Smackdown comes to us live from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Sami Zayn’s hometown. With less than 24 hours away from the Elimination Chamber. The clock is ticking and here’s to hoping the go home show will surprise me. Kevin Owens hasn’t been seen since the beatdown at Royal Rumble, maybe he makes an appearance? Meanwhile, Roman Reigns has ordered the Usos to stay home and one can only imagine what he has in mind for Sami Zayn. Additionally, Bray Wyatt has been slow to make his next move after the Rumble, who knows what we’ll get out of him. Enough with the small talk lets get to some action.
Bray Wyatt’s Promo
The group Hit Row took center stage in the ring and performed an impromptu concert, but the Montreal crowd responded with boos. The lights go out only to come back on with blue lighting as Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy stood on opposite sides of the ring apron. Afterwards, they laid waste to Hit Row and Wyatt then grabbed a microphone. Then started issuing a warning to the winner of the Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley match at the Elimination Chamber. Telling them whoever walks out alive that they should run, right as they go to a commercial break.
WAIT… WHAT??#BrayWyatt just sent a warning to #BrockLesnar and @fightbobby… 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7UBtPmOBDi
— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2023
Other Matches
Ronda Rousey and Shayna Bazler defeats Natalya and Shotzi
Drew McIntyre and Sheamus defeats The Viking Raiders
Intercontinental Championship Match: Gunther(c) defeats Madcap Moss
Asuka vs Liv Morgan
In a small preview of Saturdays women elimination chamber match, Asuka battled Liv Morgan in a singles contest. The two women spent the match countering and reversing each others moves as both of them tried to stay on offense. Yet, the match was overshadowed by the appearance of the other four opponents competing in the Elimination Chamber at ringside. Much of the attention was on the outside of the ring, Asuka managed to submit Liv and then all hell broke loose after the bell. As one by one Raquel Rodriguez, Carmella, Nikki Cross and Natalya all got in the ring to take out their other opponents with their finishers. Eventually leaving only Liv and Asuka in the ring after clearing out the rest of the bunch.
All of these women want to punch their ticket to #WrestleMania and get their shot at @BiancaBelairWWE's #WWERaw Women's Championship!
Who will prevail at #WWEChamber tomorrow night? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/wszveyqeU9
— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2023
Sami Zayn’s Homecoming
The hometown crowd was on Sami’s side in support as he stood in the ring. He then started to pace emotionally around the ring, while awaiting for the crowd to die down for him to be able to speak. However, very few words were needed from Sami. He said it’s not just him versus Roman Reigns at the Elimination Chamber. It was Roman versus Sami and the the entire city of Montreal. Ending the segment on a mic drop and thats your go home show.
"Roman, you are going down!" 😤@SamiZayn is ready to go to war with @WWERomanReigns at #WWEChamber tomorrow night! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/tE820d9Ako
— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2023
Final Thoughts
Smackdown was less of a throw away show and more of a preview for the PPV on Saturday. We got to see hype up and recap videos for the matches in an effort to push the big show. I’m sure the idea was to escape the show with causing little to no damage to everyone involved tomorrow. Job well done, but still another Smackdown in the books that saw more excitement in promos than in ring action.
