Will the Monster of All Monsters & the King of Flight escape the Uso Penitentiary?

With dysfunction returning to the Island of Relevancy, can Jimmy & Jey Uso get back on the same page and hold onto their SmackDown Tag Team Championships? Or will Braun Strowman & Ricochet #GetTheseHands on some gold?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Drew McIntyre & Sheamus VS Hit Row w/ B-Fab; McIntyre & Sheamus win.
• Lacey Evans VS Carmen Harress; Evans wins.
• SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Usos VS Braun Strowman & Ricochet; The Usos win and retain the titles.
• Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; Liv & Raquel win.
• WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Rey Mysterio VS Mad Cap Moss VS Karrion Kross VS Santos Escobar; Moss wins and will challenge Gunther for the title next Friday.

PLAY BY PLAY

“Ladies and gentlemen…”

Paul Heyman is already in the ring, holding onto the belts as he introduces himself. As the Wise Man, he is here tonight to “drop a few pearls of wisdom on you. Ever since Brrrock Lesnar and I conquered the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania, I don’t offer predictions, I deliver spoilers. Well kids, I’ve got a bunch of them here tonight, so have your notepads ready. The Island of Relevancy is under a two-pronged attack. Here on SmackDown, the number one challenger at the Elimination Chamber, Sami Zayn.” Fans cheer that name, but Heyman says Sami is a “crazed, psychopathic rebel. An InZayn competitor.”

Fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” and Heyman pauses. “Here’s your first spoiler of the evening, ladies and gentlemen: Sami Zayn is not here this evening.” Fans boo but Heyman continues, “Sami Zayn challenging Roman Reigns for the… C’mon, let’s be serious. Can you imagine Sami Zayn as your Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion?” Fans all cheer because they can! Heyman says “The Gates of the Island of Relevancy are not just under attack here on SmackDown, it’s happening on Monday Night Raw, as well, with the winner of the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes.” Fans also cheer that name.

Heyman says “Cody Rhodes, who backed me into a corner on Monday night and said, ‘All I wanna do is fight for a wrestling championship~, and everybody takes it so personal~.'” Heyman didn’t know the American Dream Dusty Rhodes raised an idiot for a son. “You dumbass! Personal? Personal? It couldn’t be more personal! These are not wrestling championships. This is the centerpiece of the Island of Relevancy. This is the very plasma that runs through the veins of the Bloodline. It is the air that we breathe, it’s the reason for our existence, it’s why we are here in WWE. It’s the family crest of the Anoa’i & Fatu DYNASTIES!

“This is everything. It’s the tribe of which Roman Reigns is the chief.” Fans boo but Heyman says that Sami at Elimination Chamber and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, “without these titles, there is no Island of Relevancy. Without these titles, there is no Bloodline. Without these titles, there is no Paul Heyman. Ladies and gentlemen, without these titles, there is no Roman… Reigns.” But wait! Fans cheer because Sami IS here!! Heyman turns around and is stunned! Sami paces around Heyman, looks at the WrestleMania sign, then stares Heyman down. Sami holds his hand out, and Heyman reluctantly hands over the mic.

Sami says, “Alright, Paul. Calm down. Look at you, you’re sweating, you’re nervous. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna hurt you, okay? But if I wanted to, I could’ve by now. Don’t you think that’s a little weird? That you’re talking about this being the lifeblood of the Island of Relevancy, and if I wanted to, I could’ve dropped you like a bag of dirt. And no one is here to protect you. If this was a month ago, Solo would’ve already been here, Samoan Spike, I’d already be on the ground. If this was a month ago, Jimmy Uso would’ve been here, barrage of Superkicks, I’d be on the ground. If this was a month ago, Jey Uso would’ve been with ’em!

“But this isn’t a month ago. And you’re out here all by yourself. And I think you know why. Because you know what every other member of the Bloodline knows: Roman Reigns’ days as Universal Champion are numbered! Roman Reigns is off the rails. And now the walls are closing in, and everything is crumbling. Look what happened: I left the Bloodline! Me! Jey Uso walked out on his own. That was his decision! What do you think happens next? What do you think Jimmy Uso does next? You think Jimmy Uso sides with his abusive cousin? Or will he side with his twin brother that he shared the womb with? What do you think happens next?

“What do you think happens with Solo the second Roman saw he can think for himself? That he was coming up with me, coming out with the Usos. He pulled him in tight. He keeps him by his hip. Paul, how long do you think that goes until that blows over? And even you, Paul. You! The Special Counsel, the Wise Man for Roman Reigns, two years plus you’ve done nothing but… Let’s be honest, the way you look at Roman Reigns, little weird. A little weird, a little creepy, quite frankly. You look at him like the sun shines out his ass. But now, here you are? Talking about life after Roman Reigns. Life after the WWE titles are gone.

