WWE SmackDown live results: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus
The road to WrestleMania continues on tonight’s SmackDown from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
In a match with WrestleMania implications, Drew McIntyre goes one-on-one with Sheamus. The winner challenges Gunther for the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania 39.
Last week’s number one contender’s fatal five-way ended in controversy when McIntyre and Sheamus simultaneously scored pins on Xavier Woods and LA Knight. Later that evening, Adam Pearce announced McIntyre vs. Sheamus for tonight to determine the number one contender.
The next step in the war between Sami Zayn and The Bloodline will take place when Zayn confronts Jey Uso tonight. Last week’s SmackDown ended with Zayn and Cody Rhodes standing tall after a brawl with The Usos.
Rhodes is also set to appear tonight. We’ll hear from him in advance of his match against Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39.
Plus, tonight’s show features a mixed tag match with Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio facing Zelina Vega & Santos Escobar. Our live coverage begins at 8 pm Eastern time.
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– After Michael Cole and Wade Barrett run down the lineup, Cody Rhodes’s music hit to a big pop.
Cody Rhodes Segment
Loved this segment. Rhodes, Owens, and Zayn were outstanding in their roles. It revolved around Rhodes trying to get Zayn and Owens on the same page. Owens turned them down.
Cody Rhodes entered the ring as the fans broke into a giant “Cody” chant. Rhodes discussed his upcoming title shot at WrestleMania 39. He considers Roman Reigns the best champion in sports and sports entertainment. Rhodes praised Reigns as a great champion and can’t wait to beat him for the WWE title at WrestleMania 39. The fans erupted into another massive “Cody” chant.
However, Rhodes doesn’t want to talk about someone; he wants to talk to someone. Rhodes called out Kevin Owens. Owens made his way to the ring. The fans gradually broke into a loud “KO” chant. Owens knows what Rhodes wants to talk about, but Rhodes cuts him off. Rhodes feels another person needs to be part of the conversation. Thus, Rhodes called out Sami Zayn.
Zayn entered the ring; The fans broke into a loud “Sami” chant. Rhodes is going to pull the curtain back. He admitted to having respect for Owens. He discussed leaving the WWE six years ago, and Owens offered advice and introduced him to his friends. Rhodes wants to repay the favor. Owens isn’t listening to Zayn again. He heard all of this already. The fans broke into a loud “Hug it out” chant.
Zayn wants to know how Owen is feeling. Zayn’s confused because they fight and makeup all the time. He didn’t understand the difference this time. Zayn told Owens to yell at him or punch him in the face so that Owens can get past it. He told Owens they needed to go back to working as a team. They could be the ones to end the ones, The Bloodline.
Owens asked Rhodes if he got everything he needed. Rhodes noted they’re in the people-pleasing business. Rhodes told them to get back on the same page. The fans broke into another “Hug it out” chant. Owens again said he had heard everything already. He asked, “Why would I fight with someone who doesn’t want to be my friend?” Zayn seemed confused by the statement. Owens gave the mic back to Rhodes and walked off.
After the break in the parking lot, Owens was walking to his car when Zayn stopped him. Zayn told him to forget everything they talked about in the ring. Zayn said they are friends and that he loves him. Owens got into his car and drove off.
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Mixed Tag Team Match: Dominik Mysterio & Rhea Ripley defeated Santos Escobar & Zelina Vega (7:11)
Ripley and Mysterio beat Escobar and Vega in a fun match. Everyone looked great, but Vega had a good showing and was the highlight of the match.
Dominik Mysterio caught Santos Escobar with a dropkick at the bell. Ripley tagged in and tried to kick Escobar, but he grabbed her leg. Zelina Vega came off the top rope, wiping out Ripley. Escobar caught Mysterio with a clothesline from the apron to the floor. Vega then hit a moonsault to the floor, wiping out Mysterio and Ripley as they went to a break.
Mysterio was firmly in control until Escobar hit a perfect-looking dropkick. Ripley came in and dropped Mysterio onto Escobar for a near fall, but Vega broke up the pin. Escobar and Mysterio collided in mid-air when they both went for a crossbody.
