By Wynter@WynterStorm24
Thank you to everyone who joined me for my live tweets over the past couple of nights. Anyways, it’s the Smackdown Live after WrestleMania so ish had to pop off right? Well, not exactly. There wasn’t a single one-on-one match on this episode. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s take a look at what happened on the blue brand this week. I’m trying a little bit of a different format for my review this week so let me know if you like it.
The New Day’s Celebration
First of all, there was a rainbow arch over the ring! Big E busted out another impressive split, Kofi Kingston thanked his family, and Xavier Woods talked about how he considers Kingston his hero. It was a very nice opening celebration segment, bringing back memories of Jeff Hardy’s celebration after winning the big one a decade ago.
The Bar interrupted the celebration and proposed a six-man tag team match, bringing Drew McIntyre out as their third partner. Was this a teaser for McIntyre coming over to Smackdown after the Superstar Shakeup?
Grade: A-
Aleister Black, Ricochet, and Mustafa Ali vs Andrade, Rusev, and Shinsuke Nakamura
This was an okay match, with nothing really sticking out about it. I definitely liked Black, Ricochet and Ali doing the cross-legged sit down taunt together. Ali won the match with a 450. Black and Ricochet have had a fantastic run and even pulled double-duty over Mania weekend, with two tag team championship matches in 48 hours. They had a great WrestleMania moment, but I think it’s time to break them apart again.
After the match, Randy Orton RKO-ed Ali and Kevin Owens gave Rusev a stunner. I enjoyed Orton coming out of nowhere and if this what his character is now, just RKO-ing folks for the hell of it, I’m all for it.
Winner: Aleister Black, Ricochet, and Mustafa Ali
Grade: C
Fabulous Truth
Carmella and R-Truth came out to the ring and of course, Truth got confused about what exactly Carmella won. Samoa Joe arrived, looking like he was in the mood to murder someone, and talked about his win over Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania. Then Braun Strowman stormed out. They had a little tousle and Joe climbed him like a spider-monkey to lock in the choke hold, but Strowman powered out of it. Color me interested in this match if indeed Braun Strowman is heading to Smackdown. Or whenever, really. It’s not like superstars don’t randomly show up on other brands already.
Grade: B+
IIconics vs Kristen Stadlander and Karissa Rivera-Women’s Tag Team Championships
The IIconics bragged about their win and then said they were going to be fighting champions…so they brought out some local enhancement talent and squashed them. I didn’t mind it at all. It was a good squash match for the new champions and also goes along well with their more opportunistic, almost cowardly heel characters. How well they are going to do when they have to defend their belts against either the former champions or a set of real challengers is the question. Afterwards, Paige said she’s bringing in a new tag team next week. I wonder who it’s going to be.
Winner: IIconics
Grade: C
Here comes the (evil) money!
Shane McMahon showed up with his evil shuffle and ran down The Miz and his dad. He also brushed off the CM Punk chants from the crowd. He pulled Greg Hamilton into the ring because he was disappointed in his intro. He then yanked Hamilton around the ring and up the rant by his tie, eventually making Hamilton do the intro again with the longest fermata ever. I don’t think this really added anything to the show. Yeah, it reinforced Shane’s role as a heel and Miz’s role as a face, but…that’s about it.
Grade: C+
The Usos vs The Hardys-Smackdown Tag Team Championships
This match has been teased for a few weeks now and it was great to finally see it. It was definitely a clash between the past and the present as both teams are sets of brothers that are beloved by the crowd. Also the Usos were coming off a WrestleMania win and being one of only two champions to retain their titles at the show. Alas, the Hardys became the new champions after Jeff hit a Swanton Bomb for the win. I had wanted this match for WrestleMania, but the more I think about it, the more I’m glad that the Usos got their big Mania moment since the Hardys had theirs with their surprise return two years ago.
Afterwards, Lars Sullivan showed up to cut the Hardys’ celebration short and whoop their butts. I noticed that Sullivan didn’t get much of a reaction here or on Raw, which is vastly different to the pops he used to get down on NXT. I feel like his prolonged absence, coupled with the unsavory things we’ve learned about him, have perhaps closed the window on his push.
Winner: The Hardys
Grade: B-
Becky Two Belts
Becky Lynch came out and cut a promo about being a target and said she’s ready to take a beating and sleep with one eye open as she pulls double duty. Lacey Evans showed up and took her out with the women’s right as Lynch tried to leave. I’m guessing Evans is the next feud for Lynch, which is interesting because she could technically challenge for either of Lynch’s belts as she has never officially been assigned a brand. I think it’s good that we’re setting up for a feud quickly.
Afterwards, Sami Zayn came out but said the fans aren’t worth it.
Grade: B
New Day vs The Bar and Drew McIntyre
This was the third tag team match on the show and while it didn’t set the world on fire, it wasn’t bad. I’m glad Kofi Kingston won the match for the trio, getting a Trouble in Paradise on Sheamus. For a main event match, it did feel rushed. Also what was the point of the Bar having Drew McIntyre as a partner other than having three people for the team?
Winner: New Day
Grade: B-
Final Thoughts
This was a solid middle of the road episode of Smackdown. We got potential feud setups but that’s about it. Keeping Lars Sullivan as the only call-up was a good idea in my opinion as the other call-ups, minus Aleister Black and Ricochet, still haven’t quite found their footing on the main roster. Also the Superstar Shakeup is happening next week so we’ll see who ends up where and whether it actually makes any difference at all.
Overall Grade: B-
