With only a few weeks to go to WrestleMania, the biggest wrestling show of the year underwent major changes during SmackDown on Friday night. This included the addition of three new fights, as well as a major move to one of the most anticipated fights in the two-night event.
Much of the night revolved around the aftermath of last Sunday’s Fastlane event, where Daniel Bryan forced universal champion Roman Reigns to crash – albeit while the referee was knocked out. Edge, who was in the role of special executor, grabbed and attacked Bryan and Reigns with a chair, allowing Reigns to leave Fastlane as a champion. But, as expected, Bryan was not ready to leave SmackDown without addressing the situation and his feelings that he had done more than enough to win another shot at the championship.
CBS Sports was with you all night, bringing recaps and highlights of all the ThunderDome action.
Daniel Bryan is part of the main event at WrestleMania
Bryan said he said he was tired of sitting and waiting for everyone’s dream game, Edge vs. Reigns, that he deserved his opportunities and did not simply receive them. Bryan then summoned Reigns to a universal championship rematch, placing a chair in the middle of the ring and saying he would not leave the ring until he got what he wanted. Adam Pearce told Bryan he would not have his fight, nor would he receive his request to face the winner immediately after the fight at WrestleMania. Bryan then released Reigns vs. Edge on the first night of WrestleMania, with him facing the winner on night two. This brought a furious Edge, who accused Bryan of trying to play the system before the two fought and Edge hit a spear. Edge then hit Bryan with a chair before leaving the ring.
Edge and Reigns questioned the way Pearce handled the situation throughout the night, including Reigns threatening Pearce and saying that he would not fight on both WrestleMania nights. This eventually led Edge to confront Reigns behind the scenes and tell him to use his move or Edge may be able to beat Bryan and not Reigns to win the title.
Pearce, Bryan, Edge and Reigns went to the ring to end the night. Pearce said that each man’s points were valid and that Reigns was correct and would only defend his title once at WrestleMania. Which meant it would be a triple threat fight at WrestleMania, officially inserting Bryan into the fight. This led all three men into a fight before Edge was the last man standing after hitting the two men with a steel chair. Bryan was able to escape the room before Edge could land a con-chair-to while Edge attacked WWE officers.
There couldn’t be a much better construction for an ad that everyone knew was coming. Edge took advantage when his opportunity was invaded by Bryan, Reigns was finally unable to manipulate all the steps of a lawsuit in his favor and Bryan got what he wanted – but continues to pay a high price. It is a seemingly simple story, but it is usually the best thing for professional wrestling. Grade A-
What else happened at WWE SmackDown?
- Seth Rollins def. Shinsuke Nakamura via pinfall after stomping your foot. Rollins continued his attack after the match, but Cesaro ran to the ring and defeated Rollins before attempting to hit him again, only for Rollins to flee. Rollins later challenged Cesaro to a fight at WrestleMania, only to be attacked and rocked by Cesaro, who then accepted the challenge.
- Apollo Crews, Otis and Chad Gable def. Big E & The Street profits via pinfall when Crews hit Big E with their version of Olympic Slam.
- Kevin Owens challenged Sami Zayn to a fight at WrestleMania. Owens introduced Zayn to the KO Show, after Zayn pleaded with Owens to be part of his documentary, Owens gave up on the challenge. Zayn accepted and Owens went on the attack.
- Bianca Belair def. Natalya via pinfall after the Kiss of Death. Sasha Banks came to the ring during the match, listening to comments. During the fight, Belair slapped Banks before submitting, but Banks hit her with a backstabber after the fight.
- Rey Mysterio def. Dolph Ziggler via pinfall with a slingshot splash.