WWE SmackDown results, grades: Matt Riddle saves Sami Zayn from The Bloodline after Kevin Owens injury

Matt Riddle saved Sami Zayn from Jey Uso and Solo Sikoa on SmackDown (Picture: WWE)

Matt Riddle came to the rescue on SmackDown as Sami Zayn was getting beat down by The Bloodline.

WWE ended the blue brand’s first post-WrestleMania show in a big way as the Original Bro – who made his return on Raw months after being brutally attacked by Solo Sikoa – raced down to help the beloved superstar.

Backstage, Paul Heyman refused to comment on Brock Lesnar attacking Cody Rhodes earlier this week on Raw, instead turning his attention to Roman Reigns.

Heyman and Solo were soon joined by Jey, with the Wiseman urging him to deal with The Bloodline’s Sami Zayn problem in the main event, before issuing a similar (albeit more sinister) instruction to Solo once they were alone.

Despite Kevin Owens advising him against it as they chatted in the locker room, Sami Zayn insisted he needed to talk to Jey after everything they’ve been through, but their conversation was interrupted by KO being assaulted by Solo, who dumped a crate on his foot.

He wasn’t able to accompany Sami for his huge match with Jey, which the fan favourite lost after Solo interfered with a Samoan Spike to help his brother to victory.

They went on the attack after the bell, but Riddle’s music hit as he raced down to the ring, bringing his own issues with The Bloodline back into the story as the saga continues to reward fans with continuity.

Triple H announces WWE Draft, Judgment Day has a big night and more

After a highlight package for WrestleMania, a very important episode of SmackDown kicked off with a banger of a match between Brawling Brutes and Imperium.

Sheamus, Butch and Ridge Holland got a big win over GUNTHER, Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser after some predictably hard hitting action as all six men got a chance to shine.

Despite giving up a size advantage to his larger opponent, Ricochet beat The Viking Raiders star Ivar with a Shooting Star Press after a fun sprint.

Ridge Holland, Butch and Sheamus picked up a significant win over Imperium (Picture: Twitter/@WWESheamus)

In another brief – but solid – bout, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez got some momentum before their Women’s Tag Team Title match against Becky Lynch and Lita as they picked up an easy victory over Natalya and Shotzi.

On the plus side, it’s nice seeing the another team from the WrestleMania Showcase kept together beyond that weekend, which is a smart move if WWE wants to finally build up a viable division.

LA Knight interrupted a gaming segment with Xavier Woods, ranting about missing out on WrestleMania, taking issue with the people who did get a spot instead of him.

The New Day man offered to teach him a lesson in the ring due to his recent attitude, and it sounds like the match could be set for next week.

Triple H came out to the ring and, instead of repeating Raw’s message that ‘nothing will change’ after WWE’s sale, he confirmed a huge draft is coming in the next few weeks with every superstar eligible.

He then introduced Rhea Ripley, who came out with her Judgment Day teammates as they all had time to shine, starting with the SmackDown Women’s Champion hyping up her win over Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania.

Finn Balor opened up about needing 14 staples in his head midway through his brutal Hell In A Cell match against Edge, pointing out that he’s still standing while the Rated R Superstar is nowhere to be seen.

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Damian Priest insisted Bad Bunny had himself to blame for getting chokeslammed through the announce table on Raw, and Dominik Mysterio blasted his legendary dad Rey Mysterio for beating his own son last weekend in Hollywood.

This led into a fantastically entertaining tag team match Dominik and Damian Priest stealing in a win against the Latino World Order’s Santos Escobar and Rey.

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

WWE SmackDown results and grades – April 7, 2023

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