What’s good, wrestling fam? We are just over thirty-six hours since learning that Roman Reigns’ leukemia is officially in remission! That is incredible news and I’m so happy that he’ll soon be able to return to the ring full-time. He also has new leukemia awareness shirts and is hoping to start a research and support resource foundation. Welcome back, Roman! Anyways, now that I’ve gotten myself emotional all over again, let’s take a look at what happened on the blue brand.
We had a bit of a cold open here with the ring all set up for the WWE Championship match contract signing between Kofi Kingston and Daniel Bryan. Shane McMahon gave us a cool video package showing highlights of Kofi Kingston’s career before the New Day came out with a proper introduction. And then Vince McMahon arrived and abruptly replaced Kingston in the match with the newly-returned Kevin Owens.
From this, a tag team match between the team of Kevin Owens and Kofi Kingston and the team of Daniel Bryan and Rowan was set up backstage.
Thoughts: Last night, we started off with an emotional announcement. Tonight, Vince McMahon decided to swerve us all just for fun. Eh, maybe this means the Bryan/Kingston match will take place at WrestleMania? Also, a huge welcome back to Kevin Owens!
Grade: A
The Hardy Boyz vs The Bar
After coming out to a really hot crowd, the Hardy Boyz did their thing. They were on fire until Cesaro put a stop to that. The Bar got in some offense before Matt managed a hot tag and hit the Twist of Fate. Another tag followed by a Swanton Bomb put the Bar away for good.
Winners: The Hardy Boyz
Thoughts: What is going on?! Matt Hardy’s back too! The brothers looked as good as always and it was great to see them tagging again. Though it does significantly lessen the chances of other teams getting title shots, I would like to see The Hardy Boyz in the title picture.
Grade: A-
R-Truth vs Andrade vs Rey Mysterio-United States Championship Match
R-Truth and Carmella came out and there was a dance break. Truth asked what John Cena would do and it turned into an open challenge for the United States Championship. Andrade and Zelina arrived to answer the challenge. So did Rey Mysterio, who shoved Andrade out of the way on the way to the ring. Andrade got the advantage for the first part of the match before we went to commercial. Truth and Mysterio hit a doomsday hurricanrana on Andrade before Truth rolled up Mysterio for the win.
Winner: R-Truth
Thoughts: “What would John Cena do?” is going to be my new mantra. This was a fun triple threat and it was cool to see Truth actually retain the title. Here’s hoping they do something with Andrade soon because he’s insanely talented and deserves good things.
Grade: B
Charlotte came out and cut a promo praising Vince’s decision to replace Kingston with Owens. She said she was put in to elevate the Raw women’s title match because she’s not a criminal or quitter. She claims she’s above both and that they fear her. She will going to Raw next week to be crowned the new Raw Women’s Champion.
Thoughts: I absolutely love that she said nothing about her dad getting whooped at his birthday party. Charlotte didn’t really say anything new here, but she did set up to progress this angle on Raw. My only issue with this is that the focus is so heavily on the Raw title…and we’re on Smackdown.
Grade: A-
Aleister Black and Ricochet vs Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura
Black and Ricochet’s entrances are so different, but they’re both so cool. Black started off with some striking and mind games. Then Rusev and Nakamura took over, keeping the high-flying Ricochet on the ground. Black got back in the bout, and handed out some offense before Rusev took control. A hot tag saw Ricochet get a chance to shine before Black eventually won by kicking Nakamura’s head off with a Black Mass.
Winner: Aleister Black and Ricochet
Thoughts: I wouldn’t have ever thought to put Ricochet and Black together as a tag team but here we are and I think they work pretty well together, both in terms of movesets and character. Black slowed the pace down a little bit in this match, but not enough to really do much damage. Rusev and Nakamura are also doing well together still.
Grade: B+
Kayla Braxton implied that AJ Styles had stagnated in his WWE career and Styles told her that he needs to prove that Smackdown is still “the house that AJ Styles built.” Randy Orton rolled up, stared him down, then left.
Lacey Evans did her strut down the ramp and back.
We got highlights from Roman Reigns’ return and announcement.
Thoughts: I don’t care, twelve year old me wants this Orton vs Styles match to happen at WrestleMania. I’m also still entertained by Evans doing a whole walk out and then just leaving without doing anything.
Grade: Not Graded
Daniel Bryan and Rowan vs Kevin Owens and Kofi Kingston
Bryan made Rowan do all the dirty work and take all the punishment, only tagging in when it seemed safe for him to do so. Kingston and Owens controlled the pace but after a while, things started to get a little hostile between the two. Rowan worked a long heat with Kingston before Owens got a hot tag and ended the match with a stunner to Bryan.
Winner: Kevin Owens and Kofi Kingston
Thoughts: Bryan played a very good cowardly heel here, the “Kofi got screwed” sentiment was very strong amongst the commentary team, and Owens looked great for his return. This match managed to make several points and I hope we keep it going until Fast Lane.
Grade: A-
Final Thoughts: Smackdown was wilding this week, wrestling fam. I really enjoyed it though and I think that there’s been good build up for Fast Lane, which is in two weeks. There were a couple random hiccups during the show; Gargano vs Cesaro was advertised as were The Usos and neither one of those happened. Other than that, it was a fun time!
Overall Grade: A-
-Wynter
