Friday Night Smackdown – Feb 17th 2023: Results & Review
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. This is the go-home show before Elimination Chamber so let’s see what went down on the show!
Match #1: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler def. Natalya & Shotzi
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
One night before Natalya will battle inside the career-altering Elimination Chamber for an opportunity to face the Raw Women’s Champion at WrestleMania, The B.O.A.T. and Shotzi failed to get retribution on Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler in an explosive opening tag team matchup. Despite Montreal being in the home country of The Queen of Harts and an incredible effort by both her and her partner, The Baddest Woman on the Planet survived Natalya’s Sharpshooter. Then, after Baszler pulled the third-generation Superstar out of ring, it paved the way for Rousey to make Shotzi tap out to the Armbar.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus def. The Viking Raiders
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Just as The Viking Raiders were attempting the hit Ragnarok on Drew McIntyre, Sheamus suddenly charged into the fray and executed a Brogue Kick on Ivar. This allowed The Scottish Warrior to hit Erik with a Claymore Kick for the victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Asuka def. Liv Morgan
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
One day before the career-altering Elimination Chamber Match for an opportunity to face the Raw Women’s Champion at WrestleMania, all of the Elimination Chamber combatants invaded ringside to see the dangerous Liv Morgan submit to Asuka for the second time in a week at the conclusion of a hard-fought contest. Before the smoke could clear, however, Carmella, Nikki Cross, Natalya and Raquel Rodriguez all joined the action inside the ring and unleashed a series of painful maneuvers. Asuka and Liv shared a staredown in the center of ring, but who will reign supreme Saturday inside the Elimination Chamber and earn a Raw Women’s Title Match against Bianca Belair at WrestleMania?
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Intercontinental Title Match – Gunther def. Madcap Moss
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite a hard-fought effort by Madcap Moss, Gunther continued his historic Intercontinental Title reign by defeating his challenger with the Powerbomb.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/ 5
Good god, do I have to repeat myself again? This was another lacklustre episode of Smackdown that coasted along until the final match, which elevated the show a touch but once more a WWE show is built around a closing promo – this time from Sami Zayn in front of a home crowd. Which I’ll admit was fun to see but wouldn’t you rather see Zayn in action in front of a home crowd, getting a win BEFORE the big pay-per-view match? I know I would.
