Smackdown Live Review 02/21/2017

Hey guys, your boy Jordan Bass (@jordanjomo) is here this week on TWC to review this weeks episode of SmackDown!

Naomi is forced to relinquish her title

This was depressing to watch, which in a way was good because it drew genuine emotion out of me and the fans in attendance. Naomi was showing genuine emotion as she poured her heart out and cried and the fans were so solidly behind her. I’m not a big fan of Naomi’s current character but I love her and I’m so sad to have to see her relinquish the Women’s Championship after having just finally won it 2 weeks ago even though I don’t think she was built up well for it. Alexa came out after Naomi’s promo and I was very happy because I realized she was probably going to become a 2x Women’s Champion now. Alexa plays such a fucking great bitchy heel. People legitimately hate her and it’s great. She gets Miz heat. What a star.

Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch for the vacant SmackDown Women’s Championship

I’ve seen this match a lot so I can’t say I was super interested, but I was invested hoping that Alexa would win and become a 2x champ. I love Alexa because not only is she so great at what she does but she reminds me so much of AJ Lee’s heel character. This was a solid encounter between the two and the right woman won through a cheap way. I wonder what they plan to do with the SmackDown women at Mania. Maybe a triple threat with Alexa, Mickie, and Becky?

Rating: ***

American Alpha vs. Breezango

Breeze and Fandango should be utilized much better. They could’ve had a solid feud with Alpha and they’re both still somehow over. The match started well for Breezango but fell apart quickly for them and Alpha got the win. Too short to be anything which sucks considering the talent these four men have and I remember the great match they had in the SmackDown Tag Title tournament. This feud with The Usos and Alpha is good though, it’s about time heel Usos started getting air time and I figured this match would happen at Mania back in October so it’s nice to be proven right. The Usos had one hell of a damn promo after the match. They’re phenomenal heels.

Rating: N/A

Natalya vs. Nikki Bella in a Falls Count Anywhere Match

This was actually a lot of fun. It should’ve been the PPV match they had at Elimination Chamber though considering that TV should be used to build to PPV’s. I won’t complain too much though because I enjoyed this match. This match started exactly how their match at Chamber should’ve gone, not with a lock-up. They immediately started brawling. The fighting into the crowd was perfectly done. Nattie was pushed off of a higher structure and Nikki nailed a nice looking kick off of it. The Alabama slam on the announce table from Nikki to Nattie was brutal as well. I’m glad this rivalry is over though. At least it wrapped up with a good match. I’m not excited for the mixed tag at Mania though.

Rating: ***1/2

Battle Royal to determine the #1 Contender to the WWE Championship at WrestleMania

I LOVE battle royals and this was a really good one. It was booked so well and the elimination order was perfect. Everything made sense. Mojo going out first but still lasting for a little while was smart. Corbin getting eliminated by Ambrose made sense. Crews looked good eliminating Ziggler. The final three were the best final three they could’ve done in this match. It was any mans match by that point. No one looked weak in their elimination which was great. Harper and Styles had a great final sequence. It was dramatic and I’m glad they finished the match with the two top contenders to win this match. Even though AJ clearly hit first, I’m pumped for Harper vs. Styles next week and if Harper wins it’ll be better for him if he wins a one on one match over a big star rather than winning a battle royal and immediately becoming a big deal. Fun match!

Rating: ***1/2

Overall SmackDown was very good this week. 2 above average matches, one pretty good match, and some great feud developing. Good shit! I can’t wait for next weeks episode which is a good thing and something I never say about RAW.