This week’s SmackDown opened up with the SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair in the ring. Joining her was Sasha Banks, who since last week, has been looking for a championship match.
Flair considered this notion of Banks wanting a title shot as a bit selfish and she wanted to give an opportunity to one of the newer faces in the back in a championship contenders match. Shotzi was quick to answer that request and made her way out to the ring.
After telling Flair that if she wants to face someone she never has before, Shotzi’s request was granted as The Queen agreed to a match. Banks stayed at ringside to root on Shotzi against Flair.
As the match winded down, Shotzi rolled out of the way from a moonsault but Flair landed on her feet. She capitalized and went for a pin but only got a two count. The SmackDown Women’s Champion went for what looked like a Figure Four attempt when Shotzi drove her into the ropes.
Banks hopped up on the ring apron as Shotzi went to charge for Flair. Flair dodged out of the way and Shotzi stopped herself before hitting Banks. This was enough of a distraction for Flair to capitalize on as she hit Natural Selection and pinned Shotzi for the win.
Post-match, Banks went in the ring and tried to help Shotzi up. Shotzi wasn’t happy about what transpired and shoved The Boss and started yelling at her saying this was her fault. As Banks turned her back to give her attention to Flair once again, Shotiz launched her attack.
The onslaught that took place on both the outside and inside of the ring resulted in a Ball Pit maneuver from the top rope to Banks who was laid out in the ring. The segment ended with Shotzi standing over The Boss.
Also on SmackDown, we witnessed the rivalry between Naomi and Sonya Deville continue. Two weeks ago, after several weeks, Deville finally gave Naomi her match since moving to the blue brand. She booked herself along with Shayna Baszler in a 2-on-1 Handicap match against Naomi. This week, Naomi had to face Baszler one-on-one but with Deville as referee. So was it really one-on-one?
After Naomi slipped on the top rope, she went for a cover on Baszler. Deville, of course clearly biased in the situation, did not make the count on Naomi’s pin attempt. Baszler rolled through with a pin of her own which Deville made a very quick three count to declare Baszler the winner. Naomi would reasonably confront Deville post-match, but that allowed Baszler to lock in a Kirifuda Clutch to assert her dominance as Deville leaves the ring and walks away.
Xia Li is one of the few women who were called up to the main roster during the recent WWE Draft. She had a “coming soon” vignette air.
Digital Exclusives of Charlotte Flair and Shayna Baszler can be seen below.
As for 205 Live which aired after SmackDown, Katrina Cortez took on Sarray. Sarray was able to pick up the win in that exchange.
Check back in with Diva Dirt for all of your future news on the women of SmackDown.