The Baddest Woman comes to SmackDown!

For the first time ever, RONDA ROUSEY arrives on SmackDown! Will she choose The Queen as her WrestleMania opponent? Or will she go back to Becky?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Ricochet w/ Cesaro VS Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus; Ricochet wins.
• Ricochet & Cesaro VS Ridge Holland & Sheamus; Holland & Sheamus win.
• Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso VS Erik w/ Ivar; Jimmy wins.
• Aliyah VS Natalya; Aliyah wins, by count out.
• Championship Contender’s Match: Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS Jinder Mahal w/ Shanky; Nakamura wins and denies Jinder a title match.
• The New Day VS Los Lotharios; The New Day wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Roman Reigns opens SmackDown!

The Tribal Chief is still WWE Universal Champion, and he has Paul Heyman back as his Special Counsel! They and the Usos stand on stage, and the belt is raised to cue the pyro. The Bloodline goes to the ring, and a Royal Rumble recap package plays to point out that despite all of Seth Rollins’ mind games, he only succeeded in pissing Roman off. Roman got disqualified but Champion’s Advantage keeps the title at the Head of the Table. Back to the present, the Bloodline is in the ring, and the belts are raised again to signal the second round of pyro. Heyman has a mic, and a devious smile, as fans boo.

“Ladies and gentlemen. My name is Paul Heyman, and I’m here tonight to serve as Special Counsel to your Tribal Chief, the reigning, defending, undisputed, uncontroverted WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman… Reigns.” Heyman says the reason they bothered to show up tonight was to acknowledge what really happened. They’ll acknowledge the uncomfortable truths. There was no plot, on scenario, no conspiracy. This was not to make Brock Lesnar look foolish, though he looks like one anyway. “History, the evolution, the trajectory of this entire industry, unfolded in front of your very eyes.”

December 17th, live in the great city of Chicago, Heyman acknowledged that he made the biggest mistake of his entire career. It wasn’t that he told Roman what he felt in his heart, though Heyman acknowledges what he said back then made Heyman look foolish. No, Heyman told Roman, the greatest champion in the history of the WWE, that Roman needed to be protected from Brock Lesnar. That is what Heyman honestly thought after 20 years with Lesnar. He got fired and punched in the face, and he acknowledges that he deserved every bit of it. So there Heyman was, like an unemployed Oklahoman, languishing and miserable!

But then, he saw the moment and seized the opportunity. COVID picked the wrong human to infect, putting Roman on the sideline, and Heyman took that opportunity to advocate Lesnar into a Fatal 5 Way on Day One. And Lesnar pulled off something only he or Roman could’ve pulled off, and that was winning the WWE World Heavyweight Champion in a Fatal 5. It was going to be fine, Roman on SmackDown and Lesnar on Raw, everyone ruling the roost, everything in its place. Except for Heyman and Roman together. So what did Lesnar do as first night as champion? He made the choice to go to SmackDown to challenge Roman for Winner Takes All!

“How freakin’ stupid is that?!” As stupid as the smile and the beard and ponytail Lesnar has! He looked like a shmuck, acted like a shmuck, and he couldn’t accept just having his place over on Raw. Heyman knew then that he was stuck with no way out. He screwed up with the Tribal Chief and stuck with a happy Saskatchewan farmer who just wants to take everyone to Suplex City. Then we get to the Royal Rumble, and Lesnar does just that: he took Bobby Lashley to Suplex City. Then, Roman Reigns showed the Conqueror that a GOAT can always slay a Beast. Heyman thought he was going to be stuck saying, “REIGNING! DEFENDING!”

