wrestling / TV Reports
Winfree’s WWE Smackdown Review 1.06.23
Image Credit: WWE
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Hey there everyone, it’s the first Smackdown of 2023. Can we just admit that the year isn’t off to a great start? Especially with news of Vince McMahon looking to reclaim power and whatnot. Anyway tonight the first hour will be dedicated to a Poochie, I mean Charlotte Flair, face promo (just kill me) with Ricochet vs. Top Dollah in a Rumble qualifier and a tag team title match between the Usos and the team of Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. That tag team title match was originally set for last month before a minor injury to Drew forced the postponement, now they’re making good on it. In addition to that there are other things gaining steam, Sami Zayn took a fall last week and I’m sure that wont sit well with the rest of the Bloodline especially since Sami was teaming with Roman Reigns. LA Knight and Bray Wyatt have been doing some pretty good work, we’ve also got the introduction of Uncle Howdy and they might do something with that feud tonight. Karrion Kross has his sights set on Rey Mysterio, though we might get a detour of him and Scarlett handling Madcap Moss and Emma. Shinsuke Nakamura also just recently slew the Great Muta and should maybe get something to do in WWE going forward. Anyway that’s the preamble from where I sit, let’s get to the action.
We’re in Memphis, Tennessee and we’ve got a hot open as Sami Zayn, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy and Jey Uso come through the crowd and tear up the announce area. That sets up the music of our Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, and Undisputed WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman is with Roman as he heads towards the ring while the rest of the Bloodline are at ringside. While Roman heads to the ring we get a recap of John Cena and Kevin Owens beating Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn last week when Owens pinned Sami. Everyone gets into the ring, as we’re reminded that last week was the first time in about 3 years Roman had been involved in a loss excepting his DQ loss against Seth Rollins last year at the Rumble. Roman gets a mic from Heyman, and provides the audience with the opportunity to acknowledge him. Now Roman says they’re going to start things off a little differently, he’s going to give the crowd what they want and let them hear from Sami. Sami has a mic, he says this is how the Bloodline gets things done this year, this year will belong to the Bloodline. On Monday they sent a message, they all won on that show and are prepared to further send the message tonight. Roman doesn’t care to talk about this year, he wants to talk about last year, specifically last week. He and Sami had the biggest Smackdown match of the year then, but what happened? Some say they lost, Roman laughs just a little maniacally at that, because the Tribal Chief doesn’t lose. He’s been thinking about that, and he didn’t lose, Sami lost. Sami looks a little nervous, but Roman says they’re moving forward from that. What’s truly stumping Roman is why Sami guaranteed a win. Roman is the one who calls his shots, and he always delivers. Now they’re all embarrassed because Sami called his shot, and failed to deliver. Roman asks if Sami wants to the Tribal Chief. Sami knows he’s on thin ice here. Roman says when you’re at the very top you have to be aware of everything, and he wants to know why Sami thinks he can do what the Tribal Chief does, he wants to know if Sami wants to be the man. Roman snaps briefly, scaring the pants off of poor Heyman, but Kevin Owens interrupts this with a mic. Owens stays on the entrance ramp, and says before things go any further he’d like Roman to calm down. He can’t remember the last time he saw Roman snap like that, it might have been the last time he and Owens squared up. He thinks Roman doesn’t have a problem with Sami, he’s got a problem with Owens and it’s time for Roman to take care of his KO problem. Owens wants a title shot at the Rumble, Roman says “sure, whatever”, he just wants Owens to go away forever. Owens brings up being in a good mood after beating Roman last week, but he’ll leave tonight and see Roman at the Rumble and he’ll see Sami whenever Sami gets his balls back from Roman. Roman calls over Heyman and consults as we head to break. Pretty good opening promo, Roman overcompensating for the cracks starting to show in his rule by going after Sami, Owens taking his chance to get the title shot, it all worked well here. Roman’s acting and mannerisms are on point as always, and they way the entire group moved away from Sami when Roman snapped at him was some nice foreshadowing.
Post break Poochie arrives at the arena. I legitimately have no idea what they’re doing with a presumptive face Charlotte.
New Day arrive as Kofi will be in action.
