WWE has a noticeable tendency when on the way to WrestleMania.
This is typically the moment when the missing fan would return to see what awaits them for the biggest show. Normally I would say that SmackDown would be THE program that I would recommend watching to get into it. Although it is generally good, I am starting to see the trend return.
When they have a specific goal in mind, logic and common sense tend to be thrown out in favor of getting the result they want. For example, and I mention this momentarily, Roman Reigns must know that Jey Uso is not going to win a match. So why would he agree to let Jey fight someone where he has to win in order to let Roman take a break from Fastlane?
So we also have Reginald across the SmackDown women’s division. Why? Sasha and Bianca can handle this without all the antics and interference. This is an exciting storyline, and it is getting confused by unnecessary and, frankly, stupid side stories.
By doing these things, you are messing up the flow of what has been a phenomenal show nine times out of ten since last summer. Please stop that. This is causing a tendency to drop in my excitement for Friday nights.
Let’s go to the main hits and mistakes of this show. For a complete summary of SmackDown, check out Rev. Claire Elizabeth’s live blog!
Ambition
Daniel Bryan is a high profile promotion.
Bryan talked about how he put himself in the background to help other talents he saw as the future. He also said that WWE did a personality test once and he was extremely below the ambitious line and they did not understand how he would succeed. He lying on the rug looking at Edge pointing at the WrestleMania sign made him decide that it was enough.
The Tribal Chief crew showed up and said that Bryan doesn’t love this wrestling business. Reigns are needed for everyone and Bryan needs Reigns. Jey Uso grabbed the microphone and said this is as close as he goes to the Universal Championship.
Later, Jey sat down next to Reigns and said that he understood and Reigns said he knew, but also Jey should know that he would disappoint the family if he got lost. As Jey walked away confidently, you could see that Reigns had none of that. As I mentioned above, it doesn’t really make sense to me. Reigns must never allow this to happen because he knows what the outcome will be.
Reigns went down to see the combination of the cage and a seat beside the ring. Usage hit Bryan’s head on the carpet and demanded that he recognize the Tribal Chief. Usage walked over to the cage door and Bryan brought him back. There was a really incredible drop of Samoa from the top rope and when they came back from the break, I use Bryan’s superkickick off the ropes and made the splash to immobilize Bryan.
Bryan grabbed Uso and elbowed him a lot, but Uso climbed over the top and attacked Bryan. Both men were on top of the cage and Bryan dropped Use. Usage grabbed Bryan before he could get over the top and they wrestled on the top rope. Bryan suplexed the upper rope for Yes Lock. Usage tried to break it by grabbing the rope, but it didn’t work out in this fight and Usus knocked.
This was another one of those that you know what will happen in the final scenarios. The trip was very good, but this must be the last time that Jey will be in Roman’s good graces. It’s time for Jey to be scolded for losing over and over again. Otherwise, I’m afraid it will make Roman look unwell.
WWE has been doing pretty well with the Tribal Chief storyline since it started, but it’s starting to get a little redundant when it comes to Jey. He doesn’t win. Reigns should no longer have him in that kind of fight.
So … Apollo Crews
Okay, let’s go straight to the elephant in the room.
Last week, I said, “Even switching to an accent when he said what your grandfather would have said to Grand E. Although he sounded like your grandfather! That would be the correct way to do this, unlike what happened with Kofi Kingston. ‘You didn’t used to be Jamaican’ was so cheesy. “
Welp.
I am not Nigerian. I’m a white American, so I’m really approaching it for what I feel. Accent crews now seem unpleasant to me personally. I know that there is a long history of the typical foreign heel trope and that it has been offensive in the past.
What do you think of that, Cagesiders?
The rest
Michael Cole informed us that Cesaro defeated Murphy
And he did it before the finish actually happened, which was pretty hilarious. Basically, Cesaro dominated the entire match and Seth Rollins was in the comments talking about it, because that is what Seth Rollins does. Before this match, Murphy was shown backstage at Rollins and told him that he wanted to help him with his Cesaro problem. It literally doesn’t make sense.
Murphy and Rollins broke up after a fight due to the fact that Murphy dated Aalyah Mysterio months ago. Then Aalyah and Murphy disappeared from the television for a while and then brought Murphy back to stand by the ring when Rollins returned. They had no interaction. Now on this show, and right after a Mysterios match, Murphy wants to return with Rollins and is there no explanation? I do not understand. And I really don’t like it because I didn’t want Murphy with Rollins back then.
Bianca Belair defeated Shayna Baszler
Belair raised Baszler while she tried to cause some pain in her arm, but Baszler continued to punish her and aimed at her left arm. Baszler continued, but Belair actually lifted her up and threw her on the carpet while her arm was twisted! Belair raised Baszler when she was about to do the Kirifuda Clutch shit. And she executed the Kiss of Death for the victory! Reginald had Sasha knocked over by Nia outside. This served as a distraction, but it did not lead to a loss that is very pleasant to see. But then again, why are we still doing this? Get Reginald out of this already!
King Corbin defeated Montez Ford / Angelo Dawkins defeated Sami Zayn
I have no evidence of conspiracy, but … eh, I don’t know. Ford hit some drop kicks and Corbin started a Spinebuster. Corbin was offended and Ford put a sleeper, but Corbin got rid of it. Zayn distracted Ford and Corbin took advantage of the End of Days to win. Then Zayn told him that since he helped, Corbin should return the favor. And then Dawkins took Zayn down on Corbin and even though you could say that Corbin could see that, he … didn’t do it and left.
Zayn tried to immobilize Dawkins three times in a row, but it didn’t work, and then Dawkins tried a suplex and went for a cleavage instead of almost falling. Zayn threw Dawkins in the corner and then Ford distracted Zayn by splashing water on the documentary team and lost by roll up.
These two games were fast and fun. I have really liked Corbin lately and I like using Sami as a way to annoy him. Sami is great in this role. I wouldn’t care about them as a long-term tag team. As for Street Profits, this was a 50/50 situation after last week’s big win. I don’t really understand that. But, as we’ve talked about in the past, WWE loves its 50/50 bookings.
Dominik Mysterio defeated Chad Gable
Gable dominated the first minute with a great carpet-based wrestling match. Dom struggled and turned. He tried a DDT tornado and Gable blocked it and made this incredible suplex for a count of two. Dom had a lucky victory and Rey advanced to the ring and knocked Otis down on the announcers table. Quick win and a good sprint for these two guys.
Serie B-
What were your thoughts, Cagesiders?