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"Rhea Ripley confronts Charlotte Flair on the Road to WrestleMania in WWE SmackDown Recap"


On the Road to WrestleMania, Rhea Ripley made an appearance on WWE SmackDown to confront the blue brand women's champion, Charlotte Flair, in a headlining segment. The 2023 Royal Rumble winner had a lot to say to The Queen ahead of their epic encounter at WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles, and the second-generation star responded accordingly. This recap covers a Fox broadcast that also featured a rematch between Rey Mysterio and Karrion Kross, as well as other matches.

The broadcast began with a tag team encounter between Braun Strowman, Ricochet, and Madcap Moss against Imperium's Giovanni Vinci, Ludwig Kaiser, and Intercontinental champion Gunther. The heels won the match despite the appearance of Drew McIntyre, potentially causing a distraction. The post-match brawl not only continued McIntyre and Sheamus' feud with The Viking Raiders but also provided the emphasis for Erik and Ivar to segue into a feud with Strowman and Ricochet.


Following a run in NXT as that brand's tag team champions, The New Day returned to SmackDown on Friday night, interrupting an LA Knight promo and setting up a match between the braggadocious bad guy and former WWE champion Kofi Kingston. Kingston won the match with no real point to it, which seemed like a questionable call, considering we are on the Road to WrestleMania.

The advertised face-to-face between SmackDown Women's champion Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley was less a preview of their upcoming WrestleMania encounter and more an excuse for a Dominik Mysterio promo. Mysterio cut a promo about his father messing him up, and when Flair threatened to get physical with the third-generation star, Ripley finally made her appearance. They had a brief staredown, but it fell short in getting into the heart of the issues between Ripley and Flair.


Overall, the Imperium vs. Strowman, Ricochet, and Moss match received a B grade, while Kingston vs. Knight received a C+ grade. While the match was longer than expected, it lacked any real follow-up, and there was no post-match angle or heat for Knight. The face-to-face between Flair and Ripley was a big misfire as there was plenty of opportunity to get into the heart of the issues between the two.


"The Baddest Woman on the Planet Returns, but Tegan Nox Steals the Show"


Natalya faced off against Shayna Baszler on Friday night after a Twitter exchange between the two. Ronda Rousey seconded Baszler while Tegan Nox promised to have Natalya's back in the match. Despite Natalya's efforts to overcome the effects of the Elimination Chamber match from the previous week, she ultimately fell to Baszler via submission. After the match, Baszler and Rousey attempted to beat down Natalya, but Nox made the save and took down Rousey. However, Rousey vowed revenge for next week.



The match itself was short, but there were some solid exchanges and transitions. The bigger takeaway was that Nox was allowed to take down Rousey, which is unusual given Rousey's protected status. The focus seems to be on establishing Rousey and Baszler as a team.



"Bray Wyatt's Firefly Funhouse Returns with a Fiendishly Intriguing Secret"

After Natalya's match against Shayna Baszler, Bray Wyatt appeared on the screen to announce the return of the Firefly Funhouse. The segment started with Wyatt walking through a door with a sign that read "Abandon all hope ye who exit here." Inside, he was wearing a new mask that looked like a cross between a jack-o'-lantern and a scarecrow.

Wyatt then addressed the camera, asking, "Can you keep a secret?" He proceeded to talk about how the news is always so negative and how people need to have more fun in their lives. He then introduced some new characters to the Funhouse, including Uncle Howdy, who gave the weather forecast, and Ramblin Rabbit, who had a conversation with Wyatt about who opened the door.

As the segment progressed, it became increasingly chaotic and unsettling. There were flashing images of a woman screaming for help and an open doorway, which led to speculation about who the woman was and what was happening to her. Wyatt then ended the segment by asking, "If I tell you a story, can you keep a secret?" before the screen cut to black.

Overall, the Firefly Funhouse segment was a mix of humor, darkness, and intrigue, which is typical of Bray Wyatt's character. It left viewers with many questions and hints about what might be coming next for Wyatt and the Funhouse.



"Father vs. Son Feud Heats Up: Karrion Kross Defeats Rey Mysterio, Dominik Taunts His Father"

In another match, Karrion Kross insulted Rey Mysterio's worth as a father, leading to a rematch from their previous bout. Kross dominated the middle portion of the match before Mysterio made a comeback. However, interference from Dominik and Scarlett, as well as the Kross Jacket submission, led to Mysterio's defeat.


After the match, Dominik trash-talked his father, which may lead to a father vs. son WrestleMania match or a tag team match involving Santos Escobar. Dominik's heel turn is generating heat, and putting him against a beloved babyface like Rey could lead to a blockbuster match.


Overall, the match between Natalya and Baszler received a grade of C, while the Firefly Funhouse segment was incomplete. The Kross vs. Mysterio match received a grade of B-.



Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn's Explosive Confrontation: Who's Side Is Jey On?

Undisputed WWE Tag Team champion Jimmy Uso took to the ring for an intense promo, calling out his brother Jey for support. However, the situation quickly escalated when Sami Zayn made an unexpected appearance, leading to a heated exchange between the two former allies.


Jimmy accused Zayn of being the reason he was ousted from The Bloodline, while Zayn insisted that it was actually Roman Reigns manipulating everyone. The tension between the three men was palpable, with Jey remaining neutral but exchanging intense looks with Zayn.


As Solo Sikoa rushed to Jimmy's aid, the "whose side is Jey on?" narrative continued to build, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what's to come at WrestleMania.


The segment was a great display of storytelling, with Zayn and Jimmy expressing their anger and disappointment over their failed relationship. Zayn's accusation against Reigns adds to the growing conflict between Reigns and the rest of the WWE roster. Solo Sikoa's arrival to chase Zayn off was a satisfying conclusion to the segment, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating what's to come next.


During the promo, Sami Zayn accused Roman Reigns of manipulating everyone around him for years. He tried to persuade Jimmy Uso to see the truth and not go down with the ship, implying that he had a way out. However, Jimmy stood his ground and defended Reigns, stating that he did what he had to do as family.


Additionally, the Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn promo added another layer to the already complex storyline surrounding the Bloodline and their alliances. With Jey Uso remaining neutral, the "whose side is he on?" narrative adds an extra layer of suspense leading up to WrestleMania.


Grade A



Overall, SmackDown continues to showcase why it's one of the most exciting shows in professional wrestling. The show's combination of action-packed matches, engaging storylines, and talented performers always leaves fans wanting more.


What Grade Do You Give This Week's SmackDown?

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