Fans start echoing and Heyman doesn’t like that. “You will never hear that again.” Because Roman came into the ring and he SMASHED Brock Lesnar! And in that moment in Heyman’s life, he understood. Heyman doesn’t need to protect Roman from Lesnar, he needs to protect Lesnar from Roman! Roman came to Heyman, offered the hand of forgiveness, the hand of love, the hand of family and the hand of the Bloodline. Roman offered Heyman the hand of acknowledgement. Heyman gave Roman that world title belt and Roman SMASHED Lesnar with it. And because of that, Lashley pinned Lesnar and Lashley is the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

“Which means you now all have to acknowledge that there will be no title VS title, champion VS champion, winner take all at WrestleMania.” Lesnar doesn’t get what he wants anymore. Lesnar will do what Roman wants Lesnar to do, and at WrestleMania, Lesnar will ACKNOWLEDGE Roman Reigns! Heyman tells Lesnar that this is how it is done. Heyman looks to Roman and says he acknowledges Roman Reigns as his Tribal Chief. Roman smiles, but Heyman says now, Oklahoma City, this is your chance to show a worldwide audience your moment in history! OKC, ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR TRIBAL CHIEF!

Fans seem pretty torn on that. But wait! Here comes GOLDBERG?! The icon is here and he goes right to the ring! Goldberg stares Roman down as he gets the mic and the Bloodline can’t even believe he’s doing this. Goldberg says, “Roman Reigns, I acknowledge you.” WHAT?! “As my next victim!” Roman VS Goldberg at Elimination Chamber for the Universal Championship! “You’re NEXT!” Goldberg isn’t backing down from the Head of the Table, because he wants the match meant for WrestleMania 36! Will Goldberg prove he would’ve stopped the Big Dog? Or will the Tribal Chief be the one to end the icon?

Ricochet w/ Cesaro VS Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus!

The One and Only and Northern Grit look to settle the score from Day One directly now! But will the Swiss Superman keep the Celtic Warrior in check? Or will the Fella find a way to help his protégé permanently ground Ricochet?

SmackDown returns as Ricochet and Cesaro make their entrance. The bell rings Ridge rushes in. Ricochet dodges, fires off hands, but Ridge knees low. Ridge EuroUppers Ricochet down, drags him up and tosses him to the corner. Ricochet elbows back, but Ridge scoops and SLAMS Ricochet down! Ridge stomps Ricochet around, Sheamus praises Ridge as he scoops and SLAMS Ricochet again. Ricochet gets to a corner, Ridge whips him corner to corner hard, and Ricochet bounces off buckles! Ridge storms over, Sheamus says he wants some popcorn because this is the best thing he’s seen all year.

Ricochet shoves Ridge away, but runs into a scoop. Ricochet slips off, tosses Ridge out of the ring, and Ridge hobbles up. Ricochet builds speed to slide, but Ridge dodges! Ridge scoops again, SNAKE EYES off the apron! Sheamus says that’s brilliant! Cesaro argues with Sheamus, Ridge KNEES Ricochet down. Ridge puts Ricochet in the ring, takes notice of the arguing as he gets in, RECOIL! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

Sheamus is furious! Ricochet snatches one, are the Fella and his sidekick going to do something about this?

Ricochet & Cesaro VS Ridge Holland & Sheamus!

SmackDown returns and HOLLA HOLLA! Things turned into another tag team match between these four! Will the King of Flight and Swiss Superman finally get a win in this series?

Cesaro elbows out of Sheamus’ headlock, runs, but into a back elbow! Cesaro ends up on the apron, Sheamus drags him up and shouts “I HATE YOU!” before firing off Beats of the Bodhrain! Sheamus stops at 9 to go to the apron and CLOBBER Cesaro into the ring. Fans boo but Sheamus soaks the heat. Tag to Ridge, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER to an ELBOW DROP! Ridge pushes Cesaro down to drop knees. Ridge wraps on a chinlock and grinds Cesaro. Cesaro fights up, jawbreakers free, tag to Sheamus! Sheamus keeps Cesaro from Ridge, but Cesaro slips out of the back suplex to tag Ricochet! FLYING LARIAT!

Fans fire up as Ricochet dodges and springboards to CROSSBODY! LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Ricochet waits on Sheamus to get up, fireman’s carries, but Sheamus fights free. Sheamus shoves, Cesaro tags in, Ricochet KICKS Sheamus and Cesaro CLOBBERS him! Ridge runs in, Cesaro dodges and Ricochet dropkicks Ridge out! Ricochet PLNACHAS but misses! Ridged POUNCES Ricochet into the ropes! Cesaro WRECKS Ridge with a dropkick, Sheamus rolls Cesaro up! TWO, and Cesaro EuroUppers Sheamus! Sheamus BOOTS back, then skins the cat to the top rope! But Cesaro dropkicks him down first!

