WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - March 24th, 2023

[Kemo]

Cody Rhodes seeks to notch a win over Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser

On WWE SmackDown Lowdown this past Saturday, Cody Rhodes ran into Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci, with Kaiser taking umbrage from Rhodes’ Royal Rumble victory. Kaiser claimed Gunther should’ve won that match, prompting The American Nightmare to challenge Kaiser to a match this Friday. Can Rhodes notch another victory on his road to challenging Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania?

Your announcers are Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.

We begin with a look at the reunion between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn last week. We move on to the announcement of the Tag Title match at Wrestlemania.


Cody Rhodes vs Ludwig Kaiser (w/ Giovanni Vinci)

They lock up and Kaiser backs Cody into the corner and he punches Cody on the break. Cody with a delayed gourdbuster.

Paul Heyman makes his way down the aisle.

Kaiser with a waist lock and Cody with a take down and a running kick.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Kaiser with a flatliner for a near fall. Kaiser with a side head lock and punches to Cody. We see footage of Cody hitting a superplex during the break. Kaiser goes to the floor and he tries to wring the leg into the post but Cody pulls Kaiser into the post. Cody with punches against the announce table. Cody goes for a springboard move but Kaiser clips Cody and sends him to the mat. Kaiser with a kick to the head and he gets a near fall. Cody with punches and Kaiser with a double thrust to the throat and then he chokes Cody in the ropes. Vinci with a punch to Cody when the referee deals with Kaiser. Kaiser with a side head lock. Kaiser sends Cody to the mat.

Kaiser with punches to Cody and he rakes the eyes using his boots. Kaiser with a corkscrew back elbow for a near fall. Kaiser kicks Cody in the arm and follows with a punch. Cody with forearms but Kaiser with a jaw breaker. Kaiser with kicks to Cody followed by an Irish whip. Kaiser is sent to the apron and Cody with Beautiful Disaster to Kaiser on the apron. Cody with a kick and he sets for a Pedigree but Solo Sikoa comes out.

Kaiser hits Cody in the back of the leg. Cody goes to the floor as Paul and Solo get closer to the ring. Kaiser Irish whips Cody into the ring steps.

We go to commercial.

We are back and both men with clotheslines and both men are down. Kaiser with a punch and Cody punches back. They continue the exchange. Kaiser with a kick and Cody with a running forearm and kick followed by a drop down uppercut. Cody with a power slam for a near fall. Kaiser with a clothesline for a near fall. Kaiser with a running European uppercut into the corner followed by a kick and suplex. Kaiser comes off the turnbuckles and Cody catches Kaiser but Kaiser counters CrossRhodes into a rollup for a near fall. Cody with a CodyCutter and CrossRhodes for the three count.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

After the match:
Solo Sikoa gets on the apron and Paul stops him. Paul says that Cody is owed an apology. Paul asks to enter the ring and he says he is the one to deliver the apology.

Paul says SHE did a lousy job with that announcement. Probably because she is from Las Vegas. Paul announces the WINNER and STILL challenger for the UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP . . . CODY RHODES.

The very same Cody Rhodes that sees his road to Wrestlemania with a giant pot hole in front of him. That happens this Monday night when you go one versus one against SOLO. If you survive against Solo, then it is not the Road to Wrestlemania. All roads lead to Roman Reigns, who will be live on Smackdown next Friday to see you one final time . . . face to face.

Paul tosses Cody the mic and Cody catches it.

Cody asks if that is what we are doing. Are you moving the goal posts? You interrupted the people when they were singing the song. You want to move the goal posts here? Cody asks if he is supposed to say no? He shouldn't have wrestled with half his body hanging off and he beat Seth Rollins. Undefeated and as good as you are, you are not ready. As for the champion. After Solo finds out that he's not ready, at Wrestlemania, your boy Roman Reigns will find out the same thing. He is not ready either.

Cody tosses the mic back to Paul and Paul drops it. Cody begins to walk to the back.


