WWE SmackDown
On the prior Smackdown a new Intercontinental Champion was crowned in Braun Strowman defeating Shinsuke Nakamura who had held the Championship since Extreme Rules. Other noticeable events included Miz and Morrison becoming number one contenders for the Smackdown tag titles as well as Roman Reigns being able to exert some form of revenge on King Corbin covering the former Money in the Bank winner in dog food. Announced for this week’s Smackdown are appearances from Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt and Goldberg. The ‘Dirt Sheet’ making its first appearance in 12 years with a Smackdown Women’s Championship number one contender’s match main eventing between Alexa Bliss, Carmella, Dana Brooke and Naomi.
‘The Dirt Sheet’
Smackdown kicks off with the tag team division with Miz and Morrison bringing back the ‘Dirt Sheet’ with an up to date intro before showing a trailer for a ‘Dirt Sheet’ movie titled ‘Once Upon A Time On The Dirt Sheet’ which Morrison claims will win all the Slammy’s. Before Miz and Morrison were able to go further they were interrupted by the Smackdown Tag Team Champions who ran the duo down claiming they would not be victorious at Super Show Down. This led to the Uso’s coming out next welcoming Miz and Morrison to the ‘Uso Penitentiary’ before Dolph Ziggler’s music played causing a distraction for Miz and Morrison to blindside the New Day.
The Uso’s vs Roode and Ziggler
This match started during the commercial break and feels like déjà vu when watching Smackdown at the moment. The Uso’s had the early advantage in the match until a Ziggler distraction allowed Roode to take control. This advantage lasted the majority of the match with Ziggler coming close to winning with a Famouser and a double team spinebuster/zigzag combo. Following this extended period Jey Uso would be able to tag in Jimmy who cleaned house delivering a Samoan Drop to Roode and corner hip attack to Ziggler. The finish saw both sides come close to winning but it would be the Uso’s continuing their undefeated run since returning pinning Roode after an Uso splash.
Goldberg appearing is hyped up for later tonight
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross are shown backstage in preparation for the number one contender’s match later on in the show. Bliss references defeating Bayley in this exact arena in her hometown nearly 3 years ago and that she has something “Twisted up her sleeve”
After a recap video is shown of King Corbin being humiliated at the end of Smackdown Corbin invades the production truck grabbing one of the producers and throwing him down a flight of stairs.
Elias vs Cesaro
Elias plays his pre-match tune as always asking the crowd “Who wants to walk with Elias”, this would be interrupted by Cesaro with the match starting through the commercial break. Returning from the break Elias gained control through a euranage backbreaker but would be shortlived with Cesaro delivering a big boot to the outside before using the barricade and a Zayn cheapshot for an advantage. Elias gained some relief with a running knee but an elbow drop would be stopped by a vicious uppercut and superplex for 2. The finish saw Elias connect with an elbow drop for a big victory.
King Corbin is shown at the top of the ramp promising “He will not be silenced” before taking a sports jab with Corbin’s Kansas Chiefs defeating California’s own 49ers. The 2019 King of the Ring claimed last week was an “Abomination” and that he demands one more match with Roman Reigns. After pouring a drink on a fan, Reigns appeared delivering a Superman punch and Drive-by to Corbin forcing King Corbin to flee. Reigns sets a challenge to the former RAW commisoner of a steel cage match for Super Showdown.
Goldberg segment
This was the main attraction heading into Smackdown with fan wondering “WHO’S NEXT” for Bill Goldberg who hasn’t been seen since defeating Dolph Ziggler at Summerslam. Goldberg cut to the chase straight away claiming that he’s never had a Universal Championship rematch. Just as Goldberg is about to challenge Wyatt Firefly Fun House plays with Wyatt as a news presenter reporting on what Goldberg just announced before warning him that the Fiend accepts. Goldberg tells Wyatt to “Cut the crap” and that “HE’S NEXT”
Bryan is shown backstage with Heath Slater who criticises Bryan for his mistakes against the Fiend. Bryan tells him that they’re having a singles match right now.
Daniel Bryan vs Heath Slater
This is Bryan’s first match since the Royal Rumble and Bryan didn’t look like any ring rust had affected him connecting with a big dropkick in the corner from the bell followed by a suicide dive and YES kicks. Bryan hit the running knee before doing multiple curb kicks to the head and a YES lock for the win.
Braun Strowman interview
The new Intercontinental Champion makes his way down to the ring to be interviewed by Renee Young, Strowman claims that despite everything he’s done in WWE this is his biggest achievement. Nakamura and Zayn would then appear demanding a rematch which Braun agrees to right now, this prompted Zayn to say but not in San Jose. This distraction allowed the Revival to blindside Strowman and take the big man down before a 4 on 1 beatdown commenced on the Intercontinental Champion, Nakamura would get the exclamation point with a Kinshasa to a wounded Strowman who was starting to fight back.
Video package is shown of Otis preparing for his Valentine’s day date with Mandy Rose with 80’s prep music in the background Otis would lift weights and learn etiquette. The segment finished with Otis accidentally flipping the table before claiming he’s ready.
Apollo Crews vs Sheamus
First appearance in a long time for Apollo Crews going up against the newly returned Sheamus. The match was very short lived with Apollo missing a corner splash and being hit with the Brogue kick. Post-match, Sheamus attempted to connect with another Brogue kick to Apollo only for Shorty G to attempt a rescue. After a short back and forth Sheamus laid out Shorty G with a Brogue Kick.
Super Showdown card is run down.
Number One Contender’s match for the Smackdown Women’s Championship
Alexa Bliss vs Carmella vs Dana Brooke vs Naomi
It’s Main Event time with the Women’s division for the first time in a long time being given the opportunity instead of Team Corbin vs Team Reigns part 289. Match started with all four attempting quick rollups for the win before Naomi took out all three of her opponents with a dive. This gave Bayley the opportunity for revenge from last week throwing Naomi into the steel steps. Following the commercial break Naomi came close to winning with a seated takedown manoeuvre before Dana’s sit down powerbomb on Alexa Bliss garnered a 2. Carmella connected with a bronco buster in the corner before Naomi came close with a springboard split legged moonsault. Bliss and Naomi would trade near falls with the 5x Champion taking control until a big Naomi forearm brought Brooke and Carmella back in. Dana would be dispatched with a split leg drop by Naomi before we moved into the finish. Naomi would block a Twisted Bliss attempt before connecting with the rear view, Naomi would not be able to capitalise however being hit by two Carmella superkicks for the Mella win.
Post-match, Bayley would blindside Carmella connecting with the Rose plant to stand tall at the end of the show.
Overall, this was an okay episode of WWE SmackDown, but it felt too much like filler heading first into Super Showdown and then Elimination Chamber.
