We take a look at Roman Reigns’ verbal feud with Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman, and their upcoming match at WrestleMania in New Orleans. A little weird though because during Reigns’ insults to Lesnar, they played inspirational music like it was Independence Day.
Renee Young is backstage with AJ Styles. She asks him about the odds for him winning tonight. He says this is the hardest anyone has had to work to get to WrestleMania as WWE Champion. He says he woke up with a smile today because he takes these challenges in his stride and turns these situations phenomenal. Styles is interrupted by Shinsuke Nakamura, who says he hopes AJ wins but Styles tells him to stop because he will win and at WrestleMania, Nakamura will be the one to lose.
WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Championship Match
(C) Charlotte Flair Vs. Ruby Riott
We get ring introductions for the challenger and the Champion. Right off the bat, Ruby looks to connect with the Riott Kick but Charlotte esapes. Charlotte goes for a Figure Four on Ruby but she too escapes and we’re at a stalemate early on.
Ruby uses the top rope to hit Charlotte, who responds with a fallaway slam on Ruby. Ruby dropkicks Charlotte away from the corner. Ruby applies a sleeper and Charlotte tries to fight out but can’t, so she runs and rolls through the ropes, with both women crashing to the floor. Charlotte slams Ruby into the barricade, twice, then back inside. Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan show up at ringside and tease Charlotte as she re-enters the ring. Ruby takes advantage of Charlotte with her Riott Kick but Charlotte kicks out. Ruby gets the referee to check on her eye as she tossed Charlotte from the ring. Naomi and Becky Lynch run out to prevent Logan and Morgan from attacking Charlotte.
Ruby tosses Charlotte back into the ring and throws big rights, then lands a suplex and rolls through for a second. Charlotte counter with a slingshot suplex. Riott sends the champ’s head into the middle turnbuckle and then falls back on her with a senton for a two count. Riott locks in a straight-jacket submission and leans back to add pressure. Charlotte is contorted and looks to be in agony.
The Queen eventually breaks free of the straight-jacket, only to end up being taken down with an STO to give Ruby a two count. Charlotte counters the falling senton and hits a neckbreaker to give herself some breathing room. She climbs to the top rope and Ruby pushes her off all the way down to the floor into the barricade. Flair counters a suicide dive and sends Riott into the barricade with a belly to belly suplex. The Champ climbs onto the barricade and nails a moonsault! Charlotte rolls Ruby inside and pins but Ruby kicks-out!
Ruby sets up Charlotte on the top rope and brings her down with a hurricanrana for a near-fall. Charlotte gets to her feet and starts chopping away at the chest of Riott. Ruby kicks her leg out from under her. Morgan and Logan tease Naomi and Becky who get into the ring, then the ref boots them from ringside. The Riott Squad beats on Charlotte on the apron while the ref is distracted. He ends up booting Liv and Sarah from ringside, too. Charlotte recovers and starts building momentum with a series of signature moves. Charlotte slams Ruby’s head into the top turnbuckle in a unique way. She spears Ruby hard before putting her in the Figure Eight and Ruby taps quickly.
Winner: Charlotte
As Charlotte is celebrating after the match, Asuka’s music hits and she makes her way to the ring to a huge reception. The Empress stands toe to toe with The Queen and points behind her. The crowd chants “Yes!” as Asuka points to the WrestleMania sign. The Royal Rumble winner has made her choice and will face Charlotte, which I guess means she is coming to SmackDown Live.