Michael Cole mentions that John Cena will kick off Wrestlemania on Saturday against Austin Theory.

Backstage:
Charlotte Flair walks in the back.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Smackdown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair makes her way to the ring.

Charlotte says we are eight days from Wrestlemania. Fourteen times she has been World Champion and that was not built on fear, insecurities, or nepotism. The same three things have been used against her by everyone since she started in this business. What is fear? It is a lack of understanding and ignorance. This business wasn't built on fear, it was built on respect. I don't fear you Rhea Ripley, I respect you. The only thing I fear is my own potential. She mentions all of the women she respected.

Insecurities, you are damn right I have them. Charlotte yells at the people for whating her. She says she has built this house on every brick you have thrown at her for the last seven years.

Nepotism. Charlotte says she loves her dad. She will never apologize for continuing the greatest legacy in sports entertainment. Whether you like it or not, you better learn to love it because diamonds are forever and so is Charlotte Flair.


Backstage:
We see Kevin and Sami in the back while Kevin spins in his chair.

Rey Mysterio makes his way to the ring. Rey stops to kiss his wife and daughter, who are sitting at ringside.

We go to commercial.


Rey Mysterio vs LA Knight

Rey with a drop kick and he goes for a monkey flip but Knight holds on to the ropes. Knight misses an elbow drop. Rey with a monkey flip. Rey with punches in the corner. Knight sends Rey face first into the mat. Knight with kicks to the back and he sends Rey into the turnbuckles. Knight with punches to Rey and he chokes him in the corner. Knight sends Rey into the turnbuckles and Knight with a leaping neck breaker. Knight gets a near fall. Knight with a punch. Knight sends Rey into the turnbuckles. Rey with a head scissors take down that sends Knight to the floor. Rey with a drop kick through the ropes and a sliding splash onto Knight on the floor.

Rey with a forearm to the back and they return to the ring. Rey with a shoulder and kick from the apron. Rey goe sup top and . . .

Dominik's music plays. Rey forgets he is in a match and Knight clips Rey on the turnbuckles.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Rey with punches. Knight with a knee to the midsection but Rey escapes a slam attempt and gets a near fall with a rollup followed by a drop kick. Knight with a running boot to the head and he gets a near fall. Knight with a belly-to-back suplex. Knight catches Rey on a cross body and Knight hits a power slam. Knight misses an elbow drop. Rey with a back elbow and Rey with a springboard into a bulldog. Rey goes up top and he hits a seated splash and then hits a springboard cross body for a near fall. Knight with a kick and he goes for a belly-to-back suplex but Rey lands on his feet. Knight with a slam for a near fall. Knight gets Rey up for a slam but Rey counters into a DDT. Rey drop kicks Knight into the ropes. Rey sets for a 619 and Knight catches Rey. Rey with a head scissors and Knight positions himself in the ropes. Dom trips Rey when the referee is not looking.

Knight with a rollup for the three count.

Winner: LA Knight

After the match:
Dom gets in the ring and pulls a Batista to ask Rey to give him what he wants. He wants to know if Rey is going to run away or will he finally be a man and face him at Wrestlemania. Dom pushes Rey a few times and then Rey leaves the ring and sits on the apron.

Dom tells Rey to walk away, like he always does. Dom asks his mom how does it feel to be married to a pathetic loser who can't even stand up to his own son. Dom mentions that his mom and sister are in the crowd tonight. Dom asks his mom if she knew she married a deadbeat. You sat there every night when he abandoned him. You are nothing better. You are a deadbeat mom. He says she is too stupid to understand.

Angie starts to talk and Dom takes the mic and he tells her to shut up.

Rey makes his way over to Dom and he punches Dom.

Rey tells Dom he pushed him into doing this. You made me do this. You disrespected your mother. She is his wife. Do you want a fight at Wrestlemania? You're on.

Rey hugs Angie and Aliyah.

We go to commercial.


