Welcome to the eWn’s live coverage of Friday Night SmackDown, brought to you by Tathya. SmackDown will emanate from the University of Nebraska tonight. Shinsuke Nakamura is advertised to return, while LA Knight will be in action against Xavier Woods. Stay tuned for more…
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are here to kick off SmackDown. As Sami begins to talk about the upcoming WWE Draft, The Usos interrupt. They say they are ready to win back their titles become 9-time tag team champions. The Usos and Solo surround the ring.
Matt Riddle runs down to the ring and a brawl ensues, forcing The Bloodline to retreat. Sami, KO and Bro stand tall.
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#1. LA Knight vs. Xavier Woods – Winner: Xavier Woods
Woods used LA Knight’s tights to roll him up for the three count and steal the victory. Unless they are looking to turn the megastar babyface, his frequent losses are getting tough to stomach.
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As the show returns from commercial break, IMPERIUM can be seen having a discussion backstage when Xavier Woods shows up, playing his trombone loudly to interrupt them. Gunther turns around and suggests that Woods should have approached them respectfully if he wanted their attention. The Intercontinental Champion refers to Woods as a “goof” and in response, Woods expresses his desire for a title shot.
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Backstage with Riddle, Sami Zayn warns him about the danger posed by Solo Sikoa and urges him to exercise caution. However, KO disagrees and advises Riddle to give it his all tonight in order to secure a victory over Solo.
“Matt Riddle fits in well with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Despite a serious conversation, he does have some hilarious interplay with Sami & KO here, which seemed natural and not forced.”
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The Judgement Day is out next, and Damian Priest begins to address his issues with his “friend,” Bad Bunny. They are interrupted by LWO (sans Rey Mysterio). Damian Priest vs Santos Escobar is next on SmackDown!
#2. Damian Priest vs. Santos Escobar – Winner: Damian Priest
That was a hell of a match. The crowd was hot, and LWO’s association with Rey Mysterio is certainly playing a part, despite Rey not being out there with them for the match.
The Judgement Day interfered toward the end but were neutralized by LWO. Zelina Vega took out Rhea Ripley. Nevertheless, the commotion was enough for Priest to capitalize and pick up the win.
Following the match, Priest attempts to inflict further harm on Escobar, but Rey Mysterio rushes in to intervene. Rey takes out Priest before turning his attention to Dominik. Rey goes for the 619, but Priest manages to pull Dom out of harm’s way just in time.
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Backstage, The Bloodline can be seen gathered together as Paul Heyman delivers an intense pep talk to Solo Sikoa. However, Solo appears to have heard enough and abruptly cuts him off, instructing Heyman to convey to the Tribal Chief that he will handle his business. Heyman’s demeanor suggests that even he is intimidated by Solo.
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Next up, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez are out for their championship celebration. They go into a rah-rah speech before being interrupted by Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green. After a rather awful and tired verbal exchange, even for these four, a short brawl ensues. Deville and Green are forced to retreat, as the champs stand tall in the ring.
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Here’s SHEEEEENSSKKKEEE NAAKKAAAAMUUUURRAAAAAAA!!!! Couldn’t they have gotten back Pat PcAfee for tonight? Backstage, Emma is hyping up Madcap Moss in a heelish manner. Moss makes his entrance…
#3. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Madcap Moss – Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura quickly squashed Moss, getting the win following the Kinshasa. As he was celebrating, Moss, urged by Emma, tried to attack Nakamura. He could not even get the first shot in, as Nakamura locked in the triangle armbar. Emma, though, quickly pulled him out as Nakamura stood tall.
Backstage, Scarlett is seen with a tarot card with Nakamura’s picture. Karrion Kross appears and says “tick tock.”
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Ricochet and Braun Strowman are seen walking backstage, before they are viciously assaulted by the Viking Raiders.
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Matt Riddle is accompanied by Sami & KO, while Solo Sikoa is accompanied by Paul Heyman and The Usos. Before the main event, ‘The Wise Hey Man’ announces that two weeks from tonight, The Usos will challenge Sami & KO for the Undisputed Tag Team Championship.
#4. Matt Riddle vs. Solo Sikoa – Winner: Solo Sikoa
The Usos tried interfering here, prompting Sami & KO to confront them. All four men were sent to the back by the ref, but after the final commercial break, all four made their way out to ringside again and started brawling.
Solo Samoa Spike’d Matt Riddle for the three count. He then put him through the announce table with a Uranage and proceeded to flip the table over him, burying Riddle. Sami & KO were finally able to get to his aid, checking up on him as The Bloodline stood tall to close the show.
