Smackdown #224 – February, Week #3

[John Greatrix]

The show starts with John Greatrix in the ring with a mic. Greatrix: “Last week, Ryback defeated me and earned his title shot in a cage at Lockdown. On February 24, Ryback is going to regret ever stepping foot onto the stage of Smackdown. And as an added stipulation, if I beat you, Ryback, you are fired from Smackdown and I never want to see you again.” Greatrix tosses the mic down and leaves the ring as we go to commercial.

After a commercial break, cameras rush backstage to some commotion in the hallway. Ryback is trying to get into John Greatrix’s office but security is stopping him. Ryback starts fighting the security guards. Out of nowhere, the door opens and Ryback gets hit with a Superkick from Greatrix. Greatrix smiles and tells security to take Ryback away. Four security guards escort Ryback out of the building.

The Kings of Wrestling (Cesaro & Kassius Ohno) (c) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) (Tag Team Title Match)
This has possibly been the match of the year so far in 2019. These 2 teams have gonna back-and-forth for 30 minutes. The Bucks hit a Double Superkick on Ohno then turn their attention to Cesaro. Matt climbs to the top rope. Nick tries to hit another Superkick on Cesaro but Cesaro catches his foot and hits The Swiss Death (Pop-up European Uppercut). Matt dives off the top ropes but Cesaro connects with a European Uppercut. Cesaro picks up Matt and hits The Neutralizer and goes for the pin. Ohno intercepts Nick with The Cyclone Kick as the ref counts, 1...2...3.
Winners and STILL Tag Team Champions: The Kings of Wrestling

As the Kings of Wrestling are celebrating after the match, they are jumped from behind by Sanada and Evil of Los Ingobernables de Japon. Sanada blasts Ohno in the face with the green mist then hits a Superkick. Evil hits Cesaro with Everything is Evil (STO). The LIJ pick up the Tag Team Titles and taunt the champions as we go to commercial.

Finn Balor vs. Fabian Aichner w/Marcel Barthel
This match looks like a replica of last week’s match against Barthel. The bell rings and Aichner tries to attack Balor but Finn avoids it. Finn hits the ropes and connects with The Sling Blade. When Aichner gets to his feet, Finn hits a Shotgun Dropkick. Finn climbs to the top rope and hits The Coup de Grace and goes for the cover, 1...2...3.
Winner: Finn Balor

As the match ends, we go backstage to Cathy Kelley with Johnny Gargano. Cathy: “Johnny, what are your thoughts on what you just saw?” Gargano: “My thoughts? My thoughts are that Finn Balor needs some real competition. He leaves that cess pool of a show on Monday and starts facing lower midcard guys on Smackdown but then talks about how he’s a top guy. Well, let him face a guy like me and see if he really has what it takes. Finn, next week you can step in the ring with Johnny Smackdown and see how you measure up to the real top guys.”

Becky Lynch vs. Tessa Blanchard
These ladies put on a sturdy 15 minute match. Becky avoids a clothesline and hits The Bex-Plex and goes for a cover but only gets a 2 count. Becky picks Tessa up but Blanchard kicks her in the gut and hits a Tornado Bulldog. Tessa gets 2 count of her own. Both women are up and start trading punches. Becky tackles Tessa and they roll to the outside. As the two women are on the floor, the ref starts his 10 count. Both women ignore the count and continue fighting. The ref counts to 10 and calls for the bell.
Winner: No Contest – Double Disqualification

After the match, the two women continue to fight in and out of the ring until security and road agents come out to break them up and the show ends.