'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
This week, WWE SmackDown took place in Birmingham, Alabama. Surprisingly, only one match was announced just an hour before the show: Big E & Kofi Kingston vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland. WWE listed nothing else for the night.
It came as a shock as we are on The Road to WrestleMania. The Show of Shows is three weeks away, and no other major segments or matches were scheduled to grab people's interest and continue the build. However, storylines were furthered on the show, and rivalries were taken to the next level.
On that note, let's take a look at the five most significant news stories coming out of SmackDown:
#5. Johnny Knoxville gives out Sami Zayn's phone number in a unique way
In a wild moment on the broadcast, it was revealed that Jackass star Johnny Knoxville gave out Sami Zayn's cellphone number. Knoxville hired a plane with Zayn's digits written on a banner and had it flown over California for all to see.
The Master Strategist disclosed he had received thousands of calls and messages since the stunt. TMZ first reported on the news story, precisely the publicity and attention WWE wants heading into WrestleMania 38.
#4. Rick Boogs & Shinsuke Nakamura earn SmackDown Tag Team title shot at WrestleMania 38
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos declared there are no more worthy opponents for them. It prompted Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs to make their way to the ring.
Boogs battled Jey in a one-on-one match. If Boogs won, he & Nakamura would be granted a title shot at WrestleMania 38. In the end, the guitar-playing superstar scored the victory to earn a spot on the biggest show of the year.
#3. Ronda Rousey & Charlotte Flair vow to tap each other out at The Show of Shows
Ronda Rousey declared that she'd make SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair tap out at WrestleMania. The Queen, who dubbed The Baddest Woman on the Planet a one-trick pony, vowed to make the 2022 Women's Royal Rumble winner submit.
Later, WWE aired a segment of the two rivals brawling in the parking lot, resulting in Charlotte getting the upper hand. Flair suplexed Rousey onto a car before locking her into a submission hold.
#2. Pete Dunne aligns with Sheamus & Ridge Holland
In a pre-match backstage interview, Sheamus & Ridge Holland introduced a new member. The Irishman declared he and Ridge call him "Butch," and that's when Pete Dunne walked into the picture.
The former NXT star made himself known during Sheamus & Holland vs. Big E & Kofi Kingston. After the contest, Butch snapped and repeatedly assaulted Kofi.
#1. Big E confirms broken neck after nasty-looking landing
Big E sustained a broken neck during Sheamus & Ridge Holland vs. Big E & Kofi Kingston. At ringside, Holland lifted E for a belly-to-belly suplex, but the former WWE Champion landed on his head upon impact with the floor.
Cameras immediately cut away from Big E while medical professionals attended to him. Later, videos surfaced showing E being stretchered out of the arena. The New Day star then took to social media to confirm his neck was broken.
What were your thoughts on this week's edition of SmackDown? Let us know in the comments section below!
A WWE Hall of Famer called out AEW fans HERE
