Following last night’s announcement on RAW that the next Royal Rumble event would include the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble, many were looking forward to seeing how the women on the SmackDown Live brand would react. As well as that major announcement, we were all waiting to see the fallout from this weekend’s Clash of Champions PPV.
To whomever wins the first-ever Women’s #RoyalRumble Match, @MsCharlotteWWE is more than ready to defend her #SDLive #WomensTitle WITH FLAIR at #WrestleMania! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Bz04K1jmLK
— WWE (@WWE) December 20, 2017
The first to vocalise her reaction to the announcement is SmackDown Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair. She praised the fans for helping the ‘Women’s Evolution’ movement, stating that their support in live crowds and across social media is what helped to push the division. However, she warned the roster that despite the smiles, she will be ready and waiting to defend her title at WrestleMania.
The Women’s #RoyalRumble Match will be FEELING THE GLOW because @NaomiWWE has just declared herself the first #SDLive entrant! @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/qRTW9AfICj
— WWE (@WWE) December 20, 2017
Naomi also has her own revelation, by announcing that she will be the first confirmed participant in the Rumble! She then hints that she’ll be coming for Charlotte at WrestleMania.
Cue the Riott Squad! Before they can get to the ring, Naomi calls them out about their constant sneak attacks and issues a tag match between any two members of the Riott Squad ‘to show them how to Rumble’.
.@NaomiWWE and @MsCharlotteWWE showing the #RiottSquad how to Rumble… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/NWORFvP8W9
— WWE (@WWE) December 20, 2017
This match sees the Riott Squad working over Charlotte for the majority of the match. Eventually, Naomi receives the hot tag and hammers Logan with a barrage of strikes and a Springboard Enziguiri, but Riott breaks the count. She’s met with a big boot by Charlotte to take her out the match.
.@NaomiWWE brings the GLOW, but it was LIGHTS OUT for @sarahloganwwe as the glowing athlete and @MsCharlotteWWE claim the victory! @RubyRiotWWE @YaOnlyLivvOnce #SDLive #RiottSquad pic.twitter.com/mI5lGHK88i
— WWE (@WWE) December 20, 2017
Liv Morgan jumps onto the apron to help her Squad members, but Naomi manages to send Logan into her. Logan is then met with a Rear View and Naomi has set her claim to the Rumble! She celebrates with Charlotte, while the Riott Squad try to regroup after their loss.
What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Are the Riott Squad losing steam already? Will Naomi be next in line for the next big push? Let us know in the comments below!
