by Roman Reigns and Jey Uso reunite on SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown promoted Jey Uso coming home after opting for the Bloodline in a dramatic heel turn against Sami Zayn last Monday. The Bloodline, minus Sami Zayn, appears to be whole again. But the entire story of Bloodline has not existed without disagreements within the group.
SmackDown also promoted a Fatal 5-Way to become the No. 1 contender for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, with Xavier Woods replacing the injured Kofi Kingston.
Last week’s broadcast of Montreal’s SmackDown attracted 2.451 million viewers.
WWE SmackDown Results | March 10, 2023
- Sheamus and Dre McIntyre win Fatal 5-Way Match
- doomsday def. Legado Del Fantasma
- Viking Raiders defeated. Ricochet and Brown Strowman
- Defeated Charlotte Flair. Shotzi
WWE SmackDown Ratings
- March 3, 2023 | 2.451 million
- February 24, 2023 | 2.408 million
- February 17, 2023 | 2.383 million
- February 10, 2023 | 2.438 million
- February 3, 2023 | 2.384 million
- WWE SmackDown Venue: PPG Paints Arena (Pittsburgh, Penn.)
- WWE SmackDown tickets distributed: 8,677
- Available maps: 559
AEW’s MJF spills tequila on a kid | Pro wrestling bits
WWE SmackDown winners and grades
Sheamus and Drew McIntyre win Fatal 5-Way
The Fatal 5-Way took up most of the first 30 minutes of this show, but it felt like 15.
There was a dusty finish with both Sheamus and McIntyre hitting different pinfalls at the same time. Deals like this are usually booed, but WWE can never go wrong with its audience, so the fans started chanting “Triple Threat!”
Next week, Sheamus and Drew McIntyre will go head to head in a one-on-one battle to see who has a shot at GUNTHER. I’m expecting another dusty finish, which is fitting since the WrestleMania main event revolves around The American Dream.
Fatal 5-Way Note: A-
Rey Mysterio inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
Rey Mysterio became the rare active competitor to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and I suspect this all comes as part of his ongoing association with Dominik Mysterio.
I hope WWE goes through with inducting Mysterio into the Hall of Fame just for Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley to interrupt him. That being said, WWE is essentially sacrificing the introduction of one of the greatest wrestlers of all time for one storyline.
doomsday def. Legado Del Fantasma
Santos Escobar’s babyface turnaround feels temporary, especially when he’s still associated with Legado Del Fantasma. I could see Escobar take on Rey Mysterio after WrestleMania.
Dominik Mysterio has shamefully clinched another victory, but he’s quietly building one of WWE’s most impressive winning streaks.
Although Rey Mysterio once again refrained from physically attacking Dominik, he dodged an attacking Mysterio who flew out of the ring.
Judgment Day vs. Legado Del Fantasma Note: B
The Viking Raiders defeated Ricochet and Braun Strowman
Both teams are headed to WrestleMania in the Time Is Running Out category. I secretly hoped that Strowman and Ricochet’s pairing would lead to a feud between the two stemming from the “Flippy-Flopper Gate.”
Ricochet missed his 450 Splash because he was taking too long to fear Valhalla. This resulted in a splash from Ivar and the win. To make matters worse, it has been suggested that Valhalla puts a spell on Pretty Ricky.
Viking Raiders vs. Ricochet and Braun Strowman Grade: B-
Defeated Charlotte Flair. Shotzi
Rhea Ripley left in the middle of this match and before it went into commercials.
Charlotte’s feud against Ronda Rousey last year was very physical, while this year’s Ripley vs. Flair build featured no physicality at all. In fact, most of WWE’s top feuds — Reigns-Rhodes, Lashley-Wyatt, and Lesnar-Omos — haven’t featured physicality either. Triple H is clearly a fan of holding back touches until the match itself.
Ripley was showered with “What” chants while telling Charlotte Flair she was taking her title. Charlotte took a hit during her promo against Ripley, seemingly to remember her lines.
Charlotte Flair vs. Shotzi Grade: C+
Jey Uso explains his actions
This segment was described as “The Prodigal Brother Returns”.
When the show started, Jey Uso still didn’t seem ready to be a part of The Bloodline. As has been the case throughout Bloodline history, the dissent within the Bloodline lingers.
Jimmy Uso was a lot happier than Jey. Jey Uso went so far as to say that what he did to Sami Zayn he didn’t want to do, he did it because he had to.
Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn fought The Bloodline to close the show and I was a bit surprised that Roman Reigns wasn’t on that show.