“You know what every other member of the Bloodline knows: The Bloodline is on its way out.” Fans cheer that! Sami continues to tell Paul, “I know you’re in the business of not doing predictions, you do spoilers. Here’s one. I’m gonna tell you exactly how many days Roman has left: EIGHT. Eight days from tonight, in Montreal, at Elimination Chamber, that is the time that Roman Reigns has left!” Fans like the sound of that, too! Sami and Heyman talk off mic, and then Heyman holds out his hand. Sami chuckles and brings Heyman in! He wants Heyman to listen very carefully. “Tell Roman he doesn’t need to worry about Cody. Because I am gonna be the one to take him down!!”

Fans LOVE the sound of that! Sami drops the mic, hurries away into the shadows, but will his spoiler become reality? Will the Great Liberator free those titles from the Island of Relevancy so that he can meet the American Nightmare in Hollywood?

The Brawling Brutes fire up backstage.

Ridge Holland & Pete Dunne get Drew McIntyre & Sheamus ready for Fight Night! The Celtic Connection is taking on Hit Row, but will it be the newest banger on the long list of banger after banger?

Drew McIntyre & Sheamus VS Hit Row w/ B-Fab!

SmackDown returns and Hit Row is in the ring. Then McIntyre & Sheamus make their entrances and head to the ring. The teams sort out and McIntyre starts with Ashante THEE Adonis. Adonis talks trash about how McIntyre & Sheamus bailed on the tag title tournament, that’s a forfeit, that’s a win for Hit Row. But Adonis pokes McIntyre in the head, so he gets a GLASGOW KISS! Adonis ends up in a corner, McIntyre runs in to clinch and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Fans fire up and McIntyre aims! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Dolla drags Adonis out of harm’s way! Tag to Sheamus and he runs in around the way to CLOBBER Adonis!

Fans fire up and Sheamus brings Adonis up. Sheamus puts Adonis in the ring, Dolla talks some trash to distract! AIR-DROP, and then Adonis is on Sheamus at the ropes! Adonis fires off hands, lets off at the ref’s count, but Dolla gets a sucker punch in! Adonis runs in, whips, but Sheamus reverses to reel Adonis in! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus TOSSES Adonis to the apron, and has him on the ropes! Dolla runs in, misses, and gets a KNEE for it! And then Sheamus stands Dolla up! Fans are thunderous for the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Sheamus goes all the way PAST ten to give Dolla TWENTY-SIX!

But Adonis hops on again! Sheamus blocks the takedown to shift into a WHITE NOISE! Fans fire up with Sheamus again, he aims from a corner, beats his chest, but Dolla runs in! CLAYMORE outta nowhere! McIntyre kips up and bails out, so Sheamus runs in to BROGUE! Cover, Celtic Connection wins!

Winners: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus, by pinfall

What was that about already having beat these two? The warriors waylaid Hit Row, but now the Viking Raiders send a message. Sarah Logan says, “I hear the gods calling to me. They have chosen two warriors, once destined for greatness, and now sentenced to sacrifice.” Erik tells Drew McIntyre, Ivar tells Sheamus, and Sarah tells them both, “The chill in the air is not the winter. It’s pain, it’s suffering. Next week, it’s… destiny.” Sheamus & McIntyre aren’t worried, they’re ready for what’s coming! Will the Celtic Connection be able to thwart Ragnarök?

Jimmy Uso is on the phone.

He wants Jey to pick up. Tonight’s the night, so hit him back when you get this message. Jey may not be Roman’s right hand man, but will he still be Jimmy’s day one?

Karrion Kross speaks.

“Tonight, this Fatal 4 Way match is mine.” Scarlett tells him, “You know what you have to do. I wanna hear you say it.” Kross says, “I am going to make Rey Mysterio suffer, and I am going to put him down.” Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday smile, but will the King of Lucha Libre have the last laugh?

Jimmy is still on the phone.

He still gets Jey’s voicemail so he tells him to call back. Jimmy is all but pleading, will Jey answer the call?

Lacey Evans VS Carmen Harress!

The Model Soldier had a successful return to action, but the mission is not complete until she is on top of the SmackDown Women’s Division. Will this match simply be the next step in the plan?

