WWE SmackDown results: Montreal rallies behind Sami Zayn ahead of Roman Reigns match at Elimination Chamber

Zayn received a hero's welcome in his hometown and has the city backing him against Reigns

Sami Zayn may be the challenger at Elimination Chamber, but undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns is certainly entering enemy territory this weekend. A feverish Montreal crowd ate up every moment of Zayn's closing speech on Friday's episode of SmackDown.

Kevin Owens has been absent since the Royal Rumble, but Friday night was very much the "Sami Zayn Show." The plucky underdog could hardly get a word out as his hometown crowd showered him in chants, praise and song. It was a moment that will be remembered quite fondly in the rich history of WWE in Canada.

SmackDown also featured an intercontinental championship match between GUNTHER and No. 1 contender Madcap Moss. The challenger cemented himself as the top contender by winning a fatal four-way match the previous week on SmackDown. 

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Bell Centre in Montreal.

Sami Zayn, hometown hero

Video packages throughout the broadcast detailed the entire saga between The Bloodline and Zayn: how the two parties formed their alliance, their cohesion, the trial and the fall.

Zayn made a triumphant homecoming to the Bell Centre in Friday's closing segment. His old theme music, "Worlds Apart," played to an overwhelming ovation from the Montreal crowd and his slightly delayed appearance reinvigorated fans. There was a surreal joy in Zayn's eyes as he watched the crowd sing along to his music. A fired-up Zayn couldn't get a word out as the crowd chanted.

Zayn noted how everyone looks ahead to WrestleMania at this time every year. For Zayn and the people of Montreal, Elimination Chamber is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Reigns was warned that he fights not only Zayn on Saturday night, but the entire city of Montreal as well. Zayn spoke from his chest when addressing the undisputed WWE universal champion, assuring Reigns that he was going down. SmackDown closed with the audience singing along to Zayn's music.

I'm very much conflicted on this one. On one hand, it was probably the right call to give Zayn his solo moment in front of a rabid hometown crowd. On the other hand, there are so many interesting subplots between Zayn and The Bloodline -- such as Jey Uso's enduring friendship with Zayn and Jimmy Uso lying to Paul Heyman -- that were not advanced at all. There may be extraneous circumstances as to why some members of The Bloodline did not appear on the final episode before Elimination Chamber, but it was a touch disappointing nonetheless. The world champion was nowhere to be seen the night before his title defense. Fortunately, both Zayn and the passionate Bell Centre crowd made up for it. Zayn has arguably the best emotional range of any active WWE superstar. The gleam in his eye, the tears he shed and the conviction with which he delivered his lines all deserve praise. As does the Montreal crowd that was with him every step of the way. We didn't get much in terms of story development, but what we got was great. Grade: A

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• A graphic paying tribute to the late Jerry Jarrett, who died on Feb. 14.
• Ronda Rousey and Shayna Bazler def. Shotzi and Natalya via submission after Rousey trapped Shotzi in her trademark armbar.
• Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy cut short an abysmal rap performance by Hit Row, laying out Ashante Adonis and Top Dolla.
• Wyatt laid out a challenge to Brock Lesnar or Bobby Lashley, whichever one emerges victorious at Elimination Chamber.
• Drew McIntyre and Sheamus def. Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) via pinfall after McIntyre cracked Erik with a Brogue Kick.
• Karrion Kross told Rey Mysterio he was a pathetic excuse for a father and seeing Dominik Mysterio had Kross reconsidering parenthood.
• Asuka def. Liv Morgan via submission after trapping her in an armbar variation.
• Intercontinental championship -- GUNTHER (c) def. Moss via pinfall with a Tenryu Powerbomb to retain his title.