Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes got here face-to-face on this week’s WWE SmackDown. It was one of many largest segments set for the evening as the 2 superstars, who will probably main-event WrestleMania 39, shot a couple of harsh phrases at one another.

In the meantime, Bobby Lashley wasn’t prepared to take a seat again and play video games with Bray Wyatt. He known as out The Eater of Worlds on SmackDown, however Uncle Howdy attacked him as a substitute. The All Mighty obtained the higher of the masked determine to make a press release on the present.

In the meantime, Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio additionally headed over to SmackDown to get themselves in a few matches. Many prime superstars additionally regarded to make their case for a shot on the Intercontinental Championship match in opposition to GUNTHER at WrestleMania.

Try the 5 issues WWE SmackDown obtained proper on this week’s present.

#5. Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns got here head to head to kick off WWE SmackDown

The Bloodline got here out to the ring on WWE SmackDown with out Jey Uso by their facet. Roman Reigns obtained followers to acknowledge him earlier than Cody Rhodes joined him within the center.

The American Nightmare needed to speak to Reigns and requested him to ship Paul Heyman and the remainder of The Bloodline away. The Tribal Chief obliged earlier than concentrating on Rhodes’ relationship together with his father. Reigns dug deep and mentioned that his father by no means even talked about Cody’s title throughout his time at FCW. He tried to get below Rhodes’ pores and skin, however the Royal Rumble winner stored his cool.

Cody mentioned that he can solely get what he’s all the time needed by defeating Reigns at WrestleMania. The American Nightmare promised to finish the story at The Present of Exhibits earlier than Reigns left the ring.

The section was phenomenal because it put each superstars over. The Tribal Chief confirmed a little bit of concern whereas strolling out of the ring, and that confirmed that he’s not as assured as he often is whereas going through his opponents.

WWE has put a variety of effort into this storyline, and the inventive staff might want to construct it somewhat earlier than WrestleMania. Many followers are nonetheless dreaming of seeing Sami Zayn defeat Reigns for the titles.

#4. Rhea Ripley made Liv Morgan faucet out to a brand new transfer

Rhea Ripley arrived on WWE SmackDown and took on Liv Morgan. Liv tried to take management of the match early, however she bumped into a giant boot from the previous RAW Ladies’s Champion.

Liv hit a giant dive and tried to remain on prime of the match. She hit a backstabber however did not put The Nightmare away with it. The previous SmackDown Ladies’s Champion stayed on the assault and obtained a few Codebreakers however failed to attach with Oblivion.

Ripley missed the Riptide however hit a powerbomb quickly after. She locked Morgan within the Cloverleaf submission maintain and made her faucet out for the win. Ripley has used Riptide to finish almost all of her matches. It was stunning to see the dominant famous person pull out a submission maintain to choose up the win.

The brand new finisher will add to her arsenal forward of her large match in opposition to Charlotte Aptitude at WrestleMania 39. Followers might see her reverse the Determine Eight leg lock into the Cloverfield maintain to win the match on the present.

#3. Dominik Mysterio defeated Santos Escobar earlier than degrading his father

Santos Escobar needed to face Dominik Mysterio on WWE SmackDown and educate him a lesson. Escobar began nicely, however Dominik fired again with a couple of good strikes of his personal to make a comeback into the match.

Dominik despatched Escobar into the nook earlier than sending him outdoors the ring for a dive. He went for the 619 again within the ring however hit Escobar with a knee as a substitute. The previous NXT Cruiserweight Champion got here again with a couple of strikes earlier than Rhea Ripley obtained concerned and pulled him out of the ring. She hit Escobar with a Riptide on the ground earlier than Dom completed him off with a frog splash within the ring for the win.

Dominik Mysterio tore his father’s masks after the win, and Rey Mysterio got here out to confront him. Dom continued to degrade his father and tried to get him to hit him earlier than the section got here to an in depth.

The match was first rate and constructed a narrative that can probably result in a match between Dominik and Rey at WrestleMania 39. The Grasp of the 619 might probably choose up a win over his son on the Present of Exhibits earlier than bowing out in a while.

#2. Drew McIntyre calls out GUNTHER; units up a possible match to crown his challenger

Drew McIntyre got here out to problem GUNTHER at WrestleMania 39 for the Intercontinental Championship. He obtained into an argument with Sheamus as to who ought to problem The Ring Common earlier than LA Knight confirmed up.

Knight mentioned that he needed the match in opposition to GUNTHER too. He was interrupted by Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston of the New Day. Karrion Kross additionally made an look and mentioned that he ought to get the match for the title.

A brawl broke out between the lads within the ring, and Knight despatched Woods into Sheamus and McIntyre earlier than throwing him out of the ring. The Celtic Warrior took care of the previous Million Greenback Champion earlier than McIntyre almost hit his finest buddy.

Kross obtained the ultimate shot on Sheamus and was the final man standing within the ring because the section got here to an in depth. It appears like WWE has deliberate for a giant match between the superstars for an opportunity to problem GUNTHER at WrestleMania.

Surprisingly, The Ring Common doesn’t have a stable rivalry heading into The Present of Exhibits. Nonetheless, a ladder match to find out who will face GUNTHER at WrestleMania will probably be entertaining for the followers.

#1. Solo Sikoa defeated Sami Zayn with some assist from Jimmy Uso on WWE SmackDown

Roman Reigns set a deadline for Jey Uso to return to The Bloodline on WWE SmackDown. He instructed Jimmy to make sure that his brother was again inside every week, or he would be held accountable for Jey not displaying up.

Solo Sikoa took on Sami Zayn in the principle occasion of SmackDown, and Jimmy stored interfering within the contest. The distraction allowed Solo to take down a fired-up Sami and ship him into the ring publish and the barricades.

The Grasp Strategist didn’t again down and hit a DDT earlier than connecting with the Blue Thunder Bomb for a close to fall. He missed the Helluva Kick due to a distraction from Jimmy, and Sikoa took benefit to attach with the Samoan Spike for the win on SmackDown.

The heels beat down Sami after the match and put a chair round his neck. The Grasp Strategist obtained out and hit Sikoa with the chair earlier than connecting with the Helluva Kick to Jimmy. He made his means into the gang and ran away because the present got here to an in depth.

WWE has achieved more and more nicely with Sami Zayn over the previous a number of months. The loss is not going to harm his worth, as Jimmy Uso distracted him throughout the contest. He’ll stay in a rivalry with The Bloodline heading into WrestleMania 39.