Smackdown Live Review 02/05/2019
Live from the Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington
Opening In-Ring Segment: Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Triple H
Charlotte Flair appears to kick things off in Everett, Washington and walks to the ring with arrogance after witnessing the actions of Becky Lynch last night. Flair addresses that Becky Lynch’s arrogance got the best of her last night when she refused medical attention and got indefinitely suspended. She then proposes to replace Becky at WrestleMania to face Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women’s championship. Becky Lynch then appears from the crowd, walking proudly towards Flair and hops over the barricade. Security appears but Lynch continues her promo. Becky Lynch with an army of producers trying to break things up, states that she can beat Charlotte for her spot at WrestleMania. Triple H appears and tells Lynch to go see medical help in order for the suspension to be uplifted. Becky responds by stating that she does not trust the doctor for getting cleared. Triple H responds by saying to go home. As he leaves the ring, Lynch then asks with a smile on her face if Stephanie McMahon is okay after the beating last night. Triple H says that Lynch is a self-destructor, looking for a way out. He continues by mentioning how Becky Lynch did the exact same thing with Ronda Rousey last year, calling it a convenient excuse. He finalizes by saying that Becky is afraid of Ronda and she will not overcome the odds. Becky responds by slapping Hunter in the face. They both have an intense stare down and Lynch exits the ring, through the crowd with a grin in her face.
My Opinion:
First thing I have to say before anything else, what a segment! This entire opener gave me the hype and chills that get you excited for WrestleMania season. Sure, you can make the comparison to being a vintage Stone Cold Steve Austin segment from the Attitude Era however, having this evolve around the first women’s WrestleMania main event makes me glad and proud to be a wrestling fan. Secondly, I loved the fact that Becky defied authority and willingly slapped the snot out of Hunter! I give kudos to WWE revolving their main world championship storyline based on the Women’s title. It really gives the Women’s Revolution a whole new meaning knowing that this will revolve around a history making match that will headline and main event the Showcase of the Immortals in New Jersey this April!
Match #1 – Tag Team Match: Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
As soon as the bell rings, Luke Gallows takes out Rusev out of the equation and starts to work on Shinsuke. After more miscommunications between both Rusev and Nakamura in the early going with frequent tags, the Good Brothers of Anderson and Gallows send the troubled team to the outside to regroup, which takes us into a commercial break. Coming back from an unnecessary How to Train Your Dragon trailer, Nakamura is seen gaining the upperhand in offense against Karl Anderson. Nakamura sets up for the kinsasha finisher but Anderson hits a spinebuster. Both competitors get the hot tag for their respective teammates and both tagged in participants go after each other. On the outside, Lana helps Nakamura up to his feet. Nakamura hits the Kinsasha on Gallows, while Anderson hits the Rocket Kick, and Rusev finally hits the Machka Kick for the pinfall victory.
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev via pinfall
My Opinion:
This tag team match will most likely be the first of numerous matches revolving around this new heel alliance. I mean, lets be honest here ladies and gentlemen, there is no way that WWE will label Rusev as a tweener for long, especially with the assist from Lana. Although he is over as hell with the WWE audience, I really do believe that this is the direction that will help Rusev get back on track with his coveted career.
Mustafa Ali Exclusive
Mustafa Ali is seen backstage with his lit up ring gear where he asks the WWE Universe if he could survive the Elimination Chamber and becomes WWE champion. He then ends the exclusive by asking what happens if he and the lights go out.
Paige promotes her movie Fighting with my Family
The Usos Exclusive
The Usos cut a promo backstage , hyping up their appearance on Miz TV and that the SmackDown Live tag team champions The Miz and Shane McMahon are trying to be copycats of them. They promise that next week’s episode of Miz TV will be locked down in the Uso Penitentiary.
