WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - February 24th, 2023
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Charlotte Flair to come face-to-face with Rhea Ripley
SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair is about to come face-to-face with Royal Rumble Match winner Rhea Ripley en route to their epic title clash at WrestleMania.
:smackdown:
Your announcers are Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.
We take a look back at the main event of Elimination Chamber and then on Raw with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.
Kayla Braxton is in the parking lot and Jimmy Uso arrives. She asks about the Bloodline and if he talked to Jey. Jimmy says he has not talked to his brother. He has texted him, left him a voicemail, and called him. He told Jey he can meet him in the ring tonight to tell him what is on his chest.
Braun Strowman, Ricochet, and Riddick Moss vs Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci
Vinci and Moss start things off. They lock up and Vinci with a hammer lock and Moss with a reversal. Vinci with a drop toe hold. VInci with a side head lock and he blocks a hip toss. Moss with a running shoulder tackle. Moss with a front face lock and Ricochet tags in. Moss with a slam and Ricochet with a slingshot hesitation senton for a near fall. Vinci with a knee and wrist lock. Ricochet with a back flip and side head lock. Ricochet with a shooting star press for a near fall. Vinci with a clothesline and Kaiser tags in. Kasier with a punch to the ribs. Kaiser sends Ricochet into the ropes. Kaiser kicks Ricochet in the head and Ricochet iwth forearms. Kaiser with a kick and Ricochet goes for a handstand head scissors but Kaiser avoids it and hits a double thrust to the throat. Kaiser hits Strowman on the apron and that gets the referee distracted. Kaiser and Vinci go high and low to Ricochet on the apron and then Gunther hits a back drop driver on the apron.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Ricochet with forearms and a European uppercut to Kaiser. Kaiser with a knee and Ricochet with a forearm. Kaiser gets a near fall. We see footage during the commercial break when Gunther chopped Ricochet. Gunther tags in and he connects with a European uppercut.
Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring while Gunther chops Drew. Ricochet with an enzuigiri and it staggers Gunther. Vinci tags in and he stomps on the hand. Vinci with a short arm clothesline and a second one. Ricochet flips on a clothesline attempt and Braun tags in and hits shoudler tackles and clotheslines on Vinci and Kaiser. Braun pushes Vinci to the floor while Gunther makes the tag. Gunther with a chop and Braun chops back. They go back and forth until Gunther kicks Braun in the knee and applies a sleeper. Gunther with a drop kick and Moss tags in. Moss runs Gunther into the corner and connects with shoudlers. Moss knocks Kaiser off the apron and Gunther with a chop and German suplex. Gunther with a power bomb for the three count.
Winners: Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni VInci
After the match:
Gunther holds up the title belt and Drew starts to take off his jacket. Erik and Ivar attack Drew and connect with forearms. Drew is sent into the ringside barrier. Sheamus comes out and he goes after Erik and Ivar. Ivar clotheslines Sheamus and he punches Ivar. Braun with a shoulder to Ivar and Erik. Ricochet with a twisting plancha onto Erik and Ivar. Drew and Sheamus kick Erik and Ivar over the ringside barrier into the crowd.
Backstage:
Kayla is in the back and she is with Rey Mysterio. Rey says he will make sure he puts an end to Karrion Kross once . . .
Santos Escobar shows up and he says there is one thing that Legado del Fantasma and his familia believe in is respect. He got a mask from Rey Mysterio and he wants to show how much he respects Rey. Rey says the feeling is mutual.
Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley show up and Dom asks how long will Santos kiss Rey's ass. Santos says he will teach Dom respect.
Dom says in prison, those who didn't back up what they say get dealt with. Dom wishes Rey luck.
Santos tells Rey he knows who he is. Rey says that is his son and he walks away.
We go to commercial.
Backstage:
We go to the Roman Room and Jimmy says things have been crazy since the Royal Rumble. Jimmy says he knew Jey would be there to defend the titles for them. Since Montreal, it feels different. He says Jey might be spooked over this whole Sami thing. Paul suggests that Solo stay back with him while Jimmy confronts Jey face to face, twin to twin, Uso to Uso . . . personally. Jimmy agrees with Paul.
LA Knight makes his way to the ring and he has something to say.
Knight wants to talk to you. He says tis the season. Everybody is talking about their Wrestlemania moments and how they want to have one. He didn't come here for Wrestlemania moments. He came to make money and win titles. He does that by going to Wrestlemania. Knight says he isn't the one having the Wrestlemania moment. You can't have an LA Wrestlemania without LA Knight. He says that means he is going to give Wrestlemania an LA Knight moment.
The New Day interrupt and Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods make their way to the stage.
Kofi says Knight doesn't know how this works. You have only been on the roster for two and a half months so who are you to demand anything?
Knight says he did not invite the Nerd Day. If you weren't so busy playing video games, you are looking at a perpetual motion machine and a mega star.