Vega ran wild on Ripley with a running knee and tilt-a-whirl DDT for a near fall. Mysterio broke up the pin attempt to a ton of heat. Ripley sent Vega to the floor as Escobar and Mysterio fought on the top rope. They did a tower of doom spot with Escobar superplexing Mysterio as Ripley gave Escobar a powerbomb. Vega took out Mysterio with a hurricanrana. Ripley took advantage and hit the riptide on Vega for the win.
After the match, Dominik took the mic and mocked his father. He called Rey a deadbeat dad and claimed he didn’t belong in the Hall of Fame.
They showed Rey Mysterio walking on the big screen as they went to a break.
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Rey Mysterio/Dominik Mysterio Segment
Dominik and Rey were great in the segment. They added another layer to their story teasing the WrestleMania match. Rey cut an awesome promo.
Rey asked Ripley to let him talk to his son. Ripley stood in the background. Dominik got in Rey’s face and mocked him for being a bad father. Rey admitted to missing birthdays and important events. He added that he still loves his son. The fans cheered. Rey noted the business is selfish, but he did everything for his family. He wanted to give his wife, daughter, and son everything he never had. Rey added that the Mysterio name got Dominik out of trouble more than once.
Rey became emotional and started talking about the Hall of Fame. He wishes his son would be by his side that night. Rey’s tone changed, and he noted that if some punk kid called him out for WrestleMania, he would kick his ass. The fans popped and broke into a “kick his ass” chant. However, Rey still refuses to face Dominik. The fans broke into loud boos. Rey walked off. Dominik mocked his father for walking away again.
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WrestleMania Showcase qualifying match: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez defeated Emma & Tegan Nox (3:45)
The crowd was dead at times, but they came alive for the finish. Morgan and Rodriguez got a great reaction.
Wade Barrett explained that this year, WrestleMania features a men’s and women’s fatal four-way showcase match. The qualifying matches start tonight.
Morgan and Rodriguez worked together for the early advantage. Nox fought back and rocked Morgan with a knee to the face. Nox and Emma isolated Morgan on their side of the ring.
Emma used a suplex for a two-count. Morgan recovered and hit the backstabber. Rodriguez tagged in and hit a series of clotheslines. Rodriguez hit a fallaway slam and twisting elbow for a near fall. Rodriguez hit the powerbomb on Emma, allowing Morgan to hit oblivion for the win.
Rodriguez and Morgan qualify for the fatal four-way at WrestleMania.
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Charlotte Flair/Rhea Ripley Segment
Another excellent segment tonight building up a key WrestleMania match. Flair and Ripley were incredible in their back-and-forth. But the post-match brawl was off the charts. They fought around the ringside, beating up security guards as they tried to fight each other.
Flair entered the ring and noted that the more things change, the more they stay the same. When she was a baby in her mother’s arms, the business was built on Rhodes as a challenger and Flair as the champion. This year at Wrestlemania, Rhodes is the challenger, and Flair’s the champion once again.
Flair turned her attention to Rhea Ripley. If Ripley wants to be a star, she has to beat Flair. Flair noted Riply couldn’t beat her three years ago. She noted the same would happen this year at WrestleMania because the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio interrupted and made their way to the ring. Ripley noted that men and women in the locker room fear her, except for Flair.
Ripley praised Flair for being a champion and a star. She admits that Flair is one of the biggest stars in the company. But Ripley wants, no, needs the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Ripley needs to be a star. She promises to beat Flair for the title, and Flair will finally learn to fear Ripley.
Dominik got in Flair’s face, allowing Ripley to cheap-shot her. Ripley and Mysterio jumped out of the ring. Flair got back to her feet and attacked Ripley. Flair and Ripley go into a massive brawl at ringside. Flair accidentally kicked a security guard, sending him over the barricade. Ripley threw Flair over the announce table. Flair recovered, jumping off the table onto Ripley.
Referees and security struggled to keep Ripley and Flair apart. Ripley rocked a security guard with a head butt. Officials finally broke up the brawl.
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– Kayla Braxton spoke with Sami Zayn in the back. Zayn discussed Kevin Owens driving off and Jey Uso wanting to confront him. He brought this on himself and will accept whatever happens later.
