Smackdown 1/29/19
I am back from Phoenix after a fantastic Royal Rumble weekend! My body is sore and I might still be a little loopy from traveling through time zones in a short span of time, but it was so much fun and I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat. Let’s take a look at what happened on the Smackdown coming off the heels of the Rumble.
We got a video package showing Becky Lynch’s Royal Rumble win and her challenging Ronda Rousey on Raw. Becky came out and said she was proud to have come from nothing and ended her promo with saying she’s going to break Ronda’s arm. Then Charlotte came out and condescendingly congratulated Becky, which actually got her sucker punched in the face. The two brawled up the entrance ramp despite multiple attempts by the officials to stop them.
Thoughts: Charlotte and Becky were both very good in this promo. Charlotte is doing well coming off as heel on her high horse. The two aren’t done with each other, but it seems they’re going full steam ahead with Becky as a babyface hero as she challenges Ronda.
Grade: A+
Shinsuke Nakamura vs R-Truth-United States Championship
R-Truth was given this title match by the McMahons as a compensation for being taken out of the Rumble by Nia Jax. Truth countered a Kinshasa with a Lie Dector, but that was about the only big moment in the match. Shinsuke got rolled up and though it looked like he kicked out, the ref counted to three and Truth was crowned United States Champion.
Rusev and Lana came out. Rusev said the title deserved better than Shinsuke Nakamura and R-Truth and told Truth to put the title on the line, which led to…
R-Truth vs Rusev-United States Championship
We didn’t actually see the beginning of this match. Rusev controlled most of the match with his power and then got rolled up in about three minutes. Afterwards, Shinsuke and Rusev ganged up on R-Truth.
Winner: R-Truth
Thoughts: Throw this entire part of the show away. What was the point of giving the US Title back to Shinsuke for two days? Everyone here looked dumb and I’m not here for it.
Grade: D
Zelina Vega came out and said Rey Mysterio had her banned from ringside. She called Rey a coward and while he was distracted, Andrade came out and put him down. Backstage, Rusev and Shinsuke challenged Gallows and Anderson to a tag team match.
Thoughts: Well, we were supposed to get a Samoa Joe vs Rey Mysterio match, but that didn’t happen. I wonder if Shinsuke and Rusev are going to become an odd couple tag team.
Grade: C+
The Miz and Shane McMahon came out. Shane said he was trying to figure out a way to celebrate their title win and showed us a video package that went over their relationship. He introduced Miz’s dad, George, who told his son that he loved him and was very proud of him. Shane then said he and Miz would find out their next opponents in a fatal four way match.
Thoughts: George is great. He always seems like he’s enjoying himself when he’s doing WWE stuff. He also got his own “Mr. Miz” chant which was adorable.
Grade: B
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville declared they were entering the Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match (wow, that’s a mouthful). Mandy showed us footage from 2015 Tough Enough where Team BAD had picked on her. She developed some issues and her boyfriend subsequently dumped her. She was out to ruin Naomi’s marriage because Naomi ruined her relationship.
Thoughts: I guess we’re in middle school again. Cool. Also why didn’t Mandy and Sonya have to fight in match to qualify for the chamber?
Grade: C-
The Bar vs Heavy Machinery vs New Day vs The Usos
Heavy Machinery was fairly dominant in the beginning. They were able to eliminate New Day with the compactor. Jimmy Uso landed a splash on Tucker and then Sheamus hit Tucker with a Brogue kick to eliminate Heavy Machinery. This left the Usos and The Bar. Jimmy hit The Bar with a superkick and Jey landed a splash on Sheamus to eliminate them.
Winners: The Usos
Thoughts: I thought this elimination match was a lot of fun to watch. I’m glad Heavy Machinery got a chance to shine though I think Sanity and/or the Good Brothers should have been added to the match. It still feels like the same teams keep getting the opportunities
Grade: B+
Daniel Bryan came out and explained that everybody won because he was the planet’s champion. He introduced Rowan who came down with a bag over his shoulder. Daniel went on to say that the WWE Title was gaudy and made from an animal’s suffering. He threw the belt in the trash and introduced the new eco-friendly belt. AJ Styles interrupted Daniel and asked if he smoked the prototype belt. After commercial, we returned to the ring and Randy Orton, Mustafa Ali, and Jeff Hardy were in the ring. Samoa Joe completed the segment by just verbally ending everybody. Triple H appeared on the titantron and said Daniel was going to defend his belt in an Elimination Chamber match. Everybody starting brawling and we closed the show with Daniel and Rowan escaping to the stage.
Thoughts: Daniel is going all in with this vegan planet superhero thing and I’m actually enjoying it. The new belt looks like something you build at summer camp but it’s really driving home his message. Samoa Joe was the man in that segment and had me rolling. But c’mon, if someone other than Daniel wins the chamber match, they’re going to look a little silly with the vegan belt.
Grade: A+
Smackdown started off great, had a wonky middle, and ended strong. I really liked the beginning brawl with Charlotte and Becky and the closing promo by Samoa Joe. I even like the vegan belt, if only for how ugly it is. I bet the replica is going to be double the price on WWE Shop. With the first major pay-per-view out of the way, it already looks to be a wild year for WWE.
Overall grade: B-
-Wynter