The bell rings and the two circle. Lacey doesn’t take Harress seriously with the bright colors. They tie up, go around, Lacey waistlocks to SLAM Harress down! Lacey stomps Harress to the ropes, CHOKES her on the ropes, then CLUBS away with crossface forarms! The ref reprimands, fans boo, but Lacey lets up. Harress rolls her up! TWO, Lacey wrenches and WRINGS Harress into buckles! Lacey then dribbles her into those buckles! Lacey lets off, ROCKS Harress with forearms, then whips her corner to corner hard! Harress bounces off buckles, but Lacey just does push-ups. Fans boo but Lacey runs up to headstand and swinging BRONCO BUSTER!

Lacey tells fans off as they boo, but Lacey gets up on the corner. She demands fans salute her but they boo instead. Lacey storms up on Harress, WOMAN’S RIGHT! “Did you hear me?! HUH!?” Lacey makes Harress salute, “You nasty things!” COBRA CLUTCH!! Harress taps, Lacey wins!

Winner: Lacey Evans, by submission

Mission successful, but she isn’t letting off! Harress is a ragdoll before Lacey is satisfied. Will Lacey show no mercy until she gets the title, and the respect, she demands?

Jimmy grows frustrated.

Jey keeps sending him to voicemail. Heyman is there and figures that means he hasn’t made contact with Jey. No. Jimmy’s been trying all day. Even his girl’s house, his emails and his DM’s. Nothing! Jey needs to hit Jimmy back but he hasn’t called back once. This is the biggest night! Jimmy can’t defend tag titles without a partner! What does Heyman think? Heyman’s too busy with his pocket square! Heyman asks Jimmy with all due respect. Heyman was out in the ring talking about the family, but he gets taken hostage by a “psychopathic Canadian.” The Mohegan Sun casino has guards for every person playing blackjack, yet not one member of the family came out to help?

Jimmy says he was busy helping Jey! But no one is here! Solo’s not here, either! Wait. Heyman can help Jimmy defend the titles, right? Heyman says Jimmy knows better. Jimmy will have to go it alone. Jimmy vows his brother will be here tonight. He will. But is Jimmy telling himself that? Time is running out, because that match is NEXT!

Sonya Deville talks with Adam Pearce.

She wonders why she’s not part of the Elimination Chamber match. He has to explain it to her, because she’s just not understanding. Pearce says Sonya just had a title match! Sonya sarcastically asks if that was at Elimination Chamber, because she’s pretty sure those are two different things. But in walks Chelsea Green. She’s looking for the SmackDown manager, as she has to file a formal complaint about the Raw manager. Sonya asks who the hell is this? Pearce explains to Chelsea that he is the manager of both brands. Oh, well, okay, rude. How is she to know that? And just so he knows, Chelsea has facial amnesia. Is this discrimination? No.

Chelsea asks if Sonya can believe how Pearce is talking to them. No, because there is no “them” here. Pearce stops everyone there. They both want special treatment, but here, you win to earn those opportunities. Which means these two have a lot in common. But here’s what they’ll do. Instead of filing complaints, Sonya and Chelsea will team up to face two women who ARE in the Chamber: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez. Good? Cuz it’s official. Pearce leaves, Sonya and Chelsea are both unsure about this. Will the Pride Fighter and the Hot Mess be a mess after tonight?

SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Usos VS Braun Strowman & Ricochet!

Jimmy & Jey have held onto these belts specifically the entire 572 DAYS of their historic reign, but could that all fall apart here tonight? Or will Jey come through for his brother against the Monster of All Monsters & King of Flight?

But as Jimmy makes his entrance, it’s just Jimmy. Braun and Ricochet both wonder how this is gonna work, but the introductions are still made. But wait! Jimmy spots Jey up in the crowd! Jey has come through for his brother! Even Ricochet and Braun are happy to see the brothers hug it out. The introductions are finished, the blue belts are raised, and we see who are the ones, after the break!

SmackDown returns and the teams sort out. Jey and Ricochet start, tie up, and Jey wrenches the arm to a wristlock. Ricochet rolls, kips up and flips over, but Jey reels him in for a headlock. Ricochet powers up and out, but Jey runs him over! Fans fire up as the Usos raise the fingers, #WeTheOnes. Things speed up,. Ricochet hurdles then rolls off Jey’s back. Ricochet rolls under, handsprings, but Jey dodges to CLOBBER Ricochet! Ricochet goes to ropes, Jey is on him and tags Jimmy. The Usos mug Ricochet, Jimmy HEADBUTTS Ricochet, then has him in a corner. Jimmy whips corner to corner, Ricochet goes up and over!

