WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - February 9th, 2024
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Triple H will address the fallout from the WrestleMania XL Kickoff Press Conference
Last night, Cody Rhodes announced that he will challenge Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. The shocking declaration highlighted an emotionally charged confrontation between Reigns, The Rock, Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins that resulted in absolute chaos at the WrestleMania XL Kickoff Press Conference. Tonight, Triple H will address the event’s earth-shattering fallout on the blue brand.
:smackdown:
Your announcers are Wade Barrett and Corey Graves.
We see footage of Triple H walking in the back earlier today.
We take a look at the Press Conference in Las Vegas.
We waste no time and Triple H makes his way to the ring and he joins Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis in there.
Paul says it feels like they are on the Road to Wrestlemania. Before we get to that, he welcomes everyone to Smackdown. He says last night in Las Vegas, it was an incredible kick off event to start us on the road. They took a hard left turn and the road is on fire. It feels really good. Paul says he came out here to clear up one thing. He says he wanted to clear up a few things coming out of last night because there seemed to be some confusion and people don't know their role.
Paul says he wants to set the record straight because people tried to assert their authority when they don't have any. Paul says he doesn't care where you sit, there is one thing abundantly clear. Whether you like them or don't like them, the answers come from one place and right now, you are looking at it. Paul says in the main event of Wrestlemania 40, Roman Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes. There are some people, back there, that decision will disappoint them. Maybe they won't like that decision. Here is the thing . . . it doesn't matter if you don't like that decision. With that said, welcome to the Road to Wrestlemania.
Nick Aldis says that now that the WWE Championship has been decided, we need to move on to Seth Rollins and the World Championship. They have collectively agreed that his opponent will be determined in the Elimination Chamber. Tonight, there will be a series of matches to determine the participants in that match. Nick says that WWE management is a united front, so he will hand things over to Adam Pearce.
Adam thanks Nicholas and we see the 12 men who will get a chance. Randy Orton, Bronson Reed, Kevin Owens, Logan Paul, AJ Styles, Miz, Bobby Lashley, Ivar, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, Dominik Mysterio, and LA Knight.
The first match will see AJ Styles face Drew McIntyre.
Drew thanks everyone for showing with their wallets the way they think about CM Punk. Drew says his shirt has outsold Punk's merch and DM Hunk says Punk will not get a penny. He mentions how Cody played with everyone's emotions and then Drew showed him physically to finish the story. Now he is going to save the World Title and all he has to do is go through the top stars in WWE, win the Elimination Chamber, and he will give you a champion you are proud of and one who is best for business.
Qualifying Match to see who gets to enter the Elimination Chamber to see if they will face the RAW Champion Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania
Drew McIntyre vs AJ Styles
Before the match starts, LA Knight makes his way to the ring.
AJ with a drop kick to the knee and kick. Drew with a chop and he sends AJ face first into the mat. Drew goes for a suplex and AJ with a knee to escape followed by a kick to the leg and chops. Drew with an Irish whip and he runs into an elbow. Drew catches AJ off the turnbuckles and Drew with a power slam. Drew with a chop in the corner and one in the center of the ring. AJ with chops but Drew with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Drew with an arm bar and chin bar combination. AJ with punches and a drop kick followed by a dive into the knee. Drew pushes AJ into the corner but AJ with a boot. AJ kicks Drew from the turnbuckles but Drew chops AJ off the turnbuckles to the floor. Drew limps over to AJ and he sends AJ over the ringside barrier.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Drew and AJ exchange chops. Drew goes for a back breaker but AJ counters with a satellite DDT. AJ with forearms and more strikes followed by a kick to the leg and a sliding forearm. AJ sets for a Styles Clash but Drew runs AJ into the corner and he chops and punches AJ. Drew gets AJ on his shoulders for a Super Air Raid Crash but AJ counters into a sit out power bomb for a near fall. AJ gets Drew on his shoulders but Drew gets to his feet and he hits Future Shock. Drew's knee buckles when he does his obligatory kip up. Drew winces while he sets for the Claymore. AJ avoids Drew and AJ with a Calf Crusher. Drew gets to the ropes to force a break. Drew sends AJ to the apron and AJ with a forearm and he goes for a Phenomenal Forearm but Drew head butts AJ to the floor. Drew gingerly goes to the floor.