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Xavier Woods defeated LA Knight (2:19)
Knight got a big pop during his entrance. The fans chanted “Yeah” with Knight. Knight hit a DDT for the early advantage. As they fought on the top rope, Woods knocked Knight off and hit a middle rope missile dropkick. Woods followed with a broken arrow for a near fall.
Knight fought back and dropped Woods face-first. He set up for a suplex, but Woods countered into a small package for the win.
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– Cole and Barrett discussed The Great Muta going into the Hall of Fame this year.
-Kayla Braxton tried to approach LA Knight, but he saw Rey Mysterio. He offered to face Dominik since Rey won’t. Knight will change his name to LA Mysterio and be a deadbeat dad too. Mysterio got in Knight’s face and slapped him.
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Number One Contender’s match: Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus DQ (11:38)
Sheamus and McIntyre beat the hell out of each other in a great match until the finish. The DQ finish worked into the storyline, setting up the triple threat with Gunther for WrestleMania.
Sheamus came to the ring with his shillelagh while Drew McIntyre brought his sword. They pointed at the WrestleMania sign.
Intercontinental Champion Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci came down to ringside to get a closer look.
McIntyre offered a handshake, but Sheamus refused. Sheamus and McIntyre went back and forth, with neither getting the advantage. They traded stiff shots until Sheamus hit the Irish curse backbreaker for a near fall. Barrett tried to talk to Gunther on commentary. Gunther yelled at Barrett for being unprepared.
Sheamus went for the ten beats of bodhran, but McIntyre broke free. Sheamus climbed to the top rope, but McIntyre cut him off. McIntyre hit a massive superplex as they went to a commercial.
Back from the break, McIntyre and Sheamus traded hard chops against the ropes. Sheamus finally hit the ten beats of bodhran to take over. He set up for the Brogue kick. McIntyre avoided and hit a neck breaker. He went for the Claymore, but Sheamus countered with a knee for a near fall. The fans erupted in a “This is Awesome” chant.
Sheamus and McIntyre traded hard clotheslines. McIntyre and Sheamus hit the Claymore and Brogue kick at the same time. They were both down when Gunther stopped the referee’s count. Gunther yelled at McIntyre and Sheamus, allowing Kaiser and Vinci to jump McIntyre and Sheamus for the disqualification.
Imperium beat down the faces. It ended when Gunther powerbombed Sheamus onto McIntyre.
As Imperium walked away, Adam Pearce appeared on the big screen. He announced Gunther defends his title against McIntyre and Sheamus in a triple threat at WrestleMania. He pointed out that Gunther claimed he only wanted one opponent, but his actions indicate otherwise.
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Sami Zayn Confronts Jey Uso
Not usually a fan of a lot of talking segments, but they were all awesome tonight. Each segment built up its respective storyline masterfully.
The closing segment was terrific, adding another layer to The Bloodline story. Owens and Zayn finally hugging got a massive reaction from the fans. They did a great job building up to the hug in the last few weeks.
Jey Uso and Sami Zayn wasted no time going face-to-face. Jey noted he never trusted Zayn, but Zayn slowly won over everyone in The Bloodline. Jey was furious that Zayn betrayed him. Jey let his guard down, and Zayn made him look like a fool. He called Zayn a fake ass Uce.
Zayn knows Jey is tired of Roman Reigns’ abuse. He thinks Jey wasn’t mad that Zayn hit Reigns with a chair. Zayn thinks Jey wanted to hit Reigns with the chair, and that’s why he’s mad.
Jey and Zayn ended up brawling, with Zayn getting the better of Jey. Jimmy Uso ran out to help his brother. The Usos beat down Zayn around ringside, hitting him with the stairs. They threw him back in the ring.
Suddenly, Kevin Owens’s music hit to a big pop. Owens appeared in the ring behind The Usos. Owens ran wild on the Usos and hit the pop-up powerbomb and stunner.
Owens and Zayn were left alone in the ring. They stood across from each other as the fans broke into a loud “Hug it out” chant. Owens and Zayn finally hugged to a gigantic pop. They showed Cody Rhodes watching in the back with a subtle smile.
Owens and Zayn watched The Usos leave as SmackDown ended.
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Next Week: Rey Mysterio goes one-on-one with LA Knight.