WWE SmackDown 03/07 Results – Cody Rhodes Will Break His Silence On John Cena’s Cheating, Two Title Matches, and More

On Friday night, USA Network will broadcast another live episode of WWE SmackDown, direct from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You can check out live coverage of the show starting at 8 PM, here at Wrestling Notícias.

Official Card:

• Chelsea Green (c) vs. Michin – WWE Women’s United States Championship – Street Fight Match;
• Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. LA Knight WWE United States Championship Match;
• Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa;

Live Coverage:

We see the arrival of some of the main protagonists of the night: LA Knight, Shinsuke Nakamura, Braun Strowman, Solo Sikoa (accompanied by Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga), and Drew McIntyre, who attacks Damian Priest from behind. The Scotsman smashes Priest’s head into a production box, leaving him lying on the ground.

Next, a recap video of WWE Elimination Chamber is shown.

Randy Orton opens tonight’s show, greeted by a huge ovation from the fans. He acknowledges an enthusiastic female fan before stepping into the ring. Orton strikes his iconic pose in one of the corners and then requests a microphone.

Orton continues to playfully interact with the audience before addressing them. He reflects on how much has happened during his absence, starting with John Cena’s heel turn (which draws boos). Orton welcomes the Friday Night SmackDown crowd and shifts the conversation to Kevin Owens. Orton recalls that he and Owens have known each other for a long time and that both have done terrible things in WWE. He admires “the wrestler Kevin Owens” but has an issue with “the man Kevin Owens.”

Orton says Owens is jealous of Cody Rhodes and the title he carries around his waist. He reminds everyone that Owens and Sami Zayn have faced off numerous times but always reconciled. However, at Elimination Chamber, Owens tried to end his best friend’s career because he realized Zayn had gone further than him in this industry. Orton points out that Owens got to face one of wrestling’s biggest legends, Stone Cold, in the main event of WrestleMania, so he doesn’t understand why Owens feels envy.

Orton recalls suffering a back injury that nearly ended his career. That’s why many advised him not to get involved in a rivalry with Owens, but he will, because the Canadian infuriated him. Last Saturday, he returned to attack Owens, and something happened. The voices in his head came back, urging him to kick Owens’ head. And that’s exactly what he plans to do. Orton drops the microphone, ending his promo with a clear threat to Owens.

In a pre-recorded segment, we see Chelsea Green and Piper Niven interrupting a conversation between Nick Aldis and Tiffany Stratton. Stratton scolds Green for the interruption, leading to an argument between the two champions. Niven steps in, and Stratton challenges her to a match tonight. Green says it won’t be possible because she needs Niven as her “secret agent” in her upcoming title match against Michin. Aldis reminds Green that Niven doesn’t work for her but for WWE. He then schedules a match between Stratton and Niven. Stratton leaves Aldis’ office satisfied, while Green is visibly frustrated with the General Manager.

Singles Match: WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Piper Niven
– Stratton hits her signature “Prettiest Moonsault Ever” on Niven, followed by a pinfall.

Charlotte Flair makes her way to the ring and immediately targets Tiffany Stratton’s left leg, dropping her onto the mat. Flair locks in a brutally reinforced Figure Four, prompting several officials to intervene. Charlotte celebrates in the ring while Stratton remains on the apron, clearly in pain.

In a pre-recorded message, Nick Aldis addresses the fans to explain the complicated situation involving the teams competing for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Aldis announces that The Street Profits will get their title shot next week. Meanwhile, three other teams will compete tonight in a Triple Threat Match for a future opportunity at the titles.

WWE Tag Team Championship – Triple Threat #1 Contender’s Match: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) vs. Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) vs. Los Garza (Angel and Berto)
– Wilson and Prince hit a “Backslide” on Sabin, followed by a pinfall.

Bianca Belair enters the ring. She says she should be focused on WrestleMania 41, but she’s concerned about what’s going on between Jade Cargill and Naomi, and feels like she’s losing her mind. She then calls out Naomi to clarify things. Naomi appears and says things aren’t as they seem, but Belair demands that she make it clear whether she attacked Cargill. Naomi responds by saying she was tired of seeing Cargill being carried by Belair and that it should have been just the two of them. After an emotional back-and-forth, Naomi finally admits to the attack. Belair turns her back and walks out of the ring, prompting Naomi to call her an “ungrateful b*tch.” Cargill then appears and attacks Naomi with a Jaded.

Drew McIntyre is interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. The Scotsman is asked about his attack on Damian Priest before the show. McIntyre responds that it was payback for Priest taking away his WrestleMania opportunity at Elimination Chamber. Now, he’s full of rage and promises to take it out on the “black sheep” of the Samoan family.

Backstage, Charlotte Flair is interviewed by Byron Saxton. She claims the women’s division is getting weaker by the day. B-Fab takes offense to Flair’s comments, leading Charlotte to say she’ll make B-Fab “bow down” next week.

Singles Match: Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa
– Strowman wins by DQ after being attacked by Tama Tonga.

