Welcome to the Fightful.com live discussion & coverage for the 2/17/2023 edition of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX.
We will bring full results and breakdowns for every match and segment on the show. Follow Fightful on Twitter.com/Fightful and Facebook.com/FIGHTFULONLINE
Here's what is set for the show.
Preview.
WWE SmackDown (2/17/2023).
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: GUNTHER (c) (w/ Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci of IMPERIUM) vs. Madcap Moss (w/ Emma).
- Drew McIntyre & Sheamus vs. Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) (w/ "Valhalla" Sarah Logan).
- Asuka vs. Liv Morgan.
- Sami Zayn Speaks in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler vs. Shotzi & Natalya.
Refresh the site as the show happens for the latest updates.
Live Coverage.
- There was a graphic shown paying tribute to Jerry Jarrett. You can see reactions to his passing from across the wrestling world here. Fightful sends their condolences to Jarrett's friends, family & fans.
- After a video package recapping the proceedings from the 2/10/2023 edition of SmackDown, Wade Barrett & Michael Cole welcomed the audience to the broadcast before transitioning to the opening match.
Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler vs. Shotzi & Natalya.
Natalya got a headlock takedown on Baszler to begin the match before getting her in a Schoolboy for a near fall. Natalya hit a snap-mare into a thrust kick on Baszler for a near fall. Rousey tagged in before the two locked up, with Rousey being poured with a "YOU CAN'T WRESTLED" chant from the crowd. After Rousey stopped locking up with Natalya, Shotzi & Natalya tagged in before Shotzi hit a knee lift, a forearm strike & a Question Mark kick on Baszler, but Baszler got a wrist lock on Shotzi before Rousey got an arm bar on Shotzi on the ropes. Baszler tagged back in and tried to stomp Shotzi's arm, btu Shotzi evaded and hit a dropkick on Baszler before Rousey tagged in, but Shotzi hit a double under-hook Dragon suplex on Rousey before locking in the Cattle Mutilation. Shotzi tossed Rousey out of the ring before hitting a Tope Suicida on Rousey. Natalya hit a lariat on Baszler before Shotzi got to the top rope and hit a diving cross-body on Rousey & Baszler to the outside before the commercial break.
Back from the break, Baszler got Shotzi's left arm and aimed her offense. Shotzi hit a series of forearm strikes on Baszler & tried to tag in Natalya, but Baszler tossed Shotzi across the ring before hitting a cheap shot on Natalya. Rousey tagged in, but was greeted by Shotzi with a Pendulum DDT from Shotzi onto the apron. Shotzi got back in the ring & hit an enziguri kick on Baszler before tagging in Natalya. Natalya hit two lariats, a Russian Leg Sweep, a Release German Suplex & a Liger Bomb on Baszler for a near fall. Natalya went for the Sharpshooter, but Baslzer evaded before Rousey tagged in & went for a Diving Cross-body, but Natalya evaded and locked in the Sharpshooter on Rousey. Natalya dragged Rousey to the center of the ring, btu Baszler distracted Natalya to break the hold. Natalya & Shotzi went for the Hart Attack, but Baszler pulled Natalya out of the ring before Rousey locked in the Yuji Gatame for the Submission win.
Winners: Shayna Baszler & Ronda Rousey.
- There was a video package recapping the relationship of Sami Zayn with The Bloodline ahead of Zayn's challenge against Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reings on the 2/18/2023 edition of Elimination Chamber.
- Hit Row (Ashante Adonis, Top Dolla & B-Fab) came to the ring to have an in-ring musical performance running down on Canada's culture & sports teams, but the lights immediately went out before the lights came back up & revealed Uncle Howdie & Bray Wyatt. Wyatt & Howdie attacked the two before Howdie hit the Sister Abigail on Adonis. Wyatt told the crowd "You're welcome Montreal" for the attack. Wyatt said that whomever wins the match between Bobby Lashley & Brock Lesnar should run.
- There was a video package of NFL 2023 MVP Patrick Mahomes holding a Kansas City Chiefs-branded WWE Championship Belt after winning the 2023 Super Bowl.
