Originally published at SmackDown notes: New IC champion, Theory challenges McAfee, Rousey submits Deville - POST Wrestling | WWE AEW NXT NJPW Podcasts, News, Reviews
By: Dave LeClair
SmackDown aired live from the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. Leading into the show, WWE advertised a match between Sami Zayn and Ricochet, Ronda Rousey’s first singles match on SmackDown, and a Tag Team Championship match between The Viking Raiders and The Usos.
Match Results:
- Ricochet defeated Sami Zayn to win the Intercontinental Championship
- Naomi defeated Carmella
- Drew McIntyre defeated Jinder Mahal
- Usos defeated The Viking Raiders to retain SmackDown Tag Team Championship
- Sheamus versus Big E was thrown out before it started
- Ronda Rousey defeated Sonya Deville
Johnny Knoxville came out during the Sami Zayn versus Ricochet match and distracted Zayn, leading to Ricochet taking the Intercontinental Championship.
We've got a new Intercontinental Champion!!!!#SmackDown #ICTitle @KingRicochet pic.twitter.com/mcUUqfhsoE
— WWE (@WWE) March 5, 2022
Zayn challenged Johnny Knoxville to a match at the most Stupendous, Giant, Awesome, Craziest, Zanyest, and whatever other superfluous words you want to use WrestleMania of all time.
Later in the show, Knoxville did an interview where he accepted the match, calling Zayn a “sad, strange little man.”
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1499938479001808898?s=20&t=roTwX2QycBmWZbrWi-eO0g
Austin Theory said that he will be Pat McAfee’s opponent for WrestleMania. We’ll have to wait and see if this stays the direction, or if the reported match between Vince McMahon and Pat McAfee happens.
"I'm your opponent at #WrestleMania and I'm going to beat you to a pulp."
Will it be @austintheory1 vs. @PatMcAfeeShow at @WrestleMania 38?!?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/WTuK7hwYxH
— WWE (@WWE) March 5, 2022
Naomi took on Carmella in a singles match, which Naomi won quickly. Noteworthy was Sasha Banks accompanying her to the ring with a new Glow-inspired look that makes her fit right in with Naomi.
Next WWE Women's Tag Team Champions???#SmackDown #WrestleMania @NaomiWWE @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/SmzTF2jYav
— WWE (@WWE) March 5, 2022
WWE continued the build to Drew McIntyre versus Happy Corbin with a backstage segment and an in-ring promo by McIntyre. Most interesting was Madcap Moss doing a Scottish accent and making a joke that was almost funny.
WWE wasted a bunch of time with entrances for a Big E versus Shaemus match that never happened. Instead, Sheamus and Ridge Holland attack Kofi Kingston and Big E before the match. During the commercial, they destroyed their ATV.
Not the ATV!!! 😩 @WWESheamus @RidgeWWE #SmackDown @WWEBigE @TrueKofi pic.twitter.com/kXfje17zOO
— WWE (@WWE) March 5, 2022
Kofi Kingston and Big E versus Shaemus and Ridge Holland in a tag team match and Queen Zelina versus Sasha Banks added to the 3/11 episode of SmackDown.
Charlotte Flair joined the commentary team for Ronda Rousey versus Sonya Deville. She didn’t say anything of note, other than noting that she’s not impressed with Rousey’s armbar. Flair went in the ring and Ronda hit her with a slick ankle lock, proving that she has more than one move. She sealed it in by pointing to the sign as the show went off the air.
She's got more than an armbar, @MsCharlotteWWE! #SmackDown @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/7OhDnnnN5y
— WWE (@WWE) March 5, 2022