Match #1: Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods vs. Santos Escobar w/ Cruz del Toro, Joaquie Wilde, and Zelina Vega
They tie up and Santos puts Kofi in the corner then starts kicking him. Kofi hits the ropes and lands a hurricanrana before Santos sends him to the apron and lands a right hand. Drop kick from Santos, Kofi lands on his hands and then keeps his feet on the ring steps in our little Rumble preview. Kofi lands a kick then a top rope cross body and he tosses Santos over the top rope and out of the ring to send us to break.
Santos is in control as we come back, he’s working strikes on Kofi. Kofi fights back with a drop kick. More strikes from Santos but Kofi sends him to the apron. Santos poses on the ring steps, then Woods scares him with the trombone to send him to the floor. Back in the ring Santos lands a running enziguri to retain control. Kofi with a Victory Roll for 2, then avoids some offense and starts firing up with strikes. Santos lands a body shot to stifle Kofi, then Kofi avoids a Phantom Driver and hits an SOS for a near fall. Kofi lands a kick from the apron, then heads up top but Santos jumps up there with him. Punches from Santos then he tries a superplex but Kofi headbutts him down and follows up with a flying nothing which lands on a knee strike from Santos that gets a near fall. Kofi hits a modified standing double stomp but just gets another near fall. Boom Drop from Kofi, then he sets for Trouble in Paradise but distractions from Wilde and Cruz complicate things leading to Santos landing a super kick. Phantom Driver follows and Santos wins.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Santos Escobar won
Rating: 2.5 stars
It got going down the stretch but the opening and middle of this was a little rough in terms of pacing and general interest. That said this wasn’t bad.
We get confirmation that Roman vs. Owens for the uWu title is set for the Rumble in 3 weeks.
In the back Sami walks to the locker room and knocks. Paul Heyman answers and Sami tries to plead his case, Heyman tells him now is not the time. Jimmy and Jey walk up and head in while Sami is left outside. Heyman reminds Sami that last week he warned him to stay three steps ahead of the Tribal Chief’s needs, and right now even three steps ahead is too soon for Sami to talk to Roman. On the plus side, Heyman still loves Sami. That sends us to break.
Post break Liv Morgan talks in the back, she loves the chaos of the Rumble and wants to enter first so she can beat everyone. Liv, still not a great promo.
Kayla interviews LA Knight in the back, she asks him about the match at the Rumble. Knight wants to talk to us, and says he really feels the way he feels yeah! Not because he’s in Memphis, no one feels good about that, but because Bray Wyatt can’t keep his goons in line. Now all Knight has to do is pick up the pieces at the Rumble, that’s not an insult it’s just a fact of life. . . yeah! Knight, still a very good promo.
Back to the ring, and here comes Karrion Kross and Scarlett. They’ll be in action against Madcap Moss and Emma after this break.
Match #2 – Mixed Tag Team Match: Karrion Kross and Scarlett vs. Madcap Moss and Emma
We come back to the match being underway, Kross is working Moss. Moss lands a DDT and they both tag out. Emma with a Thesz press and starts slamming Scarlett into the corners. Clothesline from Emma, to very little reaction. Low cross body from Emma leads to a 2 count. Scarlett lands an elbow, then avoids a kick and hits a bridging exploder suplex for a 2 count. Emma hits a butterfly suplex then a Spotlight kick means Kross has to break up the pin. Kross menaces Emma, who slaps him leading to Kross grinning at her and Moss tagging in to save Emma. Moss with his rope running but Scarlett trips him up and that allows Kross to land a clothesline. Scarlett slams Emma into the ring post then sends her over the announce table. Back in the ring Moss posts himself then turns into a Kross Hammer, leading to the Kross Jacket and Kross puts Moss to sleep.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Karrion Kross and Scarlett won
Rating: 2 stars
Too short to really matter, frankly this was a glorified squash which isn’t a bad thing.
Post match Kross and Scarlett put a Rey Mysterio mask on Moss then Kross tells the camera that he knows Rey is watching this is going to be Rey soon. Tick tock.
