Smackdown Review (26th of February)
Oh my goodness, what in the hell is going on with Smackdown?! We're continuing on the road to Wrestlemania and with Fastlane next Sunday, boy have things changed! For the past couple of weeks, we've been on the Kofi Kingston ride as we all have been giving this man tons of praise and hyping him up for his upcoming championship match against Daniel Bryan at Fastlane. All of that momentum has been put on hold now, thanks to the Chairman of the board, Vince McMahon.
Show opened with a contract signing between Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan for the planned WWE Championship match at Fastlane. Daniel signed on the dotted line first and as Kofi was about to sign his name, Vince McMahon arrived unexpectedly. He states how he has indeed appreciated everything Kofi has done in the WWE over the past 11 years, but then he throws a huge curveball! He then tells Kofi that he's replacing him in the WWE Championship match with the returning Kevin Owens! KO proceeds to walk out and signs his name on the contract as the New Day are clearly furious. Kofi just had his championship opportunity taken away from him in a snap of a finger. He will get his moment to shine for sure very soon, possibly at Wrestlemania.
Show opened with a contract signing between Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan for the planned WWE Championship match at Fastlane. Daniel signed on the dotted line first and as Kofi was about to sign his name, Vince McMahon arrived unexpectedly. He states how he has indeed appreciated everything Kofi has done in the WWE over the past 11 years, but then he throws a huge curveball! He then tells Kofi that he's replacing him in the WWE Championship match with the returning Kevin Owens! KO proceeds to walk out and signs his name on the contract as the New Day are clearly furious. Kofi just had his championship opportunity taken away from him in a snap of a finger. He will get his moment to shine for sure very soon, possibly at Wrestlemania.
The Hardy Boyz Vs. The Bar
This match was random as hell! First off, it's great to see Matt Hardy return to the ring! He looked great and we got to see the Hardyz of old out there. Now what's weird about this match was that it was originally scheduled to be Johnny Gargano vs Cesaro. No word yet on why this match was changed, but we'll find out in due time. Hardyz pick up the win after Jeff hits his famous Swanton Bomb on Sheamus.
R-Truth & Carmella arrive to the ring as Truth decides to issue an open challenge for his United States Championship. A championship that's just down in the dumps right now. Seriously, what has happened to the prestige of the US title? That title is a complete afterthought on the Smackdown brand and it's just ridiculous. The past couple champions, being Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev, have had such forgettable title reigns that no one can take that championship seriously anymore. Anyway, Andrade Cien Almas and Rey Mysterio both came out to accept the challenge. This sets up an impromptu Triple Threat match for the US title.
R-Truth & Carmella arrive to the ring as Truth decides to issue an open challenge for his United States Championship. A championship that's just down in the dumps right now. Seriously, what has happened to the prestige of the US title? That title is a complete afterthought on the Smackdown brand and it's just ridiculous. The past couple champions, being Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev, have had such forgettable title reigns that no one can take that championship seriously anymore. Anyway, Andrade Cien Almas and Rey Mysterio both came out to accept the challenge. This sets up an impromptu Triple Threat match for the US title.
R-Truth (C) Vs. Andrade Vs. Rey Mysterio (United States Championship)
This match was pretty good as it features minimum high spots and slick moves from all three competitors. Match ends with Rey hitting the 619 on Andrade as Truth dodges the move and rolls up Rey for the pin, retaining the US title.
Charlotte Flair appears next as she cuts a promo about how she is a threat to Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch. She announces that she will appear on RAW and expects to be handed the RAW Women's Championship from Vince McMahon, as Ronda Rousey left the title in the ring to Stephanie McMahon the night before. I can sense we'll see Ronda and/or Becky attempt to ruin this moment one way or another.
Charlotte Flair appears next as she cuts a promo about how she is a threat to Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch. She announces that she will appear on RAW and expects to be handed the RAW Women's Championship from Vince McMahon, as Ronda Rousey left the title in the ring to Stephanie McMahon the night before. I can sense we'll see Ronda and/or Becky attempt to ruin this moment one way or another.
Aleister Black & Ricochet Vs. Rusev & Shinsuke Nakamura
Good tag match and just watching Nakamura and Rusev team up is just pointless to me. Ricochet and Black were mostly defenseless but then they picked up steam at the end. Aleister delivers the Black Mass to Nakamura and picks up the win for his team.
Lacey Evans walks out then walks to the back yet again. Pointless. Why? Who knows.
AJ Styles is being interviewed backstage as he talks about entering a slump on his road to Wrestlemania. He's then interrupted by Randy Orton and this could possibly build a match between the two at Wrestlemania. I can't see these two off the Wrestlemania card so a match between them would be cool to see.
Lacey Evans walks out then walks to the back yet again. Pointless. Why? Who knows.
AJ Styles is being interviewed backstage as he talks about entering a slump on his road to Wrestlemania. He's then interrupted by Randy Orton and this could possibly build a match between the two at Wrestlemania. I can't see these two off the Wrestlemania card so a match between them would be cool to see.
Kevin Owens & Kofi Kingston Vs. Daniel Bryan & Rowan
This match was the weakest on the show but was not a bad main event as well. Most of the match was Rowan and Bryan dominating Kofi and we got to see KO in action after months of being sidelined by an injury. Decent back and forth action between both teams and all competitors, yes including Rowan, had a good showing. Match ends with Kevin Owens hitting the Stone Cold Stunner on Bryan and pinning him! Owens pinned Bryan after executing the Stone Cold Stunner! Kofi and Owens have a stare down afterwards and that ends the show.
With the way things are going right now with the WWE Championship picture, I can see Kofi definitely getting his title shot at Wrestlemania. Shocking way to set this up, but the ending will all be worth it. Very good episode of Smackdown Live!
Show rating: 9/10
With the way things are going right now with the WWE Championship picture, I can see Kofi definitely getting his title shot at Wrestlemania. Shocking way to set this up, but the ending will all be worth it. Very good episode of Smackdown Live!
Show rating: 9/10
