WWE SmackDown last night featured more returns to the company and an Intercontinental Championship match in the main event.
After making their WWE return on last Friday’s show, Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux were back this week. Scarlett interrupted an in-ring promo by Drew McIntyre. With McIntyre distracted, the Usos jumped him from behind. The Usos then told Scarlett to tell Kross that this is the Bloodline’s territory. Scarlett responded to the Usos by saying Kross has the same message for them.
Much like what was done on Raw with the United States Championship, there was a video package on last night’s show detailing the lineage of the Intercontinental title. Later in the night, Gunther successfully defended the belt against former two-time champion Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event.
Hit Row returned to WWE on SmackDown as well. B-Fab, Top Dolla, and Ashante “Thee” Adonis become the latest formerly released talent to be brought back to the company by the new regime.
We also saw another team advance in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament this week. Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah defeated Shotzi & Xia Li to advance.
Two briefcases will be up for grabs as Money in the Bank takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas tonight.
In the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Omos, Sami Zayn, Riddle, and Madcap Moss will be vying for the title shot contract. Moss won a four-way match on SmackDown last night to become the final confirmed participant.
Lacey Evans, Raquel Rodriguez, Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Shotzi, Asuka, and Becky Lynch are the women’s ladder match participants.
Four titles will also be on the line tonight. Ronda Rousey defends the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Natalya, Bianca Belair defends her Raw Women’s Championship against Carmella, The Usos put their Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles on the line against The Street Profits, and Bobby Lashley challenges Theory for the United States title.
Tonight’s PPV streams live on Peacock/WWE Network at 8 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be a pre-show starting at 7 p.m. Eastern.
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Pre-show
The pre-show panel included Kayla Braxton, Kevin Patrick, Booker T, JBL, and Peter Rosenberg. They aired a Money in the Bank ladder match video package looking at the past winners and classic cash-in moments. It also explained the rules.
The panel discussed the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. They then discussed the Raw Women’s Championship match and mentioned Rhea Ripley’s sidelined with an injury.
Next, they recapped The Usos vs. The Street Profits feud. They discussed Braxton mentioning Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins having problems last night. The Street Profits showed up. Ford got on the table and cut a promo.
They aired a Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar SummerSlam video package. They showed Cody Rhodes’s interview from Monday’s Raw. Next, they recapped the Bobby Lashley vs. Theory feud.
They showed a Ronda Rousey vs. Natalya video package. They recapped Logan Paul signing with WWE. In an interview, Paul noted he didn’t sign his contract to be Miz’s partner. He then promised to beat Miz at SummerSlam. They recapped Riddle qualifying for the ladder match and aired a Riddle training video.
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Main Show
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Liv Morgan defeated Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Raquel Rodriguez, Lacey Evans, Shotzi, and Becky Lynch (16:33)
This was a great ladder match. Everyone worked hard and did a lot of risky spots with the ladder. The fans popped huge for Morgan’s win. They were also solidly behind Shotzi, Asuka, and Lynch as well. Evans got a few boos.
Everyone fought over the ladders as Lynch and Asuka went one-on-one in the ring. Asuka tried setting up a ladder, but Lynch cut her off. The fans broke into a loud “Becky” chant.
Asuka dropped Lynch and Morgan onto a ladder. Rodriguez cleared the ring and tried picking up the ladder with Morgan and Lynch. Morgan and Lynch worked together and set up for a double suplex. Rodriguez reversed and suplexed them both onto a ladder.
Rodriguez ended up wedged between the ladder and corner. Shotzi tried running up the ladder but slipped. Bliss took out everyone with a somersault splash.
Bliss set up a ladder, but Rodriguez cut her off. Bliss fought back and sent her into the ladder. Bliss trapped Rodriguez between the ladder and corner again. Asuka then dropped Shotzi on the ladder. Asuka and Evans climbed the ladder, but Lynch tipped it over.
Evans took out Asuka and climbed up again. The fans started booing as Evans climbed up. Shotzi pulled her off, and the fans popped. Evans knocked down Shotzi and was alone at the top. The fans erupted in boos again.
Rodriguez came between Evans and the ladder. Morgan then climbed up to a huge pop. Morgan gave Evans a sunset bomb going over Rodriguez.
