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SmackDown: February 21st, 2024
An unexpected ending to a Championship Match! + Two Rivalries implode and Big E returns, in spirit only... AND MORE!
HELL IN A CELL IS ONE WEEK FROM SUNDAY!
(this episode was meant to be published on May 27th but was delayed)
🔵 Judgment Day surround Finn Balor in eerie mugging: 14min*
It was two weeks ago when Edge & Damian Priest announced that they have added a new member to their ominous stable, and after a week of fan speculation, it is now time for the big reveal.
After a cryptic introduction about "controlling the future of WWE", Edge welcomed Rhea Ripley to join him in the ring in a shocking turn of events!
For weeks, we've seen Rhea Ripley transition to a much darker character in her rivalry with Ronda Rousey and now everything makes sense!
This past Monday on Raw, the Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor reacted to the news that Rhea Ripley, one of his greatest friends, has now joined Judgment Day as of last Friday's SmackDown.
Finn Balor was visibly upset with the change Rhea Ripley has endured and blamed it all on the manipulative Edge and his associate Damian Priest. The Intercontinental Champion also revealed he'll be coming to SmackDown this Friday and he wants to make an end to The Judgment Day's reign of terror.
Tonight, the Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor opened SmackDown and made his way to the ring, the WWE Universe cheered him to the top of their lungs, shortly after his entrance we witness a blackout then The Judgement Day's dark entrance commences, they surround Finn Balor and lock him down for a spear by the new sadistic Edge, the lights go out once again and all three men are nowhere to be found leaving us all with a lot of questions! Did Finn Balor make a bad decision when choosing his enemies?
🔹 BACKSTAGE: Drew McIntyre to keep the US Title from the filth of The Brawling Brutes.
The United States Champion Drew McIntyre promises to keep the US Title away from Sheamus, the leader of The Brawling Brutes, and looks to show the world how a warrior handles a brawl!
🔵 New Day's "Big D" vs. Chad Gable: 9min*
The former multi time FBW Tag Team Champions and the longest-reigning Tag Team Champions of all-time The New Day interrupted Alpha Academy's second SmackDown Tag Title Quest while they call out The Usos several weeks ago.
The New Day called out Chad Gable and Otis for what they did to Big E prior to WrestleMania. It was Otis' sudden alliance with Gable and the attack by the pair on Big E that took him out of action with a serious injury to his neck. The New Day are out for retaliation!
But after losing in a six-man tag match this past Monday to Alpha Academy, The New Day have a little surprise for Alpha Academy!
Kofi Kingston does his best Big E cosplay in this match, where he tries to avenge his New Day brother Big E. Gable misses the big moonset from the top rope, "Big D" is preparing for trouble in paradise and quickly changes his mind, and instead he pulls off the Big Ending!!!! and pins Gable.
Big D wins and Big E's spirit lives on!
After the match Otis, the prized student of Alpha Academy, attacked "Big D" and Xavier Woods laying them both out, Gable gets up to hold Otis back and whispers into his ear calming the big tree trunk, the Alpha Academy leaves the New Day laid out. Things get worse for the New Day when we hear three ship horns and The Viking Raiders make their way down to the ring to add to the turmoil. But the New Day is defended by questionable allies, the Street Profits!
*Still to come: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus - US Title Match + Liv Morgan vs. Carmella AND Jimmy Uso vs. Dominik Mysterio!
🔵 Raquel Rodriguez vs. Xia Li & Shotzi: 7min*
Shotzi claimed that Raquel Rodriguez shouldn't be on SmackDown and Xia Li backed her up on that but Raquel had back up of her own in the form of fan-favorite Liv Morgan three weeks ago Friday on SmackDown. Shotzi & Li ended up exciting the interview area after a stare down with Morgan.
Last night, Shotzi and Xia Li took advantage of Liv Morgan's absence to launch a sneak attack on Raquel Rodriguez! However, the powerful Raquel was able to drive both stars away after a short back-and-forth disadvantage!
Despite the stacked odds against Raquel Rodriguez, she displays an awe-inspiring show of strength in a handicap match against two resilient and buoyant opponents in Shotzi & Li!
Raquel Rodriguez wins!
🔹 BACKSTAGE: Sonya Deville requests a formal re-evaluation of Adam Pearce.
Sami Zayn gave a platform three weeks ago, Friday on SmackDown, to his former ally Sonya Deville where she gave inside details on her fall from being a WWE Official. She exposed the alleged corruption of WWE Official Adam Pearce, who is allegedly taking bribes from multiple WWE Superstars, his unfair agendas against some certain WWE Superstars, and other details "too dark for TV".
Then two weeks ago, the liberator Sami Zayn knocked on Adam Pearce's office to address Sonya Deville's claims and before Adam Pearce can debate the exactitude of his alleged actions, Sami Zayn promised him an exclusive visit to his "In-Zayn" show the following week where he can give his own insights on the happenings backstage.
