WWE SmackDown 17th of March 2023

In-Ring Segment: Cody Rhodes
Rhodes asks Kansas City what they want to talk about. Tensions have been high the last few weeks, but there is something he has to say. He respects the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, but he will defeat him at WrestleMania. Rhodes doesn’t want to talk about this other individual, he would rather do that to his face. Rhodes asks Kevin Owens to join him in the ring. Owens’ music eventually hits, and Owens stomps to the ring. Before Owens can speak, Rhodes says this conversation needs to involve someone else as well. Sami Zayn. Zayn walks to the ring and shakes hands with Rhodes.
Rhodes says this he is going to peel back the curtain a bit. He has nothing but respect and admiration for Owens. Owens helped him get on his feet when he first left WWE. He can never repay Owens, but he is going to try now. They need to have THE conversation. Owens says he’s heard everything Zayn has had to say. Zayn says he hasn’t heard what Owens has to say. They have turned on each other many times over the years, but they always get back together. Zayn tells Owens to say what he’s got to say, punch him in the face, and do whatever he needs to so they can get past this.
Owens asks Rhodes if he’s got what he wants because he’s ready to leave. He isn’t interested. Rhodes retorts it’s not about what he wants. It’s about what’s right and what the WWE Universe wants. Zayn says they can do something remarkable. They can be the ones that bring down the ones. They don’t have to be friends, they just have to work together. Owens asks why he would want to do this with someone who doesn’t want to be his friend. He’s all set. Owens thanks Rhodes for trying. Owens walks away.

Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley vs. Zelina Vega and Santos Escobar
After a distraction from Ripley, Dominik surprises Escobar with a dropkick. Ripley tags in and tries a boot, but Escobar catches her foot. Vega tags in and leaps over Escobar and flattens Ripley with a senton. Ripley rolls out of the ring. Escobar takes out Dominik with a dive. Vega wipes out Ripley with a springboard moonsault. After the break, Dominik is working over Escobar. Vega gets the tag and lands a flurry of offense. Vega sends Dominik flying with a ranna. Ripley sneaks up behind Vega and hits Riptide for the win.
Winners- Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley
After the match, Dominik grabs a mic and says his father is nothing but a deadbeat. Rey Mysterio is shown walking into the arena on the ‘tron. After the break, Mysterio joins Dominik and Ripley in the ring. Dominik jokes that his father showed up tonight, but he never showed up for him before. Mysterio asks Ripley to leave to have a moment with his son. Dominik blames Mysterio for being a waste of a father. Mysterio cuts Dominik off before he’s about to call home a POS.
Mysterio says he knows he wasn’t there for Dominik all the time, but that doesn’t mean he loves him any less. Dominik is Mysterio’s world. Mysterio made sacrifices so Dominik could have a life he didn’t. Mysterio starts to cry as he asks Dominik to stand next to him on the stage when he is inducted into the hall of fame. It may be too late, but Mysterio’s worst regret is the person Dominik has become. If it were any other punk-ass kid challenged him, he would gladly accept. Since it’s Dominik, he won’t. It’s not worth it. Mysterio drops the mic and walks away.

WrestleMania Showcase Qualifying Match: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodrigez vs. Emma and Tegan Nox
Nox chops Rodrigez, but it has no effect. Morgan tags in and gets double-teamed by Emma and Nox. Nox and Emma take turns working over Morgan. Rodrigez manages to tag in and clear the ring. Rodrigez hits her powerbomb on Emma. Morgan asks for the tag. Rodrigez tosses Emma into the ropes for Morgan can hit Oblivion. Morgan pins Rodrigez.
Winners- Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodrigez

