SmackDown took the first misstep in a few weeks.
Fortunately, it had nothing to do with the best wrestling story today. We will see the evil later.
This show managed to silence those who were upset that they hadn’t seen Roman Reigns looking at the lights yet. This happened thanks to the best babyface in the company at the moment.
The best quality of SmackDown, in addition to consistency, is actually another thing that WWE is so wrong with Raw – winning people over. They are doing it brilliantly with so many people on this show. Owens got the best look here, but even after Bayley’s beating, Bianca carrying Otis looked amazing. Cesaro, Nakamura, Banks, Big E and Crews are also receiving this good treatment.
It makes me realize more and more that WWE is able to make programs fun to watch. So … why not do that then? Three hours is a long time for a fight show, but attempt to make it fun. Most of the Monday nights so far this year have been YouTube clip shows.
SmackDown is a must see on TV. Vince, wouldn’t you like to see all this positivity for Raw?
Let’s talk about the main successes and mistakes of this show. For a complete summary of SmackDown, check out Rev. Claire Elizabeth’s live blog!
Living for violence
Roman Reigns said that Kevin Owens and Adam Pearce thought they pulled something against him.
We are not going to see Owens because he says that. Card subject to change is how the losers think. It means that people are afraid to go to work. It took a pandemic and his health to keep him out of the ring.
Reigns asked if he was a “pussy” (my GOD) like Pearce and said that parts of his body hurt, specifically in the back, because he has been carrying WWE for years. Then Pearce appeared and Reigns simply tore a new one for him. How dare he say he is in pain and complain about it. Reigns has been the workhorse and has always appeared every time.
Heyman was laughing at what Roman was saying, and Pearce called out to him. So Reigns gave Paul the microphone, and he said he is from New York (I’m also coming to me, bro) and that he’s going to face Pearce tonight on a verbal agreement. Adam shook his hand and accepted.
Heyman later said that Roman was brilliant. Thinking that they stopped at Pearce, Heyman was really kidding, but Reigns said no, he actually now has to face Pearce. That was brilliant, but then we see what was really going on.
Heyman came out in the main event and feigned an injury and said “card subject to change.” Bait and exchange! Roman went out to face Pearce and Roman hit him across the ThunderDome. Surprise Kevin Owens’ appearance and he dominated Reigns for the first time. He gave Reigns two stunners and a pop-up powerbomb across the ad table.
This is the first time since Roman came back that he was placed effectively and did not stand up to end SmackDown. And it was done brilliantly. I love that Owens received the biggest babyface fire after the incredible promotion he did before, which I talked about a little. It was a legitimately good feeling.
I don’t know if Jey Uso’s absence from this show was planned, but it sure made Reigns look a little weak after all this time. We know that Jey was the executioner and the main reason why Reigns is still the champion. If Owens were a normal man, he should be terrified of showing up for work next week.
But Owens is not normal. He lives for violence. It’s adorable.
Reginald’s debut
So I think this was a more intergenerational combination than the one with James Ellsworth!
Yo. Reginald is INSANE. How it literally moves like a cruiserweight. To like… Best than a cruiserweight.
He was very arrogant and tried to give Sasha Banks a rose and Banks hit him. He was a perfect idiot here, sliding out of the ring and turning the steel steps. Reginald caught Banks trying to do a cross body and left the ring again, and she did a meteor.
There was something matrix-like in another meteor in the ring, and Banks locked up a bank statement for the win.
Honestly, I thought they were going to lure us in and change us again, and I’m pleasantly surprised that we got a real match. Reginald had less attack and more defense, which worked perfectly. Sasha had her moments and it was great too. There are no complaints about that. We know that Carmella is going to have another game, and now she has to avenge her poured champagne.
But like … can we get more from Reginald?
Emotional message
Wow. Okay, so I really cried watching this promotion.
Kevin Owens sent us a message from his car. He came to work and was told that he was not allowed in the building because Roman Reigns tampered with some strings. He cannot stay away and he cannot stop fighting, because Reigns has not yet defeated him as a true champion.
And then it got very personal. He shows his hand tattoo with his grandfather’s initials and says that they always had their backs to him and that they were his biggest fans. Nothing made them happier than seeing him in the ring, and his biggest regret will always be that he failed to make it to WWE in time for either of them to see him on the big stage. The mark they left will always be there. He kept talking about them having illnesses and I was crying because of that. It’s probably one of the best deals I’ve ever heard from Owens.
We must protect Owens with our lives. I would like to hug you one day. This man can sell me a ticket at any time.
The rest
Final Course of Obstacles for Athletes
Tires, barriers, boards, basketball and … Chad Gable. Bayley started by lifting the tire and going through the small obstacles and transporting the fireman to Gable. The last basketball shot was made and all Belair had to do was beat the time for one minute and twelve seconds.
Before she could start, however, Bayley decided to “EST” the course with normal obstacles. When Bianca cleaned it all up, Otis was chosen to be the person she was supposed to carry by the fire department, which she did easily. She beat Bayley in her own game with plenty of time, and then the aching loser Bayley attacked her. It really turned out to be a lot of fun. I love Bianca very much and I want her to win the Royal Rumble this year.
Cesaro defeated Dolph Ziggler
This was a good fight back and forth. First, Bryan came and said he wants to win the Rumble for the first time in his career. Cesaro appeared and said that, as the first winner of the Andre Memorial Battle Royal, he is very experienced and will make sure that does not happen. So, instead of fighting Bryan, he launched an open challenge that Ziggler accepted.
Ziggler got a sleeper and Cesaro made the swing and it was really good. I haven’t seen a really good swing like this in a while. This led to an incredible reversal of pins and then Ziggler hit a desperate Zig Zag that he was unable to capitalize on. Cesaro won with a Neutralizer. Cesaro looks strong! Let’s continue, please.
Big E vs. Apollo Crews ends in referee stoppage
The urgency was here again when the two men exploded to begin. Crews made the standing lunar jump for a count of two. The two men climbed up on the ropes and Crews kicked E. And then Sami Zayn who was handcuffed on a barrier outside throughout the show until this point removed the handcuffs and Helluva kicked Crews and E and ended the fight. Nobody looked bad here, which is delicious. Thinking that we can see a triple threat coming out of it!
King Corbin defeated Dominik Mysterio
Corbin handed a nasty clothesline and dominated to start the game. He went to the End of Days, but Dominik continued. Dominik tried to gain momentum, but Corbin punched hard and managed in the second End of Days for a quick victory. I would have liked to see a little more about it, but I think this is just to increase the possible disagreement between father and son. Rey was trying to train his son before this match, but Dom said he was confident in his abilities. Welp. It’s time to hear Dad!
Charlotte Flair and Asuka defeated The Riott Squad
Okay, so this was weird. The last two SmackDowns were top to bottom, but this game was the least interesting for some reasons. What was the purpose of this match? Why were Natalya and Tamina shown back watching? No mention of Alexa fighting Asuka, no mention of Flair / Lacey Evans stuff. The last time Asuka and Charlotte were together was the night after TLC. This is very strange. I am not very happy with Riott Squad’s defeat here either. It just isn’t the best here. It’s not a bad game, but it has little or no consistency with the women’s division.
Note: B +
What were your thoughts, Cagesiders?