Commentary tells us that last week Smackdown had its biggest audience in about 2 years, and then claim that Ronda Rousey vs. Raquel Rodriguez was part of the draw. That’s just silly, but it does set up a recap of that match, and of course a ton of time dedicated to the return of Poochie. After this break Charlotte will talk. . . probably too much.
Post break Sheamus and Drew are in Jerry Lawler’s bar. Sheamus says teaming with Drew has made him want to kick his head in less. They trade hard back slaps, and Drew appreciates Sheamus. Now they reminisce and trade chops then say they’ll end the Usos title reign tonight.
To the ring, here comes Poochie. The cheers sound almost entirely artificial this week, last week they were more organic. Charlotte gets a mic when she gets in the ring, to some fake noise. She asks if we missed her, tepid response. Charlotte jokes about Ronda knowing what payback is, there’s a very weak “thank you Charlotte” chant that’s drowned out by another chant that doesn’t seem to catch on. She claims to be overwhelmed by the reaction last week. She’s always been about passion, consistency, and dedication. OK then. She claims to not be complacent, all evidence to the contrary. More rambling, the crowd is tuning out but not turning on her yet. She rises to the occasion, and has done so 14 times. This is interrupted by Sonya Deville of all people. We’re really trying face Charlotte? Who thinks that’s a good idea? Sonya says the crowd isn’t smart enough to see through Charlotte’s lies but Sonya does. She thinks there should be an asterisk around that last title win given how it happened. There’s a “Whoop that trick” chant as Sonya wants to see how Charlotte fairs against a fresh fighter. Charlotte condescends Sonya as Sonya wants a title shot right now. The crowd want the match, and Charlotte accepts the challenge.
Match #3 – Smackdown Women’s Title Match: (c) Charlotte Flair vs. Sonya Deville
Sonya attacks at the bell and lays in strikes, then runs into a big boot which sends us to break.
Sonya lands a chop block as we come back. Some strikes from Sonya then a chin lock. Charlotte fights to her feet, then sends Sonya into the corner and lands a kick. Some clotheslines from Charlotte, then a chop. More chops from Charlotte, then a back suplex. Sonya lands a super kick, then misses a flying nothing and Charlotte mistimes a front flip clothesline which ultimately gets a 2 count. Spear from Charlotte, then the Figure 8 and Sonya taps.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Charlotte Flair retained the title
Rating: DUD
Slow, uninteresting, boring, pretty much heatless in terms of investment, and mostly a waste of time. Plus Charlotte just doesn’t work as a face in general, and less so given the Smackdown roster.
Next a video highlighting the return of Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, talking about Cody’s journey back, time back, and hyping his return but doesn’t provide a date. We all know he’s coming back at the Rumble.
Up next, here comes Ricochet who will be in action against Top Dollah in a Rumble qualifying match after this break.
Post break another Lacey Evans video promo, seems like she’ll be reviving the Cobra Clutch as a finisher.
Back to the ring and Top Dolla is mostly in the ring.
Match #4 – Royal Rumble Qualifier: Ricochet vs. Top Dolla w/ Ashante the Adonis and B-Fab
Quick offense from Ricochet, but Dolla catches him on the top rope and tosses him to the mat. Some yelling from Dolla then a boot for a 2 count. Some trash talking from Dolla as he wastes time. Ricochet lands a kick, then grabs a Small Package for 2. Running Shiranui from Ricochet, then he heads up top and hits a Shooting Star Press to win.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Ricochet won
Rating: 1.5 stars
Dolla showing some aggression was at least a step for him, but his control stuff is still in need of work and no one cared about the match.
Post match Dolla offers a handshake to Ricochet, Ricochet accepts then gets laid out by an Ashante super kick. Dolla with some more trash talk, B-Fab lands a pump kick as well. A new double team move lays out Ricochet, Dolla looks for more but Braun Strowman is here to save his buddy. Hit Row runs away from Braun.
In the locker room Jimmy and Jey get hyped and bring Solo out with them. Roman tells Heyman to bring him Sami as we head to break.
Post break we get a video hype job for Gunther vs. Braun Strowman next week.
