Winners And Grades On March 24, 2023

WWE SmackDown advertised Cody Rhodes’ return to in-ring action on SmackDown with a match against Ludwig Kaiser. SmackDown also advertised Rey Mysterio against LA Knight with Dominik Mysterio set to confront his family. Drew McIntyre, Sheamus and GUNTHER were featured in a contract signing ahead of their Triple Threat match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

Last week’s broadcast of SmackDown drew 2.258 million viewers.

WWE SmackDown Results | March 24, 2023

• Cody Rhodes def. Ludwig Kaiser
• LA Knight def. Rey Mysterio
• Shotzi and Natalya def. Lacey Evans and Xia Li
• GUNTHER def. Butch

WWE SmackDown Ratings

• March 17, 2023 | 2.258 million
• March 10, 2023 | 2.320 million
• March 3, 2023 | 2.451 million
• February 24, 2023 | 2.408 million
• February 17, 2023 | 2.383 million

• WWE SmackDown Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas, Nev.)
• WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 9,913
• Available Tickets: 357

WWE SmackDown Winners and Grades

Michael Cole planted the seeds for an inevitable Cody Rhodes vs. GUNTHER WWE Championship feud by discussing Rhodes defeating GUNTHER in the Royal Rumble. Assuming Cody Rhodes beats Roman Reigns, hopefully GUNTHER remains undefeated after WrestleMania so a Rhodes-GUNTHER storyline could truly heat up.

Cody Rhodes was repeatedly distracted by Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa, but was still able to fend off Kaiser for the predictable win.

After the match, Rhodes inspired another “you’re not ready” chant for Solo Sikoa. Hopefully this chant doesn’t stick to Solo for too long.

Cody Rhodes vs. Ludwig Kaiser Grade: B+

Charlotte Flair Promo

There was nothing wrong with this promo, but it was essentially Charlotte Flair going out of her way to say she did not benefit from nepotism. Even if she did, the fact that she’s reached these heights with her opportunities has nothing to do with her bloodline, so I don’t see why it’s such a big deal.

Little can be done to convince me that Rhea Ripley is not walking out of WrestleMania 39 as champion. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if it was a squash match that leads to Charlotte Flair questioning herself and ultimately turning heel.

Charlotte Flair Promo Grade: C

LA Knight def. Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio’s family was seated in the front row, so you know this segment was about to get messy.

Many People could be heard chanting “LA Knight” when Knight performed his signature taunt. The quietest surge in WWE continues.

Dominik Mysterio told his mother to shut up, and that was enough to cause Rey to finally snap. Another predictable payoff, where Rey Mysterio clocked Dominik, and another sold-out arena going crazy for it. How many hops has the Triple H Era (ft. Vince) created this year alone? Rey-Dominik is another candidate to main event Night 1.

Rey Mysterio vs. LA Knight Grade and Post-match Segment: A+

Shotzi and Natalya def. Lacey Evans and Xia Li

Shotzi’s tank ran out of gas halfway down the ramp and she and Natalya had to walk the rest of the way.

Encouragingly, this match opened with loud chants of “Shotzi.”

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were watching ringside, and it was a missed opportunity for Rodriguez and Morgan to recreate Liv’s viral moment with a WWE staffer at the New York Nets game.

Ronda Rousey received massive heat from the Las Vegas crowd.

Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler being added to a throwaway Fatal 4-Way match is such a waste .

Shotzi and Natalya vs. Lacey Evans and Xia Li: B-

GUNTHER def. Butch

The contract signing inevitably went off the rails when Butch leapt over the table to attack GUNTHER.

This match had to be encouraging for European talents who were stuck in WWE NXT UK for the past few years.

Following this match, Drew McIntyre hit GUNTHER with a Claymore Kick that seemed aimed at Sheamus. There are just as many Sheamus supporters as there are for Drew, but all of them wanted to see these two fight.

GUNTHER vs. Butch Grade: B-

The KO Show Featuring Sami Zayn

In a discouraging sign, Bobby Lashley was announced for next week’s Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Kevin Owens called out Sami Zayn for “wanting his own pop.” Are they already planting the seeds for a KO-Sami breakup?

Zayn said he didn’t know why but WrestleMania felt different this year. I’d guess Vince McMahon not leading creative would be the main culprit, but what do I know?

Zayn and Owens recreated the “Honorary Uce” segment after KO made WrestleZaynia shirts with “KO-Mania: Hollywood” on the back. After hugging it out, they were mauled by The Usos.

The KO Show Grade with Sami Zayn: B+