Cesaro climbs up, headbutts Sheamus, then drags Sheamus up. Ridge manages to tag in before the SUPERPLEX! Ridge hauls Cesaro up, NORTHERN GRIT!! Cover, Ridge & Sheamus win!

Winners: Ridge Holland & Sheamus, by pinfall

As a duo, they’re unstoppable! Will mentor and protégé be waiting on the other side of Elimination Chamber to be tag title contenders?

Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso VS Erik w/ Ivar!

Speaking of, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions are warming up against their Elimination Chamber opponents in 1v1 action! Will Jimmy be the one to strike first? Or will the Viking Raiders start the raid in Oklahoma?

SmackDown returns as the Viking Raiders make their entrance. The bell rings, Erik blocks Jey’s attack to fire off strikes! Erik then spins Jey around for a Belly2Belly suplex! Erik whips, follows Jimmy, then SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Jimmy gets free but Erik brings him up. Jimmy wants the fireman’s carry but Erik slips free to give Jimmy Ace Ten Mao! Erik roars, Jimmy is dazed, and Erik goes up the corner. Jey gets in but slips back out as Erik hops down. Ivar LEAPS but Jey dodges! Ivar crashes, but Erik full nelsons. Jimmy slips out to SUPERKICK! Erik flops down, Jimmy goes up top, USO SPLASH! Cover, Jimmy wins!

Winner: Jimmy Uso, by pinfall

The Uso Penitentiary puts Erik away fast! Will they do the same when the tag titles are on the line?

Aliyah VS Natalya!

Right now, #Aliyah3:17 is 2-0 against the Queen of Harts. One was in the blink of an eye, the other was because Natty lost her cool and got disqualified. Will Natty be much more careful and make the third time the charm? Or will Aliyah prove she’s got Natty’s number?

SmackDown returns and Natalya makes her entrance. The bell rings and they tie up. Aliyah rolls Natty, ONE! Aliyah mocks Natty with her 3:17 shirt, but Natty kicks low, puts Aliyah in the corner and stomps away on her! The ref counts, Natty lets off at 4 this time, then she bumps Aliyah off buckles. Natty throws knees, “Do you know who I am?” Natty is a Guinness World Record holder! She SLAPS Aliyah, lifts her, but Aliyah sunset flips! TWO, Natty CLUBS Aliyah. Natty tells the fans to shut up, but Aliyah reverses the whip. Aliyah runs in, is put on the apron, but she ROCKS Natty and climbs up. Handspring RANA! Fans fire up with Aliyah!

Aliyah throws off the shirt, and hits a THESZ PRESS! Aliyah throws fast hands, then lets off to run. Wheelbarrow BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Aliyah keeps on Natty and brings her up, but Natty shoves her to then DISCUS LARIAT! Natty drags Aliyah up again, throws her out of the ring, then smacks Aliyah off the apron. Natty RAMS Aliyah into the barriers, dribbles her of the apron, but the ring count climbs! Aliyah whips Natty into barriers and gets in! The count reaches ten!! Aliyah wins!!

Winner: Aliyah, by count out

Natty is stunned! How many ways can she lose to Aliyah? Will it end up a world record for all the wrong reasons?

Shotzi Blackheart is on her phone.

Drew Gulak talks with Shotzi, but then they both spot Drew McIntyre heading out, Angela the claymore sword in hand. Will the Scottish Warrior (and Angela) look to carve up Happy Corbin and Mad Cap Moss once and for all?

Drew McIntyre goes to the ring!

A much earlier than expected return at the Royal Rumble, the Scottish Warrior’s neck injury didn’t need surgery and he seems to be 100%! He made sure Corbin & Moss didn’t last long in the Rumble, but what about here in Oklahoma? McIntyre gets the mic to tell OKC that it feels damn good to be back. “Everyone’s been asking me, ‘Drew, how did you come back so quick?'” Everyone thought he was gone for good, but here’s the truth. After Day One, a doctor looked McIntyre in the eye and told him he wasn’t going to be back for the Royal Rumble, and not even WrestleMania. Well McIntyre told the doctor to kiss his ass.

