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Paul Heyman was out on SmackDown after Royal Rumble with Roman Reigns and The Usos and said that none of what happened before with Brock Lesnar and Roman was planned.
He said that he genuinely made a mistake by not trusting in The Tribal Chief's abilities before and that he deserved the attack from Reigns.
Heyman said that he had no choice but to help Brock enter the Title match scene after Roman had to take a break due to catching COVID-19. He added that right before the WWE Title match at Rumble, Reigns offered him his position back, and in return, he would have to betray Brock Lesnar. Paul took the offer and once again he was on Roman's side.
After Heyman was done with his explanation, Goldberg's music hit and he came into the ring to say that he acknowledged Roman Reigns...as his next victim!
Goldberg challenged Roman to a Title match at Elimination Chamber before SmackDown continued.
WWE SmackDown Results (February 4th, 2022): Ricochet vs. Ridge Holland
Holland had the early advantage and sent Ricochet into the corner after hitting a big bodyslam. Holland was outside the ring and countered a baseball slide from the former US Champion before sending him into the apron.
Outside the ring, Sheamus and Cesaro got into an argument and the distraction helped Ricochet to pick up a quick win inside the ring.
Result: Ricochet def. Ridge Holland
Grade: C
WWE SmackDown Results (February 4th, 2022): Sheamus & Ridge Holland vs. Ricochet & Cesaro
Sheamus and Cesaro were in the ring when we returned from commercials and Holland tagged in early before he was sent into the corner and tagged the Celtic Warrior back in. Ricochet came in and took out Sheamus before trying to lift him but the latter countered it.
Cesaro came back in before Ricochet missed a dive to the outside and was sent into the apron by Holland. Ridge tagged back in and hit a big move on Cesaro after Sheamus set him up for the win.
Result: Sheamus & Ridge Holland def. Ricochet & Cesaro
Grade: B
Jimmy Uso vs Erik on SmackDown
Jimmy Uso and Erik kicked off the match on SmackDown and the former was in trouble early on. Jey came in with a distraction and Jimmy reversed the move.
Ivar tried to take out Jey on the outside but he was wiped out before Jimmy hit a Superkick and hit a splash to pick up the win.
Result: Jimmy Uso def. Erik
Grade: B-
Aliyah vs. Natalya on SmackDown
We were back on SmackDown after a break with yet another match between Aliyah and Natalya and the latter was taking a beating as the match went on.
The match headed outside the ring and Aliyah was sent into the barricades and the apron. Aliyah managed to reverse out of an Irish Whip and send Natalya into the barricades before heading to the ring and picking up the win via count-out.
Result: Aliyah def. Natalya via count-out
Grade: B-
Drew McIntyre was out next on SmackDown and said that after the attack on Day 1, he almost missed the Royal Rumble. He said that he had a score to settle with Brock Lesnar but now had his sights set on Corbin and Moss.
Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss interrupted him and Corbin tried to distract Drew while Moss tried to blindside him. But McIntyre raised his sword and stopped him. Drew asked Moss to tell a joke but then hit a Claymore on him before walking out.
Sami Zayn demanded his Intercontinental match backstage on SmackDown but then refused it when Adam and Sonya offered it to him next week. They decided on the week after before Natalya stormed in to set up a pinfall-and-submission-only match with Aliyah next week.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jinder Mahal on SmackDown
Shinsuke was out next and Boogs' guitar had no sound before Nakamura headed for a match with Jinder Mahal with Sami Zayn on commentary.
Mahal took control of the match early on but Nakamura came back with a few big kicks to the head. Shinsuke set up for the Kinshasa and hit it to pick up the swift win.
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura def. Jinder Mahal
Grade: B
Backstage on SmackDown, Naomi demanded a match with Sonya Deville but Adam and Sonya gave her a match with Charlotte for the SmackDown Women's Title next week instead.
We learned that Drew McIntyre and Madcap Moss would have a match at Elimination Chamber.
Natalya wanted to threaten Aliyah before their match next week but Xia Li came out of the Women's locker room and it made Nattie reconsider and walk off.
The New Day vs. Los Lotharios on SmackDown
Big E and Garza kicked off the match on SmackDown before Kofi was tagged in early and New Day isolated Garza before getting a near fall.
Humberto came in and was hit with a near fall from Kofi before Garza interrupted a Frog Splash with a distraction.
Garza took Kofi out with a kick at ringside before we headed for a break on SmackDown. Back to the match, the Lotharios were in control with Kofi in the ring and got a few near falls before Kingston countered a big top rope dive and tagged Big E in.
The New Day vs. Los Lotharios on SmackDown (contd...)
Big E came in and set up for the combined finisher as SmackDown continued but Humberto broke the pin up. Big E and Humberto took each other out at ringside but then Carrillo came back for the combined Electric Chair/Missile Dropkick combo on Kofi for a near fall.
Big E tagged back in and got the combined finisher on Garza before picking up the win.
Result: The New Day def. Los Lotharios
Grade: B
Charlotte Flair faces off with Ronda Rousey on SmackDown
Charlotte was out next on SmackDown and Sonya Deville announced that Ronda Rousey had chosen Becky Lynch as her WrestleMania opponent. Charlotte was not happy about the turn of events and that meant she still needed a WrestleMania opponent. Charlotte picked Sasha Banks and said that WrestleMania will be 'the best and worst day of Banks' life.'
Ronda Rousey came out anyway and said that she owed Flair an 'a** kicking' before challenging her to a WrestleMania match, undoing everything we talked about until now.
Charlotte taunted Rousey and Ronda was about to attack her before Sonya got in her way. Rousey caught Deville in the Armbar before SmackDown went off the air.
Episode rating: B-
We got a big showdown on SmackDown between Goldberg and Roman Reigns leading to a WWE Universal Title challenge at Elimination Chamber. Paul Heyman explained his side of the Lesnar-Reigns situation while Ronda Rousey made her WrestleMania decision on tonight's SmackDown.