Knight gets up at the announce table and AJ with an enzuigiri. Drew sends AJ over the announce table in LA Knight's direction. Knight pours water on AJ and AJ slaps the bottle away. Drew sends AJ into Knight. AJ kicks Derw as he comes back into the ring and he gives Drew an inside cradle but Knight gets on the apron and the referee does not make the count. AJ knocks Knight off the apron. Drew with a Claymore for the three count.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Backstage:
Kayla Braxton is in the back with Sami Zayn. Kayla asks Sami about his match and his odds to make it to Mania to face Rollins. Sami says nothing is certain in WWE, especially when it comes to Wrestlemania. Sami reminds us he was in the main event of Wrestlemania last year and the window is closing. Tonight, he has a chance to get into the Elimination Chamber but he has to face one of the greatest, and a 13 time champion. Sami says Drew is already in the match and Sami reminds us that he has never beaten Drew. It is a path to get to Wrestlemania so he will take it.
We go to commercial.
We see Ryan Blaney arriving at the building earlier today.
Backstage:
Kit and Elton are enjoying time at the lake and they see a cloud shaped like Queen Elizabeth but Kit is not in a good mood. Kit shows Elton his disfigured hand. Elton curses Pete Doonay for what he did to Kit. Elton says it is their time. They say that they will show everyone what they are about on Friday Night Snackdown.
Backstage:
Pete and Tyler are in LOCKER ROOM preparing for their match against Gargano and Ciampa.
Backstage:
We see Gargano and Ciampa in the back as they talk strategy.
We take a look at last week's Smackdown when KAIenFive dissolved.
We see Bayley arriving at the building earlier today.
Qualifying Match for the Elimination Chamber Match to see who faces the Raw Women's Champion at Wrestlemania
Bianca Belair vs Michin
Bianca goes for KOD but Michin escapes with an arm drag and she follows with kicks for a near fall. Michin gets another near fall and Bianca rolls to the floor. Michin kicks Bianca and then kicks her from the apron.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Bianca misses a shoulder in the corner and hits the ring post. Bianca with a forearm and Michin fires back. They go back and forth. Bianca gains the advantage but Michin with a kick and clothesline. Michin with a super kick and drop kick. Michin with a neck breaker and she misses a cannonball in the corner. Bianca avoids a splash in the corner and hits a back breaker. Bianca goes for a handspring moonsault but Michin gets her knees up but Bianca avoids a bad impact. Bianca with a choke slam for a near fall. Bianca looks at the sign and sends Michin into the corner and connects with shoulders. Bianca with punches from the ropes and Michin pulls Bianca into the ring post. Michin goes up top and sets for a superplex and Michin hits it.
Michin gets a near fall. Michin goes for Eat Defeat but Bianca blocks it and she goes for KOD but Michin lands on her feet. Michin with Eat Defeat and Bianca falls to the floor. Michin sends Bianca back into the ring and she sets for a Styles Clash but Bianca with a back body drop and KOD for the three count.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Backstage:
We see Bayley walking in the back.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We see Bron Breakker entering an office to talk to Triple H. Hunter says what Bron has done is impressive and he is anxious to see what Bron can do on this level. Bron says he has two great offers and he asks for some advice. Paul Heyman enters the room and shakes Bron's hand. Paul says that is a hell of a talent. Hunter asks Heyman what does he want. Heyman says this might not be a good time so he will come back next week. He says he will be with Roman Reigns next week . . . and the Rock. Hunter says he is looking forward to it.
In-Ring:
Bayley makes her way to the ring.
