SmackDown 23.02.2024

Finally, the Radiant Team is back in Salt Lake City, Utah, for my favorite show, and tonight promises a lineup of intriguing matches. The All Mighty Era is set to face Final Testament, Liv Morgan will try to teach the young Tiffany Stratton a lesson, and the most anticipated match of the night is Drew McIntyre versus LA Knight—the Megastar against the man destined for greatness. No more waiting—let's get into it!

Tiffany Stratton Steals the Show

The first match of the night saw Bianca Belair, who’s set to compete in the Elimination Chamber, sitting ringside, clearly interested in scouting her potential future opponents. Last week, Tiffany Stratton initiated the aggression, and tonight she had the opportunity to prove whether it’s truly "Tiffany Time" against Liv Morgan. Personally, I believed Liv, with her experience and momentum, had the upper hand, but Tiffany might just surprise us all.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Successful attempt of Backbreaker by Liv.

The match started with neither woman gaining a clear advantage—Stratton's strength versus Morgan's agility. Tiffany absorbed a lot of punishment, just as she did in her match against Zelina Vega, and even botched her signature Moonsault, but it wasn’t the end for her. Tiffany’s determination to make her mark was clear when she slapped Bianca in the face, sparking chaos. Seconds later, she threw Liv into Bianca, resulting in a brutal Spear that sent Belair flying out of the ring. The real shock came when Stratton rolled up Liv for the win. Tiffany made a huge statement tonight—disrespecting Belair, securing a victory, and demanding everyone’s attention.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Bianca tried to punish Tiffany but cause only loss for Morgan.

Drew McIntyre: Driven by Desperation

Backstage, Drew McIntyre shared his thoughts on what he called the biggest match of his career. The Elimination Chamber is his pathway to the title, and he needs it just as much as the title needs him. McIntyre declared that if he doesn’t make it to WrestleMania or if he loses, then everything in his career would have been for nothing. And speaking of failures, Drew took a jab at CM Punk, calling his return to WWE as useless as a loss at WrestleMania.

Bobby Lashley interrupted, reminding Drew of their past, particularly when he beat McIntyre at WrestleMania and left him unconscious. There are no friends for the Scottish Warrior tomorrow, only the fierce drive to achieve his dream, no matter the cost.

Jimmy Uso’s Pride and Bloodline Tensions

Jimmy Uso was feeling proud backstage, boasting to Roman Reigns about crushing his brother Jey’s dreams. The Tribal Chief found it amusing. Paul Heyman then appeared, informing Roman that Grayson Waller was present. With the Grayson Waller Effect set to host Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins this weekend, it seems like the Bloodline is cooking up something big for those two. Personally, I think attacking Jey was a mistake—Bloodline already has powerful enemies in Cody and Seth. But then again, Roman’s decisions are rarely wrong.

Bron Breakker Debuts with Dominance

SmackDown welcomed a new face tonight: Bron Breakker. Right from the start, his entrance was striking, with a giant dog on the titantron and Breakker himself barking like a beast. Could this be WWE’s next “Big Dog”? His opponent, Dante Chen, was a familiar face from NXT but hadn’t left much of an impression.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Bron's debut Spear on SmackDown.

Bron, on the other hand, looked unstoppable. His dominant presence and relentless power were on full display, with his Spear being a signature move. It seems WWE is grooming him to be the next big thing, perhaps the heir apparent when Roman Reigns eventually steps away. Whether Bron is truly as strong as he looks remains to be seen, but time will tell.

Legado Del Fantasma Takes Out LWO

Backstage, Elektra Lopez issued a warning to Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro—they would pay for how they treated her. That karma hit quickly as the two were ambushed by Legado Del Fantasma members. Santos Escobar, clearly fed up with LWO, declared that he would end Wilde and Cruz because LWO was finished. With Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee absent, it seems no one can save them from their fate. The LWO appears to be on the verge of collapse, and it’s only a matter of time before they completely fall apart.

Judgment Day's Youngsters Face the #1 Contenders

In a tag team bout, Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh tested their skills against the future opponents of the tag team champions. Though I saw little chance for them against the British duo of Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne, it was an opportunity to see what the youngsters could bring to the table.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Mysterio attempts to put Tyler on three Amigos.

As always, Bate’s unique offense was on display, and Dunne’s sadistic, methodical style—breaking fingers, arms, and legs—was captivating. Dom and JD had a few moments of success, mostly through dirty tactics, but Dunne’s technical mastery eventually sealed their fate.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Tagteam Tyler Driver by Catch Republic.