Match #2 – Mustafa Ali vs. Randy Orton
The match begins and both Ali and Orton lock up which takes Ali to the corner turnbuckle. He pushes the Viper off but is unsuccessful to gain an edge as he is sent into the outside. Orton then slams Mustafa Ali off the announce table and sends him back into the squared circle. He applies a headlock and catches Ali with a powerslam to take control of this match. Orton sets up Ali for a superplex and hits it for an unsuccessful two count pin to send us into intermission. Returning from intermission, Randy Orton gains control with a fury of savage uppercuts, which leads to a ruthless headlock to slow down the heart and soul of 205 live. Ali comesback with a dropkick which sends the Apex Predator rolling out of the ring. Ali dropkicks Orton a second time and launches himself into the Viper on the announce table. Orton breaks the referee’s ten count but Ali stuns him with a helluva kick. Orton catches Ali with an attempt at a DDT but only opens up for Ali to hit a springboard rolling x-factor maneuver. Mustafa Ali looks to close the match with a Tornado DDT but pump-fakes Orton who attempts a RKO in mid air and hits the DDT, Although he was hurt, Ali tries to finish with a 054 finisher but Orton catches him with a flying RKO for the victory. Post match, Samoa Joe comes out to attack Orton and Ali and takes both of them out. The SoCal submission specialist stands tall to end the match.
Result: Randy Orton via pinfall
My Opinion:
This match surprised me as I did not expect the unlikely matchup of Randy Orton and Mustafa Ali to be as great as it turned out! It had all the combustible elements to create a tremendous show. I did expect a flying RKO to occur eventually however, to see Mustafa Ali showcased phenomenally was really something else. I think if anything else, Ali will be the dark horse in this championship match and will prove naysayers wrong with possibly becoming WWE champion.
In-Ring Segment: The New Daniel Bryan, Erick Rowan
Side Note: Daniel was announced as “Washington’s Favorite Son”
The New Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan appear in the ring. Bryan commends Washington for being intelligent and realize that the world needs change. Bryan claims that the downside of being champion is addressing a “global” audience, going on about how disgusting the world is with their food. He then goes onto say the old WWE title was a symbol of excess and the new design is a symbol of change. He then goes on to say that there is a threat to that change. Rowan continues by saying that people fear them for wanting a change in the world. He states that because Bryan is champion, he will be silenced. Bryan goes on by saying he is the planet’s champion, yet the “suits” referring to the McMahon Family, disapprove that by putting him into a Elimination Chamber match. Bryan then preaches how dangerous the situation of an Elimination Chamber really is, showing a video package from past chamber matches. The New Daniel Bryan then calls out all chamber participants and claims that the people as well as the planet needs him as WWE champion. He ends the promo by holding his design of the WWE title up high and leaves with Rowan out of the ring.
Jeff Hardy Interview featuring Kayla Braxton and AJ Styles
Kayla Braxton asks Jeff Hardy why he did not confront The New Daniel Bryan. Hary responds by saying you can never confront a madman. He then explains how valuable and prestigious the WWE title is. AJ Styles then interrupts the interview by questioning Hardy about if he has what it takes to represent as champion. The two have a heated exchange of words until Jeff Hardy silenced the critic as he states that he will defeat Bryan as he will do when he beats all competitors in the Elimination Chamber.
Match #3 – Triple Threat Tag Team Match: Carmella and Naomi (Fabulous Glow) vs. The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) vs. Mandy Rose and Mandy Rose (Fire and Desire)
Carmella and Sonya Deville lock up to start the match. Deville gains a upperhand and tags in Mandy Rose however Carmella comes back which leads to Billie Kay and Naomi being tagged in. Naomi stands tall to send the viewers to a commercial break. Coming back, the IIconics dominate Carmella with multiple tag team moves. Nonetheless Carmella gains an advantage to attempt for a tag but Mandy Rose is tagged in and broke those chances up. Rose then applies the abdominal stretch on Carmella but she escapes and tags in Naomi. Naomi comes into the match hot with a comeback and takes out Fire and Desire. She then throws Peyton Royce into Mandy Rose. However, with a distraction from outside interference from the IIconics, Mandy Rose hits her finisher on Naomi and gets the victory for Fire and Desire.
