Smackdown opened this week with an in-ring promo from WWE United States Champion Logan Paul. In something I thought I would never see, Prime is sponsoring WWE, and their logo will be featured in the middle of the ring during PLE’s. He then brought his friend, internet star KSI, to the ring. Very quickly, Randy Orton would sneak his way into the ring. Logan Paul would manage to slip away, leaving KSI on the receiving end of an RKO. Prime would get their money’s worth as Randy Orton gave the drink a live review (a positive one) before embarrassing KSI by pouring it on him. If this Prime logo in the ring is for real, it certainly seems like an awkward money grab and, if nothing else, collusion. How can you the United States Champion’s separate brand logo be in the middle of the ring?
Adding INSULT to INJURY! 😂
Check out this incredible alternate angle of @RandyOrton's RKO to @KSI! @PrimeHydrate #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/c3mDaLs1xx
— WWE (@WWE) March 9, 2024
This was followed up by a tag-team match. Kevin Owens would join Randy Orton to take on Grayson Waller and Austin Theory. Orton and Owens would win fairly handily, with an RKO for the finish. After the match, Logan Paul would blindside both winning men. Randy Orton was quick to recover, and Logan Paul wasted no time in rolling out of there.
ONCE AGAIN WITH THE BRASS KNUCKS! 👊@LoganPaul just came after @RandyOrton and @FightOwensFight wielding his signature brass knuckles! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/NnbsAJjBld
— WWE (@WWE) March 9, 2024
Bobby Lashley would take on Karrion Kross in a heavyweight match-up. They were having a good back-and-forth until the Authors of Pain rolled into the ring in aid of Karrion Kross. Street Profits were not long to make their way down the ramp to help their faction member, Bobby Lashley. AOP would fight with Street Profits while B-Fab fought off Scarlett so Lashley could get his hands on Karrion. However, there was just too much going on. The Authors of Pain, after disposing of The Street Profits, assisted Karrion in finishing off Bobby.
EXCLUSIVE: @realKILLERkross gloats over his domination over @fightbobby, suggesting that The All Mighty should make @MontezFordWWE the leader of his faction. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/k14Tf2e4IS
— WWE (@WWE) March 9, 2024
It’s Tiffy time! Tiffany Stratton would take on Michin. Michin has never been given a solid push in WWE, but she is good enough a veteran to put on a good match while putting over the up-and-comer. Stratton would ultimately win by hitting a very strong Alabama Slam, followed by her finisher, “The Prettiest Moonsault Ever.”
Does anybody have the time?
Seems like it's TIFFY TIME! ⏰💅Can @tiffstrattonwwe get a W over @MiaYim or is her TIME UP? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/5ARiG46gcS
— WWE (@WWE) March 9, 2024
Dragon Lee would face off against Legado del Fantasma’s Angel in an attempt to redeem the disrespect the faction has been dishing out to LWO/Rey Mysterio. There has been a lengthy storyline between LWO and Legado del Fantasma. The match was a good mix of Lucha style with good power moves. Dragon Lee would technically win the match, but it was Legado del Fantasma’s music playing at the end, as all members would jump Dragon Lee immediately after the match.
⚠️ NEVER UNDERESTIMATE DRAGON LEE ⚠️
This match between @dragonlee95 and @AngelGarzaWwe is incredible! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/y4GJAmrwbU
— WWE (@WWE) March 9, 2024
The Bloodline and The Rock would make their entrances separately to meet up in the ring. The Rock and Roman Reigns would quickly embrace, showing their unity. Roman even changed his catchphrase to “Acknowledge Us.” Cody Rhodes’ music would hit, and Seth Rollins would accompany him to the ring. They were there to answer the offer extended to them last week on Smackdown (if I’m being honest, I thought it was already on). The stipulations were covered in last week’s Smackdown Recap article, exclusive to Greenville Sports Media. The four would take turns exchanging words before reaching the point of introducing a new stipulation – if Cody loses, that’s his last title shot against Roman. Smackdown would end with The Rock going at Cody, saying he was a mistake of a birth to his late father. Cody would get a good slap across the face before it went off the air.
A SLAP for a SLAP. 👋💥@TheRock took things too far and @CodyRhodes made sure he paid for it. We are SO ready. @CodyRhodes and @WWERollins vs. @TheRock and @WWERomanReigns at #WrestleMania XL! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7UqPOEPVHD
— WWE (@WWE) March 9, 2024
That wraps WWE Smackdown for this week, stay tuned to Greenville Sports Media for more of my regular wrestling articles.
Howe Fresh (of The Wrasslin Corner on The Real Fresh Channel)
for Greenville Sports Media
and check out my weekly opiniated podcast “The Wrasslin Corner.”