Woods says being nerds made them a lot of money. Woods says that they can see Knight likes hand outs because of the fake leather jacket he is wearing. Wrestlemania moments are not handed out, they are earned. Woods mentions Kofi taking advantage of his situation.
Knight says he does not care about what they did because he is a creator of circumstance. He creates what works for him. He asks Kofi how that Kofi-Mania worked out.
Kofi says it worked out pretty well because he won the WWE Championship. He was not waiting for a moment, he was fighting for it in the ring. He will not wait to shut up LA in this ring tonight.
Knight asks if that is a challenge.
Woods says he wants this match to be approved and asks Adam Pearce to do it.
LA Knight vs Kofi Kingston (w/ Xavier Woods)
The match is joined in progress and Knight with punches to Kofi. Kofi with a head scissors take down and kicks. Kofi with a punch and Knight with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Knight with a back elbow and he gets a near fall. Kofi with an uppercut and Knight with an Irish whip. Knight runs into a boot and Kofi with Shadows over Hell for a near fall. Knight with a punch and kick. Kofi trips Knight and goes to the floor. Kofi and Woods try for the Kid N Play before Kofi kicks Knight. Kofi goes up top and hits a cross body for a near fall. Kofi with a wrist lock and arm bar. Kofi with a splash to the arm on the mat. Kofi with a hammer lock.and Knight backs Kofi into the ropes. Knight with an elbow and back elbow.
Knight with kicks to Kofi and he punches Kofi. Knight with a slam for a near fall. Knight punches Kofi in the corner and Knight sends Kofi into teh turnbuckles and tries for a neck breaker but Kofi holds on to the ropes. Kofi with a forearm in the corner and a second one. Kofi goes for a third one but Knight catches Kofi and hits snake eyes. Knight sends Kofi into the turnbuckles head first and Kofi goes to the floor.
We go to commercial.
Kofi with a jumping clothesline and a Boom Drop. Kofi sets for Trouble in Paradise but Knight moves. Knight with a pop up uranage for a near fall. Knight hits Woods on the floor and Kofi with a plancha onto Knight. Kofi sends Knight back in the ring and he goes up top. Knight with a punch to stop Kofi. Kofi pushes Knight away and Knight leaps ovver Kofi and Woods distracts Knight with the trombone. Kofi with Trouble in Paradise for the three count.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
We take a look at Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair and how their paths will meet at Wrestlemania.
Smackdown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair makes her way to the ring.
Charlotte says 35 days to Wrestlemania and she knows that Rhea likes to run her mouth on Raw so she is looking forward to hearing what she has to say to her face. She tells Rhea to come, but Rhea does not make her way to the ring. Charlotte asks Rhea if she is remembering the last time they were in the ring together.
Dominik comes out and he asks Charlotte if he can call her 'Queenie'. He says he will not let Charlotte talk down his queen.
Charlotte tells Dom it is adult time and he can go back and tell his Mami to come out.
Dom says Charlotte sounds jealous and bitter. He says we all know that the hottest thing right now is Rhea Ripley. No one ever entered at one and won it all. Dom says Charlotte should smile more often. He says Charlotte is a beautiful woman. Dom says Mami is strong. When she hugs him, she nearly breaks his back.
Charlotte cuts off Dom and says she has a real Latino man at home who calls her Mami with a much thicker accent so she does not know what he is talking about.
Dom says they have a lot in common and Charlotte wants to know. Dom says they are generational stars and they have been compared to their dads who they have surpassed. Dom says he know his dad was a lot worse. He was a deadbeat. He didn't bother showing up. He was an afterthought of a father. Dom says Rey messed him up and it put a big chip on his shoulder. When Mami beats you at Wrestlemania, you will know that your dad is right that you aren't good enough.
Charlotte says she loves her dad, and he is 73 years old, 74 tomorrow, so early Happy Birthday. He can still go and could kick your butt if he was here. Since he isn't here . . .
Charlotte takes off her title belt and . . .
Rhea Ripley's music plays and she walks to the ring.
Dom holds Rhea back and they leave the ring.
Rhea gets back in the ring and gets in Charlotte's face.
Michael Cole mentions that Money in the Bank sold out and more tickets have been released for Wrestlemania.
We take a look at what happened online between Shayna Baszler and Natalya.
We see footage from earlier today when Natalya talked to Adam Pearce about facing Shayna tonight and Tegan Nox telling Natalya she has her back.
Natalya (wi/ Tegan Nox) vs Shayna Baszler (w/ Ronda Rousey)
Shayna misses a clothesline and Natalya with punches. Shayna goes to the apron and Natalya grabs her and brings her back into the ring. Natalya sends Shayna into the turnbuckles and punches her. Shayna with divorce court and a wrist lock. Shayna with an arm bar. Natalya with forearms and a snap mare. Shayna with a kick and she pulls the knee pad down. Shayna misses a knee and Natalya with a rollup. Natalya with a side Russian leg sweep and kicks. Shayna with a waist lock and Natalya with a standing switch and German suplex. Natalya with a discus clothesline for a near fall. Natalya with boots and she tries for the Sharpshooter but Shayna pushes Natalya away. Natalya with a drop kick to the back of the head and she gets Shayna on the floor.