Strowman fights off Tonga. Suddenly, Jacob Fatu appears on the scene. Strowman and Fatu stare each other down from opposite sides of the ringside area. Both men enter the ring and start brawling. Fatu hits two Superkicks, sending Strowman out of the ring. Fatu attempts a Suicide Dive but misses Strowman. Strowman then delivers a Chokeslam onto the announce table. He celebrates, but Fatu recovers and charges at him.

The brawl spills into the crowd area. Strowman grabs Fatu on top of some crates and delivers another Chokeslam. Fatu’s body crashes through two tables, destroying them on impact. Fatu tries to get up, but several officials force him to retreat, ending the confrontation for now.

Byron Saxton interviews LA Knight backstage. “The Megastar” guarantees no one will stop him from defeating Shinsuke Nakamura tonight. He declares that Philadelphia, the former capital of the United States, will be the city where his reign is resurrected. Knight vows to take the title from Nakamura and make the fans scream his name. “L-A-Knight. YEAH!”

Meanwhile, Chelsea Green tries to console Piper Niven, who is in pain after her match against Tiffany Stratton. Green says she needs Niven for her upcoming title match. Zelina Vega appears with a smirk and informs the Canadian that she’s going after whoever emerges victorious in the WWE Women’s United States Championship match. Vega leaves, and Green drags Niven with her toward the ring.

WWE Women’s United States Championship – Street Fight Match: Chelsea Green (c) w/ Piper Niven vs. Michin
– Alba Fyre appears and attacks Michin, paving the way for Green’s victory.

Santos Escobar confronts Los Garza after their loss tonight, saying they’ve disgraced Legado Del Fantasma. He claims Angel and Berto need to give more of themselves. Escobar leaves with Angel, who agrees with their leader. Andrade appears and addresses Berto, reminding him they’ve known each other for a long time and that he shouldn’t let Escobar talk to him like that. “You deserve better,” Andrade says before walking away, leaving Berto to reflect on his words.

Cody Rhodes enters the ring. The Undisputed WWE Champion appears with a black eye and greets some fans before grabbing a microphone. “Cena Sucks!” chants erupt from the crowd. Cody asks Philadelphia, the “city of champions,” what they want to talk about. He knows exactly the topic: one of the most-watched moments in WWE history, while still feeling the pain of what happened.

Cody recalls the incident with The Rock, his partner Travis Scott, and his WrestleMania opponent, John Cena. He talks about how he’s looked up to Cena over the years, seeing him as a hero and role model. Now, he’ll have to explain to his daughter that this hero ultimately gave in. Rhodes apologizes for any strong language he might use and questions why Cena did what he did. He’d like to confront him face-to-face, but knows Cena would use a lot of words to justify himself. However, nothing justifies his actions.

Cody reflects on how the fans supported him when he won the Money in the Bank briefcase years ago and again last year when he finally completed his story. That night, Cena was part of the celebration and told him the title would only get heavier. Rhodes grabs the title and says it’s not heavy. “You think you’re the last of your kind. But you’re not! I’m here! I lift this above my head like it weighs nothing! And at WrestleMania 41, I’ll do the same! John Cena, you want this? Then come and take it!” he yells, dropping the microphone.

In another segment, The Miz speaks with Nick Aldis in the General Manager’s office. Miz offers to interview John Cena on SmackDown. Carmelo Hayes appears and says Cody Rhodes made the wrong decision by rejecting The Rock’s offer. He reminds everyone that Randy Orton has been out for four months. “The Viper” appears behind him, joking that he spent that time playing “Elden Ring.” Aldis informs Randy that he’s still considering a match against Kevin Owens but suggests he face Carmelo at the Barcelona show. Orton agrees and leaves, not without making another joke about Hayes.

Singles Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Uso
– McIntyre hits a “Claymore Kick” on Jimmy, followed by a pinfall.

McIntyre starts walking up the entrance ramp but suddenly stops, ready to return to the ring. Out of nowhere, Damian Priest attacks him from behind. The Puerto Rican unleashes a flurry of punches on McIntyre. Several officials intervene to separate them. Priest threatens to destroy McIntyre the next time they meet. Priest breaks free from the officials and hits a Superkick on McIntyre, knocking him to the ground. Priest goes after him again, continuing to pummel him with punches. Officials intervene once more to pull him away from his victim.

Shinsuke Nakamura addresses LA Knight in a video promo. The Japanese star says there’s no better place to crush his opponent’s dreams than the city where the United States was born. Nakamura continues to promise that Knight will beg for mercy, but he won’t grant it. Tonight, he’ll leave Philadelphia with the United States Championship still in his possession.

The Street Profits star in a promotional video.

Byron Saxton interviews #DIY backstage. Johnny Gargano acknowledges that the men’s division is full of great teams, but they’re the best of all. Tommaso Ciampa reiterates his partner’s words and reminds everyone of their upcoming defense against The Street Profits. Gargano says Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins’ dreams are already dead.

WWE United States Championship Match: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. LA Knight
– Knight hits a “BFT” on Nakamura, followed by a pinfall.

End of show.