Solo Sikoa Makes Shocking Return on WWE Smackdown

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Photo Credit: WWE

The SmackDown after Royal Rumble (regardless of show date) has not traditionally been as meaningful as Monday’s work better for ‘immediate aftermath.’ The red brand has always enjoyed the bigger storylines and convenient timeslot, but this week’s edition of SmackDown offers clarity in the wake of a RAW that left more questions than answers.

Jey Uso took his victory lap on Monday and then ran it back for the encore but did not ‘choose a champion.’ In fact, it was alluded to throughout the week that Jey would make a decision tonight, but it is ‘subject to change,’ and the such will likely find a way to stall it out the WWE way.

However, there is something far more pressing as word of Roman Reigns’ injury—news that Seth Rollins delivered on RAW following Saturday night’s Rumble where “Monday Night Rollins” curbed stomped “OTC” twice (once on steel stairs)—has reached the kind of steam that has brought the kayfabe of it all into question. Is it part of the storyline? Is it a genuine injury? Will Roman make Mania? All these questions were running rampant on social media until today when Dave Meltzer reported that the injury angle was done because Roman will not compete or even attend Elimination Chamber. With a reportedly short absence expected beyond the next PLE, it’s safe to say that Roman will not be competing for a world title at this year’s Mania.

How will WWE react to this news that they likely did not want out, and will it change other aspects that surround those storylines? It has been reported that the leading Mania idea for Roman is a triple threat involving CM Punk and Seth Rollins—a strong indication of that was the Rumble booking for all three men.

Jey Uso Gets Choosy

Jey Uso came out and delivered another rousing Yeet performance, complete with an encore (again). It is obvious that WWE loves the reactions that Jey receives every single entrance, but the continual encores are interesting. It is worth considering whether WWE is all that impressed by Jey’s actual promos and prefer to keep his promos shorter by consequence.

Jey invited Cody out in a tease for who he may choose to face at Mania. Cody acknowledged his pride for Jey following his Rumble victory, but he did so only after admitting his doctor rattled off a bunch of injuries that include inflammation in the elbow in need of draining and multiple back injuries. Still, Cody was more than willing to sell the idea of two friends tearing down the house at Mania.

The crowd reacted positively, but they really came alive when Jacob Fatu came out with Tama Tonga, shushing the crowd, “SHHHHHHHH.” Jacob was given the most leeway on the mic to this point, and he was great. He told Cody that his family needed that belt back but then told Jey he was not the one to accomplish the task.

Jacob super-kicked Jey, who super-kicked Tama, and even though Cody delivered some offense, Fatu eventually took the upper hand. Jey recovered and took Fatu out to leave him and Cody in the ring, standing tall.

Main Event: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso vs. Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga

The match was booked for the main event and we got a ton of Fatu-Cody action in this one, but it was Tama Tonga that really showed out. Tonga would go on to take the pinfall loss after Cody hit him with the “Cross Rhodes,” but the victory wouldn’t have been possible without Jey Uso taking out Fatu.

The faces seemed to have everything in order in the final moments of SmackDown, but a returning Solo Sikoa made his way into the ring to spike Cody and stand tall as the credits rolled. Solo’s return is interesting, and his place in the main segment means plenty. But it will be interesting to see how Fatu ‘acknowledges’ Solo.

Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifiers: Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Uso vs. LA Knight

The spots left to create your own story at WrestleMania are thinning, and that is probably why we received individual promos from each of the participants in tonight’s triple-threat match. Drew, who was seen leaving Rumble in a fury, acknowledged that RAW McIntyre is dead and this new era with the blue brand will ultimately define his legacy. Jimmy delivered a very passionate promo that resonated with the audience.

However, LA Knight had the most important message: he urged the men struggling right now to let themselves cry. He correctly recognized its value on mental health, and it felt genuine. He eventually got to his competitors and delivered a few chuckles—we’ll see if ‘Drew McIn-Crier sticks.