- Madcap Moss & Emma cut a promo backstage ahead of his Intercontinental Championship Match against the champion GUNTHER later in the night.
- Famous MMA Journalist & host of the MMA Hour Ariel Helwani was in the crowd detailing how they were anticipating Sami Zayn's apperance in Canada tonight.
Drew McIntyre & Sheamus vs. Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) (w/ "Valhalla" Sarah Logan).
Ivar & Sheamus began the match before Sheamus send him to the outside with a shoulder tackle. The four brawled on the outside before Ivar & Sheamus got back in the ring, but Sheamus clotheslined Ivar out of the ring immediately before the commercial break.
Back from the commercial break, Erik got a near fall on Sheamus before Ivar tagged in and slammed Sheamus onto the mat. Ivar got a nerve hold on Sheamus, btu Sheamus got out of the hold. Ivar hit two back elbows on Sheamus before Erik tagged in and hit a series of strikes on Sheamus. Sheamus got up & hit two forearm strikes on Erik, but Erik tagged in Ivar who laid out Sheamus & McIntyre. Ivar went for a Hip Attack, but Sheamus caught him with a lariat. McIntyre & Erik tagged in before McIntyre hit two lariats, a back elbow, a corner splash into a Belly-to Belly Suplex on Erik & hit consecutive neck breakers on Erik & Ivar. Erik & McIntyre exchanged strikes before McIntyre hit a Michinoku Driver on Erik for a near fall. Sheamus tagged in and laid in the strikes on Ivar, but Ivar greeted him with a boot before climbing to the top rope. Sheamus attacked Ivar & got him before hitting an Avalanche Green Bay Slam on Ivar before the commercial break.
Back from the break, McIntyre & Sheamus hit the Beats of the Battering on Erik & Ivar before McIntyre hit a spinebuster on Ivar, which Sheamus followed up with a Diving Knee Drop on Ivar for a near fall. Erik tagged in, but was greeted with a Powerslam by Sheamus before going for the Brogue Kick, but Erik caught him and hit a powerbomb into a deadweigth Liger Bomb on Sheamus for a near fall. Erik went for a dive off the second rope, but Sheamus caught him with a V-Trigger before tagging in McIntyre. McIntyre hit a Tope Con Giro on Erik & Ivar to the outside before getting Erik back in the ring. Valhalla distracted McIntyre before Erik hit a Spinebuster on McIntyre. Ivar hit an Avalanche World's Strongest Slam on McIntyre, but Sheamus broke the pin before Erik slammed Sheamus into the ring post. McIntyre hit the Glasgow's Kiss on Erik, but Ivar greeted him with a Spin Kick before hitting a Viking Splash on McIntyre for a near fall. Erik & Ivar went for the Ragnarok on McIntyre, but Sheamus greeted Ivar with a Brogue Kick before McIntyre ran the ropes & hit the Claymore Kick on Erik for the pinfall win.
Winners: Drew McIntyre & Sheamus.
- There was a video recap of Sami Zayn turning on The Bloodline before Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa attacked Zayn from the 1/28/2023 edition of Royal Rumble.
- Kayla Braxton had a brief interview with Rey Mysterio after he & Santos Escobar exchanged masks last week. Karrion Kross & Scarlett immediately interrupted Mysterio & said that he once wanted to be a father, but refrained after seeing Dominik Mysterio's distain to him. Kross told Rey Mysterio to do something about it.
Asuka vs. Liv Morgan.
Carmella joined the broadcast team for the match. Morgan & Asuka locked up before Asuka got the leg scissors on Morgan, but Morgan got out of the hold. Asuka offered to shake Morgan's hand, btu Auska pullled her hand off. The two exchanged strikes before Asuka hit a release German Suplex into a sliding dropkick on Morgan for a near fall. Asuka got a wrist lock on Morgan while Raquel Rodriguez confronted Carmella in the broadcast team while Nikki Cross came from out of nowhere and hugged Michael Cole & sat on top of the broadcast table. Meanwhile in the ring, Asuka hit a gut kick before climbing to the middle rope, but Morgan caught her with a Code Breaker into the Oblivion on Asuka for a near fall before the commercial break.
