GUNTHER faced No. 1 challenger Madcap Moss in an intercontinental title battle on WWE SmackDown.
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On the eve of WWE’s Elimination Chamber premium live event, SmackDown aired from Montréal, featuring a tremendous match between The Viking Raiders and the duo of Sheamus and Drew McIntyre. The Intercontinental Title was on the line, Ronda Rousey returned to the squared circle in tag team action, and the brand put the finishing touches on the build to Saturday’s spectacular.
Although Sami Zayn will be the challenger at Elimination Chamber, undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns will be on enemy territory this weekend. On Friday’s broadcast of SmackDown, a raucous Montreal audience soaked up every word of Zayn’s closing remark.
Kevin Owens has been missing since the Royal Rumble, but Friday night was all about Sami Zayn. The brave underdog could scarcely speak as his native fans showered him with cheers, admiration, and song. That was a moment that will be remembered fondly in Canada’s rich Wrestling history.
Ronda Rousey made her return to the squared circle for the first time since losing her SmackDown Women’s Title, teaming up with Shayna Baszler to face Shotzi and Natalya in the night’s first match. The babyfaces got off to a blazing start, which led to Rousey and Baszler isolating Shotzi.
The Ballsy Badass battled from beneath, causing separation and tagging home country star Natalya. However, Baszler slowed The Queen of Harts’ momentum, allowing Rousey to tap Shotzi out with an armbar.
Winner: Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler
Top Dolla, Ashante Thee Adonis, and B-Fab of Hit Row delivered an in-ring rap in which they ridiculed Canada, specifically Montreal, to a chorus of boos. The lights then went off, and when they came back on, the arena was completely dark. Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy stood on the apron and slaughtered the heel group.
Wyatt took the microphone and issued a challenge to the winner of the Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley battle at Elimination Chamber on Saturday night. And with that, Triple H and the creative staff turned what might have been a throwaway segment into something noteworthy, revealing the WrestleMania plans for one of the roster most over acts.
In the night’s following bout, Drew McIntyre and Sheamus faced The Viking Raiders, the climax of a weeks-long storyline that began with Erik and Ivar repeatedly harassing the former WWE champions, even costing them a shot at the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title. The Raiders’ failure to sustain the offensive and gain from manager Valhalla’s meddling cost them the game.
Late in the match, Ivar performed a middle-rope splash on McIntyre that should have been the end. The Scottish Warrior, on the other hand, was kicked out. Minutes later, a resurrected Sheamus broke off a Ragnarok attempt, and McIntyre found enough energy to deliver a Claymore to Erik for the victory.
Winner: Drew McIntyre and Sheamus
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Former women’s champions collided in a one-on-one fight between Asuka and Liv Morgan in a preview of Saturday’s Women’s Elimination Chamber Match.
The match was fiercely fought, with each lady countering and inverting the other’s hallmark offensive. However, the presence of Raquel Rodriguez, Carmella, Nikki Cross, and Natalya at ringside overshadowed everything.
Morgan eventually tried a rollup, but Asuka countered into a submission, tapping her out for the submission win. After the bell, Asuka and Morgan cleared the ring, looking strong ahead of their opportunity to challenge Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Title.
Winner: Asuka
Nonetheless, the No. 1 contender faced Gunther for the Intercontinental Title in a match that received the exact opposite reaction predicted, as Montreal fans backed The Ring General. Early on, Gunther cut Moss off at every turn, establishing control and laying the groundwork for a one-sided title fight. The challenger battled back and tumbled late for a two-count.
The champion countered a head of steam, applied the sleeper and added the powerbomb to end Moss’ title dreams and goals. The match was decent enough, and Moss put up the effort, but the layout worked against him.
First and foremost, the Montreal audience was against him. The champion challenged him at every move, even when they got less vociferous. Despite considerable offense, it felt like Gunther’s championship defense was one-sided, as he never appeared to be in genuine danger of losing his title.
Winner: Gunther
In the last portion of Friday’s concert, Sami Zayn returned to Montreal to a standing ovation as thunderous as any in recent memory. Fans greeted him with cries of “OLE!” in tribute to his El Generico persona, then changed to chants of “Sami!”
He remained in the center of the ring for many minutes, taking in the moment as supporters showered him with a loud display of thanks and affection. When he finally spoke, he announced that Roman Reigns will face Sami Zayn and the whole city of Montreal at Elimination Chamber tomorrow night. It was brief, sweet, and absolutely fantastic.
In an era where the word “deserved” is frequently used, Zayn exemplifies it. He has earned and merited this moment, as well as the one on Saturday night. This is all that should be his as one of the top wrestlers on the roster and one of the most adored performers of his time.
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