberjack match next week.

The match was quick and Ricochet retained with a shooting star from the top. 

Butch spoke, simply acknowledging that his enemy is “New Day.” After which, Butch walked off, leading Shamus and Holland to panic about their lost Butch.

Butch found the New Day signing autographs in the back and flew over the table to attack Xavier Woods. 

Lacey Evans told us more about her backstory, which seems tragic and interesting. It doesn’t paint her father in a very positive light, to say the least. Knowing WWE, she’ll almost certainly re-debut as a heel somehow after all this. Natalya and Shayna Baszler complained about the Evans video package before bumping into Raquel Rodriguez and offering a warm welcome.

Orton and Riddle made their way to the ring for a match between the latter and Jimmy Uso. The two delivered a really solid match, as you’d expect from Jimmy Uso and Matt Riddle. Ultimately, Riddle landed a beautiful pop-up RKO out of nowhere to win. 

​​https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1515147525405220864?s=20&t=vFS-UEWP1Nu3iBzPHJ8_3w

About Dave LeClair 47 Articles
A long time POST Wrestling fan and technology writer, Dave LeClair joins the POSTmarks to cover AEW Collision.
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