Natalya sends Shayna back into the ring and Shayna with a knee to the head and she applies a double wrist lock submission and Natalya taps out.
Winner: Shayna Baszler
After the match:
Shayna kicks Tegan off the apron and then Shayna picks up Natalya for Ronda but Tegan with a forearm to stop Ronda. Shayna and Ronda leave the ring. Ronda wants to know who that is and Shayna tells her who it is and Shayna tells Ronda not to worry about her.
We go to commercial.
We are back with the Firefly Funhouse.
We see Bray watching his challenge from last week and he laughs at it. We see Bobby's response from Raw.
Bray and Ramblin Rabbit are in the newsroom. He says there is a dragon with seven horns and ten crowns. Bray asks who opened the door? He says it is time for the weather.
Uncle Howdy does the weather.
We go to 'Can You Keep a Secret' with your host Bray Wyatt. He asks can you.
We see the programming for Channel 6.
We go back to the Funhouse and we hear a voice asking if you can keep a secret.
We see a masked man and he asks if he told you a story, can you keep a secret.
Backstage:
We go back to the Roman Suite and Jimmy says he needs to hash it out with Jey. Paul shows Jimmy a text from Roman. It says Roman will be on Smackdown next week. Paul tells Jimmy to take care of Jey tonight or Roman will do it next week.
We go to commercial.
Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett) vs Rey Mysterio
Rey with punches and Kross pushes him away. Rey with a satellite head scissors and Kross goes to the apron when Rey drops down. Rey with a 619 to the back and a suicide dive.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Rey with punches to the midsection and head. Kross with a back elbow. We see footage of Kross running Rey into the ring post. Rey gets his foot up but Kross stops short and punches Rey. Rey punches Kross when Kross goes for a power bomb. Rey sends Kross into the turnbuckles. Rey with a seated senton but Kross sends Rey under the bottom rope to the floor. Kross gets Rey up and hits a gutbuster. Kross puts Rey back in the ring. Kross gets Rey on his shoulders and he climbs the turnbuckles. Rey with elbows and knees. Rey with a Frankensteiner for a near fall. Rey goes for a satellite DDT but Kross blocks it. Kross is sent into the ropes and Scarlett gets on the ropes and she falls into the ring.
Dom grabs Rey on a 619 attempt and Dom wants Rey to hit him.
Kross with a forearm and the Kross Jacket and Rey passes out.
Winner: Karrion Kross
After the match:
Dom pushes Rey and tells him to do something. Dom tells Rey to hit him. Dom pie faces Rey and Rey looks around. Dom pushes Rey and Rey gets in Dom's face but he does not punch him.
Rey turns around and then Dom turns Rey around and tells him to do it. Rey kicks the rope and leaves.
Jimmy is in the hallway and he checks his phone. Jimmy walks.
We go to commercial.
We are back and next week, Roman Reigns will be back. Rhea Ripley faces Liv Morgan. Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey face Tegan Nox and Natalya.
Jimmy Uso makes his way to the ring.
Jimmy says if you aren't here, he says he knows you are out there watching. From brother to brother, I know you are torn. He says he knows that Jey is hurting. When you hurt, he hurts. Jimmy says he will always be here for Jey and he needs Jey with him right now. They are talking and people are saying there are cracks in the Bloodline. Things are crazy. We have a Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens problem.
Sami Zayn comes through the crowd and he enters the ring.
Sami says he is not here to fight. He says he knows that Jimmy wants to talk to Jey and so does he. Sami says he wants to talk to Jimmy. When he hears Jimmy use 'brother' it hurts him because he felt like a brother. You had my back from day one. When Jey didn't trust you, you saw value in me. You were the one who made me the honorary Uce. Without Jimmy there is no Honorary Uce, Sami Uso, or Feeling Ucey. When things went south at the Royal Rumble, you took me down with zero hesitation. That hurt.
Jimmy calls Sami selfish and he asks Sami if he wants to put the blame on him. You were the one who made that choice. You were the one who had the chair in your hands. You made the choice and I did what I had to do. Family does not betray you.
Sami says family does not make you test your loyalty every week. They don't make you jump through hoops to determine if you are worth it. You don't do what Roman did to him or to your twin.
Jey Uso shows up at the top of the aisle.
Sami says the Bloodline is not about Roman Reigns. It is about one man. Sami says he will make sure the Bloodline comes crumbling down. There is a way out for you and you don't have to go down with the ship.
Sami realizes that Jey is in the crowd and Jimmy punches Sami.
Jey makes his way to the ring and Jimmy thinks he is going to help him but Sami with a Helluva Kick.
Jey looks at things and Solo Sikoa makes his way to the ring to check on his brother.
Sami goes into the crowd.
We go to credits.
