Here are the WWE Smackdown results at Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC
We Hear from Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes opens up Smackdown, building hype for Wrestlemania and for the Elimination Chamber. He runs through the list of names confirmed for the Chamber match, the crowd cheers or boos for each of them. Cody starts to talk about the returning Solo Sikoa, when he is interrupted by Drew McIntyre. He wanted to hear Cody talk about him some more. Drew guarantees that he will be the one to end Cody’s little story. He will win the Chamber match. He has beaten Rhodes in the past and he’ll do it again. Rhodes acknowledges that Drew has beaten him before, but Cody is cut off again, this time by Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga.
Fatu says he will make sure to get the victory tonight so that he can restore greatness to his family. The WWE championship belongs with his family. McIntyre refuses to engage and he leaves the ring. As Fatu circles Cody, the champion reminds him that he still has to prove he will enter the match. On the Tron, a car arrives. It is Solo Sikoa. Jacob Fatu leaves Cody unharmed, he has some family business to discuss with Solo.
Analysis
B Grade – A standard Cody Rhodes opening promo. It continued to build the hype for tonight’s main event as well as the Chamber. We will see how the relationship between Fatu and Sikoa is later on. I hope we get a full Cody vs Drew feud in 2025.
-Trish Stratus is ringside. She tells Wade Barrett that she will be at the Elimination Chamber in Toronto to watch the action go down. I wonder if she will have a role to play in the match. Maybe a last minute replacement? We shall see,
US Champion Chelsea Green w/Piper Niven vs Women’s Tag Champion Naomi w/Bianca Belair, Elimination Chamber Qualifier
Naomi is in control early on with some kick combos. Naomi takes down Green with a knee strike. Niven gets involved to save Green from a dropkick to the outside. Green targets Naomi’s knee with a chop and then attacks her in the corner. An enziguiri gets a 2 count.
Green continues her assault in the corner after the break. Naomi hits a cross body, a kick to the head and a bulldog. She begins to fight back into the match. Naomi hits a scissor kick for a 2. Naomi goes for a moonsault but Chelsea dodges. Rough Ryder by Green, a shout out to husband Matt Cardona. Green and Naomi exchange pin attempts. Chelsea Green hits a backstabber for a 2. Naomi counters the Unprettier and hits an X-Factor. She hits the Split-legged moonsault to win the match.
Analysis
C+ Grade – A relatively clean match which I wasn’t expecting. Chelsea Green matches are usually reliant on comedy spots or interference, so it was nice to see her just go out and wrestle here. Naomi joins her ally in the Elimination Chamber match as well as Alexa Bliss, Bayley and Liv Morgan.
We Hear From Sami Zayn
Zayn appears in a pre-record and admits he hasn’t been doing great. He has suffered significant damage to his neck, specialists are monitoring his nerve damage. It has been a rough few weeks coming to terms with what has happened. He is aware that it is almost a joke that Owens will always betray him. Sami felt that this feels different, Owens used the piledriver to try and end his career. Sami doesn’t understand Owens motivations. he was there checking on Owens whilst the match at the Rumble was ongoing. He said he would there for Owens and he was. KO wanted Sami to help him beat Cody, but that is not the same. Sami doesn’t know when he will be cleared, but once he is ready, he will be coming for Owens.
Analysis
A- Grade – Another brilliant, emotionally charged promo here. I am not sure when or where we are going to see these go at it again, but I am willing to wait as long as it takes.
-Michelle McCool will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame alongside Triple H this year. It is well deserved.
Motor City Machine Guns vs Los Garza
Double dropkick by MCMGs on Berto. Los Garza are able to take back control and wear down Alex Shelley. Angel hits a spinebuster on Shelley. Berto with a body slam into a moonsault for a 2. Angel hits a running knee strike. Berto hits an aissted neckbreaker for a 2.
Shelley manages a tag to Chris Sabin who hits his comeback. Enziguiri to Berto, followed with a dropkick/flatliner combo for a near fall. Berto hits Sabin with a springboard kick for a 2. Berto takes out Shelley, Angel lands a moonsault from the top rope to Shelley on the outside. Sabin gets his feet up on a moonsault and kicks Angel out of the ring. Sabin hits a double suicide dive. The Guns hits their Skull & Bones finisher to win.
Analysis
C+ Grade – A standard TV tag match. The Guns got a much needed win here which was nice to see.
-Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga find Solo Sikoa backstage. Solo says he needed time off, He hasn’t been himself since losing the Ula Fala to Roman Reigns. Solo let them family down, but it is time for redemption. They must take over this business together and it starts with Fatu winning at the Elimination Chamber and bringing the title back. Fatu leaves. Solo tells him he loves him. Fatu does not respond. (Family drama!)
