Jey Uso is coming back home … but will he be welcomed back to the Bloodline? That’s the biggest question hanging over tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
Jey left no doubt that his loyalties lie with his blood family this week on Raw, when he simultaneously superkicked Sami Zayn and ripped the hearts out of fans who hoped he would stand up to his Tribal Chief. That’s a big mark in his favor when it comes to his standing in the group.
Yet he made Roman Reigns sweat it out quite a bit, and that’s something the champ generally doesn’t like. With both men in the building tonight, we’ll see if it’s all love or tough love on the menu for Jey — and brother Jimmy, for that matter, as Reigns tasked him with getting Jey back into the fold.
A blank on the WrestleMania match list will also be filled in this week on SmackDown. Gunther knows he’ll be defending his Intercontinental Championship in Los Angeles; he just isn’t sure who will be standing across the ring from him. A Fatal 5-Way will determine that tonight, with Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Karrion Kross, LA Knight and Xavier Woods (subbing in for injured Kofi Kingston) all vying for the title shot.
There’s also tag team action on tap for Pittsburgh. Braun Strowman and Ricochet have formed an effective duo so far, one that can fend off almost any challenge. They’ll have their hands full this week, however, as they have to step in against the Viking Raiders.
Plus the word is that WWE will (finally) start announcing WWE Hall of Fame inductees for 2023, which fans have been chomping at the bit to see.
WWE SmackDown results in 60 seconds:
- Paul Heyman is standing outside in the rain waiting for The Usos to arrive, and Jey says he’ll say what he needs to say about his betrayal of Sami Zayn in the ring tonight
- The Fatal 5-Way match for a WWE Intercontinental Championship shot at WrestleMania ends with both Drew McIntyre and Sheamus making simultaneous pins
- Heyman says the Bloodline can handle challenges in many different ways, but he thinks the way to attack Cody Rhodes is with the truth
- McIntyre and Sheamus continue to bicker backstage, with the other Brawling Brutes needing to drag their leader away
- Rey Mysterio is announced for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023, Dominik Mysterio quickly interrupts, and Legado Del Fantasma isn’t happy about it
- The Judgment Day def. Legado Del Fantasma by pinfall, and Dominik Mysterio insults his dad some more
- Charlotte Flair asks Adam Pearce for an opponent for a match tonight and tells him to “hang in there”
- Viking Raiders def. Braun Strowman and Ricochet by pinfall
- Gunther berates Pearce for his inability to find him a challenger, singular, but AP says Sheamus and McIntyre will face each other next week to decide who that will be
- Charlotte Flair def. Shotzi by submission …
- … then has a microphone showdown with Rhea Ripley
- Is all good in the Bloodline? Jey Uso says yes, but the battle with Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn is just beginning
Please scroll down for more details on every match and major non-match segment.