WWE SmackDown
WWE SmackDown officially takes place from Boston, MA. Following the Super Showdown Event in Riyadh, KSA that saw three Smackdown Title defences with Bayley retaining against Naomi but both the New Day and the Fiend lose their Championships to Miz & Morrison and Goldberg. Announced for Smackdown are appearances from New Universal Champion Goldberg as well as former 16x time World Champion John Cena.
Goldberg segment
Smackdown kicks off hot with the newly crowned Universal Champion to social media’s anger. Goldberg grabs a mic before claiming “It’s not who’s last but who’s next”. This led the ‘Big Dog’ Roman Reigns to come out after finally and yes finally finishing the King Corbin feud would tell Goldberg he’s next before leaving the ring. I for one am glad this match isn’t as convoluted as two big heavyweights needs to be but by this logic setting up a World Title match at WrestleMania seems like a piece of cake.
Bayley vs Naomi
A non-title rematch from the night prior doesn’t really get going as Bayley grabs a mic early on saying “She shouldn’t be here” before introducing her best friend and hometown hero Sasha Banks to be at ringside. The match would not last much longer as after Naomi connected with a rear-view Banks intervened causing a DQ. This brought out Lacey Evans and the spirit of Teddy Long setting up a tag team match.
Boss N’ Hug Connection vs Naomi and Lacey Evans
Match starts during the commercial break with the former Women’s tag team champions in control with Banks meteora in the corner being the closest to a pinfall victory. This advantage continued for a couple minutes until a running jawbreaker on the ‘Legit Boss’ allowed Naomi the opportunity to tag in Lacey Evans. Evans cleaned house taking out Banks on the outside allowing Naomi to go back and forth with Naomi getting the victory with a sunset flip pin over the Smackdown Women’s Champion seemingly setting up a triple threat for Elimination Chamber.
Robert Roode w/ Dolph Ziggler vs Kofi Kingston w/ Big E
Another homeboy on the show with Kofi Kingston being heavily cheered with mass “New Day Rocks” chants before the former WWE Champion faced off against Robert Roode. This match would go back and forth with Kingston mainly in control until Roode pulled a classic Eddie Guerrero fawning an injury on the outside to get Big E ejected from ringside. This led to a period of Roode domination with a big vertical suplex before a failed knee drop gave Kofi a short burst of momentum. Roode came close with a two count off a spinebuster before the finish saw Ziggler place Roode’s foot on the rope after an S.O.S. which allowed Roode to roll up Kofi holding the tights for the win.
Mandy Rose would be shown backstage looking pleased at how Ziggler performed managing Roode.
Otis is shown backstage telling Tucker that he doesn’t know what to do and that “Something seems rather fishy”. Tucker tells Otis that its time to get over Mandy and be with someone who will love hi for who he is.
Intercontinental Championship Contract signing
Renee Young would be the officiant for this introducing the participants involved. Zayn would grab the mic calling Strowman “Irresponsible” and Strowman “Dangerous” Braun responded claiming he could take on all three guys at once and win… Sami Zayn accepts the challenge getting Cesaro, Nakamura and himself to sign the contract for Elimination Chamber. This would then lead to a 3 on 1 brawl where Zayn connected with three Helluva kicks including one through a table with Cesaro and Nakamura holding Strowman in a vertical position.
Daniel Bryan vs Curtis Axel
Another week and another Drew Gulak commentary of a Daniel Bryan match, Axel has control early on with the former Intercontinental Champion keeping close and using his strength advantage using the ringpost as a weapon. Bryan would build momentum with a running kick and YES kicks but nearly fell short to a surprise package and a clothesline to the back of the head, Bryan connected with a YES lock for the win.
Jeff Hardy is promoted for WWE Backstage, his first appearance on WWE programming in 11 months.
Miz and Morrison vs The Uso’s
Miz and Morrison prior to the match would gloat about the tag titles win and get the crowd to chant along with them before being informed of their match at Elimination Chamber…INSIDE the Elimination Chamber against The Uso’s, Roode & Ziggler, New Day, Heavy Machinery and Lucha House Party.
Morrison and Jimmy Uso start the match with the former ECW Champion in control before the Uso’s would isolate the Miz. The camera tease of the past few weeks would also show before Miz and Morrison took control with a double gutbuster and second rope enziguri before Jey Uso tagged in Jimmy Uso. This led to the very inventive finish after Miz was superkicked off the apron of a Samoan destroyer off the second rope by Jey before a splash by Jimmy for he non-title win for the Uso’s.
John Cena return
After vignettes all night of his greatest moments THE CHAMP IS HERE!!! Making his first appearance since WrestleMania of last year. Cena would take in the crowd’s chants with the “Cena sucks” chants becoming similar to those given to Kurt Angle out of respect. Cena riled up his hometown crowd asking them what he’s doing at WrestleMania but barely getting a word in due to the loud WWE Universe. Cena goes on to say this year’s WrestleMania should not have John Cena as spots “Are earned” and that he doesn’t know when he will be back bit wanted to make an appearance in front of his family. Cena gores up the ramp to do the salute before the lights go out and the audio only for the Fiend to appear.
The Fiend looks at John Cena and points at the WrestleMania sign to which Cena tips his hat setting up a mega WrestleMania match to close the show.
