WWE Smackdown 3/1/2024

WWE Smackdown 3/1/2024

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2024/02/wwe-smackdown-2232024.html 

The Bloodline are in the ring. Roman isn't happy with the crowd's response when he says to acknowledge. Roman says we're done here and Paul says we can't leave yet due to other business. Paul says The Rock will be out after the commercial break.

The Rock comes out as we return. Rock asks if the crowd is sure they want to boo him. He says he has news and says Glendale is 10 miles away from Phoenix. He says Phoenix is the #1 city for cocaine and meth use.

He says finally our lives have meaning as they finally have something worth shooting in their veins. He says his crew is in a good mood and says professional wrestling is cool, exciting and electrifying once again. He says it's because of The Bloodline.

He says Cody is not cool and says his answer to a match with him is "no". He said everyone wants to go one on one with The Rock including the women in the arena. He asks if Cody is an idiot thinking he can go 1v1 against The Rock, especially since he has a match with Roman lined up. 

The Rock says he has a counter offer and calls Seth Rollins a walking clown show. He said they should have the biggest tag team match in WWE at Wrestlemania Night 1. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns and The Rock. Rock says it won't be a regular match. He says if they beat them, then The Bloodline won't interfere on Night 2. Rock says but if they lose, or when they lose, on Night 2, it's Bloodline Rules. He says anything goes, saying Solo might even sing the national anthem. The Rock says he has a hell of a voice. We get a "Solo" chant. The Rock said he might even just bash Cody's head in with a chair. He says if they think they are tough, meet them face to face next week and give your answer. The Rock says if they don't accept the challenge, then The Rock will do everything in his power to make sure Cody doesn't win the title. He said there isn't anyone who can stop it from happening since The Rock sits on the board and owns it all. He said they will end Cody's story tragically if they don't accept. Rock says to give your answer next week.

The Rock goes to do his "if you smell" line and Roman blocks his mic. Roman says he needs something from Rock. He tells Rock to "acknowledge me". The Rock does and thye hug. The Rock says this is family and they will do anything for family. He then tells the crowd to go home and smoke some more crack. He goes to do his if you smell line and lets Roman finish it by saying - what The Bloodline is cooking.

This was a long at 30+ minutes. This was a good segment that set up Night 1 of Mania. The main issue was that the screen kept going to black. Apparently, this was to stop middle fingers. This was very annoying the screen went black many many times.

Grayson Waller and Austin Theory talk in the back. LA Knight walks in and is looking for AJ. He has a bent chair and says he has a souvenir for him. Theory and Waller are watching video with Randy Orton then Orton shows up from behind. He says to play the video again and says it's hilarious how Drew knocks him out with the knucks at Elimination Chamber. He says he will do something hilarious tonight - ripping one of their heads off in the ring tonight. He says they get to pick who will get the holy hell beaten out of them. Waller nominates Theory and Orton is stoked. Waller said he got him a main event with Orton. 

Tiffany Stratton vs Naomi

Half of an entrance for Tiff, no entrance for Naomi. The fans chant Tiffy Time and she shoulders Naomi over. She cartwheels and backflips over her then Naomi flying back elbows her. Naomi then does a side flip and poses.

Naomi boots her in the corner then low dropkicks her in the corner. Naomi kicks her from the apron then slingshot facebusters her for 2. We go to break and return. Tiff handspring backflip back elbows her then double stomps her while she is seated.

Naomi has her over the 2nd rope and hits a fear factor on the apron. They slap each other and Naomi pumping knees her. Tiff hits a sky high for 2. Naomi bulldogs her on the 2nd buckle then Tiff eye rakes her. Tiff bangs her into the post then Tiff hits the prettiest moonsault ever to win it.

It was short but they kept it moving and I thought it was fine. Tiff looked good here as always and Naomi didn't botch anything. 

WWE Women's Tag Titles - The Kabuki Warriors (c) vs Bayley and Dakota Kai

The Warriors 2v1 Bayley then Bayley takes a bulldog into a baseball slide. Asuka pounds on Bayley then Sane hits Bayley while she is up top, knocking her down to the mat. Asuka hits kicks on Bayley then Bayley forearms Sane. Asuka knocks Sane off the apron then piefaces Bayley. They trade forearms and Asuka holds Bayley for a headhunter from Sane. Bayley then takes a sandwich double team strike.

