WWE Smackdown Recap 3/3/23

WWE Smackdown comes to us live from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C as the WWE prepares to get closer and closer to WrestleMania. Tonight will mark the first time Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns will meet in the ring face to face ahead of their title match. What could possibly be on the minds of the champion and the challenger? Solo Sikoa faces off against Sami Zayn, who remains determined to settle his score with the Bloodline. The woman’s Royal Rumble first two entrants are set to do battle as well, when Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley meet in the squared circle. Let’s not miss a moment of action and head to the ring.

The Opening

Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes open up Friday night Smackdown as the Tribal Chief was up for playing head games with Cody. Reigns brought up Cody’s father and his relationship he had with him in FCW. He even went as far as to say he never spoke of Cody whenever his mentor was around him. What could have easily triggered Rhodes, yet he managed to stay calm and never raised a hand to strike Reigns. Instead, he acknowledged Roman’s greatness and said for him to exist in the same ring as him. He’d have to prove it and beat him at WrestleMania. Frustrated he couldn’t push the challengers buttons, Reign’s left the ring flashing a smile up the entrance ramp.

Other Matches

Rhea Ripley defeats Liv Morgan by submission
Dominik Mysterio defeats Santos Escobar by pinfall
Shayna Baszler defeats Tegan Nox by submission

Rare Sighting

Bobby Lashley made a Friday night Smackdown appearance. Which was odd but fitting as he was still upset from Bray Wyatt on Monday. Wasting no time, he called out Bray but instead got Uncle Howdy, who attacked him from behind. The two scuffled for a bit before the lights went out, and the arena turned dark. Howdy disappeared when the lights came back on, leaving Lashley confused and shaken.

Main Event

Closing out the show Sami Zayn went one on one with the Bloodline enforcer Solo Sikoa. Sami started out hot but was soon overpowered by Solo slowing down the pace of the match and working him over. Sami managed to fight back and almost scored a win if not for a well timed interference from Jimmy Uso. Solo gained the victory, and the beatdown of Zayn continued after the bell. Somehow, Sami was able to fend off the two and escape through the crowd. Which left the Tribal Chief infuriated watching from the locker room in the back and that’s your Friday night Smackdown show.

Final Thoughts

Another Smackdown in the books , I feel as if the WWE is just spinning their wheels. Waiting until WrestleMania gets closer to make moves and announce any other matches they could be potently booking. There are a few storylines that look promising but just need more time to develop. While others left you wondering if they’re just show fillers or will this actually turn into a match at Mania. Either way they have time to figure it out but April will be here before you know it. Its getting time to dot the final i’s on all these matches.