Top Dolla of the Hit Row faction already hinted at character change on last week’s WWE Smackdown by targeting Ricochet. Now he alongside the remaining two members of the Hit Row group solidified their heel-turn by going all-out at the top babyface player of the blue brand.
This came after Dolla came up short against Ricochet in a Royal Rumble qualifying match on the January 6 episode of WWE SmackDown. Dolla alongside Hit Row attacked Ricochet after the latter was invited for a handshake segment by Dolla. Ashante Adonis super-kicked Ricochet while B-Fab also joined the beatdown inside the ring.
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However, the attack couldn’t last long after Braun Strowman came out to make the save. Strowman is currently forming an alliance with Ricochet before heading into an Intercontinental Title Match on WWE Smackdown against GUNTHER, next week. Ricochet also thanked Strowman for being on his side.
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Previously, the former Universal Champion was saved from a beatdown at the hands of Imperium that helped set up the championship match against GUNTHER on the January 13 WWE SmackDown. Strowman is a former Intercontinental Champion as he held the mid-card belt in early 2020. Next week, he will try to become a two-time IC Champ.
Meanwhile, Ricochet’s victory over Top Dolla made him the third entry into the Royal Rumble match for this year following Kofi Kingston and Santos Escobar. On the women’s side, Liv Morgan is the only competitor confirmed to enter the women’s Royal Rumble match of this year. Additionally, Roman Reigns’ Undisputed Title defense and a Pitch Black match have been confirmed from WWE Smackdown for the first PPV event of 2023.
Royal Rumble 2023 PLE Match Card after WWE Smackdown
Royal Rumble 2023 premium live event takes place Saturday, January 28 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The updated match card for the first WWE Network Specials is given below:
– Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens
– Pitch Black Match: Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight
– Men’s Royal Rumble Match: Kofi Kingston, Ricochet, Santos Escobar, and 27 Superstars TBA
– Women’s Royal Rumble Match: Liv Morgan, and 29 Superstars TBA