Bayley says she feels a little bit better about coming out after that reaction. She says it has been tough to figure out what to say about what happened last week. She didn't want to think it happened and then she thought some thought she had it coming. She says she will take it and maybe she had it coming. She says it sounds like they are cool now. She says you have been on this journey with her over the years. You know how she feels about these things. She says Damage CTRL meant everything to her. They were her family. You saw how many times she put the group ahead of her and all they did was take from her. Bayley thought after she won the Royal Rumble, maybe they would be happy for her but that didn't happen. They always laughed when she turned around. They stopped talking when she walked in the room.
Bayley says she is not an idiot and she has been through it before. She says Iyo will find out the hard way at Wrestlemania.
Dakota Kai comes out and she says she has been trying to contact Bayley and wonders if she is ghosting her.
Bayley asks Dakota where was she last week and Dakota says she had to meet with the doctors.
Bayley says that Dakota was always with them when they were talking about Bayley.
Dakota says she believed in the group and so did Iyo until Asuka and Kairi came aboard. They got into Iyo's head.
Bayley asks why didn't Dakota tell her and Dakota says she didn't know how to do it. Dakota says she misses the three of them and they were like sisters. They could do no wrong. Dakota says Bayley is a mentor and she wouldn't be here without Bayley. Your plan was working. Asuka and Kairi won the tag titles and you won the Royal Rumble. Dakota says she thought the thing with Iyo, Kairi, and Asuka would have blown over.
Bayley asks Dakota where does she stand now.
Iyo Sky's music interrupts and she makes her way to the ring with Asuka and Kairi Sane.
Dakota leaves the ring and Bayley is surrounded.
Dakota comes from behind with a chair and Bayley turns around. Dakota swings and almost hits Iyo and Kairi. They leave the ring.
Dakota is confused and so are Iyo, Kairi, and Asuka.
Backstage:
Randy Orton is in LOCKER ROOM with Kayla Braxton. She asks him about his match against Sami Zayn. Randy says Sami said it isn't a given to make it to Wrestlemania and he is right. Randy says he was injured last year and he learned a valuable lesson. He learned about patience. He knew when to strike and he knows how important it is to wait. He can wait with Roman Reigns. His Road to Wrestlmania took a detour and he faces Sami Zayn to get a shot at Seth Rollins. There is one constant in the Elimination Chamber and it is R. . . K . . . O.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We are back and Bobby Lashley mentions B Fab is part of the group. They talk about Wrestlemania season and dealing with the Final Testatment. Bobby Lashley faces Bronson Reed in a qualifying match on Monday. Bobby says he is going to win and go to Wrestlemania.
Number One Contender Match for the Tag Titles at Elimination Chamber
yler Bate and Pete Dunne vs Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa
Gargano and Tyler start things off and they lock up. Bate with a side head lock. Bate goes for a kick to the head and Gargano blocks it. Johnny goes for a sunset flip but Tyler drops down and gets a near fall. They exchange near falls. Johnny and Tyler with leg sweeps and covers. They go to a stalemate. Dunne tags in and hits a clothesline. Dunne works on the wrist and Ciampa tags in and he hits a back elbow. Dunne sends Ciampa to the floor and Dunne misses a moonsault from the apron. Ciampa with a forearm to send Dunne into the announce table. Gargano with a suicide dive to Tyler and Ciampa with a running knee to Dunne on the announce table.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ciampa with clotheslines to Bate and Dunne individually and together. Bate with a knee lift to Ciampa and he goes for a corkscrew back elbow off the turnbuckles but Ciampa catches him and hits a reverse DDT for a near fall. Gargano tags in and Ciampa gets Bate on his shoulder but Dunne stops him. Gargano with a forearm to Dunne and a poisonrana and super kick combination to Dunne. Gargano with a discus clothesline. Bate goes for an airplane spin on Gargano and Ciampa tries to stop him. Bate adds a Giant Swing to the airplane spin and then Bate drops Gargano onto Ciampa. Dunne tags in and they hit a double kick to Gargano. Bate tags in and Gargano with a double rana. Gargano with a kick to Dunne but Bate with a jab. Ciampa with a knee to Bate and then Gargano hits a tornado DDT on the floor. Ciampa with Project Ciampa for a near fall. Ciampa slaps Bate and Bate punches back. They both throw punches. Ciampa with a kick to the head followed by a knee. Gargano tags in and they go for the super kick and knee combination but Dunne grabs Ciampa's fingers and snaps them.