Things keep moving, Ricochet handsprings to BACK ELBOW Jimmy down! Cover, ONE, but Ricochet clamps on with a facelock. Jimmy fights up, but Braun tags in, and the challengers mug Jimmy! Bruan whips corner to corner hard and Jimmy drops in the corner. Braun stares Jey down as he talks some trash. Braun storms up on Jimmy, CLUBS him, and then whips corner to corner again. Jimmy bounces off buckles, Ricochet tags in and gets a boost from Braun, BIG back body block, to a SPLASH, to a DROPKICK! Cover, ONE!! Jimmy bails out and Jey regroups with him. They talk it out, Jimmy gets back in the ring.

Jimmy and Ricochet reset, circle, and tie up. Fans rally as the two are in a deadlock. Ricochet wrenches, trips Jimmy then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet drops elbow after elbow, covers, ONE!! Ricochet is frustrated but Braun says to stay on Jimmy. Ricochet does but Jimmy powers him back Jey tags in before the whip, Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into the SAMOAN POP! Jey then SUPERKICKS! Ricochet flies out of the ring! The ref has Jey stay back, but he and Jimmy are standing tall as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Jey rains down forearms on Ricochet! Jey lets off, throws up the finger, and then brings Ricochet up. Ricochet throws body shots, then forearms, but Jey shoves him away. Jey blocks a kick, flips Ricochet but he lands on his feet! Jey UPPERCUTS Ricochet down! Braun dares Jey to do something to him, but Jey tags Jimmy. The Usos drag Ricochet up, put him in a corner and then rain down fists! The ref counts, Jimmy lets off at 4, then backs up. Ricochet slowly rises, Jimmy starts the “UCE! SO! UCE! SO!” But Ricochet DROPKICKS Jimmy first! Jey is shocked while both men are down!

Ricochet and Jimmy stir, they crawl, and Jimmy keeps Ricochet from Braun! Fans rally both ways as Ricochet reaches out! Jimmy whips Ricochet away, but Ricochet SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up, both men crawl again, and it’s thunderous in the Mohegan Sun! Hot tags to Jey and Braun! The Monster of All Monsters rallies with big shoulders, then he DECKS Jimmy! Braun runs corner to corner to SPLASH Jey! And then he stands Jey up to CLUB him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Braun wants Jey to get back up. Jey flounders to ropes, Braun runs in, but Jey dumps Braun out! SUPERKICK keeps Braun out!

Jimmy leaps, but into an UPPERCUT! Jey DIVES, and he knocks Braun into the desk! SUPERKICK puts Braun back in the ring! Jey hurries up top, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Braun is still in this and the fans rally up again. Jey brings Braun up, but Braun scoops Jey! Jey slips free, SUPERKICKS, but Ricochet tags in! Ricochet springboards, CROSSBODY! And LIONSAULT! Then STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives the aerial assault and fans fire up again! Ricochet grows frustrated, and the fans rally up for “UCE! SO!” Ricochet fireman’s carries Jey, but Jey claws free! Jimmy tags in, Ricochet HEEL KICKS Jey!

Jimmy runs in, into a tiger wall kick! But Ricochet blocks a kick, only for Jimmy to DRAGON WHIP! Braun tags in off the rebound, Ricochet V-TRIGGERS Jimmy! Jimmy rebounds into a scoop! MONSTER SLAM!! Braun tears off the shirt and fans fire up! Braun tells Ricochet to go up! Tag and Ricochet gets on Braun’s shoulders! MONSTROUS SWANTON!! Cover, Jey drags Ricochet out!! Fans are shocked, as is Braun! Braun snarls, “This is Awesome!” as he goes out and gets on the tracks! STROWMAN EXPRESS into the desk!! Jey dodges at the last second and Braun derails himself! But Ricochet FLIES to take out Jey!

Ricochet fires up and so does Mohegan Sun! Ricochet climbs up and aims at Jimmy, but Jimmy UPPERCUTS! Jimmy climbs up after Ricochet, brings him up, but Ricochet resists with body shots! Jey sneaks the tag, Ricochet ROCKS and shoves Jimmy down! Ricochet adjusts, SHOOTING STAR on Jimmy! USO SPLASH on Ricochet!! Cover, The Usos win!!

Winners: The Usos, by pinfall (still SmackDown Tag Team Champions)

The Usos come through for each other like always, and they are still the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions! 572 days and counting, will nothing and no one stop these two? But what about the Bloodline as a whole? Is Jey back in the fold? Or did he only do this for his brother?

Rey Mysterio speaks.

“Karrion Kross is an evil human being. But I’ve been an underdog my whole life, and there’s nothing that’s gonna prevent me from winning today’s Fatal 4 Way and move on to become the new Intercontinental Champion.” The King of Lucha is ready to face Doomsday, but will time still run out?

