Solo Sikoa Beats Matt Riddle, Kross Targets Nakamura, Aussie Open Retain | WWE SD x AEW Recap
Here is your fight size update for WWE Friday Night SmackDown and AEW Rampage on Friday, April 14, 2023.
Here is your fight size update for WWE Friday Night SmackDown and AEW Rampage on Friday, April 14, 2023.
WWE SmackDown
– Solo Sikoa battled Matt Riddle in the main event. After The Usos interfered, they were ejected from ringside, as were Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. The two teams eventually returned to ringside and brawled with each other. Sikoa capitalized on the chaos and pinned Riddle with the Samoan Spike. Sikoa attacked Riddle after the match and duumped the broadcast table on top of him.
#TheBloodline remains STRONG.
This is not the way @SamiZayn, @FightOwensFight and @SuperKingofBros saw tonight going…#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7f0qAKLm2P
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2023
– Shinsuke Nakamura returned to SmackDown and defeated Madcap Moss.
We missed you @ShinsukeN! —#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/JbH737mFTo
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 15, 2023
– Karrion Kross targeted Shinsuke Nakamura, as Scarlett showed a tarot card with Nakamura’s face on it.
TICK TOCK @realKILLERkross @Lady_Scarlett13 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/SiRoNC2Fz5
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 15, 2023
– Xavier Woods took on LA Knight. The two stars threw everything they had at each other, and Knight tried to steal the win by pulling on Woods’ tights during a pin attempt. The referee caught him, and when Knight tried to argue about it, Woods rolled the self-proclaimed megastar up for the win.
Two can play that game @RealLAKnight —@AustinCreedWins #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/yiZ33f2PuL
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 15, 2023
– Backstage, Xavier Woods confronted WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther, who vowed to beat some respect into him. Woods challenged him to a match.
“I’m going to beat the respect into you!” —
Are we going to see @AustinCreedWins vs. @Gunther_AUT for the #ICTitle ahead of the upcoming #WWEDraft? —#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/chcENrvoVz
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2023
– Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn kicked off WWE SmackDown. Zayn commented on their remarkable win at WWE WrestleMania and noted that they haven’t had much time to think about it because there’s so much going on. Owens and Zayn noted that the looming WWE Draft created a sense of uncertainty. The former Universal Champion made it clear that they would be fighting champions, no matter where they wound up. The Usos and Solo Sikoa interrupted them, and Jey noted that they didn’t know anything about pressure. Zayn fired back that they had to report back to their “daddy” Roman Reigns. Jimmy claimed that The Bloodline is stronger than ever, and he vowed that The Usos would regain the gold. Jey stated that there aren’t any cracks in The Bloodline. He said Sami would turn on Owens, just like he turned on The Bloodline. The two teams started brawling, and Sikoa got involved. Matt Riddle made the save, prompting The Bloodline trio to leave.
“You guys are the ones who have to report back every single week empty handed to your daddy, @WWERomanReigns.” —@SamiZayn @FightOwensFight #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/cFQr25Eknm
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2023
– In an interview, The Judgment Day (Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Domink Mysterio) discussed their feud with the LWO (Rey Mysterio, Santos Eacobar, Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, and Zelina Vega). The Judgment Day then came to the ring, and Priest looked back on slamming Bad Bunny through a table. He threatened to beat the popular rapper up again if he put his hands on The Judgment Dy. The LWO snuck up behind The Judgment Day and attacked them.
These three just LOVE watching @ArcherOfInfamy put @sanbenito through a table…. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/g6DQ9gcDPI
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2023
– Santos Escobar clashed with Damian Priest. In the chaotic closing moments, Dominik Mysterio got involved, Zelina Vega took the fight to Rhea Ripley, and Priest pinned Escobar. Rey Mysterio saved Escobar from The Judgment Day after the match. The WWE Hall of Famer then briefly brawled with his son until The Judgment Day escaped.
He was this close to hitting Dom Dom with the 619 —
Things continue to get HEATED between #TheJudgmentDay and The LWO! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/1I1kMl80Qv
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2023
– WWE announced the dates for the 2023 WWE Draft.
– Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan celebrated winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green confronted them. Deville questioned the nature of their title win, and the duo noted that Adam Pearce gave them an unfair opportunity. Morgan stated that Green and Deville would be their next challengers.Rodriguez and Morgan gained the upper hand during a brief brawl and sent the challengers running.
.@YaOnlyLivvOnce and @RaquelWWE just showed @ImChelseaGreen and @SonyaDevilleWWE exactly why THEY are the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! —- #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ErZ1YqLhTD
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2023
– The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) attacked Braun Strowman and Ricochet backstage.
An uncalled for and VICIOUS attack from #TheVikingRaiders on #BraunStrowman and @KingRicochet… ––@Ivar_WWE @Erik_WWE @WWEValhalla #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Ys0I1FVRN6
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2023
– Paul Heyman announced that The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) will challenge Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship on the April 28 episode of WWE SmackDown.
“The Tribal Chief is losing patience with the TWO OF YOU.” —@HeymanHustle @WWEUsos #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/DzP2Hokvga
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 15, 2023
– Check out the card for the April 21 episode of WWE SmackDown here.
– In a WWE Digital Exclusive, LA Knight commented on his loss and stated that he will come out on top in the 2023 WWE Draft, no matter where he ends up.
