WWE SmackDown Results: Backlash title match announced; recently returned star destroyed - Winners, Recap, Grades, and Highlights (April 21, 2023)
Damian Priest and Finn Balor kicked off SmackDown, and after a recap of Judgment Day's feud with Rey Mysterio and Bad Bunny, we headed into the first match of the night.
LET'S GO!!! 👏👏👏
@FinnBalor & @ArcherOfInfamy vs. @reymysterio & @EscobarWWE is kicking off #SmackDown RIGHT NOW! https://t.co/5P7N4k4mky
WWE SmackDown Results (April 21, 2023): Damian Priest & Finn Balor vs. Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar
Veteran move from @ArcherOfInfamy
#SmackDown https://t.co/fdEgZLotRm
Balor and Rey kicked off the match, and Judgment Day was sent out of the ring early. Rey tried for a sliding splash on the outside on Balor, but Priest dragged Finn away, letting Mysterio hit the floor.
After a break, Rey got a senton and a springboard crossbody for a near fall on Balor before trying for 619, but Priest blocked the move. Rey sent Damian outside and got the 619 on Balor before Escobar tagged in.
Escobar tried to pin Balor, but Damian was the legal man. Priest came back and hit the South of Heaven on Escobar before getting the win.
Result: Damian Priest & Finn Balor def. Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar
With @sanbenito returning to #WWERaw on Monday, @ArcherOfInfamy sends his best wishes... 👀
#SmackDown https://t.co/cjcwrZkZPp
Grade: B
Zelina Vega was backstage and asked Adam Pearce to put her in a title match against Rhea Ripley at Backlash.
The match was later made official.
"Let me know what Mami says..." 😏
@ZelinaVegaWWE just asked @ScrapDaddyAP for a #SmackDown Women's Championship Match against @RheaRipley_WWE at #WWEBacklash in Puerto Rico! 👀
#SmackDown https://t.co/o8fT61qjYB
Braun Strowman & Ricochet vs. The Viking Raiders on SmackDown
THE STROWMAN EXPRESS HAS LEFT THE STATION! 🚂 THE STROWMAN EXPRESS HAS LEFT THE STATION! 🚂
This match is INCREDIBLE! 👏👏👏
#BraunStrowman @KingRicochet #VikingRaiders!
#SmackDown https://t.co/kjwuADsIv4
Braun and Ivar kicked off the match, and the Vikings were in control before Strowman got some big strikes in. Erik was knocked off the apron but came back to stop Braun from getting the powerslam on Ivar.
Ricochet was tagged in and sent the Vikings outside before hitting a big dive. Braun was tagged back in and cleared the ring before running around at ringside. Braun was headed back, but Valhalla dragged him by the feet, letting the Vikings regain control.
Ricochet came back and got some big moves before getting a double team on Ivar. Erik was knocked off the apron before Ricochet hit a Senton from Braun's shoulders before getting the win.
Result: Braun Strowman & Ricochet def. The Viking Raiders
Huge win for the Team of @KingRicochet and @Adamscherr99!
#SmackDown https://t.co/KBUAPGQiWX
Grade: B+
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green - Women's Tag Team Championship match on SmackDown
.@ImChelseaGreen and @SonyaDevilleWWE are giving @YaOnlyLivvOnce and @RaquelWWE a run for their money! 😳
Will we be crowning NEW WWE Women's Tag Team Champions tonight?
#SmackDown https://t.co/bS9QpI4hvi
Morgan and Deville kicked off the match, and Raquel was tagged in early on with the champs in control. Green and Deville took her down at ringside before Liv came in with a big dive.
Liv climbed the ropes before the challengers dropped her, and Green got a near fall. Deville was tagged in and distracted the ref while Green attacked Liv from the apron. Raquel came back and cleared the ring before getting a superplex on Deville.
Liv tagged back in and took out Green with a dropkick before spraying something in her face from a bottle while the ref was distracted. Liv hit a rope-assisted Oblivion before getting the pin with the help of Raquel.
Result: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez def. Sonya Deville & Chelsea Green to retain the Women's Tag Titles.
AND STILL!
@YaOnlyLivvOnce @RaquelWWE #SmackDown https://t.co/dTLgkXxHdT
Grade: B
Gunther (c) vs. Xavier Woods - Intercontinental Championship match on SmackDown
"WHO ARE YOU?" 😤
@AustinCreedWins responds to @Gunther_AUT's taunts with a FURIOUS slap to The Champ's face!
Xavier Woods wants to show EVERYBODY exactly who he is by winning this BRUTAL #ICTitle Match tonight on #SmackDown https://t.co/Sf1LaN4E3f
Gunther started with the chops early on and took Woods down before he came back with some strikes and a headlock. After a break, Gunther was still in control and got a big suplex for a near fall.
Woods sent Gunther outside and hit a big dive before sending him back inside for a leg drop. Xavier got a front-face slam before trying to roll the champ up. Gunther got a brutal headlock in, and Woods passed out before the match ended.
Result: Gunther def. Xavier Woods to retain the Intercontinental Title
The Ring General, @Gunther_AUT, will remain your Intercontinental Champion! 😤
#AndStill... https://t.co/zoy7f0NIcb
Grade: C
The Usos were out next and made fun of the people constantly asking them about losing the tag titles at WrestleMania. They hyped the rematch before calling Solo Sikoa to the ring for the main event.
NEXT WEEK on #SmackDown, it's not just any kinda REMATCH 👀🔥
Y'all ready for The @WWEUsos vs. @SamiZayn and @FightOwensFight for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships?
☝️ https://t.co/CE5tQCpDm1
Solo Sikoa vs. Riddle - No DQ match on SmackDown
These men have HAD ENOUGH! 💥😤
It's WAR between @WWESoloSikoa and @SuperKingofBros right now on #SmackDown https://t.co/Aml3WCjDb2
Solo took control early on and got a big lariat before taking Riddle down with an elbow. Sikoa got kendo sticks and steel chairs into the ring before beating Riddle down with a kendo stick.
The Street Champion
@WWESoloSikoa #SmackDown https://t.co/e5Gatkbjvi
Riddle came back with a kendo stick of his own and sent Solo into the steel steps outside before getting a Broton at ringside.
Solo got a Samoan Drop in the ring for a near fall before setting up Riddle in the corner with a chair.
Not this time @WWESoloSikoa!
@SuperKingofBros #SmackDown https://t.co/F8qbEB91jW
Riddle came back and rushed Solo with a chair before getting a chair-assisted knee to the face for a near fall. The two fought over to the announce desk, and Riddle blocked a move on the table before taking Solo down and rolling the table on top of him.
"YOU'RE NOTHING SOLO!" 🤙
@SuperKingofBros giving @WWESoloSikoa a taste of his own medicine! 🔥 🔥 🔥
#SmackDown https://t.co/suB2BNWYpz
The Usos got involved, but Riddle also took them out and hit a big dive. Solo got out of the wreckage and hit an Uranage on the apron before Riddle countered the Samoan Spike.
Riddle tried for his finisher, but Solo countered with the spike for the win.
Result: Solo Sikoa def. Riddle on SmackDown
The Usos got a table after the match and sent Riddle through it with 1D before SmackDown went off the air.
The victory is NEVER enough for #TheBloodline ☝️
Make no mistake, this is a message for @SamiZayn and @FightOwensFight who will defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles against The @WWEUsos next week on #SmackDown! https://t.co/5JMo8CozSf
Grade: B+
Episode rating: B
We got a big title match set up for Rhea Ripley at Backlash, while Xavier Woods failed to win the Intercontinental Championship tonight on SmackDown.