The Usos regroup backstage.

Jey says he always has Jimmy’s back. Day One! They’re twins! But Jimmy has to ask him something. It’s been hell since Jey left, so is he in? Or is he out? Jey says he doesn’t know yet. Heyman is spying on this conversation! Jey leaves, Heyman walks up and pretends to not know what happened. What did Jey say? Nothing, he just left. Heyman says, “Yeet.” But will he say something to The Tribal Chief?

Natalya is here!

Fans cheer as the Queen of Harts goes to the ring and gets the mic. “Connecticut! It feels so great to be back on SmackDown and headed to the Elimination Chamber. But there is something I wanna get off my chest, something that’s been weighing heavily on my heart. For the first time in 15 years, Shayna Baszler took me out. Shayna broke my nose and I saw red. Long after the blood had dried, I was still seeing red. That’s because Shayna took something from me. So I took from Shayna, who’s nothing more but a cheap knockoff version of Ronda Rousey. See, I took Shayna’s spot in the Elimination Chamber.

“And next week in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, I’m gonna win Chamber and I’m gonna punch my ticket to WrestleMania! And Shayna Baszler’s gonna go back to carrying Ronda Rousey’s bags!” But speaking of, here comes Shayna! The Queen of Spades has her own mic. “Knockoff Ronda? You’re calling me a knockoff Ronda Rousey? I am sick and tired of everyone dismissing my accomplishments!” Fans chant “Knockoff Ronda!” at her, though. Shayna says the truth is, she was fighting before Ronda, was competing in rings all over the world before Ronda, and signed to the WWE and winning titles before Ronda.

Shayna steps in the ring and says she doesn’t need anyone telling her she’s in Ronda’s shadow. WAIT! Here comes Ronda!! The Baddest Woman on the Planet goes right to the ring, looks Shayna square in the eyes, but then looks at Natty. Shayna keeps Ronda away from Natty to still stare her down. But then she sucker punches Natty! Shayna and Ronda beat Natty down! They drag Natty up and isolate an arm, but here comes SHOTZI! She owes them some, and she fires off on them both! But that’s 2v1! Shayna’s KNEE knocks Shotzi down! Ronda SAYANAGIS Natty, isolates the arm, and Shayna KNEES the arm!!

Natty bails out, Ronda throws Natty’s hat at her. Will the Baddest Women on the Planet look to change the Chamber plans with just eight days left?

Sami Zayn finds Jey Uso backstage.

Sami shrugs, and welcomes Jey back. Sami can’t imagine what Jey’s going through and won’t put him in a tough spot. He just knows Roman pretty well, and Jey knows Roman even better. Sami can’t imagine Roman letting Jey forget what happened at the Royal Rumble. Which, by the way, Sami didn’t get a chance to say it, but it meant the world to him. So all Sami will say this: “We’re eight days away from something huge. We’re on the verge of seeing something that on some level, I know you’ve wanted to see for a long time, and it’s that man going down. And I don’t know how I’m gonna do it, but I’m telling you, he’s going down, okay?

“And all I wanna tell you is that you don’t have to go down with the ship, okay? There’s a way out of this. There’s a way out for you. That’s all I’m saying. And I don’t know if we’re going to get a chance to talk like this again, and in case we don’t, I just wanna let you know, I acknowledge you.” Sami offers a fist bump, and Jey says to get out of here with that. Sami’s leaving, but first… Jey fist bumps back! Sami hurries away, will there be a new order of things come February 18th?

LA Knight is on the phone.

The Mega Star claims everyone is trying to talk to him right now. But hold on, he’ll call you back. Megan Morant is there, and she notes that this is the first time we’ve seen Knight since losing the Pitch Black Match at the Royal Rumble. Knight says, “No no no, wrong, we’re not talking about that right now. We’re not talking about Pitch Black, not talking about Bray Wyatt, that’s done, it’s in the past. We’re looking forward. We’re in the future. What is the future? The future is L A Knight, YEAH.” Knight heads out, but just what will the future be?

Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez!

The Pride Fighter wants second chance after second chance while the Hot Mess insists she be just handed things on a silver platter. Will either of them get what they want? Or will the LIVing Embodiment and Big Mami Cool just give them what they deserve?

