SmackDown Live opened on a somber note, as newly crowned Women’s Champion Naomi was forced to hand over her title as a knee injury will prevent her from being able to defend it.
Naomi won the SmackDown Women’s Championship for the first time in her career at Elimination Chamber in a match against Alexa Bliss, but she suffered a knee injury during the match. Details of the injury haven’t been released by WWE, but GM Daniel Bryan said that doctors have determined she would not be able to wrestle for at least the next 30 days.
Due to injury, @NaomiWWE must relinquish her SmackDown Women’s Championship. #SDLive @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/2WMeZWfvDi
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2017
The news is especially heartbreaking as Naomi was set to head to WrestleMania 33 in her hometown of Orlando as the champion.
Wow! My heart is breaking for @NaomiWWE ? just doesn’t seem right! It’ll be hard to not give the hubby the cold shoulder? #SDLive #GMwife -B
— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) February 22, 2017
After Naomi handed over the title, Alexa Bliss suggested that Bryan returned to title to its former champion, but Bryan instead announced a championship match between Bliss and Becky Lynch.
Bliss regained the championship with a little help from Mickie James
With a blow to @BeckyLynchWWE‘s throat and a roll-up, @AlexaBliss_WWE has REGAINED the #SDLive Women’s Championship!!! pic.twitter.com/ZRPKR0MpwH
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2017
It looks like @MickieJames and @BeckyLynchWWE‘s rivalry is FAR from over… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/L2axLXiTIJ
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2017
