WWE SmackDown results: Charlotte snaps and stands tall

We are almost one week away from WrestleMania Backlash, and things are heating up over on the blue brand. Tonight’s episode of SmackDown will feature Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey competing in a beat-the-clock challenge.

We will also see The Usos and RK-Bro sign the contract for their upcoming title-unification match at WrestleMania Backlash. Ricochet will defend his Intercontinental Championship when he takes on Shanky, and Drew McIntyre faces off with Sami Zayn in a Steel Cage match.

The show starts off with the steel cage being shown around the ring. Drew McIntyre’s music hits and he comes out for his match with Sami Zayn that will be kicking off the show. Sami Zayn makes his entrance next and he doesn’t look happy as he approaches the cage.

Steel Cage Match: Drew McIntyre vs Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn tries to hold the door open, but McIntyre hits him from behind and slams the door shut. Drew Gulak is the timekeeper and rings the bell for the match. Zayn tries to run away, but McIntyre quickly stops him multiple times.

McIntyre beats down Zayn during the early part of this match. He sends Zayn into the steel cage and this knocks Zayn to the mat. McIntyre then proceeds to do it again. McIntyre calls for it one more time, but Zayn jumps up on the ropes to try to escape.

McIntyre quickly stops Zayn and the two begin fighting on the ropes in the corner of the ring. Zayn hits a sunset flip on McIntyre to gain momentum in the match. Zayn takes control of the match and does a good job grounding the Scottish Warrior.

Zayn begins bashing McIntyre’s head off of the steel, but McIntyre catches himself and sends Zayn headfirst into the cage. McIntyre charges at Zayn, but Zayn moves and sends McIntyre into the cage. With McIntyre caught between the ropes and the cage, Zayn hits a Helluva Kick, knocking down McIntyre.

Zayn makes his way up and over the cage, but McIntyre stops him. McIntyre then proceeds to send Zayn face-first into the steel multiple times. McIntyre throws Zayn across the ring and calls for the Claymore, but Zayn tries climbing out of the cage.

McIntyre meets him on the top rope, but Zayn trips him up and sends him down to the ring. Zayn continues to make his way out of the cage, but McIntyre is once again able to stop him. McIntyre hits a superplex on Zayn from the corner, in a very cool spot.

McIntyre calls for the Claymore again, but this time he connects. He pins Zayn and picks up the victory to kick off SmackDown.

Winner: Drew McIntyre

After the match, McIntyre poses on the top of the cage with his sword. Kayla Braxton is seen interviewing Charlotte Flair backstage. Flair says that she is better than Rousey at everything, and after tonight, Rousey will realize that.

Happy Corbin makes his entrance into the arena and looks all pumped up. It’s revealed that he is hosting his “new and improved” Happy Talk. Corbin says they no longer have to deal with his former lackey, the insufferable, Madcap Moss. Corbin says that nothing will drag this show down as Moss did with his awful jokes.

Corbin says that at WrestleMania Backlash, he will beat Moss. He accuses Moss of still living off his Andre The Giant Battle Royal victory, but Moss owes that victory to him. Corbin says he made Madcap Moss, and he will destroy Madcap Moss. Corbin says he will destroy his Andre The Giant Battle Royal trophy.

Corbin reveals that his guest on “Happy Talk” is the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy. Corbin calls for his sledgehammer, but Moss shows up in the ring behind him with the weapon. Corbin realizes Moss is in the ring and tries to escape, but Moss unloads on Corbin with punches.

Moss beats up Corbin and sends him packing out of the ring. Moss gets his Andre The Giant Battle Royal trophy back and starts laughing in the ring. Ricochet makes his entrance ahead of his upcoming match where he defends his Intercontinental Championship against Shanky. Shanky is seen in the ring after the commercial break.

Intercontinental Championship: Ricochet (c) vs Shanky (w/ Jinder Mahal)

The match starts with Ricochet trying to use his speed and quickness to evade Shanky. Eventually, Shanky is able to put a stop to Ricochet’s high octane offense. Shanky beats up on Ricochet in the corner of the ring.

Shanky does a good job at flooring Ricochet in the early part of this match. Ricochet tries a high-risk move, but Shanky catches him and throws him across the ring. He then stays on the attack. Shanky attempts an elbow, but Ricochet moves out of the way.

Ricochet hits a springboard crossbody on Shanky for a two-count and just like that, Ricochet is back in this match. Ricochet makes his way back to the top, but Jinder trips him up. Shanky goes for what looks like his finishing move, but Ricochet counters and pins Shanky with a roll-up to retain.