The teams sort out and Liv starts against Sonya. They tie up, go around, and Sonya headlocks. Liv powers up and out, Sonya runs Liv over and then soaks up the heat. Sonya runs, Liv drops to then hurdle and roll back. Sonya jumps over but Liv SHOTGUNS her down! Fans fire up and Liv runs in to back body block! Liv runs in again, another back body block! And then a SHINING WIZARD! Liv pushes Sonya down, goes up, and leaps, into a KNEE! Sonya covers, TWO! Sonya snarls but she clamps onto Liv. Chelsea wants a tag but Sonya bumps Liv off buckles. Chelsea tags herself in and brings Liv up to whip her back into buckles.

Chelsea drags Liv up to motorcycle stretch STOMP Liv into buckles! Cover, TWO! Cover again, ONE!! Chelsea is furious but fans rally for Liv. Chelsea tags Sonya, they mug Liv, and Sonya throws hands. Liv elbows back, goes to a corner, and BOOTS Sonya! Sonya runs in again but Liv goes up and over! Sonya hits buckles but she pulls Liv’s hair! Sonya throws Liv to the corner, but Liv ROCKS her first! Liv elbows Chelsea, ROCKS Sonya again, but Chelsea grabs hair! Sonya run sin, Liv slips away and Sonya DECKS Chelsea! Hot tag to Raquel! Fans fire up as Raquel rallies on Sonya! Sonya dodges one but not the LEFT!

Fans fire up as Raquel scoops Sonya for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Sonya is down, Raquel runs and goes up the corner, TWISTING VADER! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Sonya survives but Raquel is after her. Sonya BOOTS Raquel away, then she crawls over to hot tag Chelsea! Chelsea panics, wants to tag back out, but Raquel TOSSES Chelsea into the ring! Chelsea staggers up, swings, but ends up BLASTING Sonya! Now Chelsea panics, and then Raquel hoists her up! Tag to Liv before the TEXANA BOMB! And then Raquel sets Chelsea up for ObLIVion!! Liv gets a boost from Raquel, POWERBOMB SENTON!! Cover, Liv & Raquel win!

Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall

Raquel and Liv win big as a team, but Elimination Chamber is a free-for-all! Will either of them be the one heading to WrestleMania to face Bianca Belair?

Mad Cap Moss speaks.

“Well, I know things haven’t exactly gone my way recently. But tonight, in the Fatal 4 Way, all that’s gonna change.” Emma says, “Yeah, you got this, babe.” Moss says, “Yeah, I do got this. Because when you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you play good. And thanks to you, babe, I look great!” Moss has new ring gear and Emma says he looks so good. After the W tonight, Moss says he’s on to Gunther and the Intercontinental Championship. Will Moss be no joke in this massive main event? We find out because that match is next!

Michael Cole has a sit-down interview with Charlotte Flair.

Cole says he can’t believe we’re just 50 nights away from WrestleMania “and the battle between the 14-time Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair, and the Women’s Royal Rumble winner, Rhea Ripley. You guys have a lot of history together. Three years ago, you won the Royal Rumble, however Rhea Ripley challenged you, and you put her in her place. Now Rhea thinks that it’s her time. It’s her time to shine, it’s her time to rise, and she believes that everyone will rise for Ripley.” Charlotte ponders on, “She thinks.”

Charlotte tells Cole that three years ago, Rhea challenged Charlotte because she knew Charlotte was the mountain she had to climb, that beating Charlotte would put her on top. And so, they had their WrestleMania match, and she was impressed by Rhea. Rhea did great. But Rhea was young, green and not ready, and Charlotte won. Now Rhea says three years later, she’s ready. Well, Cole, Charlotte would hope so! This is how Charlotte feels. Three years later, and Charlotte is still saying the same thing: there are levels to this. She said it then, she’s saying it now.

Cole asks then if Charlotte feels Rhea is on Charlotte’s level. Charlotte smiles, and says, “It’s gonna take more than just three years to get on my level. And Rhea said I put her in her place three years ago? No, I didn’t put her in her place three years ago. I taught her a lesson three years ago. Now, April 1st, in SoFi Stadium, in front of 80 thousand fans, now I’m gonna put Rhea Ripley in her place, once and for all.” The Queen has spoken, but will she be able to keep her crown against the Judgment Day’s Eradicator?

BREAKING NEWS!

Next week’s SmackDown before Elimination Chamber is going to be huge! The Viking Raiders warned McIntyre & Sheamus of what is coming, and that match is happening in Montreal! As will a tag match of Shayna & Ronda VS Natalya & Shotzi as both sides look to settle scores! Which sides will be left standing on the Road to WrestleMania?

Santos Escobar speaks.

“Not only do I look like a champion, I compete like a champion. The WWE Universe is about to find out why Santos Escobar is best suited to challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship, and why El Legado del Fantasma is the future.”