Bliss tried to climb up, but Shotzi got her in the electric chair. Shotzi tried driving Bliss into the ladder while on her shoulders. They both fell over and crashed hard onto the ladder. The fans broke into a “Shotzi” chant.
Shotzi missed a senton in a scary-looking spot and hit the back of her head on a ladder. Asuka then took out Lynch with a kick. Rodriguez and Asuka fought around ringside. Rodriguez set up a ladder bridge between the apron and announce desk. They fought on the table and teased a powerbomb spot.
Asuka ended up on the ladder bridge. Lynch jumped off a ladder onto Asuka, but the ladder didn’t break. The fans broke into a loud “This is awesome” chant.
In the ring, they set up three ladders. Evans and Bliss fought on one ladder, with Shotzi and Rodriguez on the other. Lynch pushed over both ladders and started climbing up.
Morgan jumped back in and cut off Lynch. She climbed up a second ladder, but Lynch pushed it over. Morgan got her foot on the top rope and pushed the ladder back up. She knocked down Lynch and pulled down the briefcase to a massive pop.
As Morgan celebrated her win, Lynch flipped out at ringside.
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They aired the Cody Rhodes interview from Monday’s Raw.
They showed a Theory vs. Bobby Lashley video package.
Bobby Lashley defeated Theory to win the United States title (11:01)
Lashley and Theory had a good match. It dragged in the middle but the fans were into it and popped big for Lashley’s win.
The fans broke into a loud “Bobby” chant at the bell. Theory ran at Lashley, but he slammed him down. He set up for a spear, but Theory rolled out of the ring. Lashley tried to drive Theory into the ring post. Theory blocked it and drove Lashley into the ring post instead.
The fans broke into a loud “Theory Sucks” chant. Theory jumped off the apron. Lashley tried catching him, but they fell. Lashley recovered and drove Theory into the ring post. Lashley went for the spear again, but Theory dropped down.
Theory took over after dropping Lashley on the corner. He followed up with a running clothesline. Theory hit a left hand for a one-count.
Theory slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Lashley escaped and went for the hurt lock. Theory slipped out, but Lashley took over. Lashley ran wild and set up for a suplex. Theory slipped out and rolled out of the ring.
Theory went for a rolling dropkick, but Lashley got him in a press slam for a near fall. Theory regained control and hit a spear. He went for the A-town down, but Lashley escaped. He locked on the hurt lock for the win to a huge pop.
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In the back, Sara Schreiber interviewed Liv Morgan. She noted she has a year to cash in the briefcase. Morgan doesn’t want to mess it up and feels WrestleMania is a good time to cash in. For now, she just wants to celebrate.
They showed a Miz video package.
*******
They aired a Bianca Belair vs. Carmella video package.
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defeated Carmella to retain the title (7:12)
Belair and Carmella had a fine match.
Carmella had the brief advantage. Belair avoided Carmella with a backflip off the middle rope. Carmella fought back and went for a tilt-a-whirl head scissors, but Belair blocked it. She reversed into two backbreakers.
Carmella took over and hit the bronco buster for a near fall. Belair went for a slam, but Carmella slipped out. She pulled Belair down by her hair. The fans booed Carmella and broke into an “EST” chant.
Belair recovered and hit a delayed vertical suplex to a big pop. She followed up with ten punches in the corner. Belair missed a tackle and went shoulder-first into the ring post. Carmella hit a superkick for a near fall. The finish came when Carmella slapped Belair in the face. Belair snapped and hit the KOD for the win.
After the match, Carmella jumped Belair and beat her down. Belair struggled to get to her feet. The fans erupted in boos as Carmella walked off.
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They aired a SummerSlam commercial. They aired clips of Logan Paul training and recapped his signing. The fans booed Paul. The Miz responds to Paul this Monday on Raw.
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Earlier today, Alexa Bliss entered her locker room and found a bunch of clothes. Apparently, Lilly used the WWE credit card to make all these purchases. The fans booed the credit card and the segment.
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Undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos defeated The Street Profits to retain the titles (22:59)
The Usos and Street Profits had an awesome match. On the replay, they noticed that Ford’s shoulder wasn’t down for the three-count.