It was a competitive match, but in the end, Drew was the one that kept his WrestleMania hopes alive as he qualified for a match that both John Cena and CM Punk occupy with three others to qualify.

Charlotte Tour Continues…

Since Flair returned last weekend at the Royal Rumble to ultimately walk away as the winner, the WWE Universe© has had mixed reactions for her. She showed up on RAW and revisited her feud with Rhea Ripley, but she promised to do the rounds and visit each champion before making her decision. Sure enough, she showed up Tuesday and ‘took a meeting’ with Guilia.

Tonight, she called out Tiffany Stratton, the women’s world champion for the blue brand. Tiffy couldn’t wait to ‘bring Flair up to speed’ and see who had kept the women’s division relevant in her absence. It has been Tiffy Time for sure, but the division has also been very Nia Jax-heavy, and she inevitably came out to demand another title shot (of course). Flair said she’d ‘wait to see what happens’ regarding Tiffany and Nia, but a title switch is likely not in the plans. It is arguably a little clunky having two heels face off on the grandest stage of them all, but if any two superstars can do it, Stratton and Flair must be them.

Alexa Bliss entered last but might have received the biggest pop, and that led perfectly into her EC qualifier match against Candice LeRae.

Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifiers: Alexa Bliss vs. Candice LeRae

Bliss had the momentum coming into this match and LaRea did not have the benefit of Nia out at ringside. There were moments of gamesmanship between the two, but Bliss took it home after delivering her ‘Abigail DDT’ (a tribute to The Fiend) for the win. Naomi and U.S. Champ Chelsea Green face off next Friday in another qualifier.

Bianca Belair vs. Piper Niven

Bianca Belair defeated Piper Niven in tonight’s first qualifier. Niven was competitive, and she hit a Vader Bomb that landed hard, but it was not enough to keep the co-tag champ down for the pin. Bianca managed to lift Piper to hit the KOD for the pinfall victory. She advances to the EC match with Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss, and three others left to qualify.

Other Tidbits/In-Ring Action

K.O. Delivers Motive

Kevin Owens delivered another in-car promo where he said he was going to make his friend Sami Zayn pay. Pay for what? The way Owens sees it, Zayn rushed to the aid of Roman when he was attacked by two different superstars (Punk and Rollins), and yet Zayn ‘refused to aid’ Ownes during his own title match—the ladder stipulation made it perfectly legal for Zayn to interfere. It was a strong promo that elevated this feud after Zayn was hit with the ‘package piledriver’ from Owens on RAW.

Roman Reigns Update

There was no update. Commentary stated that WWE reached out to Paul Heyman to clarify Roman’s injury status, but multiple calls were made with no response from ‘The Wiseman.’

The tag team division has delivered some terrific matches lately, but the current direction is a bit clunky. Pretty Deadly came out as the faces demanding their shot against DIY, but they were too easy to boo, and the responses were a confusing silence. GM Aldis came out to muddy things further by giving Pretty Deadly a number one conder’s match against the champs—in street clothes. It was an odd segment, but Pretty Deadly secured the pinfall via top rope hold.

Carmelo Hayes and Tazawa faced off in singles action, but it seemed like its true motivation was to replay the iShowSpeed-Bron Breakker spear from the Rumble—now over 300 million views online. Still, Melo and Tazawa showed out and the offensive output kept the fans entertained.

Mario Mungia

Mario Mungia Jr. has a decade worth of experience as a combat sports journalist and correspondent which began with ThaBoxingVoice (TBV) as a podcast co-host, writer and editor-in-chief. Aside from his online resume, Mario spent a fair portion of his early career working for Spanish/English magazine Premier Round and the Mexican website Izquierdo. Mario has also contributed to NYFights while simultaneously working for MIC Sports Network as part of the broadcast crew covering local high school sports. Since then, he has launched his own podcast/live stream (Infighting/Work In Progress) and is covering pro wrestling for FightsATW.

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