WWE Intercontinental Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Rey Mysterio VS Mad Cap Moss w/ Emma VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett VS Santos Escobar!

Der Ring General has been a dominant champion, but a line of challengers has formed. Speaking of Gunther, he and Imperium watch in a VIP skybox. He is going to watch this with his own eyes, will it be the King of Lucha, the Jacked Joker, Mr. Doomsday, or the Emperor of Lucha who heads for gold?

SmackDown returns and the bell rings. Kross rushes Rey, Escobar fires off on Moss! Moss turns it around on Escobar, Rey turns things around on Kross! Rey rains down fists while Moss RAMS his shoulder in. Escobar turns things around on Moss but Moss ROCKS him! Kross FLAPJACKS Rey, but then Moss CLOBBERS Kross! They brawl, Moss whips but Kross reveres and sends Moss right out of the ring! Kross whips Rey hard into buckles, then grins as he stands over the legend. Escobar and Kross talk it out, come to an understanding, until Escobar attacks from behind! Kross TOSSES Escobar out in return!

Kross BOOTS Rey down! “I’ve been waiting a long time!” Kross puts Rey up top, but Rey fights back with forearms! Rey leaps to SEATED SENTON! Rey keeps moving, but into another BOOT! Scarlett likes what she sees and Kross stalks Rey to a corner. Kross runs in but into a BOOT! Escobar slides into THROAT CHOP, then CHOP! Rey runs in, Escobar gives him a boost to RANA Kross! Moss returns to CLOBBER Escobar! Rey dodges Moss to CROSSBODY, but Moss catches him! FALL AWAY SLAM into Escobar! Moss whips Escobar to a corner, RAMS Kross, then RAMS Escobar! Then back to Kross, then back to Escobar, and repeat!

Fans fire up as Moss keeps goin, but Kross dodges and Moss posts himself! Kross forearms Moss, runs in but into a drop toehold into buckles! Escobar forearms Moss, dodges Kross and KNEES him down! Fans fire up as Escobar and Rey stare down now. They circle, and then tie up., Rey whips, things speed up, Rey sidesteps to then follow, wheelbarrow and- NO, Escobar tosses Rey away to CALF KICK! Cover, TWO! Escobar whips Rey but Rey goes up and out and ROCKS Escobar! And GAMANGIRIS! Rey hurries up top, leaps, FLYING RANA! Escobar staggers up, Rey runs in, tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Escobar keeps moving, but Kross trips him up! Escobar BOOTS back! Escobar gets up to drag Rey, but Rey monkey flips his way to a RANA and Escobar is on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Escobar bails out to KICK back! Escobar knuckle locks, mule kicks Moss and Kross, but Rey CHOPS! Rey goes up and LEAPS to CROSSBODY Kross! Moss is up, Escobar builds speed, ARROW FROM HELL!! Down goes Moss at the ramp and fans are fired up! As for Imperium, they seem mildly impressed as SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns once again and Kross fires off an elbow, forearm and ROLLING ELBOW on Escobar in a corner! Escobar flops over, Kross covers, TWO! Emma coaches Moss, Vega coaches Escobar. Kross taunts Rey, hauls him up, and hits an EXPLODER! Kross stomps Moss to keep him down, then covers Rey, ONE!! Kross is frustrated, but Scarlett coaches him to keep on them all. Kross stands Moss up but Moss JAWBREAKERS! Moss dodges, runs and runs Kross over! But he keeps going to CLOBBER Escobar! And then he CLOBBERS Rey! Moss is all fired up and fans rally. Moss turns Kross but Kross ROCKS him with a forearm!

Kross runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Emma is frustrated for Moss but he sees Escobar coming! Moss catches the crossbody to an suplex, but Escobar slips out to shove, victory roll, TWO!! CALF KICK! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally, Rey lurks and runs in, but Escobar drop toeholds! Escobar whistles, steps through, Rey shoves him away! Escobar DECKS Kross, sunset flips Rey, but Rey rolls through to basement dropkick! Cover, Moss breaks it! Kross waistlocks, Moss elbows free! Moss back suplexes Rey but Rey slips onto Kross to hit a DDT! Rey KICKS Moss away, but Escobar fireman’s carries! PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, MOSS BREAKS IT!!

Fans fire up as all four men are down. Emma rallies the fans and coaches up Moss while Gunther still seems rather stoic. Escobar GAMANGIRS Moss from the apron, goes up, but Moss ROCKS him first! Moss climbs up after him but Escobar hits back! They brawl, Moss scoops Escobar, but Escobar fights free! Escobar CLUBS Moss into sitting down, then he goes back up top. SUPER STEINER on Moss! Cover, TWO!! Moss survives and Kross runs in,. Kross CLOBBERS Escobar out but Rey shoulders in! Rey slingshots but Kross stays up out of the sunset flip! Kross lifts Rey, kicks low, reels him in, but Rey fights the bomb!