Wrestlemania Showcase Qualifying Match
Xia Li and Lacey Evans vs Natalya and Shotzi

Lacey and Shotzi start things off and Shotzi with a waist lock and Lacey with a take down. Lacey with an Irish whip and shoulder in the corner. Lacey tells Xia to get in the ring and she kicks Shotzi. Xia with a knee in the corner and a chop to the head. Xia with an exploder and she says something to Nattie before getting a near fall. Xia sends Shotzi into the corner and Lacey tags in and Lacey with a hesitation Bronco Buster. Lacey sends Shotzi face first into the mat. Lacey knocks Nattie off the apron and Shotzi with a rollup for a near fall. Shotzi with a clothesline and boot but Nattie is still down. Lacey with a clothesline for a near fall. Shotzi kicks Xia and hits a jaw breaker on Lacey. Lacey misses Shotzi and hits Xia with a Woman's Right. Shotzi sends Lacey to the apron and Lacey with a punch. Nattie with a kick to knock Lacey off the apron. Shotzi with a suicide dive and Nattie tags in.

Nattie gets Xia up and Shotzi with a Hart Attack. Nattie with a Sharpshooter and Xia taps out.

Winners: Shotzi and Natalya

After the match:
Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler show up. Shayna says everyone in the ring has a reason to get revenge on them. She goes through what they have broken on them. Shayna suggests they could get some revenge tonight. Ronda asks how many times have they sold out this arena and this town? How much do they appreciate us? We have given Vegas all they deserve so not tonight.

Shayna agrees and Shayna says that she wanted to tell them that they were added to the match at Wrestlemania.


We take a loook at what happened last week when Sheamus and Drew were put into a Triple Threat Match at Wrestlemania against Gunther when Gunther caused a No Contest in a match he demanded so he wouldn't have to be in a Triple Threat Match.

Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring for his contract signing.

We go to commercial.

Adam Pearce is in the ring with a contract and he mentions that Drew is already in the ring, but he is interrupted by Sheamus' music.

Sheamus comes out with Butch and Ridge. Sheamus says everyone asks him why is he so mad at Drew. Imagine working fifteen years for a particular goal. Then your best friends goes behind your back to steal that goal from you. A friend you let sleep on your couch. A friend you brought to his first training session in the business. Imagine getting the opportunity to smash that person's face in on the grandest stage of them all because they are a backstabbing . . .

Drew tells Sheamus to shut up. Every week you run your mouth and try to give him a guilt trip. He says it is embarrassing. Last week, we were in this ring reminding everyone why they are the most physical in the business. After the match, we should have been in the bar, but you are so sensitive and you cannot separate the personal from the business.

Drew says the facts are that he has beaten him. He says he knows he can beat Gunther. Drew says history shows that Sheamus can't.

Pearce says they can fight all they want next week, but they need the signatures on the contract.

Drew signs the contract first and then he puts it in front of Sheamus. Sheamus signs the contract.

Gunther's music plays and he makes his way to the ring.

Gunther pushes a chair aside and he gets in Pearce's face. Gunther says he wants Pearce to justify this decision. Why is he in a match where they can pin each other and he can still lose the title.

Gunther signs the contract before Pearce can give the justification.

Gunther says whatever he has to do to defend his title will be justified. He will beat Drew and he will beat Sheamus. He will even beat Ridge. Gunther wants to know what is Butch looking at and Buch goes over the table at Gunther.

Gunther wants Pearce to make the match.

We go to commercial.


Non Title Match
Gunther vs Butch (w/ Ridge Holland and Sheamus)

The match is joined in progress and Butch with slaps but Gunther with a boot to the head. Gunther with a slam. Butch with a kick and chops. Butch goes for a Kimura and body scissors but Gunther blocks it. Gunther with a package butterfly suplex. Gunther kicks Butch in the back. Gunther with a kick to Butch. Butch with a punch and forearm but Gunther with a chop. Gunther picks up Butch and chops him back to the mat while holding on to Butch. Gunther with another chop. Gunther kicks Butch in the back. Butch with a triangle on Gunther and he goes for the fingers but Gunther with a chop and Gunther with a Boston Crab. Gunther with a crossface. Butch goes for the fingers again but Gunther with a chop to send Butch to the mat again.