McIntyre went right to rehab, three times a day, six days a week. And as you can see, he IS back! The Rumble didn’t go as planned when it came down to him and Brock Lesnar. Lesnar got the better of McIntyre this time, so they’re one apiece. They can circle back to that later. But right now, McIntyre’s attention is fully on “those idiots” who tried to end his career! Speaking of, here come the Happy Folks! Or rather, just Corbin. He tells McIntyre, “Was it worth it, man?” To get this out there, yes, by some miracle, McIntyre eliminated Corbin & Moss. But after what they did to him, was it worth it to come back and risk his career to be thrown out like garbage by Lesnar?

McIntyre failed! He is NOT going to WrestleMania now. And the thought of that makes Corbin very happy. Moss creeps in but McIntyre points his sword at him! The Scottish Warrior says, “Well nobody saw that one coming.” But since Moss is here, McIntyre’s been watching this last month. He wants a joke. Does OKC want Moss to say a funny joke? “YES!” McIntyre wants to get Moss a mic, and if Corbin even steps one foot in the ring, McIntyre will draw blood. Moss gets a mic and nervously asks, “How do you know that the toothbrush was invented in Oklahoma?”

No no no, no Oklahoma jokes. McIntyre’s seen the impression, do a McIntyre joke! “Make me laugh, funny man!” Then, what does a criminal found not guilty have in common with WrestleMania? “They’re’ both gonna get off Scot free.” G-Get it? McIntyre “laughs,” and Moss thins he’s in the clear. McIntyre says Moss is good, and then CLAYMORE KICK! “Idiot.” As for Corbin, McIntyre is gonna make Corbin’s life a living hell every single week! This is just the beginning!! Will the Road to WrestleMania be a nightmare for Happy Corbin this year?

Sami Zayn crashed the Jackass Forever red carpet!

Sami went right up to ET’s reporters to wonder why they weren’t around the WWE when Johnny Knoxville was messing with him. “Oh, speak of the devil!” Knoxville walks up to Sami and Sami wants a round of applause. Knoxville says he told Sami to stay away, but Sami wonders why it was okay for Knoxville to just show up at his place of work for about a month. Sami is escorted away by security, and then Knoxville pokes Sami with the cattle prod! Get outta here, Sami! GIT! Sami is upset, and dares Knoxville to take him on without the cattle prod! Is this only escalating between the crazy jackass and Johnny Knoxville?

Sami complains to management.

How could they let that footage be played on television!? How?! Adam Pearce & Sonya Deville are exasperated with Sami as he demands his Intercontinental Championship match. Then how about next week? Oh, uh, that’d be great. If Sami hadn’t just gotten shocked. He needs more time. Okay, fine, they’ll do it in two weeks, the February 18th edition. That’s fine. Then should they invite Knoxville? That’s not funny. Sami storms out, but then Natty storms in. Natty says Aliyah has never legitimately beat her in a match! She wants a Pinfall Or Submission Only match! #DungeonStyle. Done. Natty gets what she wants, but will she get what she deserves next week?

Rick Boogs is unplugged.

He goes with call and response instead. “HEY EY YO~!” This is Rick BOOOOOGS. He’s here to rock with the Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke… NakamurrrrrAAAAAAA~! The guitar is still on the fritz but Nakamura’s theme plays all the same. The King of Strong Style now knows when his match with Sami will be, but can he deny the Modern Day Maharaja a golden ticket of his own?

Championship Contender’s Match: Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs VS Jinder Mahal w/ Shanky!

SmackDown returns and Jinder makes his entrance, his own protégé by his side. The bell rings and here comes Sami! The Great Liberator of course wants to be ringside now that he has a date for the title. Nakamura and Jinder circle, Sami joins commentary, and Jinder kicks Nakamura to CLUB him down. Jinder KNEES and CLUBS Nakamura, then scoops Nakamura. Nakamura slips out, throws strikes and an AX KICK! Nakamura runs, basement dropkick! Nakamura runs in at the corner, blocks a boot to put Jinder in the ropes, ROUNDHOUSE and SLIDING GERMAN! Fans fire up with Boogs as Nakamura gets back in.