Rey RANAS and Kross is on ropes! Rey dials it up, 619!! Fans fire up as Rey takes aim, only for Scarlett to trip him up! Fans boo but Kross aims, KROSS HAMMER!! But Moss is up top! Kross ROCKS him first, but Escobar CROSSBODIES Kross and himself out! Moss has a choice, he chooses MACHO ELBOW on Rey! Cover, MOSS WINS!!!

Winner: Mad Cap Moss, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Intercontinental Championship)

Even Gunther is shocked! Moss gets the biggest win of his career, and is moving on to the single biggest match of his career! Will Moss make Gunther the punchline when SmackDown rolls into Montreal next Friday night?

Heyman walks up to Jimmy in the Bloodline suite.

Heyman congratulates Jimmy, and says he was on the phone with the Tribal Chief. He’d put Jimmy on the phone with him, but there’s no reception in here. But Roman is proud of Jimmy because Jimmy was right, Jey is very loyal to him. But Roman has a mission for the Usos. The Bloodline’s got all this in Montreal figured out, but Roman needs an “on television” perspective. The Usos are to stay home and watch SmackDown on television. Because sometimes you see things on TV that you don’t see when you’re here live. Heyman gives Jimmy a lot of pats on the shoulder, then heads out. Jimmy isn’t sure what Heyman meant by that, but will he see for himself?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown to really build momentum towards Elimination Chamber, and even next week’s go-home show. In fact, that go-home is going to be huge! I would not have thought Moss would win the Fatal 4 Way here tonight to face Gunther. But at the same time, I’m pretty sure Moss is gonna eat that L so Gunther gets one more defense in before WrestleMania. Moss has been great in the ring since his NXT days, and he’s finding himself again without the “make bad jokes” gimmick. Maybe he can just be “Riddick Moss” at some point, too, but there’s still a lot of potential for him down the line.

Natty showing up to talk trash on Shayna was an interesting move, but it clearly gave a reason for Ronda to return and get into a tag match alongside Shayna. Shotzi returning was also a good touch since she was also “injured” by Shayna & Ronda. I’m thinking Shotzi takes the loss, though, so that Natty is spared just 24 hours away from Elimination Chamber. And while I was hoping we’d get a stipulation on McIntyre & Sheamus VS Viking Raiders, we’re at least getting that match so that’s good enough. The Celtic Connection won in the tournament, so there’s a chance the Vikings cheat out a win, and there’s a tiebreaker made, and that has the stipulation.

Good interview promo from Charlotte, with it putting things from 2020 in her perspective. And also, it helped us to know that the SmackDown Women’s Championship is going to be part of night one, so perhaps the Raw Women’s Championship is night two to balance the weekend. Decent squash win from Lacey Evans, but with the titles all tied up in stories, she’s definitely going to spin her wheels until after WrestleMania, and even then she might only get into a feud with someone else who has nothing else to do. If she were a Face, she could be getting on Chelsea Green’s case for being whiny and spoiled.

Chelsea & Sonya had a good promo with Pearce, and of course they lose to Liv & Raquel to give Liv & Raquel momentum going towards Raw’s Six Woman Tag and the Elimination Chamber match. Asuka is still the frontrunner for that match, but any number of stories could come out of Elimination Chamber, and the WWE Women’s Tag Division desperately needs something. Liv & Raquel could be one team, Ronda & Shayna will surely be another, and with how things are going on Raw, Mia Yim & Candice LeRae could be another, and we could end up with a Fatal 4 Way.

And obviously the Bloodline story continues to be the best stuff of the night. Heyman had a great opening segment with Sami. Sami hit all the points, and we can only hope he’s got it right about Jimmy and Solo. Jimmy also did great in his segments, being worried about whether or not Jey would show. And of course Jey showed, because Sami was right that Jey cares more about Jimmy than Roman. The tag title match was great stuff, but the promo segments that followed explained why this wasn’t the main. Heyman is going to play the Usos against each other, as Heyman surely saw Jey talk with Sami on the broadcast, which he did his best to convey to Jimmy.

No Usos next week means Roman will only have Solo as his bodyguard, but maybe Sami will be the “Master Strategist” and not risk fighting Roman in a brawl just 24 hours before their title match. Elimination Chamber 2023 is going to be the most must-watch it has been in a long time, largely because of this story.

My Score: 8.8/10