Smackdown Live Review 02/28/2017

By Jordan Bass

Image via WWE.com

Smackdown comes to us live from Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN

MizTV with John Cena

I’m still not sold on this mixed tag match at Mania but Miz cut one hell of a promo here. He went off on Cena. Miz is so damn good on the mic. Miz even made a great point in Cena being a hypocrite by saying the Cena always gave Rock shit for going off to Hollywood and now he’s doing the same thing. A lot of people loved Cena’s promo but I wasn’t a huge fan of it. It wasn’t bad but it just felt like he was laying into Miz too much. Like there’s a line you gotta draw when talking shit in wrestling and a lot of the times Cena crosses that line and makes the person he’s berating look bad. It was a nice way to build up the match nonetheless, even if I don’t care to see it. Maryse slapped Cena and Nikki ran out. I’m excited to see Maryse back in the ring even though she isn’t the best talent. Maryse never was a good wrestler but she’s so charismatic and plays her character so well.

Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match

I’m glad this match went on for a little while before the first fall. I hate when 2/3 Falls matches have the first fall take place within the first 2-3 minutes. I wasn’t a huge fan of their last 2 matches but this one was actually pretty solid. Not outstanding but better than the first two. Smart to have the second fall end with a roll-up as to not make Mickie look weak. Her getting the first fall made her look strong because she would’ve won the match had it been a regular singles match, Lynch fought back, caught Mickie off guard with one pin and then finally put the nail in the coffin by making her tap. Even though I love Mickie, Lynch needed this win. She hasn’t had a big win in a while and winning this feud with Mickie was a good thing for her. I think Alexa/Becky/Nattie/Mickie may be the way they’re headed for Mania.

Luke Harper vs. AJ Styles – Winner headlines WrestleMania

I love AJ Styles, he’s in my fave 5 wrestlers in the world and I wanted him to walk into Mania as the Champion, but I was all in for Harper here. It’s always nice to see a different face in the mix and Harper is working really well as a face even though he isn’t necessarily ready to be in the main event of Mania. That’s the main reason I understand the decision they went with here. These two worked a really fun match and I’d like to see them wrestle again. Harper works a really good face style and he was pretty over. I can’t wait to see more from face Harper. Styles got the win originally after he hit the Phenomenal Forearm and Harper got his foot on the bottom rope but the referee didn’t see it. When Shane restarted the match I thought they were definitely setting up for the rumored Shane/Styles match (which could still happen, I just don’t know how). Styles ended up getting the win following a springboard 450 which honestly shocked me. I really thought Harper had this and was a bit disappointed when he didn’t win even though I’m a huge AJ fan. I wasn’t at all upset, just kinda let down because I really wanted this to be Harper’s breakout win. Oh well, if we get Wyatt/Orton/Styles for the belt then that’ll be awesome.

Dean Ambrose vs. Curt Hawkins

The match never started as Dean immediately hit Dirty Deeds on Curt which annoyed me. I really wanted to see Hawkins wrestle. Why even bother bringing him back if you’re going to treat him like shit yet again? He deserves to at least be in the midcard with Crews and Kalisto and others. Hell, he even would’ve made for a good filler challenger for the IC Title but nope, he gets treated like absolute garbage. Anyway, back to what this segment was all about. Ambrose wants a fight with his rival Baron Corbin, but Corbin shows up on the titantron and both men talk some trash. I can’t wait for these two to go at it and for it to happen at Mania is even cooler. I’m digging this feud.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Apollo Crews in a Chairs Match

I actually find myself enjoying most chairs matches even if they’re extremely basic since it’s centered around one weapon and unlike ladder and tables matches they end by pinfall. Ziggler has been a flop since turning heel and it’s not really his fault. It’s his booking and who he’s been put up against. Crews and Kalisto are both extremely talented and I’m a fan of both but they just aren’t that over which sucks. Crews put on a great performance here including a standing moonsault while the chair was laying across Ziggler. They should’ve got the chairs more involved but what they did do with the chairs was solid. Ziggler picked up the win after multiple cheap tactics which concluded with dropping Crews’ dick on the chair which could not have felt good. Ziggler got a needed win here. I would love to see him face a returning Shelton Benjamin at Mania if Shelton is good to go.

Bray Wyatt’s Invocation

I honestly wasn’t paying attention while Bray was talking as per usual. I never really care what he has to say. Orton appeared on the titantron and he’s at Wyatt’s compound. Orton cut a really good promo talking about how he infiltrated the Wyatt’s and talked about Sister Abigail. I honestly felt kinda bad for Bray while Orton was pouring lighter fluid all over the place. Bray looked legitimately upset and I was feeling for him which wasn’t the purpose at all. When Orton finally burnt the place down it did look extremely badass.

Overall this was a very good episode of SmackDown. Some solid in-ring action and good storyline development. Nice show! SmackDown is awesome.

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