smack down Broadcast tonight (February 17th) with a live show from the Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This is the final smack down Loop over three weeks build approx Judicial DepartmentWhich takes place tomorrow night (February 18th).
This is how Ronda Rousey redeems herself in WWE
Ronda Rousey has never tapped for a second time with WWE since returning to the company over a year ago at WWE Royal Rumble 2022. Her matches have been (mostly) underwhelming or bad, she often looks uncomfortable on the mic, and WWE hasn’t really given her much to work with so far as being the top of the game. smack down The list was concerned. Ronda has had multiple runs with smack down Women’s Championship, but was unsuccessful.
Rousey took a break from WWE in January and finally returned to television last week. She joined forces with Chyna Baszler to take out Schotzy and Natalya, setting up a tag team match on The Tonight Show. This will be Rousey’s first wrestling match in 2023.
Outside of kayfabe, Ronda has made it clear that she wants to move away from single gold and do more teamwork with Chyna. Looks like WWE is letting her do that now, just in time WrestleMania 39.
Will Ronda do better on the tag team scene than she did last year as a singles wrestler? We don’t know the answer to that question yet, but we do know that the women’s tag team division needs all the help it can get right now. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions IYO SKY and Dakota Kai may be the only established team in the division; Having only one or two teams at a time has been a common problem for the division since its inception a few years earlier.
WWE believes Ronda Rousey is a huge star and a difference maker for them, so putting her on the tag team scene could be the needed push for the company to focus more on building the division. This is the optimistic outlook. The pessimistic view is that WWE just needs something to do with Ronda right now, and putting the tag team titles on her is one way to pass the time and keep her happy.
There’s not a lot of reason to think Rousey’s presence will greatly improve the way WWE’s women’s tag team division is presented, but accomplishing this feat is the best way for her to redeem herself after a very disappointing 2022.
The rest of the title scene
Intercontinental hero GUNTHER puts his gold on the line tonight against Madcap Moss. Moose earned the right to rip his chest to shreds by pinning Rey Mysterio in a four-way match last week.
Roman Reigns defends WWE Universal Championship against Sami Zayn Judicial Department. Zayn is the local hero who will get the loudest cheers in Montreal tonight and tomorrow. Zayn didn’t stand tall over Reigns to finish a segment, so maybe this comes in the take-home show. It would certainly be one way for Sammy to convince himself and others that he has what it takes to defeat Roman.
Usos will not defend smack down Team titles tag This weekend, because the tribal chief has ordered them to stay home, according to Paul Heyman. Will Ji Uso challenge Roman Reigns again?
smack down Women’s champion Charlotte Flair prepares to defend her title WrestleMania against Rhea Ripley. Rhea is scheduled to be in Montreal for a PPV, so maybe she’ll get up close and personal with The Queen tonight.
Other things to watch
Tonight is set to air between the Banger Bros and Viking Raiders. Will Eric and Ivar get their win back after Drew McIntyre and Sheamus eliminated them from the Tag Team Championship last month?
– The killing clown is coming smack down for a match against Liv Morgan. Will any of the four remaining women in the Elimination Chamber match (Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, Nikki Cross, Carmella) try to interrupt Asuka vs. Liv and prove their dominance on the court?
– Bray Wyatt was very slow to make his next move after his win over LA Knight at LA Royal Rumble.
– Speaking of LA Knight, he’s done talking about the Mountain Dew Pitch Black match, so I’m assuming that means he’s ready to move on to Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
– Which gabroni will be the next victim of Lacey Evans’ cobra handle?
– Does Legado del Fantasma turn into a babyface? Santos Escobar showed Rey Mysterio respect last week, which wouldn’t sit well with Karrion Kroos.
— Ray may have to deal with Dominik and The Judgment Day tonight, considering the group is scheduled to be in Montreal this weekend.
Braun Strowman and Ricochet failed in their attempts to win the tournament smack down tag team belts last week. Is this the part where they go their separate ways, or will they stay as a team heading into it WrestleMania?
– Kevin Owens hasn’t been seen since his V bloodline destroyed him Royal Rumble. Will he be back tonight in front of his adoring fans in Montreal, or will he save the big moment for it Judicial Department?
– Did you know Top Dolla once missed a dive over the top rope? If you’ve forgotten it, Michael Cole will be sure to remind you a few times tonight.
what are you looking for smack down?
