Friday Night Smackdown – Mar 24th 2023: Results & Review
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on the show!
Match #1: Cody Rhodes def. Ludwig Kaiser
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
One week before The American Nightmare squares off with Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title, Cody Rhodes had his first match on SmackDown in over seven years. Rhodes took it to Ludwig Kaiser before Paul Heyman came down to the ramp to take a closer look. A missed Cody Cutter from Rhodes set the stage for Kaiser to wear down The American Nightmare. A Disaster Kick got Rhodes back into the proceedings just as Solo Sikoa made his way down to the ring. Rhodes essentially had to fight three people, as with Giovanni Vinci caused mayhem at ringside, and Sikoa constantly looked ready to pounce. A Cody Cutter followed by a Cross Rhodes sealed Rhodes’ first win on SmackDown since 2016.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: LA Knight def. Rey Mysterio
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Provoked by LA Knight last week, Rey Mysterio took on the abrasive Superstar in front of his wife and daughter. The future WWE Hall of Famer paid homage to his late friend Eddie Guerrero before Knight used his power to take advantage. A huge baseball slide from Mysterio took the wind out of Knight, but Rey’s son made his way to ringside. Dominik’s presence gave life to Knight, who dominated until he missed a huge elbow drop. Just as Mysterio was about to dial up the three famous numbers, Dominik interfered, allowing Knight to snatch a victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Natalya & Shotzi def. Lacey Evans & Xia Li
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Natalya and Shotzi took on Lacey Evans and Xia Li in an attempt to qualify for the WrestleMania Showcase Match. Evans and Li worked well together, despite their inexperience as a tandem, as they isolated Shotzi from her veteran partner. WrestleMania Showcase competitors Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez looked on as Lacey Evans accidentally hit her partner with the Woman’s Right. With Li still reeling, Natalya and Shotzi hit a modified Hart Attack before Natalya locked on the Sharpshooter to book their tickets to WrestleMania.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Gunther def. Butch
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After Butch leaped at Gunther during the Intercontinental Title Triple Threat Contract Signing, Gunther demanded WWE Official Adam Pearce make the match between him and Butch. Gunther battered Butch, torturing him with leg locks and chops. Gunther threw Butch into Drew McIntyre, enraging The Scottish Warrior before Sheamus got in his face. The commotion distracted Butch long enough for Gunther to deliver a clubbing clothesline followed by the Last Symphony to get the victory.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
The episode of Smackdown opened strong and closed just as strong but everything in between felt like filler till we get to Wrestlemania. At least this show filled in some of the Wrestlemania gaps, with Rey challenging his son to a match, though I could’ve done with the Charlotte Flair promo or the Rousey/Bayzler stuff too. One thing though, this show didn’t have enough matches on the card for a 2-hour show…