Result: Fire and Desire (Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville) via pinfall
My Opinion:
Scratching out the horrible storyline between Naomi and Mandy Rose, I really felt like this triple threat tag team Women’s match was a good niche to showcase SmackDown’s represented teams. Honestly, I did not become a fan of the Fabulous and Glow combination though I see why WWE creative did so. Carmella needed to be taken seriously as the first Women’s money in the bank winner and not as R-Truth’s flossing dance partner. Despite that, I loved that Sonya Deville was apart of that victory considering she is underrated as a singles competitor who deserves a push. Other than that, this was your typical showcase of WWE’s underdog teams for the Elimination Chamber match to determine the first ever Women’s Tag Team titles.
Match #4 (The Main Event)– Jeff Hardy vs. The New Daniel Bryan
The main event starts with a lockup between the WWE champion and Jeff Hardy. The lockup leads to a series of irish-whips to the ropes and the New Daniel Bryan hits a knee to the gut to stop Jeff’s momentum. Jeff Hardy slams Bryan into the top turnbuckle and does Shoulder Thrusts to weaken the champion but it only leads the WWE champion into a series of corner dropkicks. The New Daniel Bryan then applies an anchor submission but Jeff Hardy escapes, hits him with a dropkick sending him rolling onto ringside, and attempts a poetry in motion but stops in the presence of Erick Rowan. The distraction from Rowan helps Bryan knock Jeff Hardy off of his feet onto the steel steps to send us into intermission. Coming back from commercial, The New Daniel Bryan inflicts cruel punishment of Jeff Hardy by isolating his arm and hitting a series of knee stomps on the Charismatic Enigma. Hardy gains a comeback and attempts to pin the champion but is unsuccessful. Both competitors struggle to stand and hit each other with a fury of uppercuts. Hardy sends Bryan over the top rope and hits the WWE champion with a flying crossbody. He sends Bryan back into the ring and attempts a swanton bomb but Bryan rolls away. The New Daniel Bryan then hits Hardy with his vintage yes kicks but Hardy reverses the last kick and hits the twist of fate. He then hits a swanton bomb for the win. Rowan then breaks up the pin attempt for the disqualification finish. Samoa Joe appears and takes out Rowan and Bryan. Orton appears to brawl with Joe. Mustafa Ali comes from nowhere to take out Orton and Joe. He is stopped by Rowan who throws him on the announce table. AJ Styles comes out and takes out everyone in his sight, including a phenomenal forearm to Jeff Hardy. Styles stands tall in the ring looking at The New Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan standing near the entrance way and exits the arena. Kayla Braxton interviews Bryan after the match asking why Rowan was out there tonight. Bryan exclaims that none of the competitors will get their hands on the WWE championship and that he is the champion that the planet needs.
My Opinion:
Compared to every single Elimination Chamber match of the New Era, I believe this year’s will be something to see! As you all know, last year’s elimination chamber match was not quite memorable as the victor was predictable from the start of the match. I believe this match gave a great showcase to Jeff Hardy, who again is another Darkhorse in this Elimination Chamber match. Having Rowan interfere was a given, yet the brawl made the match somewhat worse in my eyes. I would have loved a clean finish! Was this truly the way you end the A-Show? For the kiddos, yes. For the wrestling fans who invest in the product every single week, most likely not.
Final Thoughts
Compared to last week’s episode, I was actually disappointed about how dull this week’s episode was. If anything, I would be proud to say that the opening segment was the only highlight of the night, having The Man slapping Hunter Hearst Helmsley into 2014. Again, this is hard for me to say because I love SmackDown Live each and every week! Look at the format of each and every match that was set up tonight. Besides the Mustafa Ali and Randy Orton matchup, there was not anything else on the card that really impressed me, including the main event. Usually, I would be highlighting more than one moment from Team Blue however this is not the case. Did this episode get me hyped for the diabolical structure known as the Elimination Chamber? Not quite. Maybe for WrestleMania with the Becky segment. I believe that joke made by Elias last night on Raw about Road Dogg killing SmackDown was proven right tonight. Hopefully we can see a change these upcoming weeks this WrestleMania season, for the better!
