SWhat’s up, wrestling fam? We are ever closer to the 2019 Royal Rumble and the blue brand is making sure you’re going to be tuning in as we start the road to WrestleMania. There was some good, some meh, and some bad this episode so let’s jump right in!
The show opened with Becky rolling up in her car and saying she parks where she wants. She swerves the interviewer that’s trying to ask if she’s ready for Asuka before running into Heavy Machinery and the New Day making shakes. Otis blends up all kinds of mess and Becky drinks it, calling it weak. Also Xavier Woods has a “The Man” shirt. A
Out in the ring, Becky cuts a pretty nice promo about how she got the Smackdown Women’s title relevant again, how she’s the man, making a buzz, etc. Asuka came out and said that Becky was all buzz, no sting. They were then interrupted by the IIconics who said they were going to win the Royal Rumble (I guess you can choose to be co-winners?) and the Women’s Tag Team Championships and make WrestleMania Iconic. This led to a match between Becky and Peyton. A-
Becky Lynch vs Peyton Royce
Becky wrestled this match in street clothes, which is pretty awesome and totally fits her The Man character. The match was okay, though Peyton gave Becky a bit more fight than I was expecting. With the women’s title match on the horizon, I expect that they’ll try to keep Becky looking strong. Here she seemed to be struggling a little bit. And the match just went on for far too long. Peyton eventually tapped to the Dis-armer.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Grade: C+
Asuka vs Billie Kay
Asuka decided she wanted a match too and shoved Billie back into the ring. She hit Billie with the hip attack before putting her in an armbar and talking smack to Becky. Asuka got Billie in the Asuka lock and she tapped immediately. This was much like Daniel Bryan and R-Truth’s match last week that was over before it started.
Winner: Asuka
Grade: C
AJ came out and wandered up through the crowd like a confused dad. Some girl grabbed his butt and totally did a “that wasn’t me” look. I was confused until they showed him up at the concession stand concourse, saying that fans spent their money and they can eat what they want. Not sure anyone should trust those hot dogs considering we don’t have the FDA currently, but good sentiment. Daniel Bryan eventually attacks out of the crowd and they have a scuffle, scattering all the food and sodas and condiments. Security arrives to break them up. B+
Backstage: The Usos are getting their photos taken and are given a gift. In the box is a letter to Jimmy from Mandy Rose and a key to her hotel room. Samoa Joe is stopped by EC3 admiring himself in the mirror. Zelina Vega says that Andrade (they dropped his last name and I’m heated) is the future, he’ll win the Royal Rumble, and go on to win the WWE Title at WrestleMania. B
Samoa Joe decided he wanted to commit murder last night so he attacked Mustafa Ali before he was able to make his full entrance. He smashed Mustafa’s face against the ring post. He yelled at him a bit, hit his face on the ring post again, then tossed him into the barricade. Later on, Joe says this was a statement to the other 29 men in the Rumble match. A-
Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose are backstage. Sonya says that Mandy is being scandalous. Mandy replies that she can’t stand Naomi and wants to make her miserable so she’s going to break up her marriage. I’m in the camp that this whole angle is a cross promotional thing for Temptation Island. D+
Rey Mysterio vs Andrade “Cien” Almas (I am refusing to accept this name change)
Questionable name change aside, this match was lit! There were some amazing spots; both Rey and Andrade showed up and showed out. It was well paced, with no wasted movement. Zelina Vega got involved, but not so much so that it ever looked like Andrade was relying on her to win the match. My personal highlights were Rey’s hurricanrana from the top rope followed up by a Senton and of course, the Canadian Destroyer. Andrade did take a 619 but he won the match with a hammerlock DDT from the top rope.
Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas”
Grade: A+
Jimmy shows up to Mandy’s hotel room, where’s she hanging out in just a robe. She reveals a black set of lingerie underneath before a camera guy jumps out the bathroom to snap pictures as if we aren’t watching live and there isn’t a camera man in the room. Mandy says that she wants to ruin Naomi’s life by making her realize that she’ll never be as hot as her. Jimmy walks off, but Naomi comes around the corner and the two women fight. I hope there’s an actual blowoff match for this feud because this hotel room brawl left much to be desired. C+
We’re ready to celebrate Shane McMahon’s birthday. The Miz has gotten two special cakes for his new tag team partner, including one that has a photo of them winning the Best in the World trophy. Miz also got Shane a new pair of Jordans and created a video package for him. The Miz and the crowd start to sing Happy Birthday but the Bar came out. Shane then egged Miz on to fight Sheamus. A-
Sheamus vs The Miz
The Miz wrestled in a suit, which made me giggle. He should know by now that he usually ends up getting his nice suits trashed when he’s in the ring. Sheamus literally ripped the shirt off of Miz before raining down some clubbing blows on his chest. He later accidentally sends Cesaro into the cake and, now distracted, gets rolled up by The Miz.
Bonus: The Miz held the top cake tier in front of Sheamus’s face while Shane performed a Coast to Coast, smashing the cake into his face. Fun times.
Winner: The Miz
Grade: B+
Like I said, this show was a mix of good, bad, and meh. I did enjoy Smackdown this week though; I feel like they’re doing job setting up for the Royal Rumble, which is good considering it’s next weekend. I’m not a big fan of WWE dropping Andrade’s surname like that but it is what it is. We’ve got one more Smackdown before the Rumble so I’ll see you guys next week!
Overall Grade: B+
-Wynter