The Usos cut a promo before the match promising to retain the titles. Pat McAfee joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. Cole mentioned the rumors of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins having problems.
The fans broke into a loud “We want the smoke” chant. Jimmy shot Dawkins into the ropes and went for a monkey flip. Dawkins avoided with a cartwheel. He then hit a spinebuster on Jimmy. Ford went for the frog splash, but Jimmy rolled out of the ring.
Ford led the fans in a “suck it” chant. The fans then broke into a loud “McAfee’ chant. The Usos gave Dawkins a suplex into the ring post to take over.
Jimmy mocked Ford and went for the Rikishi splash. Dawkins jumped to his feet and rocked Jimmy with a right hand. Ford tagged in and caught Jimmy with a kick to the head. He jumped off the top rope, but Jimmy rocked him with a superkick for a two-count.
The Usos slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Jey then knocked Dawkins off the apron with a superkick. The fans broke into a “Uso” chant.
Dawkins finally got the hot tag and hit a huge dive to the floor. He followed up with a flying elbow on Jimmy. Dawkins hit a splash and a twisting double under hook DDT for a two-count.
Dawkins tossed Jimmy in the air, and Ford caught him in a back suplex for a near fall. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant. The Street Profits hit a blockbuster doomsday for a very close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish.
Ford jumped over The Usos, but they caught him with double superkicks for a close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish. They broke into a loud “This is awesome” chant.
Ford dumped the Usos to the floor. He then jumped to his feet, ran across the ring, and leaped over the corner onto the Usos at ringside. The fans went wild for the spot.
Dawkins hit the spinebuster on Jey, and Ford hit the frog splash, but Jimmy broke up the pin. The fans popped big for the near fall. The fans broke into a “fight forever” chant.
Both teams faced off in the middle of the ring, and the fans applauded. The Usos got rid of Dawkins and rocked Ford with double superkicks again. They then hit the 1 D for the win.
After the match, they showed a replay, and Graves noticed Ford’s shoulder was up. They showed the replay again, and Jimmy clearly picked up Ford’s shoulder on the count.
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They showed a Kevin Owens video package.
Next, they showed a series of shots featuring candles and a dark sky. Michael Cole didn’t know what it meant.
They recapped the Ronda Rousey vs. Natalya feud.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey defeated Natalya to retain (12:33)
Rousey and Natalya had a good match. It started slow but picked up towards the end. The story of the match was Rousey injured her knee. The big story was after the match when Liv Morgan cashed in the briefcase and won the title.
Rousey got a good reaction during the introductions. They started with chain wrestling and traded submissions. Natalya got the ankle lock, but Rousey reversed. Natalya rolled through and stomped on Rousey’s neck.
Natalya took over and hit a discus clothesline for a near fall. She slowed the pace down with a sleeper. Natalya locked on an abdominal stretch, but Rousey countered. Natalya reversed again but Rousey countered into an arm bar.
Natalya escaped and went for the arm bar. Rousey broke free and locked on the sharpshooter to a big pop. Natalya made it to the bottom rope to break the hold.
Rousey went for the arm bar. Natalya recovered and sent Rousey to the floor. Rousey hurt her knee on the landing. Natalya targeted the knee and locked on the sharpshooter on the apron. Rousey countered and sent Natalya into the ring post.
Rousey went for the arm bar, but Natalya reversed into the Sharpshooter. Rousey broke free and caught Natalya in an arm bar for the win.
Liv Morgan defeated Ronda Rousey to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship (:31)
The fans popped big for Morgan cashing in and winning the title.
As Rousey tried to get to her feet, Liv Morgan’s music hit to a big pop. Morgan ran out and cashed in her MITB briefcase. The fans went crazy for Morgan running out.
The bell rang, and Rousey got her in the ankle lock. Morgan kicked the bad leg and rolled up Rousey to win the title. The fans reacted huge to Morgan winning the title.
After the match, Rousey handed over the title and hugged Morgan. She walked off and waved at the fans. The fans broke into a loud “You deserve it” chant for Morgan.
*******
They showed a Drew McIntyre video package.
They showed a Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar SummerSlam video package. Cole pushed that the MITB winner could cash in after the SummerSlam main event.
