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WWE Smackdown Women's Champion Sasha Banks vs. Carmella with Reginald.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Sasha backstage. She said when you are the best, you find a way to win and she is ready for whatever tricks they attempt tonight. She's going to drink the finest champagne made out of Carmella's tears and will then be waiting to see who she faces at Wrestlemania.
Banks took down the challenger immediately and went for the Bank Statement. Carmella ran for the floor and walked around ringside, saying she was the new "Boss around here." Carmella returned to the ring and they battled, Banks used a springboard into a deep armdrag. She controlled the ring until Reginald climbed up on the ring apron. Reginald was pulled off the apron but Sasha turning her attention to him allowed Carmella to drill him and slam Banks atop the announcing table.
Carmella nailed a series of back elbows in the corner. Carmella used a hanging triangle choke, hanging outside the ring. Carmella nailed a X-Factor for a two count, then cinched in a side chinlock. Banks battled back but was snapped into the ropes. Carmella used Banks' hair to tie the champ to the ropes and stomped away at her. She trashtalked Banks as the Thunderdome booed her. Banks fired back, nailing a Meteora and going for the Three Amigos. Reginald got involved but was nailed with head scissors takedown on the floor. The referee ejected Reginald from ringside.
Distracted, Banks was wiped out by a dive to the floor and was nearly pinned. She argued about the ejection but was nailed by Banks. Banks hit the Three Amigos and went for the frog splash off the top but crashed and burned when Carmella pulled her knees up. Carmella worked over the Champion. Banks came off the ropes and was nailed with a superkick to the mid-section in the air and another to the face for a close two count. Banks fired back and locked in the Bank Statement, tapping Carmella out.
Your winner and still champion, Sasha Banks!
This was good but not equal to their previous PPV bout. It felt like just as they were getting into the right rhythm to take this to the next level, they were at the finish so I wonder if they had time cut for some reason. The ten minutes they had was not enough in my opinion. A shame.
Backstage, Big E said to Xavier Woods that Retribution had beaten him down in recent weeks, tonight they just needed 60 minutes to change their lives and impress the wrestling Gods. Sami Zayn showed up and knocked them verbally when Kofi Kingston showed up. He said he's not medically cleared but he wanted to wear the sick gear they had tonight and support them in the Royal Rumble. If one of them win tonight, all of them win tonight. Usual fun energy from New Day, They were all wearing Brodie Lee tribute gear!
Bad Bunny performed his song "Booker T." Booker was on stage with him when he performed.
They aired the Rumble by the numbers video.
Women's Royal Rumble Match - Bayley, Shayna Baszler, Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, Dana Brooke, Nikki Cross, Lacey Evans, Charlotte Flair, Natalya Nia Jax, Billie Kay, Liv Morgan, Mandy Rose, Peyton Royce, Ruby Riott, Tamina and 14 more competitors to be announced - winner earns title shot at Wrestlemania 37.
Jerry Lawler is guest commentator.
Entering at number one is Bayley.
Entering at number two is the returning Naomi. She's the first surprise competitor, returning from a surgery several months ago.
Bayley tried to talk trash but was caught going for a kick. Naomi nailed a rana and did what I am told was the "Bussin' Challenge" which is apparently a TikTok thing. She tried to toss Bayley.
Number three is Bianca Belair. She nailed a BIG dropkick and tossed Bayley over the top. Bayley landed on the apron and returned to the ring. Bianca hit a handspring off the ropes into a moonsault. She grabbed Naomi for a gutwrench suplex but Naomi turned it into a piledriver attempt. Bayley knocked them over the top rope but they landed on the apron.
Number four was Billie Kay. Belair and Naomi worked over Bayley in one of the corners. Kay decided he would rather take a seat and join the announcers but her headset didn't work at first. She said she was thinking about when to step into the ring. Bayley tossed Bianca over the top but she survived. Kay said she would be looking for a partner to enter the ring with.
Number five was NXT's Shotzi Blackheart. I am sure Dave Scherer is happy! She is the second surprise competitor. Billie tried to speak to her but Shotzi shot her tank at her. Shotzi hit the ring with a big missile dropkick on Bayley. Kay didn't enter the ring. Could we end up with an IIconics reunion????? Blackheart looked good early on with her crazy offense. Everyone except Billie battled.
Number six was Women's Tag Team Champion Shayna Baszler. Billie tried to align with her as well, so this looks to be a running bit. Baszler drilled her and slammed her into the barricade. Everyone battled.
Number seven was NXT's Toni Storm, the third surprise competitor. Storm blew off Billie's attempt at an alliance. She hit the ring and began whipping out German suplexes. Everyone battled. Shotzi was tossed out by Baszler.
Number eight was Jillian Hall, who came out doing her old singing gimmick. Who saw this coming? At least her mole wasn't back. What's next, Simon Dean? Billie and Jilly, as they called themselves, agreed to team up and hit the ring. Everyone battled.
Number nine was Ruby Riott. She survived a Hall suplex attempt. Kay and Hall appeared to try to help Riott. Everyone battled.
Number ten was another surprise competitor, Victoria. We had heard there was interest in her but had her conflicting reports as to whether she was part of the match. She nailed a series of right hands on everyone and backdropped Ruby. She nailed a spinning sideslam on Riot, then slammed Bayley. Naomi dropkicked her and she went through the ropes to the floor. She nailed Naomi and hit a slingshot legdrop into the ring.
Number 11 was Peyton Royce. She worked over Ruby and tossed her over the top. She and Kay double-teamed Victoria and did the IIconic pose. Bayley nailed Billie. Royce hit the Widow's Peak but Victoria was offended and nailed her with it.
Number 12 was Santana Garrett from NXT. She hit some flashy offense, including a handspring elbow in the corner on Storm. She tossed Ruby over but Riott saved herself again. Bianca was tossed over but saved herself as well. Everyone battled.
Number 13 was Liv Morgan of The Riott Squad. Jillian Hall and Bilie Jay's alliance fell apart. Hall was worked over by Riott Squad. Kay appeared to save her but tossed Hall over the top. The Squad then tossed Kay over.
Number 14 was Rhea Ripley, making her official main roster debut. She killed everyone with big running boots. She tossed Toni Storm out. Victoria locked Bayley in the Tarantula. Baszler used the Clutch on Victoria and dropped her to the floor, eliminating the former champion. Rhea took Garrett out, eliminating her.
Number 15 was Charlotte Flair. Riott and Bayley went over the top but Bayley survived. We continue..........
We continue coverage on Page 3!
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