Back from the break, Asuka got a arm hold on Morgan, btu Morgan attacked Asuka's ribs before hitting a back elbow, a rising knee strike & went for a springboard move, but Asuka caught her mid-air with a knee lift for a near fall while Nikki Cross hugged Michael Cole. Asuka hit a series of chest kicks on Morgan, but Morgan powered up & hit a pimp slap on Asuka. Asuka laughed before hitting two back fists on Morgan, but Morgan responded with jabs & an enziguri kick on Asuka. Morgan hti a corner back elbow, a rising knee strike & a diving shotgun dropkick on Asuka before hitting a springboard Code Breaker on Asuka. Morgan went for the Oblivion, but Asuka rolled over & locked in The Sacrifice (Double Arm Breaker Hold) for the Submission win.
Winner: Asuka.
- Carmella hit a thrust kick on Asuka, but Natalya greeted Carmella with a lariat before Nikki Cross hit a twisting neck breaker on Natalya. Raquel Rodriguez hit the Tejano Bomb on Cross before getting Liv Morgan back up, but Morgan hit a Code Breaker on Raquel before Asuka hit a Roundhouse Kick on Rodriguez. Morgan & Asuka locked eyes before Morgan rolled out of the ring.
- Ariel Helwani was in the crowd to see how the fans were excited for Sami Zayn.
- Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER was interviewed backstage by Megan Morant, were GUNTHER promised that anyone that faces him would fall.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match.
GUNTHER (c) (w/ Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci of IMPERIUM) vs. Madcap Moss (w/ Emma).
Moss & GUNTHER began the match before GUNTHER hit two chops on Moss, but Moss responded with a takedown. Moss hit a series of corner spears on GUNTHER, btu GUNTHER responded with a headlock takedown on Moss before hitting a shoulder tackle on Moss. Moss hit a series of punches & a shoulder tackle on GUNTHER, but GUNTHER responded with a chop & a big boot for a near fall. GUNTHER got another headlock on Moss, but Moss reversed it with head scissors before hitting corner spears on GUNTHER, but GUNTHER caught him with a Guillotine Choke. Moss pushed GUNTHER to break the hold before hitting a pop-up Spinebuster on GUNTHER before sending him to the outside with a shoulder tackle before the commercial break.
Back from the break, the two exchanged strikes before GUNTHER dropped Moss with a flurry of chops. GUNTHER went for a Powerbomb, but Moss slipped over GUNTHER & ran the ropes before hitting a back suplex into a running lariat on GUNTHER for a near fall. Moss went for a suplex, but GUNTHER slipped & hit a chop on Moss. Moss hit a Vertical Suplex into the Punchline Neckbreaker on GUNTHER for a near fall. Moss hit another corner spear on GUNTHER before going for a Body slam, but GUNTHER hit a vicious chop on Moss before climbing to the top rope. Moss hit a forearm strike on GUNTHER, but GUNTHER responded with a chop. Moss leaped onto the second rope & got GUNTHER before hitting an Avalanche Fall-Away Slam on GUNTHER for a near fall. Moss went for another corner spear, but GUNTHER caught him with a Sleeper Hold before hitting a Powerbomb on Moss for the pinfall win.
Winner: GUNTHER (AND STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion).
- Sami Zayn came to the ring serenaded by the Montreal crowd with his former theme song "Worlds Apart" by CFO$ to cut a promo ahead of his match on the 2/18/2023 edition of Elimination Chamber. After a lengthy while of the crowd doing chants for Zayn, Zayn was continued to be rained with "You Deserve It" chants from the crowd as tears dropped from his eyes. After a lengthy while of cheering, Zayn spoke to the crowd in French before saying that for himself & for Montreal, Elimination Chamber was a once in a lifetime moment. Zayn rallied the troops in French by telling Reigns this: "Tomorrow You're In my Fucking house", & promised that Reigns was going down before slamming the microphone to the mat. Zayn was serenaded by the Montreal crowd to end the broadcast.
- Check out the post-show podcast for a full review of the show on Fightful's YouTube & Twitch channels. You can check Fightful's Results Section here.