Winner: And Still Intercontinental Champion, Ricochet

After the match, Mahal yells at Shanky in the ring. Shanky puts his hand up to Mahal’s face and leaves the ring, having a staredown with Mahal as he leaves. Kayla Braxton is seen interviewing Raquel Rodriguez in the backstage area.

Raquel says that tonight she will put on a show and make an impact that nobody will ever forget. Raquel makes her way to the ring to a nice pop from the fans. Her opponent is already standing in the ring.

Raquel Rodriguez vs Cat Cardoza

Cardoza takes the fight to Raquel before the bell rings. The referee calls for the bell and Raquel takes out Cardoza with a clothesline. Raquel beats up on Cardoza, hitting her with a fallaway slam and sending her across the ring, twice.

Raquel hits a splash from the second rope. Cardoza hangs Raquel up on the top rope and hits Raquel with a running knee in the corner. Raquel catches Cardoza when she tries to kick her and hits her with her finisher to win her debut match on SmackDown.

Winner: Raquel Rodriguez

After the match, we see a promo from Gunther and Ludwig. Ludwig says Gunther is the embodiment of greatness. Gunther says that respect will be taken by the ring general. RK-Bro’s entrance hits and Orton and Riddle make their way down to the ring for the contract signing.

The Usos make their entrance next. Both teams shove the chairs out of the way and stand on both sides of the table. Pearce welcomes both teams to the ring and announces they need to sign the contract to make the match official for WrestleMania Backlash.

Jimmy Uso grabs the mic and says everyone knows that the Usos are the ones and everyone else is the two’s. Jimmy says that after WrestleMania Backlash, they will need bigger luggage, and RK-Bro will need to do a lot of acknowledging. Riddle gets on the mic and says he can’t tell the Usos apart from each other.

Orton says Jey Uso is the right-hand man, and Jimmy Uso is nothing but a little b***h. Both teams begin brawling and RK-Bro seemingly gets the upper hand. Roman Reigns’ entrance hits and Reigns makes his way out to the ring.

The Usos attack RK-Bro thanks to the distraction by Reigns. The Bloodline take out Orton, and beatdown Riddle. Roman rips up the contract and says that’s not happening. The Bloodline continues to beat down Riddle as Drew McIntyre’s music hits.

McIntyre makes his way down to the ring. McIntyre takes out both Usos and enters the ring having a staredown with Reigns. Reigns and McIntyre begin brawling in the middle of the ring, McIntyre sends Reigns flying across the ring and says this has been coming a long time. The Bloodline retreat as RK-Bro and McIntyre stand tall.

Paul Heyman finds Adam Pearce backstage. Heyman says that Roman Reigns isn’t very happy. Heyman suggests that at WrestleMania Backlash it should be RK-Bro and Drew McIntyre taking on The Usos and Roman Reigns in a six-man tag match. Pearce says he can’t change that. Heyman threatens to go to the board of directors.

Heyman says he can make that match, and he will. Naomi makes her entrance for her upcoming match. As always, she is accompanied by Sasha Banks. It’s announced that in two weeks, Sasha Banks and Naomi will defend the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Shayna Baszler and Natalya. Shayna makes her entrance next, accompanied by Natalya.

Naomi (w/ Sasha Banks) vs Shayna Baszler (w/ Natalya)

The match starts off with a lock-up between both women. Bazler does a good job at grounding Naomi early on in this match. Naomi uses her athleticism to take the fight to Shayna. She hits a split on Shayna and pins her, but only gets a two-count.

Naomi uses more of her unique offense to continue the momentum in this match. However, Baszler hits a suplex on Naomi to regain control of the match. Baszler takes the fight to Naomi and does a good job at doing so.

However, Naomi is able to fight back with a kick to the face of Baszler. After a whole bunch of counters, Naomi pins Baszler after sending her facefirst to the middle turnbuckle.

Winner: Naomi (w/ Sasha Banks)

After the match, Natalya attacks Naomi from behind. Natalya locks in the sharpshooter on Sasha through the ropes. Meanwhile, Shayna continues to beat up Naomi and steps on Naomi’s arm, forcing Sasha to watch.

Sheamus and Ridge Holland are seen backstage, and they’re still trying to find Butch. Sheamus says that he put posters all over, Holland says he put his posters in the same exact places Sheamus did.

Ridge Holland makes his entrance, accompanied by Sheamus. Ridge is set to take on Xavier Woods in the upcoming match. Xavier Woods makes his entrance as well, accompanied by Kofi Kingston. They cut a promo, talking about how Butch is gone and there are only two of them. Woods says that Sheamus is a th*t and always has new tag team partners.

It is confirmed that at WrestleMania Backlash, Drew McIntyre will team up with RK-Bro and they will take on Roman Reigns and The Usos in a six-man tag team match. I guess that means no title unification match.

