SmackDown Notes: Solo Sikoa defeats Sami Zayn, Cody & Roman go face to face

March 3, 2023 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports

March 3, 2023
Capital One Arena – Washington, D.C.

By: John Kleinchester

SmackDown began with Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa coming down to the ring. Reigns could only get out “Washington, D.C., acknowledge me” before Cody Rhodes’ music hit. Michael Cole harped on Rhodes “finishing the story” that Dusty Rhodes never could multiple times. Cody started by saying he was here for a one-on-one conversation, and Reigns responded by sending the rest of his crew to the back. Rhodes mentioned him “and his buddies’ little indie show” and the goalposts consistently moving but he has always consistently punched it through the uprights. Reigns responded by asking Cody if he had ever competed for one of the WWE world titles or been in the Wrestlemania main event. Reigns went on to say that he was groomed to be a wrestler by not only his own father but by Cody’s father too. Roman then busted into a Dusty impression mimicking Dusty talking to Roman: “Baby, you have it. You couldn’t get rid of it, you couldn’t sell it if you wanted to – you are it.”

Reigns went on to tell Cody that Dusty would say nothing about him – it was like Cody didn’t exist. Roman said, “If there’s anything he didn’t teach you – I will.” Cody responded saying that it wasn’t a story that needed to be finished but the only way he can exist is by beating Reigns at Wrestlemania. At that point, the two shook hands and Reigns left the ring.

Next up Rhea Ripley defeated Liv Morgan. Rhea executed the Riptide but then went for the Cloverleaf submission for the victory. 

We next went to The Bloodline backstage with Roman asking Jimmy if he got in contact with Jey. Jimmy confirmed he did and that Jey just needs time. Reigns said he’s running out of patience but not with Jey – with Jimmy. 

Santos Escobar ran into Domink and Rhea Ripley backstage and said that Rey should have knocked Dominik out last week. Escobar challenged Dominik to a match next. Escobar came out to the ring with Rey Mysterio’s mask that was given to him a few weeks ago. Early in the match, Santos held Dominik in front of Rey’s mask saying “that is your legacy – do you respect your legacy?” to which Dominik responded with an emphatic “no” and spit on the mask. 

At the end of the match, Dominik pulled brass knuckles out of his trunks distracting the referee. This allowed Rhea to pull Escobar out of the ring and hit the Riptide on him. Dominik then hit the frog splash for the win. After the match, Domink grabbed Escobar’s Rey mask and ripped it up – only to be interrupted by his father’s music. Rey started asking for the mask back as Dominik asked Rey to hit him. Dominik attacked Rey and left him laying. 

A clip from WWE social media was shown with Sami Zayn amongst the WWE fans at the Capital One Center, sending a message to The Bloodline.

Drew McIntyre was out next to cut a promo about how there are only four weeks to go until Wrestlemania and he still doesn’t have a match. He called out Gunther but Sheamus came out instead complaining that Drew knew that Sheamus wanted Gunther at Wrestlemania. Sheamus called Drew a “backstabbing bastard” and Drew responded saying Sheamus had his chance and he lost twice. LA Knight then interrupted to a big pop. Before Knight could even get into the ring, The New Day interrupted. New Day were making fun of LA Knight for not being able to win matches when Karrion Kross interrupted. A brawl then ensued with McIntyre and Sheamus teasing fighting each other. 

Footage was then shown of a backstage brawl between Ronda Rousey and Tegan Nox with Rousey being injured and then being unable to compete in the match tonight. Shayna Baszler then came to the ring to Ronda Rousey’s music and Tegan Nox did the same with Natalya’s music despite neither woman participating in the match. Baszler tapped out Nox in just over two minutes. Tegan was screaming “I think she broke my arm” after the match.

Gunther and Imperium were interviewed backstage next where he said the only thing he’s concerned about is not having a worthy opponent at Wrestlemania. 

Bobby Lashley was out next saying that for the past two weeks, Bray Wyatt was telling him to run. Lashley said that since Bray was not man enough to see him face-to-face he came to SmackDown. Uncle Howdy attacked Lashley from behind before the lights went out and Howdy disappeared. 

Next, we were abruptly back in The Bloodline locker room with Jimmy saying Jey said to leave him the hell alone. Reigns was beside himself and said this didn’t start happening until Sami came around. Roman proclaimed that if Jimmy successfully gets rid of Sami Zayn tonight, Jey will come home. Reigns also said privately to Paul Heyman that if Jey wasn’t back in The Bloodline in one week, he’s blaming Jimmy.

The main event saw Solo Sikoa take on Sami Zayn with Sami taking out both Sikoa and Jimmy Uso before the bell. Sikoa pinned Sami Zayn clean after the Somoan Spike. After the match, Jimmy and Solo were beating down Sami when Sami was able to recover and attack both, successfully escaping their attack.  

Announced for SmackDown Next Week in Pittsburgh:

  • Intercontinental Championship Qualifying 5-Way Match: Kofi Kingston vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight vs. Karrion Kross
  • Ricochet & Braun Strowman vs. The Viking Raiders

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

  • Rhea Ripley over Liv Morgan in 8:05
  • Dominik Mysterio over Santos Escobar in 8:38
  • Shayna Baszler over Tegan Nox in 2:01
  • Solo Sikoa over Sami Zayn in 7:46
About John Kleinchester 155 Articles
New Jersey born and raised. Wrestling fan since Lex slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid. Favorite Wrestler of all time is Owen "The Rocket" Hart.
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