Ronda Rousey was set to have her next challenger on SmackDown tonight thanks to the gauntlet match, and she sure did, even after trying to interfere in the match. Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Xia Li, Tegan Knox, Sonya Deville, and Emma would all battle it out for a shot at that shot, and after an impressive first few rounds from Xia Li, it was Rodriguez who would make it to the end and defeat Deville. Unfortunately, Rousey came out and said she had to beat Shayna Baszler to actually win, but Baszler taunted the challenger and caught herself and was pinned by Rodriguez. Now she will challenge Rousey for the championship next week.
Xia and Emma were in the ring first, and after some back and forth between the two competitors, Xia was able to pin Emma and move on to the next round. Next up was Nox, and even though Nox would have put her on her heels, Xia kept her momentum, balancing her and moving on to the next round. That cleared the way for Rodriguez to enter the match. Rodriguez had a brace on his arm but was ready to take on Shea.
Raquel earns herself a #smackdown # amentetly opportunity!@employee pic.twitter.com/xznfoivGQd
– WWE on FOX (WWEonFOX) December 24, 2022
Shea and Rodriguez had been trading shots for some time, but Rodriguez’s awesome strength was on display the entire time, and Shea would eventually fall. Then Liv Morgan entered the match, and while Rodriguez continued to show her strength, Morgan was adapting and meeting her with speed and agility. Both superstars had their opponents on the ropes throughout the match, and after both came close to falling, Rodriguez would lift Morgan up for a grand slam only to get Inzegury in the face. She went for ObLivion but got tackled in the cover, and Rodriguez would get the pin.
Then it was time for Sonya Deville to enter the match, and Rodriguez was holding her arm. DeVille went right after his earlier injured arm, but Rodriguez countered with a headbutt and shoulder interference. DeVille continued to go arm and elbow and knocked Rodriguez into the cover, but she was knocked out. Rodriguez then hit the ring post and DeVille grabbed her arm and hit her against the post.
Rodriguez then slammed her shoulder into Deville several times and then hit her with an implant, then hit her again after the ropes hit a cover, but Deville took off. Deville rose to the top and locked that arm into a hold, then did it again before arguing with the referee, which led to Rodriguez dropping it to the mat in a slam dunk and getting the pin.
But then Rousey’s music hit and she grabbed a mic, telling Raquel she could wipe a smile off her face and revealing she had another opponent. That would be Shayna Baszler, who entered the ring next. They began trading punches and Baszler went right after the arm and elbow, ripping off what was left of the brace. He then stomped on her arm and taunted Rodriguez, but Rodriguez then made her scramble for a quick win, shocking Rousey and Baszler. Now Rodriguez will face Rossi for the SmackDown Women’s Championship next week on SmackDown Live.
What do you think of the match? Tell us in the comments or as always you can talk about all things wrestling with me on Twitter @MattAguilarCB!
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