Butch with a series of enzuigiris. Gunther avoids a third one and hits a German suplex. Gunther puts Butch on the top turnbuckle and Gunther with a chop. Gunther chokes Butch on the turnbuckles and Butch falls to the floor and hits the steps.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Gunther teases a forearm but he goes for a sleeper and Butch grabs the fingers and pulls them. Butch with a running forearm and kick in the corner. Butch with a double stomp to the arm and he sets for a German suplex but Gunther with a standing switch into a sleeper. Butch lands on his feet on a German suplex and Butch kicks Gunther in the back of the head. Gunther goes to teh floor and Butch misses a moonsault off the apron but Butch lands on his feet. Gunther chops Butcch and then Sheamus and Drew get in Gunther's face.

Butch with a forearm to Drew when Gunther moves. Butch stomps on the hand and kicks Gunther. Drew gets on the apron and Sheamus pulls Drew off and Drew with a head butt to Sheamus. Ridge goes after Drew and Drew sends him into the ring post. Sheamus with a knee to Drew. In the ring, Gunther with a clothesline and Last Symphony for the three count.

Winner: Gunther

After the match:
Sheamus gets in the ring and Drew hits Gunther with a Claymore when he 'misses' Sheamus. Drew and Sheamus stare each other down while Gunther rolls to the floor.


Backstage:
The Street Profits are in the back. Montez mentions their match at Wrestlemania and Angelo asks what their opponents have in common. Braun and Ricochet show up and Braun and Ricochet want to know if these are jokes. Ricochet says they will show what they can do at Wrestlemania.


Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring for the KO Show.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa is official for Raw. Next week on Smacckdown, Roman and Cody will be on the show. Drew and Sheamus will face Imperium. The Andre the GIant Battle Royal will take place.


Kevin welcomes everyone to the Kevin Owens Show. Kevin brings out his guest, Sami Zayn.

Kevin asks Sami if he did it right and Sami asks what Kevin means. Kevin says he gave Sami the big introduction. Sami says he didn't want the big introduction. Kevin says Sami wanted them to come out separately so the crowd could hear both of their music and they could each get a pop.

Sami asks if there is anything else that needs to be spilled because he wants to talk about Wrestlemania. Sami says he has lost focus and he asks Kevin if he knows what they are on the verge of doing. Starting off in Montreal all of those years ago, they are close to winning the WWE Tag Team Championships together, at Wrestlemania. Sami says Wrestlemania feels different this year.

Kevin says it isn't lost on him. He knows what they can accomplish. Wrestlemania is different. Kevin says he has something for Sami. Kevin says after Roman gave you the Honorary Uce shirt, I told you that you needed a new shirt. Kevin gives Sami a KOMania shirt, but he says it is not about KOMania. There is only one person who took WWE by storm and the people can say that guy has been the MVP of WWE for the last twelve months. That person is you.

Kevin says it isn't KOMania. It is WrestleZaynia.

Sami loves the shirt and Kevin shows that he is wearing the shirt too.

Sami puts the shirt on and he wants a hug.

Kevin tells Sami he gets one hug a year.

Kevin and Sami hug but they are attacked by Jimmy and Jey Uso. JImmy and Jey with a double super kick to Kevin and then they hit 1D on Sami.

Kevin gets a chair and The Usos get out of the ring.

We go to credits.

[LionDen]

John Cena opening Wrestlemania night 1 against Theory. I wonder if Cena will lose to make Theory look good.

[LionDen]

No surprise but I liked the Mysterio, Dom and family segment to lead into a match at Mania.

[LionDen]

Shit .. Guther could have killed audience members with that table. lol

[LionDen]

That was a good show.