SUMMARY
- The latest episode of WWE SmackDown was thoroughly enjoyed by the fans.
- Several interesting segments and jaw-dropping matches took place.
The March 22, 2024, episode of Friday Night SmackDown was a top-notch one and was thoroughly enjoyed by the fans. The show featured several exciting segments and jaw-dropping matches. Also, numerous superstars made an appearance during the episode.
During the latest episode of WWE SmackDown, LA Knight got arrested, The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes broke his promise, and other things took place. With that, here’s a look at what happened during the recent episode of the Blue Brand.
Rey Mysterio battled Santos Escobar
On the latest episode of SmackDown, Rey Mysterio battled Santos Escobar in a singles bout. Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that this was Mysterio’s first match since he made his return from injury. With that, the match began with Rey dominating Escobar.
Mysterio nailed a back elbow, followed by a sliding dropkick. However, Escobar soon gained control. He delivered a superkick and a slinging face-buster. Moving ahead, both of them kept dominating each other inside the squared circle.
Meanwhile, a mysterious person ran interference during the match. However, he was soon revealed to be Dominik Mysterio. Following the interference, Escobar nailed the 619 on Mysterio and followed it with a Phantom Driver for the victory. Thus, Santos Escobar defeated Rey Mysterio in the first match of the night.
A WrestleMania XL Tag Team Qualifying Match took place on SmackDown
After the breathtaking battle between Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar, a WrestleMania 40 Tag Team Qualifying match took place. The match took place between Austin Theory and Grayson Waller vs. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows.
The match began with Theory and Gallows. However, soon Theory tagged Waller in, and he got punched by Gallows. Thereafter, Anderson tagged in and wiped out their opponents with a Somersault Senton. Karl then nailed a flipping neckbreaker on Austin, followed by a Double-A-spinebuster.
Finally, towards the end, Grayson punched Anderson. Meanwhile, Theory rolled up Gallows, and Waller helped him pick up the win. Thus, Austin Theory and Grayson Waller defeated The O.C. (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows).
Naomi battled Iyo Sky
The third match of the night took place between Naomi and Iyo Sky. The match began with Naomi dominating Sky. She nailed a running dropkick, followed by a bulldog. Meanwhile, Sky recovered and came with a missile dropkick. She then delivered a running Meteora.
Towards the end, Naomi once again gained control and delivered a head-scissor DDT. However, Asuka and Kairi Sane soon ran interference. With that, Iyo delivered an over the Moonsault for the victory, and thus Iyo Sky defeated Naomi.
Following the match, the Damage CTRL got inside the ring. Thereafter, they sprayed poison mist on Naomi’s face. Soon, Bianca Belair came out for the save. Though Bianca put up a good fight, she was later overpowered by the members of Damage CTRL. Thus, it seems the feud between Damage CTRL, Bayley, Belair, and Naomi is far from over.
Jade Cargill made a big decision
It’s been a long time since Jade Cargill signed with WWE. However, it was not announced which brand she would be seen performing for going forward. Meanwhile, on the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown, she made the big decision.
🚨 THIS IS HUGE!!! 🚨 @Jade_Cargill will make her first official appearance as a #SmackDown Superstar NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/JcNtvMuT0W
— WWE (@WWE) March 23, 2024
A video of Jade Cargill playing highlighted that next week, Cargill will be making her first official appearance as a SmackDown star. Thus, it can be understood that Jade has officially signed with Friday Night SmackDown. With that, it is to be seen who will emerge as Cargill’s first opponent upon her arrival on the blue brand of WWE.
The backstage segment between Kevin Owens and Pretty Deadly
On the latest episode of SmackDown, Kevin Owens was spotted backstage with Nick Aldis, who is the general manager of SmackDown. Meanwhile, Pretty Deadly interfered with them. With that, a war of words began between Owens and Pretty Deadly.
At #WrestleMania, @FightOwensFight and @RandyOrton will be opponents in a Triple Threat Match for the #USTitle.
Next week on #SmackDown, they’ll be tag team partners fighting against #PrettyDeadly! 🔥#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/dhlGJzsMeg
— WWE (@WWE) March 23, 2024
This eventually led to Kevin challenging Pretty Deadly to a match next week. Also, Owens’ partner for the match is revealed to be Randy Orton. Meanwhile, The Viper made an appearance backstage. However, soon Kevin and Randy began walking off. But Owens returned and took out Pretty Deadly with a punch.
LA Knight got arrested
During SmackDown, a video played that featured LA Knight showing up at AJ Styles’ house. Thereafter, the duo began fighting outside Styles’ house, which led to Knight getting arrested. However, later, it was revealed that Styles dropped the charges against Knight, and so he was released.
LA Knight showed up to AJ Styles’ house & got arrested!#SmackDown @WWE pic.twitter.com/t6d2TSvL09
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) March 23, 2024
Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that AJ Styles and LA Knight are all set to face each other in a singles match at WrestleMania 40. However, it seems they began fighting prior to the final showdown at the Grandest Stage of Them All. With that, fans will definitely look forward to their match.
Another WrestleMania XL Tag Team Qualifying match took place
A second WrestleMania 40 tag team qualifying match took place on SmackDown. This match took place between The Street Profits and The Authors of Pain. The match began with AOP dominating The Street Profits.
Congratulations to Street Profits for successfully defeating Authors of Pain 👏👏👏
They have advanced into the next stage of WrestleMania Tag Team Championships tournament opportunity…#SmackDown #wwe pic.twitter.com/EaDajUdWR2
— Wrestle_The_One (@Wrestlish_WAR) March 23, 2024
Meanwhile, Angelo Dawkins of The Street Profits gained control against AOP. Finally, Montez Ford tagged in and took down Akam for the victory. Thus, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) defeated The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar).
Cody Rhodes failed to keep his promise
Among all the other segments and matches, fans were looking forward to the face-to-face interaction between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. With that, The Tribal Chief walked out with Paul Heyman. He then mentioned that Heyman made a promise that he would appear alone without The Bloodline, so he did.
Moving ahead, Cody Rhodes came down to the ring. It seemed Rhodes also kept his promise and came out alone. With that, Roman began taking shots at Cody and Seth Rollins. Meanwhile, The American Nightmare also backfired and took shots at Reigns and The Bloodline.
Thereafter, Roman and Heyman began walking off. However, soon Reigns’ music played, and Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso came out. They then began approaching The American Nightmare. However, soon enough, Jey Uso and Seth Rollins also came through the crowd.
full Segment of Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns
From Tonight’s #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/XXic1hRfJR
— DREAM (@TeamCody__) March 23, 2024
With that, The Bloodline refused to launch an attack. Meanwhile, it seems that while both Reigns and Rhodes promised to appear alone on the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown, they didn’t keep their promises. However, it will now be seen what will happen when Roman and Cody clash at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Thus, this is what happened on the latest episode of WWE SmackDown. With that, fans will now look forward to the upcoming episode of Blue Brand. Meanwhile, WrestleMania 40 is fast approaching, and it will be interesting to see what other matches will be announced before the final showdown.