WWE SmackDown results, grades: Goldberg returns to confront Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns is next for Goldberg (Picture: WWE)

Goldberg returned on SmackDown as WWE started the march towards Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania.

The Hall of Famer – who hasn’t been seen since beating Bobby Lashley in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Crown Jewel in October – made a surprise comeback on Friday night’s show to reveal his match at the next Saudi Arabia event.

The show started with The Bloodline and Paul Heyman making their wayt to the ring to address the latter’s actions at the Royal Rumble.

Roman Reigns’ special counsel explained that he didn’t have any mastermind plot to double cross Brock Lesnar, instead acknowledging that he made a mistake.

He insisted he deserved getting fired and hit with a Superman Punch, and so turned his attention to the Beast with the hope he’d stay on Raw with Reigns ruling the roost on SmackDown – but Brock’s Title versus Title challenge ruined anything.

He recaps the Rumble and vows to never do Lesnar’s introduction again, saying Roman’s actions made him realise what side he’s on as he acknowledged the Head of the Table.

Goldberg’s music hit as he came to the ring and grabbed a mic before laying down a challenge for Elimination Chamber later this month, which comes nearly two years after their planned WrestleMania 36 bout couldn’t happen.

It looks like Roman has his title match set, and at least it should all be guarantee we don’t get another Goldberg championship run.

Ronda Rousey makes WrestleMania decision after attacking Sonya Deville

The main event segment was a little confusing but still ended on a high as Ronda Rousey made her intentions clear for WrestleMania 37.

First, Sonya Deville joined Charlotte Flair in the ring and revealed the Royal Rumble winner had chosen to challenge Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch at Mania in April.

The Queen insisted Rousey made the right choice by avoiding her, before offering to put the SmackDown Women’s Title on the line against Sasha Banks.

Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair are set for WrestleMania 37 (Picture: WWE)

However, the Baddest Woman on the Planet came out and insisted she’d be making her own decision about WrestleMania, revealing her choice is Flair.

Deville tried to attack Rousey, only to get put into the armbar as the former UFC champ stared down Charlotte.

In the first match of the night, Ricochet managed to beat Ridge Holland, and after the beat they found themselves in a tag match with Cesaro and Sheamus by their respective sides.

The feud continues, but Cesaro and Ricochet deserve more than the loss (Picture: WWE)

This time, Holland got the win with Northern Grit on the Swiss Superman, and it’s a shame Cesaro has fallen so far after his run around WrestleMania last year.

Jimmy Uso made quick work of Erik just weeks before The Usos put their SmackDown Tag Team Titles on the line against The Viking Raiders.

Aliyah and Natalya met in the ring yet again, with the Queen of Harts beating down her rival before missing the referee’s count and giving the rising star a Count Out victory.

Drew McIntyre is back and on fire (Picture: WWE)

Drew McIntyre was back on SmackDown almost a week after returning at the Royal Rumble, insisting doctors doubted he’d be back but he told them to ‘kiss his ass’.

Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss went for the attack, but the Scottish Warrior held the latter of with his sword and made him tell a joke.

He hit him with a huge Claymore and vowed to make Corbin’s life hell as he stood tall – and you’d hope Elimination Chamber will be the end of this.

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Sami Zayn was on commentary as Shinsuke Nakamura beat Jinder Mahal, with Rick Boogs distracted midway through, while we’d already found out Zayn will face Nakamura on SmackDown for the IC Title in two weeks time.

Finally, the last match of the night was far and away the best – although that’s not saying much this week – as The New Day beat Los Lotharios in very entertaining bout.

The chemistry was great, while Kofi Kingston and Big E’s wheelbarrow bulldog double team deserves a mention, but in the end, Midnight Hour did the job.

WWE SmackDown airs Friday nights at 1am on BT Sport 1.

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