Gargano with a super kick to Dunne and a kick from Ciampa. Bate lands on his feet on a back body drop. Gargano with a super kick. Dunne tags in and Bate with a plancha onto Ciampa. Gargano misses on a slingshot DDT and Dunne with Bitter End for the three count.
Winners: Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate
Backstage:
Byron Saxton is in the back and Dominik Mysterio shows up. He says after Finn and Damian defend their tag titles, Rhea will wipe up the floor with Nia Jax. Dom says he will win the Elimination Chamber and then beat Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania. Byron asks Dom about having to qualify and he says he will slap the taste out of . . . Dom is in shock as Kevin Owens shows up and tells Dom he will be his opponent. He says he will give Dom the beating of his life and dedicate it to Rey Mysterio. R Truth shows up and calls Kevin Owens 'Miz'. He says that he is supposed to be on Raw and he tells him not to get caught by Nick. Kevin asks if he means Nick Mysterio and Truth says Nick Aldis.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are in the back and Logan Paul shows up. He says he wants an opponent for Elimination Chamber and he is put in a qualifying match. He says he is a prize fighter. He is going to fight next week on Smackdown? He says he should be given the Rock treatment. Logan says he will do it, but he isn't happy about it. He says he is going to Australia and win the Elimination Chamber. He will be walking out a Wrestlemania a double champ. He wants to know who he will face. Nick tells Logan he will be facing someone Logan knows very well. He will be facing The Miz.
Monday night, Bobby Lashley faces Bronson Reed and LA Knight faces Ivar in qualifying matches. On Smackdown, Logan Paul faces the Miz and Kevin Owens faces Dominik Mysterio. SHotzi faces Tiffany Stratton while Naomi faces Zelina Vega in qualifying matches next week on Smackdown.
Qualifying Match for the Elimination Chamber to see who gets to Face the Raw Champion at Wrestlemania
Randy Orton vs Sami Zayn
They lock up and Orton with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. They lock up and Orton with a side head lock. Sami sends Orton to the floor and Sami sets for a dive onto Orton but Randy moves and Sami does an Arabian press back into the ring. They lock up and Orton with punches on the break. Orton punches Sami in the corner but Sami gets to his feet and he punches Orton in the corner. Orton with a reverse atomic drop and he punches Sami. Orton with a European uppercut and Sami goes to the floor. Orton follows and he Irish whips Sami into the ringside barrier but Sami lands on the barrier and hits a moonsault. Sami with forearms and Orton with punches. Sami tries for a suicide dive but Orton with a forearm and then he slams Sami into the announce table. Sami escapes a back drop driver onto the announce table and he gives Orton a back drop driver of his own.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Randy puts Sami on the turnbuckles and Sami with punches and a tornado DDT for a near fall. Sami pulls Orton into the center of the ring and he goes up top. Orton punches Sami to stop him. Orton goes to the turnbuckles and they exchange punches. Orton sets for a superplex and he hits it. Orton with punches but Sami runs Orton into the corner and he connects with shoulders. Sami with an Irish whip but Orton with a clothesline out of the corner followed by a second one. Sami misses a clothesline and Orton with a power slam. Orton sets for the IEDDT but Sami gets ot his feet and he sends Orton over the top rope with a back body drop. Sami with a suicide dive that sends Randy into the ringside barrier. Orton with punches and a back drop driver onto the announce table. Orton sets for the IEDDT and hits it this time.
Orton looks around and then he turns to the mat for the RKO push ups. Sami with a rollup for a near fall. Sami with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Sami leap frogs over Orton but Orton with an RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match:
Drew McIntyre shows up behind Orton as he comes off the turnbuckles. They stare each other down.
End of show.