Last week on a highly-anticipated "In-Zayn" installment with Sami Zayn, the Liberator invited both Sonya Deville and WWE Official Adam Pearce to have a civilized conversation. On the show, Adam Pearce completely denied any responsibility to what Sonya accused him of and called her delusional and crazy as well as "sour" for losing her WWE Official status. Sonya Deville was not pleased by this direct answer and reacted swiftly with a slap to his face before exiting the show.
Tonight, former WWE Official Sonya Deville has revealed she formally requested from WWE Management a "re-evaluation" of WWE Official Adam Pearce.
🔵 Adam Pearce hosts a draw for next week's tag team match: 9min*
Before their clash at Hell in a Cell in a Six Pack Challenge where the winner faces Charlotte Flair for the Undisputed WWE Women's Title, the six women join WWE Official Adam Pearce as he selects by a way of draw the members of each team that'll face off next week on SmackDown in a six-women tag team match!
The first draw for Team A was Liv Morgan while the first draw for Team B was Ronda Rousey!
The second draw for Team A was Asuka, while the second draw for Team B was Rhea Ripley!!
The third and final draw for Team A was Carmella, meaning the third member of Team B is Bianca Belair!
It's a strange mix of partners next week, how will they coexist?
🔵 Dominik Mysterio vs. Jimmy Uso: 10min*
Rey Mysterio stood in the way of The Bloodline's terror over Friday Night SmackDown and finally had a match with Roman Reigns three weeks ago.
During that Universal Title main event, Rey Mysterio put up a massive resistance to the danger of Roman Reigns, but the latter retained.
Last week, Rey Mysterio's address to the WWE Universe was cut short by The Bloodline's The Usos, who looked to continue what Roman Reigns started and end the Mysterios' legend.
However, when the SmackDown Tag Team Champions surrounded Rey Mysterio, a returning Dominik made his way out to rescue his father!
Dominik, who was put aside from an injury he suffered at the hands of The Bloodline, came back at the right time to fend off The Usos!
Last week, the delightful and grateful Mysterios relish Dominik's triumphant return and challenged The Usos for The SmackDown Tag Team Titles and The Usos accepted!
Tonight, Dominik Mysterio faces the consequences of putting his hands on the Bloodline when he goes one on one with SmackDown Tag Team champion Jimmy Uso!
Dominik Mysterio wins!
🔹 BACKSTAGE: Sami Zayn to give his own view on the Pearce-Deville situation.
Sami Zayn vows to make a testimony next week on SmackDown in regards to the intense controversy between Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville.
🔹 BACKSTAGE: You'll remember the name of the Ring General, Gunther!
Gunther reminds everyone that he is The Ring General and that everyone will say these words soon, he also labels SmackDown's champions as a disgrace to our sacred sport?! What are Gunther's intentions?
🔵 Liv Morgan vs. Carmella w/ Aliyah: 7min*
Liv Morgan puts on a good performance against Carmella, 24/7 Champion Aliyah tries to help Carmella by tripping Liv Morgan instead she trips Carmella, giving Liv the upper hand and ultimately the victory.
Liv Morgan def. Carmella with Asuka on commentary.
By the end, Carmella and Aliyah attempt to ambush Liv Morgan but they wind up unsuccessful thanks to the presence of Asuka!
🔹 BACKSTAGE: Max Dupri disappointed at the unimpressive quality of lights
Max Dupri is backstage with Adam Pearce, complaining that conditions aren't good enough for his models and the lighting isn't sexy enough. How does Adam Pearce manage al the stress that comes with being a WWE Official!?
🔵 MAIN EVENT: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Sheamus - United States Title Match: 19min*
At WrestleMania Backlash, Drew McIntyre was triumphant in retaining the United States Title against Sheamus of The Brawling Brutes.
The champion made his way out to the cheers of the WWE Universe and was afterward confronted by Sheamus last week on SmackDown.
While Sheamus dug deep trying to find excuses for his loss, a peculiar interference by The Street Profits followed.
The Street Profits had turned their back on the WWE Universe while they looked for a new way to rise to the top in WWE. A few personal insults to McIntyre & Sheamus made them forget about their own rivalry and they attempted to fire back at The Street Profits themselves, a tag team match was sanctioned where Sheamus & McIntyre won!
Then last week, The United States Champion Drew McIntyre was made an offer by Sheamus to join him in The Brawling Brutes considering their great chemistry from the previous week. The Street Profits again interrupted claiming they could never lose to a team that doesn't exist but now that Drew and Sheamus have at least a little to agree on, they can call themselves a team while against The Street Profits, who promise to win this time.
The two former friends put on another banger, where the fans chant "Fight Forever". This amazing match is put to an end by Gunther and his associate, Ludwig Kaiser, Gunther flattens Sheamus while he was preparing his Brogue Kick, Gunther then wreaks havoc while Ludwig sings his praises on the outside, Gunther lays both men and the show closes with him holding up the prestigious United States Championship.
Match ends in a double DQ.
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