Nakamura aims, “YAO~!” KIN- NO! Jinder dodges to fireman’s carry and GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Nakamura stays in this but Jinder drops a knee at the ropes. Jinder drops another knee, digs it into Nakamura, and Sami says Nakamura will be in for the fight of his life. Fans rally for Nakamura but Jinder throws forearms. Nakamura fires back, Jinder shoves and KNEES Nakamura down. Cover, TWO! Sami says that was a slow count. Jinder stomps Nakamura, drags him up and CLUBS him down. Jinder throws crossface forearms, stomps Nakamura more, then clamps on a top wristlock.

Nakamura endures, fans rally up, and Sami blabbers on about Knoxville zapping him. Nakamura fights up, Jinder CLUBS him down. Jinder clamps on but Nakamura fights the Kallas to PELE! Jinder staggers, Nakamura kicks and WHEEL KICKS him down! Nakamura aims from the corner, “YAO~!” KINSHASA! Cover, Nakamura wins!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall

Jinder doesn’t get himself a title shot but Sami shouts that Nakamura’s holding this belt for the last time. Nakamura dares Sami to “C’MON~!” Will Sami put up or shot up on February 18th?

Naomi barges into the office.

Don’t worry, Sonya, she wont’ touch you while wearing that jacket. But we all know what Sonya did to Naomi at the Rumble. Meet Sonya in the ring in five minutes! No, Sonya has a meeting, and a lot of emails. Then next week. Great, except Naomi has a match already. With Charlotte Flair. For the title! Oh, well that’d be great and all, but Naomi doesn’t believe that. The truth ain’t nowhere in Sonya. Well, Pearce will put his word on it. Naomi VS Charlotte will be for the SmackDown Women’s Championship! Good. That keeps Sonya safe for now. Will The Queen #FeelTheGlow just so Sonya won’t face the consequences?

Backstage interview with Natalya.

Kayla asks Natty for a preview of the Dungeon Style match? Oh, she’ll do that by telling Aliyah all about it. Natty goes to the locker room, but XIA LI is in her way! The Protector gives Natty an icy stare, so Natty says she can wait until next week. Will the Queen of Harts at least be able to get on the scoreboard against Aliyah with next week’s rematch?

The New Day VS Los Lotharios!

The Power of Positivity, hold it down, has come to OKC! But will Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo prove they’re not just God’s gift to women, but also capable of stopping former 12-time W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Champions~?

SmackDown returns and Los Lotharios make their entrance. SmackDown shares that the New Day crashing Los Lotharios’ Valentine’s Day photoshoot. The teams sort out, Big E starts with Garza. Big E dodges Garza’s dropkick, tags in Kofi and RAMS into Garza. Kofi taunts Carrillo before he and Big E coordinate for Positivity in Motion! Kofi feeds Garza to Big E’s LARIAT! Kofi covers, TWO! Kofi tags Big E back in, Kofi runs to leap frog SENTON onto Garza! Big E covers, TWO! Big E hits Carrillo as he gets in but Garza knees Big E low. Tag to Carrillo, he speeds up but Big E CLOBBERS him!

Tag to Kofi and Big E sets Carrillo up for a PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE! Kofi goes to a corner and goes up, but Garza distracts him. Kofi hops down and storms up on Garza but Carrillo attacks from behind! Carrillo clubs away on Kofi but fans rally up for the New Day. Carrillo puts Kofi up top backwards, tags Garza in, and the cousins put Kofi in a Tree of Woe. Garza whips Carrillo at Big E! Carrillo dropkicks Big E down, then he whips Garza at Kofi. Kofi sits up to avoid the baseball slide and jumps over Carrillo’s slide, to mule kick and TRUST FALL into a SUPERKICK! Garza takes Kofi outta the air and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Carrillo drags Kofi up to put him against ropes. Carrillo grinds his forearms in, throws body shots, tags in Garza, and Los Lotharios coordinate for a LEAP FROG ATTACK! Garza throws Kofi down to basement dropkick! OFF COME THE PANTS! He throws them at Big E, then covers the ref. But the ref is busy keeping Big E back! Tag to Carrillo, Garza whips Kofi into a FLAPJACK and then KICKS Kofi outta the air! Carrillo waistlocks to back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Carrillo wraps on a chinlock to grind Kofi down. Kofi endures, fights up, but Carrillo knees low and CLUBS Kofi down.

