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Ronda Rousey kicked off SmackDown and said that she had planned to come back and win the Royal Rumble after her leave. She brought up that her own mother was the first person to black belt in Judo as a single mother, and Ronda herself became the first-ever woman to secure the UFC Championship.
Charlotte came out and made fun of Ronda, telling her to go back for another vacation while Sonya Deville attacked Rousey from behind. Charlotte joined in and dragged Rousey down from the apron and hit her knee against the ring post a few times before Ronda managed to toss Deville away with a Judo throw, causing them to retreat.
Backstage on SmackDown, Adam Pierce was shocked about Sonya getting involved in Charlotte and Ronda's match and said that because of that and at Rousey's request, Deville would have to face her in a match next week.
WWE SmackDown Results (February 25th, 2022): The New Day vs. Los Lotharios
The New Day came out in an ATV, and it was Kofi's gift to Big E for his birthday, which is next week. Kofi and Humberto kicked off the match, and tags were made early with the New Day in control. Big E had Humberto locked in a hold before going for a double-team move.
Kingston was back and got a near fall before we headed for a break. Back on the show, The Lotharios isolated Kofi in the ring before Kingston came out with a dropkick and made the tag.
The New Day were sent outside after Kofi tagged back in and Angel hit a big dive on Kingston before being distracted by Big E's ATV. The distraction let the New Day get back in control, but Garza managed to turn it around in the ring and set up for the finish.
Big E threatened to run Humberto over with the ATV at ringside, and the distraction allowed Kofi and E to pick up the win in the ring with a Midnight Hour.
Result: The New Day def. Los Lotharios
Grade: B
The Usos were backstage on SmackDown and were looking forward to their match contract signing for WrestleMania. They called the Viking Raiders smelly before the Vikings attacked the tag champs and took them out.
Xia Li was backstage and said that she was ready to make her in-ring debut on SmackDown, up next.
Xia Lee vs. Natalya on SmackDown
Natalya had the early advantage and took Li down in the corner before Xia came back with a counter and got a near fall. Natalya got a big suplex before locking in a submission move.
Xia broke free and got some big strikes in before getting a knee to the face and an exploder suplex. Natalya tried for the sharpshooter, but it was reversed before getting the win off a spinning heel kick.
Result: Xia Lee def. Natalya
Grade: B-
Sami Zayn was out next to celebrate his title win on the show and said that he won the gold regardless of the conspiracy against him. He said that he was happy to defend his title against anyone before Johhny Knoxville walked out to the ring.
As SmackDown continued, Sami tried to get Knoxville to leave the ring, but Johnny said that he was there to challenge Zayn to a title match. Sami tried to say that Knoxville had no place in the ring before attacking him and hitting two Helluva Kicks on him in the corner.
Ricochet was backstage on the blue brand when Sami was talking to Adam Pierce and ended up getting an Intercontinental title match next week on SmackDown.
Sasha Banks vs. Shotzi on SmackDown
Shotzi got the first takedown and unloaded on Banks early in the match. Banks got a big Meteora before getting the Backstabber. Sasha locked in the Banks Statement and made Shotzi tap out for the quick win.
Result: Sasha Banks def. Shotzi
After the match, Naomi got in the ring and announced that she and Banks would be teaming up to pursue the women's tag titles.
Grade: C
Baron Corbin was backstage on SmackDown and said that he wanted revenge on Drew McIntyre for nearly breaking Moss' neck.
Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss on SmackDown
Corbin got on the mic and praised Moss before asking him to take his place in the match. The duo attacked Drew before the match was started, and Drew was sent into the corner. The match started, and Drew got a Glasgow Kiss before trying to go for the Alabama Slam, but Moss got out of it.
Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss on SmackDown (contd...)
After a break on SmackDown, Moss got a big boot before Drew got a series of throws. McIntyre got a neckbreaker, but Corbin interrupted the finisher. Moss took advantage with a jab to the eye and got a near fall. Drew hit a sudden Claymore off a counter and picked up the win.
Result: Drew McIntyre def. Madcap Moss
Grade: B
Ronda Rousey was backstage on the show and said that she would show Deville next week what happens when an authority figure steps out of line.
Roman Reigns was out next on SmackDown for the WrestleMania match contract signing, and in addition to the Usos and Paul Heyman, Reigns had a bunch of security guys guarding the ring for him.
Heyman said that the additional security was there for Brock's protection before we headed for a break. Brock Lesnar made his way out and was trying to compose himself before saying that the security would make no difference if he wanted to beat everyone up.
Roman nearly kicked the table down in the ring out of anger before they signed the contract, and Heyman said that Brock won't even make it to WrestleMania as the champion because he will lose the title next week at Madison Square Gardens.
Reigns said that the world title was also his and that this was his show and his ring and his fans, claiming that he owned everything, including the security, as the guys closed in on Brock.
Brock wiped them all out with F5s and German Suplexes before tossing the table as Reigns, and his posse retreated backstage.
Episode rating: B
We got the teaming up of Sasha Banks and Naomi while Rousey was ambushed by Sonya and Charlotte. Reigns and Lesnar were set to sign their WrestleMania match contract tonight on SmackDown while we got a big in-ring debut.
