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SmackDown: January 17th, 2024
A WrestleMania Caliber Match on SmackDown! + Rey Mysterio continues to fight back The Bloodline and Ronda & Rhea finally have a score to settle!
WRESTLEMANIA BACKLASH IN 2 WEEKS FROM SUNDAY!
(this episode was meant to be published on Apr. 22nd but was delayed)
🔵 Rey Mysterio fights off The Usos as Roman Reigns looks on: 8min*
Two weeks ago on SmackDown, a vicious attack by The Usos left Dominik Mysterio out of action and later that night Rey Mysterio confronted Roman Reigns about his cousins' actions but it didn't go well for the legendary luchador who was taken out by the entirety of The Bloodline. Then last week, Roman Reigns told Rey Mysterio to forgive him as he knows how much Rey appreciates his family just like Roman does. But Rey Mysterio isn't deceived. When asked why should Rey trust him, Roman Reigns offered a "hug" to Rey Mysterio right there and then on The Island of Relevancy. After Rey Mysterio refused, he was attacked by The Usos and then positioned for a 'hug' which was a spear from Roman!
Right as Roman Reigns rushed in for a spear, Rey Mysterio kicked him in the lower section and found an escape from The Bloodline's land!
This week on SmackDown, Rey Mysterio made sure to throw the first punch when he ambushed The Usos after Roman Reigns introduced them to join him in the middle of the ring.
Rey Mysterio used a steel pipe to put the SmackDown Tag Team Champions away while The Head of the Table and the special counsel watch in anger!
Did Roman Reigns underestimate what Rey Mysterio is capable of?
*Still to come: Randy Orton will face Edge on SmackDown TONIGHT! + Charlotte Flair confronts Rhea Ripley AND Ronda Rousey!
🔹 BACKSTAGE: Asuka comes face-to-face with Charlotte Flair
While the Undisputed WWE Women's Champion Charlotte Flair was walking backstage on SmackDown, she was confronted by Asuka!
Asuka makes it clear to Charlotte Flair that she wants her titles! Should Charlotte be worried about Asuka or should she focus on her on-going issues with Rhea and Ronda!?!
*Coming up next! Edge explains his actions and Drew McIntyre addresses The Brawling Brutes!
🔹 BACKSTAGE: Edge justifies his attack on Randy Orton.
Last week on SmackDown, the nostalgic ride of Rated-RKO took a twisted turn that left Randy Orton crushed on the mat on his return to SmackDown since WrestleMania on the hands of Edge.
This week and before the two stars face off in a one-on-one match later tonight, Edge addresses Randy Orton and justifies his actions with bizarre claims.
Edge says that "Change comes from Difference" and Orton was in the way of his change. He reminded him of his old self which will keep him from growing into a something different.
What could this change mean for Edge?
🔵 Sonya Deville vs. Zelina Vega: 4min*
The former WWE Official Sonya Deville faces her former associate Zelina Vega after the latter abandoned Sonya this past week.
Sonya Deville defeats Zelina Vega!
*Coming up: Drew McIntyre is here NEXT! + Edge faces Orton later tonight! + Gunther in action!
🔵 Drew McIntyre delivers blockbuster news to Sheamus: 8min*
The United States Champion Drew McIntyre calls out Sheamus for a challenge which was instantly accepted by The Brawling Brutes' leader Sheamus.
Last week, The Brawling Brutes surrounded Drew McIntyre during his address to WWE Universe. As revenge, the US Champion wants The Brawling Brutes at the same time in a Tag Team Match next week! If The Brawling Brutes grant him that, Sheamus will get a US Title Match in the upcoming WrestleMania Backlash premium live event!
*Still to come: Edge and Randy Orton compete in singles action TONIGHT!
🔹 VIDEO: A look at Raquel Rodriguez's greatest moments from NXT
A video highlights the incredible career of the highly talented Raquel Rodriguez in her NXT tenure!
🔵 Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser vs. Montez Ford: 4min*
The Ring General Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser made an instant impact on their SmackDown debut two weeks ago, attacking The Street Profits in the process!
Gunther was successful on his SmackDown in-ring debut, facing and defeating Angelo Dawkins. However, tonight, Gunther faces the second half of The Street Profits, Ford.
Gunther defeats and destroys Montez Ford! Gunther is truly unstoppable.
🔹 BACKSTAGE: Randy Orton is more vicious than ever tonight.
The Apex Predator speaks for the first-time since last week's events. Randy Orton says he doesn't care what are Edge's motives that drove him into doing what he did, because what matters is that Edge done it, and what's done is done.
🔵 Ronda Rousey & Rhea Ripley set for a Beat the Clock Challenge: 8min*
Charlotte Flair enters a war of words with Rhea Ripley and Ronda Rousey about the future title defense of the champion Charlotte.
The shouting came to an end once WWE Official Adam Pearce provided a solution that'll see both Rhea Ripley and Ronda Rousey compete in a Beat the Clock Challenge next week where the winner will face Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania Backlash!
This challenge will really bring the best out of the two very competitive superstars!
🔹 VIDEO: The Story of Lacey Evans - Chapter 4
Cole sends us to Chapter 4 in the story of Lacey Evans. Evans recalls getting kicked out of her home at age 17 but still being the first in her family to graduate high school, then she became a U.S. Marine. She graduated military police school at the top of her class and had other achievements. She was the only graduate who didn’t have parents cheering her on at graduation day. Evans gets emotional when recalling how her father was never there. She talks about how he never came to the most important things in her life, and it got to a point where you find a different driving point that fills you with anger. Evans wanted to show her family that addiction was not her only solution. Evans says unlike the others in the locker room, she wasn’t blessed with a lifetime of perks and pats on the back, but she doesn’t need it or want it, and never had it. She made it out of the trailer park and is coming for every one of them. Evans repeats the same lines she’s used in her recent vignettes, about how what she’s been through in life has made her a motivated, ready for anything, confident, mother, wife, sister, daughter, U.S. Marine, and a WWE Superstar, and how she’s no better than the other WWE Superstars, but they’re damn sure no better than her.
🔵 Alpha Academy vs. The Viking Raiders: 3min*
The Alpha Academy in action this week in a rematch against The Viking Raiders in their trilogy!
The Viking Raiders victorious this time!
🔹 BACKSTAGE: Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan part ways amicably.
The Liv & Bianca tag team comes to an end this week on SmackDown as the two stars look to resume their singles career.
🔵 Asuka vs. Shotzi: 3min*
The Impress of Tomorrow Asuka looks for some SmackDown competition as she faces the relentless Shotzi!
Asuka wins via submission!
🔹 BACKSTAGE: Roman Reigns wants Jey Uso to make Rey Mysterio respect The Bloodline.
Just two weeks into his interactions with Rey Mysterio, the Universal Champion Roman Reigns feels disrespected by Rey Mysterio and how he fought off The Usos two weeks in a row.
The Head of the Table wants Jey Uso to beat Rey Mysterio. No matter what it takes.
🔵 MAIN EVENT: Randy Orton vs. Edge: 18min*
A WrestleMania caliber match!
The Viper Randy Orton faces this 'new' Edge on SmackDown!
This instant classic 16-minutes match concluded when Randy Orton was about to hit the RKO and a wild Damian Priest appeared at ringside!?
The quick distraction ended with Edge hitting a spear and defeating Randy Orton.
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