EXCLUSIVE: Fresh off the loss to @AustinCreedWins, @RealLAKnight feels cheated, but doesn’t care because he knows he will come out on top in the 2023 #WWEDraft.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/HZFtmfcFdj
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2023
– In a WWE Digital Exclusive, Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green refused to be interviewed.
– Shinsuke Nakamura shared his thoughts on his return in a WWE Digital Exclusive.
EXCLUSIVE: A returning @ShinsukeN says he went away to Japan and had a match with the Great Muta and has come now back recharged and ready to win World Championships. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/EFXblMrZsa
— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2023
AEW Rampage
– Aussie Open (Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher) successfully defended the IWGP Tag Team Championship against Best Friends (Trent Beretta and Chuck Taylor).
What an incredible victory by the IWGP Tag Team Champions #AussieOpen!@kylefletcherpro @DUNKZILLADavis#AndSTILL!
Watch #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/Ni9wXbA5z8
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– FTR announced that they signed four-year contracts with AEW, and they intend to retire once they’re up. Wheeler made it clear that they wouldn’t stop until they were the best team of all time.
“This is our redemption story.”
Two-time #AEW World Tag Team Champions #FTR (@DaxFTR @CashWheelerFTR) with a message for everyone right now on #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/663xdg2DKJ— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– Mark Briscoe, Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, and Satnam Singh defeated Spanish Announce Project (Luther, Serpentico, and Angelico) and “Man Scout” Jake Manning.
HUGE chokeslam by @hellosatnam, topped off with the Froggy-Bow by @SussexCoChicken on @manscoutmanning secures the victory, but Mark Briscoe is not having any of it
Watch #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/M4iepU8O9b
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– A video package hyped up the upcoming TNT Championship match between Wardlow and Powerhouse Hobbs.
“Just like you destroyed my car, I’m destroying you and remaining the TNT Champion” @TrueWillieHobbs @RealWardlow
It’s #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/hn154jFR1E— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– Taya Valkyrie defeated Emi Sakura. Leila Grey distracted Valkyrie after the bell, and Jade Cargill brawled with the AEW newcomer. Grey and Cargill ganged up on Valkyrie, and Jade left her rival lying with the Jaded.
.@thetayavalkyrie sends @emisakura_gtmv on the Road to Valhalla, but TBS Champion @Jade_Cargill gets the last laugh
Watch #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/0MHfu9vWyA
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– Jeff Hardy commented on his return and stated that he crawled out of his personal hell. Matt Hardy made it clear that their team was ready for their match with The Firm (Stokely Hathaway, Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty, and Big Bill). The lineup included HOOK, Isiah Kassidy, Matt Hardy, and Jeff Hardy. The match will take place at The Hardy Compound, and it will be The Firm Deletion.
The newly formed team of @MATTHARDYBRAND @JEFFHARDYBRAND @730hook & @IsiahKassidy are ready to take on #TheFirm! Tune in to #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/sggvjKP3VE
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– Jose the Assistant announced that Dralistico was challenging El Hijo del Vikingo to a match for the AAA Mega Championship. The match was announced for the April 22 episode of AEW Rampage.
#LFI has gold in mind! @JoseAssistant @DRALISTICO_LFI @vikingo_aaa #AEWRampage is on TNT! pic.twitter.com/Y6Ioc621VW
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, and Jake Hager rapped. The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn charged the ring and took the fight to the JAS trio. They then challenged Parker, Menard, and Hager to a match on AEW Dynamite.
#TheAcclaimed (@platinummax @bowens_official) & @realbillygunn want to take scissoring to the next level with @thedaddymagic —
Watch #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/3t8hDGlnMS
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry defeated Shawn Spears. The veteran showed his respect for Perry after the bell.
In a match that could have gone either way, #JungleBoy Jack Perry @boy_myth_legend scores the close victory!
Watch #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/jU2rBKSXWB
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– A video package hyped up the feud between The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) and Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta).
This war is far from over…@KennyOmegamanX @youngbucks
Watch #AEWRampage on TNT! pic.twitter.com/ZoUw2TAUZ2— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) April 15, 2023
– Check out the card for the April 19 episode of AEW Dynamite here.
– Shawn Spears praised “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry in a tweet after the show.
He’s got my vote.
A special talent.
Go for it all man. @AEW #AEWRampage pic.twitter.com/FoDKYkWSpK
— Shawn Spears (@ShawnSpears) April 15, 2023
– In a tweet, Emi Sakura emphasized her desire to compete at AEW All In at Wembley Stadium.
Wembley is my Dream, Freddie Mercury gave me a second life, inspired me to do everything I’ve done in America. I wanna go to Wembley as a Champion, and give him my heart and Title. That’s the minimum to repay all I’ve received. Her Highness will be a Champion #AEW #AEWRampage https://t.co/V9UZKUZ4qx
— Emi Sakura (@EmiSakura_gtmv) April 15, 2023
– TBS Champion Jade Cargill sent Taya Valkyrie a message in a tweet.
LAST LAUGH! How my feet taste? @thetayavalkyrie #AEWRampage https://t.co/NhzuW8XkMk
— Jade Cargill (@Jade_Cargill) April 15, 2023
For a full review of both WWE SmackDown and AEW Rampage, check out our post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.