At one point, Dominik attempted the Three Amigos, only to be countered and slammed to the mat again—a move he fails at far too often. JD came close to hitting his finisher, A Devil Inside, but a misstep allowed Dunne and Bate to capitalize. The British pair executed their tag finisher and secured the victory. After the match, the current tag team champions tried to attack, but Bate and Dunne smartly slipped away. Tomorrow’s collision between these teams could very well end with new tag champions.

Kevin Owens Trolls Backstage

Backstage, Grayson Waller, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory were sharing mutual admiration when Kevin Owens decided to join the conversation. Owens, never short on sarcasm, hoped that Logan would bring his brass knuckles to their match so he could smash his face in. “Where’s your shirt, Austin?” Owens quipped before walking away. Paul Heyman then appeared, informing Waller that the Tribal Chief wanted a word with him—an audience reserved just for Grayson.

Street Profits vs. Authors of Pain

I've seen Rezar and Akam a few times before, and they’re massive, dangerous men—true monsters. Despite the Street Profits' experience, their opponents are absolute beasts. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins used their speed and agility to keep AOP at bay for a while, but every move only seemed to fuel Rezar and Akam’s anger.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Street Profits showing early dominance against AoP.

Ford showed incredible resilience, enduring a prolonged beating before tagging in Dawkins, who showcased his impressive combat skills. The Street Profits even managed to hit their tag finisher, but Akam saved Rezar at the last second. The match was fiery, with interference from Scarlett, B-Fab, and Karrion Kross, who caused chaos at ringside.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Kross injuring Bobby's hand. 

At one point, Kross, in the midst of the brawl, injured Bobby Lashley’s hand with a brutal chair shot, potentially jeopardizing Lashley's chances in tomorrow's match. The injury looked severe, and it might cost Bobby the Elimination Chamber. Ultimately, while the Street Profits fought valiantly, AOP’s raw power was too much to overcome. Rezar and Akam secured the victory, and Lashley’s fate now hangs in the balance. If Kross doesn’t regain focus, though, he may still face consequences from the Final Testament.

Bayley Reunites with Dakota Kai

In the medical area, Bayley found Dakota Kai, who claimed she was brutally attacked by Damage CTRL. Bayley, feeling responsible, promised Kai she had her back. While I still have my doubts about Kai’s true intentions, if she’s sincere, Bayley may have found herself a solid ally in her quest for vengeance.

Grayson Waller’s Secret Mission

Paul Heyman escorted Grayson Waller to Roman Reigns, who gave him a secret order. We didn’t hear what it was, but it’s bound to be significant.

Clash of the Warriors: LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre

The night’s main event pitted LA Knight, a fast-rising star, against Drew McIntyre, who is driven by a desperate need to win tomorrow’s Elimination Chamber. While Knight is a force, he doesn’t need the victory as badly as McIntyre does, but this match was set to be a thrilling clash.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Logan and Kevin join commentary for this match. 

The action became even more intriguing when Logan Paul arrived at ringside to observe his opponents up close, and soon after, Kevin Owens joined the commentary team. Knight took the early lead, surprising everyone with his speed and power. Drew seemed momentarily lost, not expecting such intensity from the Megastar.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Most impressive move in WWE SuperPlex by LA Knight, YEAH!

As the match progressed, McIntyre found his rhythm, delivering hard-hitting offense and regaining control. Knight fought back with DDTs, dropkicks, and shoulder blocks, but Drew’s dominance continued. Kevin was impressed by Drew’s resilience, just before LA hit a devastating Superplex from the top rope, shaking the ring.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Drew is just a physical monster!

The match took a chaotic turn when Drew accidentally threw Knight into Owens, sparking Kevin’s fury and resulting in a disqualification. What followed was a wild series of finishers—Knight hit Drew with a BFT, and just when Logan thought he had the upper hand, Bobby Lashley Speared both Logan Paul and Kevin Owens. Despite his injury, Lashley stood tall. But it wasn’t over yet—Drew knocked Lashley out with a Claymore. And if you thought that was the final move, Randy Orton appeared out of nowhere, delivering a devastating RKO to Drew. The most dangerous competitor struck again, leaving his mark as a potential favorite to win tomorrow.

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - Beginning of chaos.

Final Thoughts and Ranking

SmackDown 23.02.2024 - The only one who stands tall after finnisher fest Randy Orton. 
Tonight’s SmackDown delivered as expected, packed with action and unexpected twists. Roman Reigns issued Grayson Waller secret orders, likely aimed at disrupting Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. The Final Testament showcased their dominance, foreshadowing a massive showdown at WrestleMania. The reunion of Bayley and Dakota Kai adds another intriguing layer to the storyline, while Drew McIntyre’s desperation makes him a compelling figure heading into the upcoming Elimination Chamber. Overall, it was a fantastic show, earning a solid 7.5/10. Stay safe, and I'll see you at the PLE Elimination Chamber!