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Theory defeated Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Riddle, Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Madcap Moss, Omos, and Riddle (25:30)
This was an awesome ladder match. They all worked hard, told a good story, and did a lot of risky ladder spots. Adding Theory at the last second gave away the finish.
All seven guys faced off in the ring. Suddenly, Adam Pearce walked out and added Theory to the match. Cole and McAfee pointed out that Theory didn’t have to qualify. The fans booed Theory and didn’t want to see him win.
Omos had the early advantage as he dominated everyone. He knocked down Moss and Riddle with a ladder. In the ring, Riddle tried going for a guillotine, but Omos broke free. McIntyre then rocked Omos with the claymore kick.
Theory tried sneaking up the ladder, but McIntyre and Sheamus stopped him. Rollins went for a pedigree on a ladder, but Riddle backdropped him instead. Zayn tried climbing up the ladder, but Moss cut him off.
Omos slowly climbed up the ladder, but Moss and McIntyre cut him off. They sent him to the floor. Sheamus and Riddle attacked Omos with ladders at ringside. Everyone worked together and buried Omos under a pile of ladders.
Rollins, Zayn, and Sheamus climbed up two ladders in the ring. Theory knocked them down. He was alone at the top, and the fans booed. Moss pulled him down and hit a fallaway slam.
Zayn ended up on the top rope as Moss set up a ladder on the bottom rope. Zayn jumped over Moss and tried to climb up another ladder. Moss caught Zayn and gave him a painful-looking powerbomb on the ladder.
Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick, but Riddle moved. He then hit the draping DDT using the ladder. Riddle ran wild and hit the floating bro off the very top of the ladder. That was an awesome spot.
Omos recovered and beat down everyone. Sheamus caught Omos with the Brogue kick. Zayn followed up with the helluva kick. Riddle locked on the triangle, and Moss threw Omos out.
McIntyre rocked Omos with the Glasgow kiss, and Rollins hit a stomp. Sheamus, McIntrye, Zayn, Moss, and Rollins worked together and powerbombed Omos through the announce desk.
McIntyre trapped Sheamus under the ladder and started climbing. Butch ran out and jumped on McIntyre’s back. Sheamus then rocked McIntyre with a knee to the face. Sheamus tried climbing up with McIntyre trapped under the ladder. McIntrye pushed Sheamus off and hit the claymore on Butch.
Sheamus and McIntyre fought at the top of the ladder. Zayn pushed over the ladder, and they landed on a second ladder on the corner. Zayn climbed up, but Moss pushed him off.
Rollins pushed over the ladder, and Moss took a nasty fall. Riddle set up a second ladder. Rollins knocked off Riddle and grabbed at the briefcase. Riddle climbed back up and gave Rollins an RKO off the ladder to a massive pop.
Riddle slowly climbed up and had his hands on the briefcase. Theory climbed up and pushed off Riddle. He then pulled down the briefcase to win the ladder match to loud boos.
Theory celebrated his win to end Money in the Bank. McAfee predicted Theory would cash in at SummerSlam.
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles were on the line in the main event of SmackDown’s go-home show for Hell in a Cell.
The Usos made their first defense as undisputed champions as they took on Riddle & Shinsuke Nakamura last night. Though The Usos retained their titles, they needed help from Sami Zayn to do it.
Riddle ended up facing The Usos on his own for much of the match after an injury angle where The Usos took out Nakamura’s knee. Riddle appeared to be on the verge of winning when Zayn caused a distraction. From the production truck, Zayn played Roman Reigns’ theme music as Riddle was going to give Jimmy Uso an RKO from the top rope. The distraction led to Jey Uso tagging himself in as Riddle hit the move. When Riddle landed, Jey flew off the top rope with a splash to win the match.
The show ended with Riddle attacking Zayn and brawling with him and The Usos.
Plus, Natalya won a six-pack challenge for a future title shot against Ronda Rousey, Madcap Moss returned and was out for payback against Happy Corbin, and more.
Two matches have been announced for tonight’s Hell in a Cell go-home edition of SmackDown.
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles will be on the line as The Usos defend against Riddle & Shinsuke Nakamura tonight. Riddle & Nakamura earned the title shot by defeating The Usos by disqualification on Raw this Monday.