In the Bloodline locker room Sami shows up. Roman tells him to sit. Sami acknowledges Roman as Tribal Chief, says it’s not even a question and says he’s not trying to take power. If there’s anything he did that gave Roman that impression he’s sorry. Roman considers, then says he doesn’t accept Sami’s apology. As the Tribal Chief he holds himself to a very high standard, and he’s got to control his anger and Sami didn’t deserve to be spoken to like that. Roman says he should apologize, and tells Sami he’s sorry. Sami says Roman is under a lot of pressure and it’s fine. Roman says that’s no excuse, but Owens was right, he’s not mad at Sami he’s mad at Owens and it’s not right for him to take that out on Sami. He’ll end the KO problem at the Rumble. Heyman sits beside Sami and says Roman is giving Sami a chance to redeem himself. Next week Sami will take on Kevin Owens on Smackdown. Sami seems less than thrilled but hypes himself up, he promises to take care of Owens for Roman. He hears the Usos music and starts to leave, but Roman tells him to stay and watch the match with him.
Back at the ring, here comes our teams for the main event. We get the super special in ring introductions, looks like they’re getting around 15 minutes so this could be good as the match will get going after the break.
Match #5 – WWE Tag Team Title Match: (c) The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) w/ Solo Sikoa vs. Sheamus and Drew McIntyre
Jimmy and Sheamus start things off, Sheamus hits a headlock takeover but Jimmy escapes. Sheamus with another side headlock then hits the ropes and drops Jimmy with a clothesline. Drew tags in and chops at Jimmy, Jimmy lands a right hand but runs into a belly to belly suplex. Drew wants Jey, and Jey obliges by tagging in. Jey and Drew start trading strikes with Drew getting the better of things. Clothesline from Drew then he lands a back elbow but runs into a Samoan drop. Drew rolls to the apron, Jey lands some strikes then suplexes Drew back into the ring. Jimmy tags in and we get a Wishbone splitter to Drew. Jey lands a cheap shot then Jimmy grabs a chin lock. Sheamus loses the tag rope, looks like it broke. Jey tags back in and he and Jimmy hit a double headbutt to Drew. Drew starts to fight back with strikes but Jey sends him to the floor, only for Drew to clothesline Jimmy before Jey hits him with a suicide dive to send us to break.
Sheamus is in and sends Jey to the apron as we come back. Bodhran Beating time and Sheamus gets to 20 this time, because Jey is a man and knows how to take it. In the locker room Sami has popcorn, probably not a wise choice. Jimmy tags in and kicks Sheamus, Jey with a super kick to follow up and Jimmy hits the Splash for a near fall. Jey tags back in, he and Jimmy look for stereo splashes but Drew cuts off Jimmy and Sheamus meets Jey on the top rope. Stereo White Noise from Drew and Sheamus leads to a near fall on Jey. Sheamus eats an enziguri but tags in Drew. Drew runs wild with neckbreakers for both Jimmy and Jey, then he dives onto both of them on the floor. Making Top Dolla look silly. Drew want the Claymore, he hits it on Jey but Jimmy breaks up the pin to save the match and the titles. Now Sami, Roman, and Heyman all have popcorn back in the locker room. Drew posts himself but Sheamus makes a tag. Jimmy with a blind tag, and Sheamus eats a double super kick then a 1D but Drew dives in to save the match! Dang, these boys are not playing, everyone bit on that one. Drew with a headbutt to Jey, but he’s on the floor and behind the refs back Solo hits a Samoan Spike then a Spinning Solo into the barricade. Butch and Ridge Holland show up to attack Solo and drive him off. Back in the ring Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick on Jimmy but Jey pulls Jimmy out of the ring. Drew is out of the picture, and Sheamus climbs to the top rope and dives onto Jimmy and Jey. Back in the ring Sheamus kicks Jey but Jimmy is able to slide off of his shoulders and school boy Sheamus with some extra leverage from Jey to get the 3 count.
OFFICIAL RESULT: The Usos retained the titles
Rating: 3.5 stars
This show needed a good match, and these four men delivered to the shock of no one. Some good near falls down the stretch, and given how unlikely Sheamus and Drew winning was that’s a compliment to everyone involved.
The Usos celebrate as the show ends.