Ridge Holland (w/ Sheamus) vs Xavier Woods (w/ Kofi Kingston)

The match starts off with Holland taking the fight to Woods immediately. The crowd is chanting “Shake It Sheamus” at Sheamus following Woods’ promo. Woods tries to fight back, but Holland remains in control.

Holland charges at Woods in the corner, but Woods moves and Holland goes shoulder-first into the ring post. Woods hits a DDT on Holland onto the floor outside the ring. This was a cool spot.

Holland hits Woods’ knee with a chop block and he completely takes control of the match now. Woods tries to chop Holland, but Holland catches him and hits him to keep him grounded.

Woods is able to fight back into the match and connects with chops and punches on Holland. He goes to hit him with a big right hand, but Holland plants Woods with a spike. Holland sets up Woods for his finisher, but Woods is able to counter with a roll-up for the three-count.

Winner: Xavier Woods (w/ Kofi Kingston)

After the match, Sheamus gets on the mic and says he’s through playing games and will teach Ridge how it’s done. He challenges Kofi Kingston to a match right now and Kofi accepts. We get an impromptu match between Sheamus and Kofi Kingston.

Sheamus (w/ Ridge Holland) vs Kofi Kingston (w/ Xavier Woods)

The match starts during the commercial break, but after the commercial we see Kofi taking the fight to Sheamus. Kofi takes out Sheamus with a high-risk move to the floor. Sheamus is able to stop Kofi from coming into the ring and tries to set Kofi up for the chops.

Kofi attempts to roll Sheamus up, but Sheamus kicks out at two. Kofi continues to remain hot and in control of the match. Sheamus hits three Irish Curse backbreakers in a row onto Kofi and is able to gain control of the match.

Sheamus locks in a submission hold on Kofi, but Kofi fights out of it. Sheamus is able to plant Kingston still and continue to control the match. He attempts the brogue kick, but Kofi counters with an SOS. Kofi pins Sheamus, but Sheamus is able to kick out at two.

Kofi attempts a high-risk move, but Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick on Kofi finally and pins him for the three-count.

Winner: Sheamus (w/ Ridge Holland)

After the match, Holland attacks Woods outside the ring. Sheamus pulls out a table and sets it up at ringside. Holland hits a powerbomb on Woods through the table outside the ring and the “Unholy Duo” stands tall, with no sign of Butch anywhere. We see another vignette by Lacey Evans.

Ronda Rousey makes her way out to the ring as she gets ready to kick off the “I Quit Beat The Clock” challenge. Shotzi is seen standing in the ring. As the match is about to start, Charlotte makes her way out to the arena to get a closer look at Rousey’s match.

Beat The Clock Challenge: Ronda Rousey vs Shotzi

The match starts off with Ronda charging at Shotzi, but Shotzi is running away from Rousey. Rousey is finally able to catch up to her and hits her with a kick. Shotzi goes to kick Rousey, but Rousey drops her on the apron and continues to take the fight to her.

Rousey hits a fishermen’s suplex on Shotzi and follows that up with an ankle lock. Shotzi says “I Quit” and Rousey wins with a time of 1:41.

Winner: Ronda Rousey

After the match, Charlotte enters the ring and has a staredown with Rousey. She gets on the mic and says that will be Rousey’s last win for a very long time. Charlotte shoos Rousey out of the ring and calls Aliyah to get her 10 seconds of fame from Charlotte. Aliyah makes her way out to the ring and looks determined.

Beat The Clock Challenge: Charlotte Flair vs Aliyah

The match starts off with a tie-up between the two women, but Charlotte drops Aliyah. Charlotte goes for a big boot, but Aliyah counters. Charlotte hits a clothesline on Aliyah. Aliyah does a good job at fighting back and holding her own against the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

However, Charlotte finally connects with the big boot. Charlotte goes to lock in the figure-eight, but Aliyah sends Charlotte outside the ring with 30 seconds remaining. Charlotte runs back in and locks in the figure-eight but Aliyah lasts longer, causing Charlotte to lose the Beat The Clock I Quit Challenge.

DRAW

Winner Of The Beat The Clock Challenge: Ronda Rousey

After the match, Charlotte looks furious. Rousey walks up the entrance ramp and celebrates as she leaves the arena. Charlotte makes her way to the outside of the ring where she finds Drew Gulak. Charlotte snaps and berates Gulak. She takes him out with a big boot and continues beating him up.

Charlotte grabs the ring bell and hits it over the back of Gulak. SmackDown ends with Charlotte leaving the ring and holding her SmackDown Women’s Championship.