This is my first review and what a way to kick-off than with the go-home show for WWE SmackDown ahead of Royal Rumble. Announced for the Smackdown show is the contract signing for the Universal Championship strap match between Daniel Bryan and the Fiend and a 6-man tag team match between The Bloodline and The King’s Court. Smackdown takes place from Dallas, TX.
The Bloodline vs. King’s Court
SmackDown kicks off with a match for once! This has been the dominant feud for the past few months on Smackdown and has led to divisive views with some seeing it as ‘too cartoony’ whilst others see an old school feel to the programme. The match starts with the Bloodline in control with the Uso’s working over Dolph Ziggler before Robert Roode tags himself in. Roode and Jimmy Uso would go back and forth until Jimmy Uso suffered an injury after being thrown into the steel steps, after some medical attention Jimmy Uso would be taken backstage making this match now a 3 on-2 handicap match. King’s Court would take control of the match targeting Jey Uso with the son of Rikishi taking a Deep Six off of Corbin for a two count followed by a jumping elbow drop from Ziggler, Jey would nearly find reprieve from an enziguri but be unable to tag in Roman Reigns who was blindsided by Corbin and thrown into the crowd. After a few more minutes of King’s Court targeting Jey Uso Roman Reigns would be able to make the tag cleaning house delivering a jumping clothesline and big boot to Ziggler before a 3-on-1 beatdown commenced on ‘The Big Dog’. This would last for a few minutes until a Glorious DDT would be reversed into a schoolboy powerbomb with the reprieve only being short lived, Reigns finally got the momentum off a Superman punch before a returning Jimmy Uso tagged in clearing house. The finish saw Reigns and Corbin brawl through the crowd with Jimmy Uso getting the win through an Uso splash on Robert Roode.
Vignette of the Fiend, Kane and Daniel Bryan from last week is done to hype up the contract signing.
Another vignette is shown to promote Bayley vs Lacey Evans for the Royal Rumble showcasing Lacey’s win over the Smackdown Women’s Champion last week.
Following the Royal Rumble video package for the Women’s Championship match Lacey Evans is interviewed at the top of the ramp by Michael Cole. After talking about her tough upbringing and that you cab achieve whatever you want if “You set your mind to it”. Cole would then bring up Bayley and Sasha Banks with Evans claiming Banks and Bayley are “Bullies” and that after Sunday she’ll set a “Proper example of a Champion”. Dana Brooke and Carmella backstage announce that they’re in the Royal Rumble match joining Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Sarah Logan and Natalya.
Fire & Desire vs. BlissCross Applesauce
With these two teams feuding on and off again since Bliss’s return at the end of November you would expect a solid match out of this…19 seconds. The match starts with Alexa Bliss and Sonya Deville but is quickly interrupted by Bayley and Evans brawling into the ring creating a mass brawl scenario. Highlight was Nikki Cross running to Bliss who separates herself from the brawl.
Braun Strowman & Elias vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro w/ Sami Zayn
Before the match begins Elias looks to get Braun Strowman to sing along with him to the crowd’s support, however Nakamura and Cesaro would interrupt before Braun would join in. Elias and Cesaro started the match with ‘The Drifter’ in control connecting with an old school before a Nakamura interference put the inaugural Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner in control. This would lead to a period of domination for Cesaro and Nakamura with Strowman waiting for the tag, after a running knee from Elias Braun would come in cleaning house with multiple clotheslines to the Intercontinental Champion before Nakamura and Cesaro nearly won with a double team manoeuvre. The finish saw Sami Zayn distract the referee so Nakamura could bring in a steel chair, Elias would stop the chair being used allowing Strowman to connect with a powerslam on the ‘Swiss Cyborg’ followed by an Elias elbow drop for the win.
New Day backstage hype up their match vs John Morrison claiming its harder to keep winning than just your debut and focusing on the excitement of the Royal Rumble.
King Corbin is interviewed by Kayla Braxton where the former Constable of RAW promises that “Roman Reigns will not be in the Royal Rumble match”.
Royal Rumble annual statistics video is shown.
Sheamus promo calling out Shorty G and that he won’t let Shorty G get back up like he has done previously.
Kofi Kingston w/ Big E vs. John Morrison w/ The Miz
Its pretty fitting that on Royal Rumble week that the two survivors, (Double reference for Morrison), of being able against the odds to be eliminated square off. Miz cuts a promo before the match claiming that Morrison deserves respect. Match starts with Kofi Kingston in control reversing a monkey flip and connecting with a rope assisted dive to the outside. Kofi continued this with a ripe assisted pele before a sunset flip pin would be reversed into a penalty kick. Morrison would be unable to capitalise keeping the momentum with Kofi for an extended period of the match with a standing double foot stomp and boom drop getting a 2. A trouble in paradise attempt would be reversed into a superkick followed by a top rope Spanish fly for another 2. The finish saw a Miz distraction who was took out with a Trouble in Paradise be enough to allow Morrison to connect with Starship pain for the win.
Daniel Bryan/Bray Wyatt Contract Signing
To close the go-home show for Smackdown is the Universal Title contract signing, Bryan comes out first before the Firefly Fun House starts to play on the titantron. Bray would claim Bryan is “Mad” for wanting to tie yourself to “him” before saying “I’ve never been better” when Bryan claims he’s sick. Wyatt claims that Bryan “Never learned from his mistake” and that “You betrayed me”. This would lead to Wyatt making the point its not him having the match before the lights go out. The Fine would appear attacking Bryan with a Sister Abigail and the strap before signing the contract with his own blood. The lights would come back on for Bryan to be all alone in the ring being cheered.
Overall, WWE SmackDown was a solid go-home show with three good matches, a good contract signing and build for Evans vs Bayley. However, with the PPV being the Royal Rumble the actual promoting of the Rumble matches has been dire.