The Usos got themselves disqualified in Monday’s non-title match when they attacked Riddle with his own scooter.
The Usos became the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions when they defeated Riddle & Randy Orton in a title unification match on SmackDown two weeks ago. Following that match, there was an angle where Roman Reigns and The Usos attacked Riddle and Orton. Orton hasn’t appeared on WWE television since then.
It’s also been announced that there will be a six-pack challenge on SmackDown tonight. The winner will become the number one contender to Ronda Rousey’s SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, Shayna Baszler, Xia Li, Shotzi, and Aliyah will be the participants in the six-pack challenge.
WWE’s announcement didn’t confirm when the winner will be getting their title shot against Rousey.
The Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio is hosting tonight’s SmackDown. Here’s the updated lineup for the episode:
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Riddle & Shinsuke Nakamura
Number one contender’s six-pack challenge: Raquel Rodriguez vs. Natalya vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Xia Li vs. Shotzi vs. Aliyah
The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Riddle is currently not planned for WWE Hell in a Cell.
Riddle and Nakamura earned a title shot for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships by defeating the Usos via disqualification in a non-title match on Raw. Our own Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the match will not take place on Sunday’s pay-per-view, however.
“The Usos match with Nakamura and Riddle was not scheduled for Sunday’s pay-per-view. Now, it could be on Sunday’s pay-per-view,” Meltzer said. “They are doing the match, the plan was to do it in Vegas (Money in the Bank), which of course if you recall, the plan for Vegas was Roman Reigns against Riddle. Now, Roman Reigns is not necessarily off that show but Roman Reigns and Riddle is probably off the show but they can always change their mind, they can change everything tomorrow.”
WWE Hell in a Cell takes place Sunday, June 5 from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The lineup for the card is as follows:
Hell in a Cell match: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Asuka and Becky Lynch in a triple threat match
Handicap match: Bobby Lashley vs. Omos & MVP
Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel
United States Champion Theory defends against Mustafa Ali
Six-person mixed tag team match: The Judgment Day (Edge, Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley) vs. AJ Styles, Finn Balor & Liv Morgan
A championship contender’s match and two new segments have been announced for Monday’s WWE Raw episode.
In a bout set up on Friday’s SmackDown, Riddle and Shinsuke Nakamura will team against undisputed Tag Team Champions The Usos in a championship contender’s match.
Also announced for Raw, a contract signing will be held for the Bobby Lashley vs. Omos and MVP handicap match set for Hell in a Cell.
Additionally, Cody Rhodes will respond to Seth Rollins following Rollins attacking Rhodes during a Rhodes vs. The Miz match on last week’s Raw episode. Raw will take place in Rollins’ home state of Iowa on Monday. Rollins and Rhodes will square off inside Hell in a Cell on June 5.
Here is the updated lineup for Raw:
WWE Raw, Monday, May 30 —
Championship contender’s match: The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Riddle
WWE has added two matches to the lineup for Friday’s edition of SmackDown.
Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura will face off in singles action on the show. Xavier Woods is also scheduled to wrestle Butch.
“The self-proclaimed ‘locker room leader’ Sami Zayn is out to prove his value once again to The Bloodline by stepping in to deal with a disgruntled Shinsuke Nakamura,” reads a WWE.com description for Zayn vs. Nakamura.
“Xavier Woods is ready to show Butch the true meaning of fight night after laying down a one-on-one challenge to the rabid bruiser,” reads a WWE.com description for Woods vs. Butch.
Tonight’s episode of SmackDown comes from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. According to WrestleTix, 7013 tickets have been distributed for the show as of Friday afternoon.
The full lineup for SmackDown is as follows:
RK-Bro (Riddle & Randy Orton) vs. The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) in a WWE Tag Team Championship Unification match
The SmackDown Tag Team titles will be on the line on night one of WrestleMania 38.
WWE has announced that The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs for the SmackDown Tag Team titles will be part of the card for night one of WrestleMania 38. The match was made official after Boogs defeated Jey Uso in a singles match on last night’s SmackDown.
