WWE presented its weekly SmackDown show from Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Roman Reigns and The Rock returned to WWE TV for the first time since the WrestleMania Kickoff Press Event. There were four Elimination Chamber qualifying matches on the show. Let’s look at everything that happened on Friday Night SmackDown this week.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Kevin Owens vs. Dominik Mysterio
The show opened with an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Dominik came out with a microphone, but the fans didn’t let him speak. The match began with headlocks. Owens delivered a shoulder tackle, but Dom rolled to the outside. https://realprowrestling.com/the-judgement-day/
Mysterio got back and delivered a hurricane and a dropkick of his own. R-Truth entered from the crowd. KO looked confused, and Dom landed a baseball slide for a near fall. Owens delivered a clothesline and a senton outside. Kevin thrashed Dominik with a cannonball in the ring, followed by a frog splash for a two-count.
Dom replied with the X-Factor but a kick-out by Owens. Dom tried to hit three amigos but was caught by Owens, who delivered his own two suplexes. Dom countered the third suplex into DDT for a near fall. Kevin moved away from Dom’s frog splash and delivered a Swanton for a two-count.
Dominik Mysterio delivered a 619 for another near fall. Dom told R-Truth to give him a steel chair if he wanted to participate in the Judgment Day. Truth grabbed a chair, but he sat on it instead of giving it to Mysterio. This led to a pop-up powerbomb by Kevin Owens for the win. Truth celebrated with Owens after the match.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Grades: B+
Analysis: A fun match to start with. Dom has improved well in the ring. KO got the necessary win and will be a part of the Elimination Chamber match. It looks like R-Truth is well aware of Judgment Day now.
Backstage: Drew McIntyre was interviewed backstage. LA Knight arrived. Both made points for themselves to win the Elimination Chamber. Things were getting heated before the officials separated the two.
– Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate announced the name of their tag team, “New Catch Republic.”
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Tiffany Stratton vs. Zelina Vega
It was a qualifying match to be a part of the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. Tiffany started with a body slam. Vega sent Tiffany to the outside. Zelina landed a moonsault at ringside. Legado Del Fantasma was in the crowd. LWO came to the ringside.
Zelina hit Stratton with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Tiffany replied with a Cartwheel Alabama Slam for a two-count. Vega delivered a meteora for another near fall. In the end, distractions from Legado Del Fantasma and Elektra Lopez allowed Tiffany to hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the victory.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a fine match but overshadowed by the ringside drama between LWO and Legado Del Fantasma. Tiffany has been impressive so far, and she will be going to Perth, Australia, for the Elimination Chamber.
Tag Team Match
AOP vs. Javier Bernal and Beau Morris
It was a squash match, and AOP won with the Super Collider. Akam and Rezar are in good touch and should be in the Final Testament.
Winner: AOP
Grades: C
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Logan Paul vs. The Miz
The United States champion Logan Paul was in action against The Miz to secure a spot in the Elimination Chamber match. The Miz started with headlocks and shoulder tackles. Logan came back with a crossbody from the top rope.
Logan later delivered a clothesline and a splash on the apron. With a rake to the eyes, Paul hit Miz with his own Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. The Miz applied the figure four leg lock, but Paul survived.
Logan’s friend in the audience gave him the brass knuckles, but The Miz caught them and threw them away. Ultimately, Logan won with a modified version of the Skull Crushing Finale.
Winner: Logan Paul
Grades: B-
Analysis: Logan Paul is headed to the Elimination Chamber. The Miz looks directionless at this time.
Backstage: Paul Heyman was speaking to Grayson Waller. Remember that Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes will be the special guests on the Grayson Waller Effect at The Elimination Chamber.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
Naomi vs. Alba Fyre
In this qualifying match, Alba Fyre replaced Shotzi, who was recently injured on NXT. In the match, Alba distracted the referee, which allowed Isla Dawn to attack Naomi using the bottom rope.
Naomi bounced back with a scissor-leg drop. Later, Naomi delivered a clothesline and a bulldog for a near fall. The continuous distractions from Isla Dawn gave Alba some advantage. Naomi was the winner in the end with a crucifix submission.
Winner: Naomi
Grades: C
Analysis: Naomi will participate in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. Fyre displayed well on her opportunity. Additionally, Naomi had the new theme song.
– Nick Aldis came to the ramp and introduced the newest SmackDown signing, Bron Breakker.
The Rock and Roman Reigns Return
Roman Reigns came out with the entire Bloodline. He told the fans to acknowledge him. Reigns said that Cody ruined everything, and they would fix it tonight. Roman said that it would be a history night.
Roman announced The Rock as a member of The Bloodline. Rock came out wearing a cool vest, returning memories from the Attitude Era. The Rock came out and labeled the attendance as trailer park trash. Then Rock told a fan to shut up.
The Rock also shut people on “what” chants. He said that the fans tweeted “We Want Cody,” and they missed the biggest WrestleMania main event of all time.
The Rock warns Cody that he will do everything in his power so that Rhodes walks out of WrestleMania, still the loser.
The Rock delivered his trademark line with a modification, “If you smell what The Bloodline is cooking.” They all did the Bloodline stance, and SmackDown went off the air.
Grades: A+
Analysis: That was awesome stuff from The Great One. The Rock brought back his Hollywood Rock gimmick. Rock is officially a part of The Bloodline.
A great episode of SmackDown. The men’s Elimination Chamber match is all set. The Rock and Roman Reigns have founded the Super Bloodline. It is wild to still think that we are getting this in 2024.