In-Ring Segment: Charlotte Flair
Flair says the more things change, the more they stay the same. When she was a child, wrestling was built on Rhodes as a challenger and Flair as a champion. This year, WrestleMania is built on Rhodes as a challenger and Flair as a champion. She has either challenged for or was holding the title during WrestleMania. No matter what, she was always the star. Ripley wants to be the star, but she can’t. She didn’t have it three years ago, and she doesn’t have it now.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Ripley and Dominik, inturupt. Ripley notes she chose Flair instead of Bianca Belair. She notes that she will get back to her issue with Belair at a later time. In the back, everyone is afraid of her… accepts Flair. And that pisses Ripley off. Flair is a 14-time champion for a reason. Ripley doesn’t want Flair’s title; she needs it. After WrestleMania, Flair is going to call Ripley champion, and she is going to learn to fear her. Dominik gets in Flair’s face and tells her Mami is going to beat her.
Ripley cheapshots Flair. Dominik and Ripley try to leave, but Flair tackles Ripley. Officials and referees run to ringside. Flair and Ripley brawl all over ringside. Flair tries to boot Ripley, but she misses and takes out a referee. Ripley floors a security guard with a headbutt. Ripley tosses Flair over the commentary desk. Flair back body drops Ripley over the barricade. Flair dives off the table onto Ripley and several security guards. The brawl continues until they are finally separated.

Xavier Woods vs. LA Knight
Knight controls the match. Woods rolls Knight into Backwoods from out of nowhere for the win.
Winner- Xavier Woods

Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre (Winner faces Gunther at WrestleMania for the Intercontinental Championship)
IMPERIUM walks to ringside to watch the match. Back in the ring, Sheamus and McIntyre trade counter after counter. McIntyre manages to hit a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Sheamus and McIntyre trade strikes. Sheamus cuts McIntyre off with an Irish curse backbreaker. McIntyre kicks out. McIntyre blocks Sheamus’ ten beats attempt. Sheamus tries a fireman’s carry, but McIntyre slips off his shoulders. McIntyre runs into a boot from Sheamus. Sheamus goes up top. McIntyre nails him with a right hand. McIntyre hits a superplex.
After the break, Sheamus lands the ten beats. Sheamus calls for the Brogue Kick. McIntyre ducks it and hits a neck breaker. Kip up by McIntyre. McIntyre calls for the Claymore. Sheamus counters with a high knee strike. McIntyre kicks at two. Sheamus and McIntyre trade strikes. McIntyre and Sheamus hit each other with a Brogue Kick and a Claymore at the same time. The referee starts to count both men out. Gunther gets in the ring and yells at the referee. Gunther yells at Sheamus and McIntyre, “who’s it gonna be?” Vinci and Kaiser attack McIntyre and Sheamus from behind. The referee calls for the bell.
No contest
During the beatdown, Gunther Gunther-Bombs Sheamus on top of McIntyre. As Gunther and the rest of IMPERIUM walk up the ramp, Adam Pearce tells Gunther his actions tonight tell him that he wants to face both McIntyre and Sheamus. So Pearce is going to grant his wish. At WrestleMania, Gunther will defend against Sheamus and Drew McIntyre in a triple-threat match.

In-Ring Segment: Jey Uso
Before Jey can speak, Sami Zayn’s music hits. Zayn walks to the ring and notes that Jey wanted him to pull up, so he is. Zayn asks Jey how he wants to do this. Jey says he didn’t want Zayn to be part of his family. Everyone liked Zayn but him. The minute he put his guard down, Zayn betrayed him. He made him look stupid. From day one Zayn has been a fake ass Uce. Jey says he doesn’t have a choice. Zayn says that’s not true. Jey is making a choice to take Reigns’ crap. Zayn says Jey isn’t mad at him, he’s mad at himself. He is mad Zayn hit Reigns with a chair before Jey could. Zayn says Jey always had a choice.
The crowd starts to chant, “you aren’t Ucey!” Jey goes nuts and attacks Zayn. Jimmy Usos hit the ring and join the beatdown. The Usos hit Zayn in the head with the ring steps. Kevin Owens’ music hits. The Usos turn towards the entrance to wait for Owens. Owens appears behind them in the ring. Owens attacks. The Usos swarm. Owens drops Jey with a Stunner. Jimmy eats a Pop-up Powerbomb. The crowd chants, “hug it out!” Owens and Zayn hug in the middle of the ring. Cody Rhodes is shown backstage, watching from a monitor with a smile.