Carrillo scoops and SLAMS Kofi, then drags Kofi to a drop zone. Carrillo goes up, MOONSAULT into boots! Both men are down, fans fire up! Kofi crawls, as does Carrillo, hot tags to Garza and Big E! Big E rallies on Garza, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And another! And then the SIDE Belly2Belly! Big E swivels them hips and runs side to side, BIG SPLASH! Big E claps and OKC claps along, “NERW! DAY ROCKS!” Big E scoops, Garza lips out and BACKSTABBERS! Big E goes to the corner, but Carrillo is still down! Garza runs, into an Urenag-E! Kofi tags, Big E wheelbarrows Garza up! FLYING BULLDOG!! cover, Carrillo breaks it!

Big E gets in to throw hand and throw Carrillo out. Big E runs, but Carrillo dodges the spear! SUPER MOONSAULT takes Big E down!! Kofi runs, into Garza’s cradle! TWO!! Garza BOOTS Kofi, tags Carrillo, Garza dodges Trouble in Paradise! Electric Chair lift, Carrillo is up top, MOUNTAINTOP DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!?!? Kofi survives and shocks Los Lotharios! Tag to Garza, they double whip, but Kofi slips out of the flapjack to DOUBLE STOMP Carrillo! Garza SUPERKICKS, then underhooks, but Kofi flips through the Wing Clipper! Big E tags in, Kofi BOOTS Garza! Big E scoops, Kofi is up top, MIDNIGHT HOUR! Cover, New Day wins!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall

Always trust the tried and true! Big E & Kofi get another big win, will their reunion be what brings the New Day back to the top?

Charlotte Flair goes to the ring!

The Queen knows about Naomi next week, and she knows that Rowdy Ronda Rousey is here tonight. The SmackDown Women’s Champion isn’t waiting to be called out, she’ll be waiting on the Women’s Royal Rumble winner! But will Ronda even choose her? We’ll see, after the break.

SmackDown returns once more, and Sonya has joined Charlotte in the ring. Sonya says she hasn’t run this by the higher ups, but she had a conversation with Becky Lynch. Becky says that Ronda has chosen her for WrestleMania, and is fully expecting a contract to sign this Monday on Raw. But that said, after Charlotte beats Naomi next week, she’ll need a WrestleMania opponent. So Charlotte gets to choose that here right now. No, no, Charlotte isn’t surprised Ronda chose Charlotte. Charlotte has been on top since 2015. She’s been here day in, day out, winning, fighting, competing, becoming THE most dominant champion in the WWE.

What’s Ronda been doing? Playing video games, farming, and had a baby~! Congrats, Ronda! But Charlotte isn’t saying Ronda isn’t a game changer or elite athlete. But Charlotte would be worried if Ronda didn’t choose Charlotte, become Mom VS Mom is an easier route. No, Charlotte has never been faster, stronger and more confident. She IS the main event of WrestleMania! So if Ronda wants to choose the other champion, the undercard, be Charlotte’s guest. Number one doesn’t talk about number two. So Charlotte will choose her opponent. Who should it be? It could be anybody! She’ll let OKC decide!

It’s hard to tell who they’re calling out but Charlotte has an idea. It’ll be someone who isn’t even here tonight: Sasha Banks. Fans like that choice, but Charlotte wishes Sasha was here so Charlotte could hear Sasha thank her for this opportunity. Charlotte tells Sasha that WrestleMania will be the best and worst day of Sasha’s life. Charlotte will have a contract waiting for her, too. But here comes Ronda! Fans cheer the Baddest Woman on the Planet as she goes to the ring, and her smile turns to a scowl as she locks eyes with Charlotte. Ronda gets herself a mic to say, “Becky told Sonya told Charlotte. She said she said. Guys, you love to talk about me, don’t you?”

