WWE SmackDown live results: Women’s title match, Goldberg appears
The build to the Elimination Chamber continues on tonight’s SmackDown from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair will defend her title against Naomi tonight. Last week, Naomi demanded a match with Sonya Deville because Deville cost her the women’s Royal Rumble. Adam Pearce agreed but gave Naomi a title shot instead.
Later that night, Royal Rumble winner Ronda Rousey chose Flair as her WrestleMania 38 opponent. Rousey had a brief confrontation with Flair and Deville in the ring. It ended with Rousey putting Deville in an armbar.
Last week, Goldberg returned and challenged Universal Champion Roman Reigns to a title match at Elimination Chamber. WWE has announced that Goldberg will be appearing on tonight’s show.
Natalya is set to go one-on-one with Aliyah in a “Dungeon Rules” match tonight. The match can only end via pinfall or submission.
Plus, there will be an In-Zayn segment with Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs appearing as Sami Zayn’s guests. Nakamura will defend his Intercontinental title against Zayn on SmackDown next Friday.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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They recapped the Ronda Rousey-Charlotte Flair segment from last week.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves are the commentators tonight. Cole noted Pat McAfee’s at the Superbowl this weekend.
Sonya Deville Segment
This was a fine opening segment.
Sonya Deville was already standing in the ring to start SmackDown. She recapped Rousey attacking her last week. However, Deville doesn’t care if it’s Rousey or Naomi. There will be consequences. Deville then announced that she was fining Rousey $100,000 and suspending her indefinitely.
Adam Pearce interrupted and read an email from Mr. McMahon. McMahon claimed he hates officials that abuse their power. McMahon declined Deville’s petition to suspend Rousey. He added that Deville couldn’t lay a hand on Naomi. If Deville interferes in the main event, then her job is in serious jeopardy.
Naomi made her way to the ring. She pointed out that McMahon said Deville couldn’t lay a hand on her. He never said anything about Naomi laying a hand on Deville. Naomi then slapped Deville in the face.
Cole and Graves ran down the lineup for tonight.
Los Lotharios defeated New Day (10:21)
New Day and Los Lotharios had a good fast-paced opener.
They recapped New Day defeating Los Lotharios from last week.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Los Lotharios. She called them two of the most handsome men in WWE. They promised to win because they’re the lethal lovers. The ring announcer referred to them as the Lethal Lovers Los Lotharios.
Los Lotharios introduced a Kiss Cam and kissed a woman in the front row on her cheek.
New Day had the early advantage, but Los Lotharios quickly took over. They isolated Kofi Kingston in their corner, but Kingston fought back. Big E then hit a big splash on Humberto on the apron. Angel tried to get involved, but Big E sent him to the floor.
Big E launched Kingston over the top rope onto the heels at ringside.
Back from the break, the heels were firmly in control. Big E recovered and caught Angel with a belly-to-belly suplex. Kingston and Humberto got the tag at the same time. Kingston ran wild and sent Angel to the floor. He followed up with the boom drop on Humberto.
Kingston went for trouble in paradise, but Humberto avoided it. Big E and Kingston went for Midnight Hour, but Angel attacked Kingston. Kingston caught Angel with a hurricanrana off the apron. New Day then hit a powerbomb/double foot stomp on Humberto for a near fall.
Los Lotharios regained control. Angel hit a moonsault to the floor on Big E, and Humberto hit a moonsault on Kingston for a near fall. Kingston fought back and caught Humberto with trouble in paradise. The finish came when Kingston went for a sunset flip, but Angel reversed and rolled him up for the win.
In the back, Megan Morant tried to interview The Viking Raiders. However, The Usos jumped the Raiders and beat them down.
Roman Reigns Sit Down Interview
Michael Cole interviewed Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman in the back.
They recapped Heyman explaining his reasons for turning on Brock Lesnar and Goldberg’s return.
Cole mentioned that last week featured the return of an icon. Heyman assumed he was talking about him. Cole explained that he was talking about Goldberg.
Cole listed off Goldberg’s accomplishments and winning streak in WCW. Reigns responded that everyone would be winning if he was in WCW because they’d still be in business.
Cole noted Goldberg beat Brock Lesnar at the Survivor Series a few years ago. Reigns said Lesnar’s old news and mocked him. Cole mentioned that Reigns vs. Goldberg was supposed to happen two years ago at WrestleMania. Reigns promised to smash Goldberg at Elimination Chamber. He added that he’s going to “Goldberg” Goldberg.
Dungeon Style Match: Natalya defeated Aliyah (2:41)
Natalya and Aliyah had a fun short match.
They recapped Aliyah defeating Natalya three times in a row, including in 3.17 seconds, via DQ and count-out.
Cole and Graves pushed that Aliyah embarrassed Natalya the last few weeks. Natalya had the early advantage with a side headlock. Aliyah fought back and blew a kiss at Natalya. Natalya quickly regained control and hit a Michinoku Driver for a near fall.
Aliyah recovered and hit a Thesz Press. She followed up with a bulldog for a two-count. Aliyah briefly locked on a half-crab, but Natalya escaped. The finish came when Natalya locked on the sharpshooter, and Aliyah made it to the ropes. However, rope breaks didn’t count, so Aliyah tapped out.
After the match, Natalya continued to attack Aliyah until Xia Li made the save.