We Hear From US Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura makes a grand entrance. He claims to have waited in the shadows looking for a worthy challenger, but he does not see any warriors fit to face him. Shinsuke is interrupted by LA Knight, the former champion. He agrees that Nakamura is hiding in the shadows, but he calls him a liar claiming to be looking for a test. The last time they wrestled, Knight had him beat before interference from the Bloodline. He continues his charismatic tirade before being interrupted by The Miz.
Miz says he thought that was just a fad, but the WWE universe is still eating out of the palm of Knight’s hand. This proves how uneducated the fans are. Miz calls them stupid and basic. Knight says Miz has been saying the same things for 10 years as he tries his best to remain relevant. Knight tells Miz to start his own farewell tour like John Cena, because we all want him to go away. Miz mocks Knight’s promo last week where he said it was okay to cry. Knight says Miz is at the top alongside McIntyre for all-time crybaby bitches. Miz says Knight does not compare to him in any way. If John Cena can call his shot for the Chamber, then Miz wants to call his own for the US champion. He is here on Smackdown for a fresh start.
Knight wants his title back. He calls Miz an impotent dork and not championship material. Miz tries to attack but Knight dodges him. Nick Aldis sets up a match right now.
Analysis
B Grade – Great trash talk between two of the best to do it in WWE. Unfortunately, I have desire to watch Nakamura wrestle either of these guys.
LA Knight vs The Miz
The Miz stalls and avoids LA Knight for a long time. He manages to take control briefly but Knight overpowers him. Knight stomps and knees Miz in the corner. A powerslam gets Knight a 2. Miz blocks a BFT and sends Knight into the ropes with a stun gun. Miz gradually wears down Knight in the ring now. Knight fights back with a backbreaker into a neckbreaker for a 2. The action spills to the outside, Knight kicks Miz’s ass before taunting Nakamura about a rematch. Miz uses this to send Knight into the announce table and the steel steps.
Miz continues to wear down Knight but after the break Knight is going full steam ahead. He hits the clothesline, the neckbreaker, the suplex, the powerslam. Miz hits a clothesline for a near fall. They exchange pin attempts. Miz hits a DDT for a 2. They fight in the corner. Miz throws a boot, Knight lands the BFT. He hits the Superstar elbow from the top rope to pin and win. Nakamura gets in the ring and holds up his title.
Analysis
B Grade – A good match but a predictable result. Knight and Miz are both better talkers than they are wrestlers but they’re both consistent and safe in the ring. They complimented each other well.
-Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss interact backstage. Bliss teases a Wrestlemania rematch between them if Nia is successful tonight. We see more Wyatt Sicks glitches. It is only a matter of time. Also, Andrade walks up to Miz and mockingly offers to teach him him things. After he leaves, Carmelo Hayes didn’t like the disrespect Miz got. The Miz offers them to join forces, but Melo has already walked away.
Carmelo Hayes vs R-Truth
This was set up early when Truth struggled to understand what Melo meant by “I am him”. Melo hits a springboard clothesline. R-Truth goes for the John Cena 5 moves of doom, but Melo hits a kick. Modified stunner by Truth. Lungblower by Melo. Truth gets a roll up for a near fall. Melo hits a clothesline to the back of Truth’s head. Melo hits Nothing But Net for a comfortable win.
Analysis
C Grade – Exactly what it needed to be. Truth has a little fun but this is mostly a strong win to put over Melo, the future star.
-Once Angelo Dawkins is cleared, the Street Profits are coming for all of the tag teams here on Smackdown. Ford is inspired by Dawkins’ newfound aggression. It is time that they take what they’re owed. Meanwhile, Pretty Deadly look ahead to their title match next week. Tommaso Ciampa say they weren’t ready. Next week, Pretty Deadly’s championship aspirations will die.
We Hear From Kevin Owens
We have another video message from Owens. He has been heart broken these past few months, being backstabbed by his closest friends. Randy Orto, Cody Rhodes and now Sami Zayn. Owens would have taken a bullet for them. Sami doesn’t know what true pain is, not yet. He doesn’t care if Sami is hurt or healed. If they want to go at it once again, they might as well do it where it all started for them. In Toronto. Owens tells Zayn to come find him at Elimination Chamber and he will show Zayn true pain.
Analysis
A Grade – Like last week, short and impactful. Zayn vs Owens in front of a Canadian crowd will be explosive.
Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Nia Jax w/Candice LeRae, WWE Women’s Championship
Jax dominates early with tackles and a splash. Stratton dodges Nia and sends her into the ring post. Tiffy hits a handspring back elbow to Nia in the corner. Jax hits a Samoan drop for a 2. She hits a body slam and a leg drop for a 2. Jax hits the running hip attack and an elbow drop. Stratton manages a spinebuster and a running kick for 2. Nia reverses a handstand move and just slams Stratton down. Jax hits a leg drop for a 2.