After being attacked by The Usos last week, Nakamura & Boogs interrupted The Usos on Friday’s SmackDown. The Usos noticed that Boogs’ leg was still wrapped up from the previous week’s attack, and they said they’d agree to give Nakamura & Boogs a title shot at WrestleMania if Boogs could defeat Jey in a singles match.
Jey went after Boogs’ leg when the match started, but Boogs took off the wrap and revealed that his leg wasn’t injured. Boogs was able to overcome interference by Jimmy Uso and hit a pumphandle slam on Jey to get the win.
As Boogs was celebrating his victory, Jimmy hit him in the back with a guitar.
The Usos have been SmackDown Tag Team Champions since winning the titles at Money in the Bank last July.
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas is hosting WrestleMania 38 on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3. The updated card for the event is listed below:
Night one (Saturday, April 2) —
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Ronda Rousey
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
The KO Show with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Rey & Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz & Logan Paul
Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs
Night two (Sunday, April 3) —
Winner-take-all championship unification match: WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory
Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville
AJ Styles vs. Edge
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Queen Zelina & Carmella defend against Sasha Banks & Naomi and Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan in a triple threat match
A match for the SmackDown Tag Team titles is set for WrestleMania 38.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs will challenge The Usos for the titles following an angle that took place on tonight’s SmackDown. Boogs defeated Jey Uso in a match that gave him and Nakamura the opportunity to challenge for the titles.
Boogs and Nakamura interrupted The Usos on tonight’s show, with Boogs saying they were the next SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Jimmy brought to attention Boogs’ knee injury. He told Boogs that if he could beat Jey Uso in a match, he and Nakamura would get the title shot. Boogs proceeded to reveal that the injury was a ruse once the bell rang and quickly defeated Jey. After the match, Jimmy attacked Boogs with Boogs’ own guitar.
Here is the current lineup for this year’s WrestleMania, a two night event:
Night one (Saturday, April 2) —
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Ronda Rousey
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
Rey & Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz & Logan Paul
Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin
KO Show with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin
Night two (Sunday, April 3) —
Winner-take-all championship unification match: WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory
Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville
AJ Styles vs. Edge
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Carmella & Zelina Vega defend against Sasha Banks & Naomi and Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan
Also announced–
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs
A pair of segments have been added to tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE has announced that Goldberg will appear on tonight’s show ahead of his upcoming Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns. Goldberg is challenging for Reigns’ title at Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 19.
Goldberg returned to WWE television on last week’s SmackDown and challenged Reigns to the Universal Championship match. Goldberg said he acknowledges Reigns — as his next victim.
Elimination Chamber will be the first time Goldberg has wrestled since defeating Bobby Lashley in a no holds barred, falls count anywhere match at Crown Jewel last October.
An “In-Zayn” segment with Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs appearing as Sami Zayn’s guest is also set for tonight’s SmackDown. Nakamura is set to defend his Intercontinental title against Zayn on SmackDown next week.
In-Zayn began as a stunt show before being turned into a “live podcast.”
The Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana is hosting tonight’s SmackDown. Next Friday’s Elimination Chamber go-home edition of the show is also being taped at the Smoothie King Center tonight. That episode needed to be taped in advance due to the travel schedule with Elimination Chamber being in Saudi Arabia.
Here’s the updated lineup for tonight’s SmackDown:
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Naomi
Goldberg appears
Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs will appear on In-Zayn with Sami Zayn
Aliyah vs. Natalya in a “Dungeon-style” match (the match can only be won by pinfall or submission)
Shinsuke Nakamura is set for his first televised defense of the WWE Intercontinental Championship since September.
Nakamura will defend the Intercontinental title against Sami Zayn on SmackDown on Friday, February 18.
In addition to the match being Nakamura’s first televised defense since September, it will be his first title defense of any kind since November. His last IC title bout came on a WWE UK tour in Manchester on November 10. Nakamura defeated Jinder Mahal in that match.
Nakamura also defeated Mahal in a championship contender’s match on tonight’s episode of SmackDown, a match that also featured Zayn on commentary.
Zayn has been feuding with Jackass Forever star Johnny Knoxville since the beginning of 2022. Their interaction was a highlighted spot in the Royal Rumble match last weekend, and Zayn appeared earlier this week at the Jackass Forever premiere. At the premiere, an angle was shot where Zayn was “ejected” from the event.