The Rock narrated a touching video about his father, Rocky Johnson, celebrating Black History Month. The fans broke into loud “Rocky” chants.
In-Zayn
This was a fine segment.
Earlier today, Johnny Knoxville wrote loser on a Sami Zayn poster and ripped up a Sami Zayn Forever t-shirt.
Zayn claimed he would not let Knoxville’s actions get to him. Instead, he’s going to turn his attention to his Intercontinental title match with Shinsuke Nakamura next week. He’s also going to focus on his podcast. Rick Boogs interrupted and introduced Nakamura.
Zayn was surprised that Nakamura showed up for the podcast because he’s been ducking Zayn for weeks. Zayn can’t wait to see the look on Nakamura’s face when he beats him. Zayn knows that Nakamura is working with Knoxville to distract him.
Nakamura asked Zayn if he had seen the movie. Zayn assumed he meant Jackass: Forever. Instead, Nakamura said next week’s movie is called Jackass: Defeated. Zayn became angry. He pointed out that he used to be in Nakamura’s corner, but now he has Boogs.
Zayn mocked Boogs. Boogs yelled and grabbed the mic. Somehow, the mic shocked Boogs, and he fell into the corner. As Nakamura checked on Boogs, Zayn hit the Helluva kick.
They recapped Drew McIntyre hitting the Claymore on Madcap Moss last week. In the back, Moss decided not to be in Corbin’s corner because of his injuries. Moss added that he’s going to try to get out of facing McIntyre at Elimination Chamber.
They showed a billboard in Saudi Arabia promoting Becky Lynch vs. Lita at Elimination Chamber. Graves added that WWE continues to influence the world.
Happy Corbin defeated Cesaro (3:50)
Corbin and Cesaro had a fine match.
They joined the match in progress. Cesaro had the early advantage, but Cobin quickly took over. He slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Cesaro fought back, but Corbin hit the Deep Six for a near fall.
Corbin placed Cesaro on the top rope, but he fought back with a suplex. Cesaro avoided the around the ring post clothesline and sent Corbin to the floor. He followed up with a running uppercut against the barricade. Cesaro then hit a springboard uppercut for another near fall.
Cesaro rocked Corbin with a boot to the face, but Corbin bounced off the middle ropes with a clothesline. He followed up with End of Days for the win.
In the back, Madcap Moss spoke with the doctor in the trainer’s room. Moss tried to convince the doctor to cancel his match with McIntyre at Elimination Chamber. McIntyre showed up with Angela and forced Moss to change his mind. McIntyre revealed their match is now Falls Count Anywhere.
Goldberg Sit Down Interview
Michael Cole interviewed Goldberg in the back. Cole claimed there are rumors that Goldberg is making one too many returns. Goldberg rejected the rumors and noted he’s still the same Goldberg.
They discussed the WrestleMania match that didn’t happen two years ago. Cole mentioned Reigns said Goldberg will acknowledge him. Goldberg laughed and promised to beat Reigns and face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defeated Naomi to retain (19:49)
Flair and Naomi had a really good match. They both worked hard and told a good story. The fans were into the match and went crazy when Ronda Rousey ran in at the end.
They recapped the Sonya Deville-Naomi angle from earlier tonight.
Flair was in control early and caught Naomi with a shoulder tackle. Flair celebrated, but Naomi jumped up to her feet. She caught Flair with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and sent her to the floor. Naomi followed up with a twisting plancha.
Back from the break, Flair was firmly in control, but Naomi fought back. She rocked Flair with a kick to the head and hit a flying cross body for a close near fall. Flair took back over and slowed the pace down. Flair missed a boot in the corner. Naomi kicked the leg and hit a jawbreaker for a near fall.
Flair recovered and rocked Naomi with hard chops. She followed up with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two-count. Naomi fought back and hit a blockbuster for another close near fall. Flair rolled to the floor, so Naomi went after her. Flair took advantage and threw Naomi into the stairs to regain control.
Back from the break, Flair slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Flair went for second tilt-a-whirl backbreker but Naomi reversed into a pin for a near fall. She followed up with a springboard kick for a close two-count. The fans broke into a brief “Naomi” chant.
Naomi sent Flair into the middle turnbuckle. She attempted a hurricanrana, but Flair countered into a powerbomb for a close two-count. Flair went for a moonsault, but Naomi rolled out of the way. Flair landed on her feet and went for a standing moonsault, but Naomi got her knees up. Naomi then hit the rearview for a very close two-count. The fans reacted big for that near fall.
Naomi went for the split-legged moonsault, but Flair got her feet up. Naomi recovered and hit a full nelson bomb for another close two-count. Naomi then hit the split-legged moonsault for a close near fall. The finish came when Naomi went for the rearview again, but Flair knocked her down and hit Natural Selection for the win.
After the match, Sonya Deville got in Naomi’s face. Naomi heard enough and attacked Deville. Flair jumped back in and helped Deville beat down Naomi.
Ronda Rousey’s music hit to a huge pop. She sprinted down to the ring and kicked Deville. She caught Flair with body shots until she jumped out of the ring. Rousey took down Deville and went for the armbar on the good arm, but Flair pulled her out of the ring.
Rousey and Naomi watched as Flair and Deville walked away to end SmackDown.
Next Week: Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Goldberg meet Face-to-Face. Plus, Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura defends against Sami Zayn.