WWE SmackDown recap, review: Rousey brings the heat in singles return
By Ryan Satin
FOX Sports WWE Analyst
Ronda Rousey proved that she hasn’t lost a step with a dominant return to singles action this week on WWE SmackDown.
Welcome back to my "Highs and Lows," this time covering the March 4 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, featuring Rousey’s first match on the blue brand, the reveal of Pat McAfee’s WrestleMania opponent and a big win for Ricochet.
First, here’s a recap of the match results:
— Ricochet defeated Sami Zayn via pinfall, after interference from Johnny Knoxville, to become WWE Intercontinental champion.
— Naomi defeated Carmella via pinfall in roughly two minutes.
— Drew McIntyre defeated Jinder Mahal via pinfall.
— The Usos retained the SmackDown Tag Team Championship over the Viking Raiders via pinfall.
— Ronda Rousey defeated Sonya Deville via submission.
SMACKDOWN HIGHS
Ronda Rousey vs. Sonya Deville
With WrestleMania one month away, it was wise to showcase Rousey as a badass competitor again.
Exhibiting that in-ring fire that made her first run in the company so unique while also busting out some new offense was a good reminder of what she’s still capable of.
Love it or hate it, Ronda is a force of nature in a WWE ring, and that was on full display against Sonya Deville (who played her role well here).
There’s no shame in getting beaten by Ronda Rousey, yet Deville got enough offense in during their match to retain credibility going forward as an evil authority figure, even if she got help from Charlotte Flair to make that happen.
Speaking of Charlotte, I enjoyed her cocky rhetoric on commentary.
Playing up that Ronda is a one-trick pony who only has the armbar to her advantage, then having that blow up in her face by getting locked in the ankle lock to close the show was simple but appreciated storytelling.
Pat McAfee and Austin Theory
This was a fun way to kick off Pat McAfee’s first WrestleMania feud.
Austin Theory has been getting pushed on Raw for weeks under the tutelage of Vince McMahon, so it was logical that the match offered to McAfee by the WWE Chairman would go to the Superstar he has been grooming for success.
Theory slapping the SmackDown announcer in the face felt like a move out of McMahon’s playlist, too, and Pat’s reaction going quickly from surprised to furious was believable for that type of scenario.
Personally, I’m a big fan of McAfee getting a WrestleMania match. He showed in NXT that he’s dedicated to putting on an impressive performance when given the opportunity. I expect no less on "The Grandest Stage of Them All."
Ricochet wins Intercontinental Championship
The fact that this is the first title Ricochet has won since his 21-day run with the United States Championship in 2020 is incredible.
It’s great to see things finally happening for the 33-year-old, high-flying Superstar. He’s filled with untapped potential, and holding gold again is a big step in the right direction.
SmackDown badly needs depth on the babyface side of things, especially once WrestleMania is over, and Roman Reigns needs more opponents, so this is a good way to build Ricochet back up.
Defending the IC title at WrestleMania against Sheamus or Shinsuke Nakamura would be a hell of a first title defense, too.
Sami Zayn and Johnny Knoxville
I’ve got no issue with Sami Zayn losing the Intercontinental Championship due to interference from Johnny Knoxville.
Fans are already invested in their feud, and frankly, they didn’t need a title on the line at WrestleMania to create more interest in the match.
Instead, dropping the title to Ricochet gives other competitors a spot on the WrestleMania card while adding heat to the program between Knoxville/Zayn, so it was the right call to make.
I also got a few laughs out of Sami raging out in the backstage area after, as well as Johnny talking about breaking his "wee-wee" one time.
SMACKDOWN LOWS
Nothing
This was a good episode in which each segment meant something.
You could argue New Day getting their ATV smashed by Sheamus/Ridge Holland didn’t really work, but the only issue with that lies in my continual confusion over how Big E has been handled since his WWE title loss.
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