In-Ring Segment: Drew Gulak and Charlotte Flair
Gulak introduces Flair for an interview. Flair says she didn’t refuse the Submission Match Ronda Rousey challenger her to; in her mind, she was doing Rousey a favor because she’ll be humiliated after she’s forced to say “I Quit” in their match at WWE WrestleMania Backlash. Gulak points out that Rousey made Flair tap out at WrestleMania, and “The Queen” says she was fixing her bra. When Gulak says Rousey would be the champion if the referee saw the submission, Flair tells him that he’s out of line.
“The Queen” wonders if Gulak quit being a competitor to ask stupid questions. She says the fans are used to quitting, which isn’t in her DNA; instead, winning is in her DNA, and she’s been a submission master for over a decade. She tells Gulak that he doesn’t deserve to interview her and orders him to leave. Charlotte attacks him and makes him tap out to the Figure-Four. She makes him say, “I Quit.” Charlotte then transitions to the Figure-Eight and keeps it locked in until officials break it up.
… and it was all going so well for @DrewGulak.#SmackDown @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/KJmhxLyNfI
— WWE (@WWE) April 16, 2022
A video package recaps Sami Zayn’s countout loss to Drew McIntyre last week.
In a promo, Ludwig Kaiser, standing next to Gunther, says the mat is sacred, and Gunther says, “You will obey The Ring General.”
Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn
Zayn grabs a microphone and says his reputation has taken a hit since his loss at WrestleMania. He tells Drew McIntyre he’s not afraid of him; he’s not afraid of everyone. As “The Master Stratehist”, he has a plan for everything, and part of that plan is picking up a win here. The match starts and quickly spills to the outside, where McIntyre overpowers him. Zayn uses Pat McAfee as a human shield, and McIntyre hits around the broadcaster. Zayn rakes McIntyre’s eyes and hits him with several punches. McIntyre drives Zayn into the corner and tosses him across the ring. “The Scottish Warrior” drops Zayn with a Glasgow Kiss.
You can run, but you can’t hide! #SmackDown @SamiZayn @DMcIntyreWWE pic.twitter.com/vFSFcN3mUK
— WWE (@WWE) April 16, 2022
Zayn evades the Claymore and tries to run away. McIntyre stops him and brings him back into the ring. Zayn dodges another attempt and successfully runs away this time, as the referee counts him out,
Winner via countout: Drew McIntyre
“The Scottish Warrior” runs after Zayn, but “The Master Strategist” escapes.
In an interview backstage, Intercontinental Champion Ricochet says Jinder Mahal is mean and imposing, but he can’t match the abilities of “The One and Only.” He says he makes his in-ring skills look perfect, so the title isn’t going anywhere.
Backstage, Sami Zayn keeps running, and he bumps into Adam Pearce. The WWE official, tired of all the running, says Zayn will face McIntyre in a Lumberjack Match next week.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ricochet (c) vs. Jinder Mahal
The challenger gains the upper hand early on and overpowers Ricochet. “The One and Only” rallies and dives onto Mahal and Shanky outside the ring. Ricochet hits a Shooting Star Press for the win.
Ricochet retains his #ICTitle!@KingRicochet | #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ulEbaBbfPR
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 16, 2022
Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Ricochet
In a backstage promo, Sheamus, Butch, and Ridge Holland discuss Butch’s loss to Xavier Woods last week. Sheamus says they’ve helped Butch target his aggression, as he and Holland aren’t the enemy. He asks Butch who the enemy is, and he says, “New Day.” Somehow, Holland loses Butch, and he tells Sheamus. The show cuts to a commercial.
A video package recaps John Cena’s classic SmackDown moment when he answered Kurt Angle’s open challenge.
Butch attacks Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston backstage. Holland and Sheamus get involved, and the two sides brawl until they’re separated.
Well that was unexpected! ?
Can @WWESheamus & @RidgeWWE control Butch on #SmackDown?! pic.twitter.com/CbzLGYW72V— WWE (@WWE) April 16, 2022
Promo Segment: Lacey Evans’ Story: Chapter Two
Evans looks back on her childhood and says she was scarred for life. She was forced to sit in chicken coops if they weren’t clean enough. Her father would slam the door and leave them covered in food. She says her father became a wanted man because of an assault charge. Evans notes that Child Protective Services was involved in her life very early on, but she learned she had to save herself. Evans says she has never been handed anything, and she always tries to keep her head up. Evans says she’s comfortable at rock bottom, and she’s motivated and ready for anything. Evans repeats that she’s not better than the other superstars, but they’re not better than her.
Chapter II: The Story of Lacey Evans.
@LaceyEvansWWE | #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/IfIRYutCef
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 16, 2022
Natalya calls SmackDown the island of misfit toys, and she says the women don’t have respect for legends like her and Natalya. Raquel Rodriguez walks up, and Natalya welcomes her to SmackDown.
Riddle (with Randy Orton) vs. Jimmy Uso (with Jey Uso)
Riddle forces Jimmy to the outside early on. Jimmy regroups and returns to the ring. He slams Riddle onto the floor and drives him into the steel steps. Jimmy blasts Riddle with a superkick. Back in the ring, Jimmy continues to keep Riddle grounded. “The Original Bro” rallies with a kick, and he suplexes Jimmy. Riddle hits a senton and a running knee. A German suplex earns him a two count, but Jimmy blocks a dive and plants him with a Samoan Drop for a two count of his own. Jimmy kicks Orton at ringside, and Riddle capitalizes on the distraction by drilling Jimmy with a knee. Jey gets involved and helps Jimmy hit a superkick. Still, in the end, Riddle hits an RKO out of nowhere for the win.
Winner: Riddle
Orton and Riddle celebrate after the match.
#RKBro stands tall on #SmackDown! @RandyOrton @SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/yjaOhz1GKt
— WWE (@WWE) April 16, 2022
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