Bayley's head goes into Asuka's boot. Asuka is stunnered over the 2nd rope. Bayley goes to tag Kai but Kai jumps off the apron and stares at her. Bayley fights off The Warriors and sends Kai into the rails. She pounds on her then The Warriors pound on Bayley. Kai slaps Bayley while The Warriors hold her then Iyo double knees Bayley in the back.

No finish here and no ring announcement about it. Kai turning on Bayley is what it is. It doesn't exactly help things going forward unless they have someone else to team with Bayley against Damage Ctrl.

Damage Ctrl celebrate in the back. Jade Cargill walks up to them. Nick says he needs to speak to Jade. Jade points her fingers at them. LA Knight walked past Damage Ctrl in this segment.

Bron Breakker vs Xyon Quinn

This is Xyon's first appearance in almost a year. He shaved his facial hair and is wearing pants now. Bron spears him and gets the win in a total waste of time. What a big return for Xyon here.

Legado del Fantasma talk at a restaurant. They said they are entrusted with carrying the mantle of lucha itself. They said they must eradicate the LWO. Lopez says Rey is a crippled, broken, old man. She says Santos is the emperor of lucha. Santos tells Carlito not to take their street fight lightly.

They put up a graphic for Virgil.

Street Fight - Carlito vs Santos Escobar

They hockey fight and Carlito hits mounted punches. Santos is thrown out then his head is banged off the steps. Santos is sent into the steps. The crowd chanted we want tables then chants we want apples. Carlito gets a kendo stick and an apple. Santos then topes him.

We go to break and return. Carlito has a trash can on his head and Santos flying double knees it. Carlito is thrown out then chairs Santos on his tope attempt. Carlito lariats and back elbows him. Carlito throws the can at his chest then puts it on his head. Carlito chairs the can while it's on Santos.

A table is brought in. Santos pumping knees him. They go up top and Santos gets crotched on the top rope. Legado then interfere and beat up Carlito. It's legal because it's a street fight. Carlito takes a triple sitout powerbomb for 2 (a real close nearfall there). The LWo come down and help out. The LWO are sent into the post and steps then Rey Mysterio comes out on crutches.

Legado laugh at Rey then Rey hits them with crutches. Santos swings at Rey then Carlito spits an apple at Santos. Carlito hits a backcracker then Cruz and Del Toro do dives outside. Rey 619's Santos then Santos is spinebustered through a table. Carlito wins it.

It wasn't anything special. As usual, pretty simple stuff for this street fight and the interference took some up some time here as well.

Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne talk to Nick Aldis in the back. They said they came close and nearly had them beat if it wasn't for Dom. They said they will do whatever it takes to get a title shot at Mania. Nick says him and Pearce will have an announcement that they can share soon.

Aldis hears LA Knight making noise. LA wants AJ. Nick said he told AJ not to be here. LA said AJ flew across the world to screw him. LA said AJ feels drunk on his power and the hangover is coming. He said he will find him at his home if he has to and says he has a chair for souvenir for him. He says it will look good as a hat and says there's nothing Nick can do about it.

Randy Orton vs Austin Theory

Kevin Owens is on commentary for this. Orton hits shots on Austin to start. He hits corner punches then euros him. Orton goes to backdrop him on the commentary table but Waller pulls him away. Orton takes a backdrop on the table then Austin and Waller do Orton's pose.

We go to break and return. Orton is down then hits Austin while he's up top. Orton slips on a superplex but Austin saves himself from death. Orton powerslams him then lariats him over the top. Orton backdrops him on the commentary table then does it to Waller. Owens loves it and laughs at Waller.

Orton hits a bridging ddt on the 2nd rope. Orton is thrown into the post shoulder first then Austin rolls into a blockbuster on him. Austin clips him then hits a forearm to the face for 2. Austin pulls Orton's neck down over the top and rolls in, catching an RKO. Orton then picks up the win.

It was shorter match and fine for what it was with both guys getting their offense in. Nothing memorable though except for Austin almost dying.

Waller nails Orton after. KO attacks Waller then is beat up on by Austin and Waller. KO stunners Theory then Orton RKO's Waller.

Overall thoughts: A third of this was taken up by The Bloodline segment. Fortunately, it was good but the black screens were a real pain. The main, streetfight and the Tiff match were okay. Xyon Quinn got jobbed out hard in his big return and Dakota Kai turned on Bayley. LA looking for AJ was entertaining too. It was a good show overall.