There are now only five spots left open in the men’s Rumble match.
Nakamura revealed on his Instagram Stories today that he’s been cleared to return from injury. He had been out of action since December 18 due to a hand injury.
Nakamura is the current Intercontinental Champion. Sami Zayn is the number one contender to his title, but when that match will be happening has yet to be announced. Zayn will also be one of the entrants in the men’s Rumble match.
Saturday’s PPV is being held at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. Here’s the updated list of entrants for the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches:
The WWE Intercontinental Champion could soon be back in the ring after being cleared to return from injury.
In a post on his Instagram Stories, Shinsuke Nakamura announced that he’s officially been cleared to return to the ring. He had been out of action due to a hand injury.
Nakamura hasn’t wrestled since teaming with Rick Boogs to defeat Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss at a house show in Rockford, Illinois on December 18. Boogs revealed in an interview on Fox Sports’ Out of Character with Ryan Satin earlier this month that a hand injury was the reason Nakamura hadn’t been wrestling.
Nakamura had still been featured on television despite his injury. Sami Zayn is the number one contender to Nakamura’s Intercontinental Championship, but WWE has yet to announce when Zayn will be getting his title shot.
Zayn became the number one contender to the Intercontinental title by winning a “12 Days of Christmas” gauntlet match last month.
Nakamura has been Intercontinental Champion since defeating Apollo Crews for the title last August.
During an appearance on Fox Sports’ Out of Character with Ryan Satin, Rick Boogs revealed why Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura has recently been out of action.
Boogs said Nakamura suffered a hand injury that has kept him away from in-ring competition. Nakamura hasn’t wrestled since teaming with Boogs to defeat Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss at a house show in Rockford, Illinois on December 18.
Boogs spoke about Nakamura’s injury when asked if he’s interested in eventually breaking out and doing more singles work in WWE.
“I think it’s inevitable that it’s gonna happen. I’m not looking to like rush it by any means because I feel like me and Shin have not even scratched the surface yet of what we can do together, combining our forces,” Boogs said.
“We’re just getting cooking here. We’ve only had a couple of tag matches together. And he suffered a hand injury that’s kept him out for close to two months now it seems like. So, I’m kind of just looking forward as of right now for him to be healthy and cleared and then us just kick some tail. And then from there, down the road we’ll branch off. I’m in no rush with that.”
Boogs said the only time he hasn’t had Nakamura by his side was at a house show the day after Christmas.
Nakamura has remained on TV while not wrestling.
Sami Zayn became the number one contender to Nakamura’s Intercontinental title by winning a 12-man gauntlet match on the Christmas Eve episode of SmackDown. A date has yet to be set for that title match.
WWE has revealed which match will be taking place on tonight’s Survivor Series pre-show.
Ahead of tonight’s pay-per-view, WWE announced that Damian Priest vs. Shinsuke Nakamura will be the pre-show match for Survivor Series. It’s a non-title match pitting the United States Champion (Priest) against the Intercontinental Champion (Nakamura).
Priest is a member of the Raw roster, while Nakamura is on SmackDown.
Priest vs. Nakamura is one of four champion vs. champion matches set for Survivor Series. WWE Champion Big E vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, and Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos will also take place on the show.
Survivor Series is being held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The pre-show begins at 7 p.m. Eastern time, with the main card starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Here’s the updated card for the show:
Non-title match: WWE Champion Big E vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Non-title match: Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair
Non-title match: Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso)
Women’s five-on-five elimination match: Team Raw (Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Carmella & Zelina Vega) vs. Team SmackDown (Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, Natalya & Toni Storm)
Men’s five-on-five elimination match: Team Raw (Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley & Austin Theory) vs. Team SmackDown (Drew McIntyre, Jeff Hardy, Xavier Woods, Baron Corbin & Sheamus)
25-man battle royal (Ricochet, T-Bar, Mansoor, Cesaro, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, Erik, Ivar, R-Truth, Drew Gulak, AJ Styles, Omos, Sami Zayn, Humberto, Angel, Apollo Crews, Commander Azeez, Otis, Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Jinder Mahal, and Shanky)
Non-title match: United States Champion Damian Priest vs. Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura (pre-show)