But uh, last time Ronda checked, she won the Rumble, and she chooses who she faces at WrestleMania. But Charlotte’s right, being a mom changed Ronda so much. She didn’t fly halfway across the country in an ice storm with her baby, just to have a chat. Ronda came here to teach her daughter the family business of kicking ass. Charlotte is just one of many Ronda owes an ass kicking. Fans chant for Ronda while Charlotte plays taken aback. Ronda says that to be clear on one thing, Charlotte is NOT special. She’s just first. Ronda will see Charlotte at WrestleMania, too!

Charlotte laughs and says the opportunity is back in the main event! “And this title is my baby, and she’s prettier than yours.” Ronda throws off the jacket and has the kill face on! Sonya keeps the peace. Ronda has a temper, okay? And they need to get this straight: Sonya runs things, not Ronda. Sonya tells Ronda what to do, not the other way around. But Sonya gets shoved outta the way! Ronda also dodges Charlotte’s cheap shot, but then Sonya jumps on for a sleeper! Ronda turns it to a fireman’s carry and a SWINGING SLAM! Ronda gets Sonya’s arm!! ARMBAR!!

Sonya flails, taps, and Ronda lets her go. Ronda glares, Charlotte smirks, but will the Queen be dethroned and destroyed in Dallas?

My Thoughts:

A pretty good SmackDown, but it once again bugs me that WWE is giving us such short matches. Why couldn’t Ricochet VS Ridge just be that whole first match segment? Let us see what both guys can really do, because trust me, I’ve seen them both do some great stuff. This was like a truncated version of all that, and then we got a really lame rehash of the previous tag matches we’ve gotten out of these two teams. Just give us a barnburner of those two young studs and let that be the blow-off. The same goes for Jimmy VS Erik. A one distraction, one paragraph match is BULL coming from two halves of two great tag teams. How are we supposed to think the Viking Raiders stand a chance at Elimination Chamber if this is how it goes 1v1? Vince is turning into a hack.

Now, on the flipside, Aliyah and Natty having a short match that ends in count-out is at least good story. We could’ve gotten more match before that finish, but I am looking forward to whatever this Hart Dungeon Style match is going to be. And also they just need to get to Natty VS Xia Li already, but it feels like they wanna keep that on deck for Mania. McIntyre has a decent segment with Corbin & Moss, the most interesting thing was that Drew Gulak got a cameo. McIntyre VS Moss again for Chamber must only be because they want to save McIntyre VS Corbin for Mania, too. I’d rather McIntyre just get past those goobers and have something bigger for Mania.

Sami is clearly having the celebrity Mania match with Johnny Knoxville this year, so that’s actually great for Sami. And understandably, Sami is staying off the Saudi Arabia trip, which is why his Intercontinental Championship match is for the go-home SmackDown on 2/18. Nakamura VS Jinder could’ve been a bit better, too, but of course Nakamura wins, that gives him momentum towards his match with Sami. I hope Nakamura VS Sami is allowed to look like their match way back in NXT, that was an awesome match and will make for an awesome SmackDown match. RawDown desperately needs awesome matches to get them ratings.

New Day VS Los Lotharios was a very good first match between these teams, but they didn’t get nearly enough in that promo. I hope they build this up a bit more, and we could get a great contender’s match to see who faces the tag champs next. Charlotte’s interaction with Ronda went a bit better than Ronda’s interaction with Becky did, but it sounds like Becky was just fibbing about Ronda wanting her for Mania. Charlotte again being intermingled into Sonya’s story with Naomi was good thinking, Charlotte VS Naomi in a title match will be great stuff, but even without Sonya getting involved, Ronda VS Charlotte is on the menu so Charlotte will surely retain.

And of course, the Universal Championship story has a way to bide time before Roman VS Lesnar at Mania. Goldberg is back again, wanting just one more match against someone high profile. I do like that they’re using continuity and history to remind us this was supposed to happen for WrestleMania 36, in the days before COVID screwed up the world. We’re finally getting Spear VS Spear, but the Tribal Chief is a different animal from the Big Dog. But at the same time, Roman’s winning now like he surely was going to back then, and Roman can add Goldberg to the list of legends he’s smashed.

My Score: 8/10