Tiffany counters Jax and lands a double foot stomp off the top. Jax hits a middle rope Samoan drop for a 2. A middle rope leg drop by Nia also gets a 2. The crowd popped to that kick out. Jax continues to beat down her former ally. Stratton counters Jax with a powerbomb for a great near fall. Both women exchange strikes and counters, Jax hits a sitout powerbomb for a near fall.
Stratton hits a top rope moonsault to Jax on the floor! Tiffy hits the swanton bomb for a near fall. Stratton avoids the Annihilator and goes for the moonsault. Candice LeRae attacks Tiffy and causes the DQ. Nia and Candice beat down Tiffy after the match. Charlotte Flair comes out and officially chooses Stratton as her Wrestlemania opponent.
Analysis
A- Grade – This was great! A lot better than I anticipated. I would have given this an A if it wasn’t for the DQ finish. I hope this sets up a rematch at Elimination Chamber which Tiffy can win clean. Charlotte choosing her was no surprise. I am incredibly hyped for that one
-Nick Aldis reveals to Bianca Belair and Naomi that he had an anonymous tip on the attack on Jade Cargill (finally!). Footage shows Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez near the scene of the crime. He says there is nothing confirmed yet, he is going to speak with Adam Pearce. The tag champs knew that Liv and Raquel would be involved. They say that they will go to Raw and handle this themselves. (About time they got this storyline progressing.)
-Backstage Tiffany Stratton is approached by Trish Stratus who offers to team with her against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae at Elimination Chamber. Stratton says it is Tiffy and Trishy time. I like this very much. I still want that clean with for Tiffy though.
-Drew McIntyre mocks Jimmy Uso for losing last week and being no where near the level of his brother. His career is in the toilet, but at least he married up (reference to Naomi). Jimmy goes to leave, but drops Drew with a superkick.
Damian Priest vs Jacob Fatu vs Braun Strowman, Elimination Chamber Qualifier
Big boy, beefcake match and I am excited for this one. Braun drops Priest with a clothesline. Priest and Fatu cannot take Braun alone, they work together to knock him out of the ring. Fatu and Priest slug it out in the ring. Braun is back in, he wipes out both of his opponents with clotheslines. Braun lobs Fatu into the barricade. Priest drops Braun on his ass. Priest hits Fatu with the Broken Arrow for a 2. Strowman is back in and again wipes out both of his opponents on his own.
Priest sends Braun into the ring post. Fatu sets up Priest for the running hip attack, but Braun drags him out of the ring. Fatu throws him into the steel steps. Priest wears down Fatu with a strike combo ending with a spinning kick. He knocks Strowman down with a Superkick. Fatu drops Priest with a Samoan drop. He hits a suicide dive to Braun. Fatu hits a swanton bomb on Priest for a near fall. Bell clap by Priest, superkick by Fatu. Strowman powerbombs both men for a Tower of Doom spot. We have a triple down. This match slaps!
Braun drops Fatu with 2 clotheslines. Priest gives Fatu a flatliner on the commentary table. Braun chokeslams Fatu onto the commentary table. Back inside, Fatu hits Braun with 2 superkicks and then 2 running hip attacks. He grabs a chair and puts it around Braun’s neck, looking to injure him again. Strowman gets up and boots Fatu, followed with some chair shots. Now Braun puts the chair around Fatu’s neck, but here comes Solo Sikoa to hit Braun with a Samoan Spike. Fatu hits the moonsault but is too hurt to get the cover.
Cody Rhodes comes out and fights with Solo Sikoa. Here comes Tama Tonga. Sikoa tries to hit the Spike on Cody, but misses and he drops Tonga! Fatu looks PISSED. Priest knocks down Solo, then sends Fatu over the barricade. Rhodes hits Fatu with the Cross Rhodes. Priest hits the South of Heaven chokeslam on Braun and wins the match.
Analysis
A Grade – A lot to love here. 3 big brutes took each other to war for 15 minutes and it was great. Maybe a touch overbooked, but all of the run ins and chaos made sense. The story between Solo and Fatu gains a lot of heat here, it will be interesting to what this means ahead of Wrestlemania. Strowman took the pin but also a lot of offence so he isn’t too hurt from this. Priest gets a big win, though I doubt his chances inside the Elimination Chamber.
Final Thoughts
A Overall Grade – A great show. A lot of brilliant storyline progression, paired with 2 awesome matches puts this as one of the best Smackdown’s of recent memory. Elimination Chamber is shaping up to be a solid show thus far. I expect to see Seth Rollins qualify against Finn Balor next week, as well as Roxanne Perez beating Raquel Rodriguez thanks to some interference from Belair and Naomi.
(Fancy more fantasy booking? Check out the latest entry in my ongoing NWA promotion here!)
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