Smackdown Live Review 02/19/2019
SmackDown Live Review: February 19th, 2019
Live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, home to WrestleMania 30 and 34
In-Ring Segment: Shane McMahon, The Miz, The Usos
Shane McMahon kicks the February 19thedition of SmackDown Live with an appearance. While in the process of entering the ring, a replay of the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match plays showcasing Kofi Kingston’s defeat against The New Daniel Bryan this past Sunday. It is also announced that the main event of tonight will be a six man tag team match featuring all the participants from the chamber. He announces that the same NXT stars who debuted on Raw last night (Ciampa, Gargano, Black, and Ricochet( will debut tonight on SmackDown Live. The Miz then interrupts his former tag team partner and apologizes for the championship loss against The Usos, admitting that he has used Shane as a representation of Miz’s father. Miz then goes on by saying that all the accomplishments that they had as a tag team made him emotional, especially when he heard his father say the words, “I am proud of you.”. The Miz then makes a proclamation that Shane makes a rematch clause towards a SmackDown Live tag team title match between them at The Usos. The Usos then interrupt and acknowledge that the crowd wants a rematch. Jey Uso tells Shane that in order to get a rematch clause, he must forgive Miz but makes fun of Miz for losing the match at Elimination Chamber. Shane then interrupts the ongoing rant and tells The Usos that the rematch is happening at Fastlane in Miz’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. The Miz then ends the promo by saying that this rematch will be awesome.
My Opinion:
HOW CAN YOU NOT GET HYPED THAT THE SAME NXT STARS FROM RAW ARE HERE ON SMACKDOWN LIVE TONIGHT? I mean holy hell, that is awesome that we get two straight nights of phenomenal NXT talent. But besides that, I really think that this segment really set the tone towards Miz turning on Shane. Having The Miz play the innocent boy looking to make his father proud has me to believe that “the Best Tag Team in the World” will crumble in his hometown. I really think that this will also set the scene for a WrestleMania match between The Miz and Shane bur I also do want to add that unlike last year’s result at the granddaddy of them all, I think this will be the time for Miz to win on center stage.
Match #1: Aleister Black vs. Andrade (with Zelina Vega)
*This matchup between Aleister Black and Andrade has been long awaited since their battle in NXT TakeOver: New Orleans last year where Black won the NXT Championship from Andrade. They will compete in the same building that they had that NXT championship match.*
The bell rings and we immediately get NXT chants from the New Orleans crowd. However, both Black and Andrade exchange grapple holds to try to gain some sort of an advantage in this match. Nonetheless, Andrade puts a stop towards Black’s momentum and starts dominating. It is Aleister Black who sends Andrade over the top rope and teases him with a ringside springboard attack but reverses it into his vintage sit taunt to take us into a commercial break. Coming back, Black hits Andrade with a vicious knee strike. However, Andrade tries to get back into things by trying to end the match with his Hammerlock DDT but Black reverses it into an unsuccessful pin attempt. After Andrade finds another opening, he takes a weakened Aleister and hits him with his vintage double knee running strike. He then goes for a second hammerlock DDT but is again reversed, which leads Black to use the snake eyes maneuver and hit Black Mass to gain the victory.
My Opinion:
I applaud WWE for seriously putting this rematch together because as far as my knowledge goes, Aleister Black and Andrade never faced each other after Andrade lost the title at TakeOver in the exact same building they are in tonight, which makes it extra special. Now knowing how WWE is, I was really hoping that they did not screw up this match considering how they have wasted NXT call ups in times past. However, I am proud to say that I was proven wrong as they both put on a show for the New Orleans crowd. To see two former NXT champions go after it makes me nostalgic from the night before WrestleMania. I am glad to see freshly renewed classics become resurrected!
Backstage Interview: Kayla Braxton, Tomasso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, and The Bar
After witnessing Aleister’s win, Kayla Braxton interviews the former DIY teammates how they will impact WWE. Tomasso responds by saying that just like last night, they are here to takeover. Johnny Gargano adds on by saying that they do not set the bar, they break the bar. The Bar interrupts and states that Ciampa and Gargano are nobodies, to go back to NXT. Ciampa responds by saying that they are a better tag team that they will ever be and leaves.
Match #2: The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro) vs. Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano
The match begins and Ciampa and Sheamus start off with a huge size differential. Push comes to shove as Ciampa gains momentum with a big boot which sends Sheamus rolling to the outside. He then tags in Cesaro as Ciampa tags in Johnny Gargano. Cesaro showcases his unique wrestling skills but is quickly stopped by a Cesaro uppercut to the ropes. Sheamus, not tagged in, stomps Gargano onto the chest. Ciampa comes in and cleans house, leading Gargano into a suicide dive to the former tag team champions. While Ciampa goes for a suicide dive of his own, Cesaro catches him in mid flight and hits a gut-wrench suplex into the crowd barrier to take us into commercial. Coming from intermission, Cesaro applies a headlock to weaken the current NXT champion which leads into a lethal lariat. Sheamus is tagged in to continue the brutal beatdown. He attempts a White Noise from the top rope but Ciampa reverses it into a sunset flip powerbomb which accidentally leads Sheamus’s body to land on Ciampa’s braced knee. Both competitors tag in their respective teammates and in comes a hot and fresh Gargano. He hits the slingshot ddt on Cesaro and applies the Gargano Escape submission. The Swiss Cyborg powers out and The Bar hits a double team maneuver for a pin attempt but it is broken up by Ciampa. After multiple kickouts by Gargano, Gargano from out of nowhere with the power gained hits a superkick on Sheamus but is unsuccessful. Gargano drives Cesaro into their corner to tag Ciampa in for a weird but unique roll up to gain the victory.
Result: Ciampa and Gargano via pinfall
My Opinion:
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! The fire just keeps on burning as we get another instant classic match between two teams that I would have never see face off! You have The Bar, a team that has been on the low profile ever since their championship loss at the Royal Rumble, getting the television time against a newly reunited Ciampa and Gargano, who are NXT’s top champions. I would have never imagined that two polar opposite teams would have such chemistry. I feel absolutely confident to see where WWE handles this NXT angle, given if it is an invasion or not. GIVE US MORE I SAY!!!
In Ring Segment – Asuka Exclusive Interview: Kayla Braxton, Asuka, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville Kayla Braxton interviews Asuka, commending her accomplishments throughout her career in WWE however, she asks Asuka why there is no hype around the SmackDown Women’s Championship come WrestleMania season. Asuka responds by saying she is ready for a new challenge and no is ready for her. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville interrupt. Mandy Rose states that the SmackDown Women’s champion is becoming irrelevant and if anyone is ready for Asuka, it is her.
Match #3: Asuka vs. Mandy Rose with Sonya Deville at ringside
The bell rings and Asuka takes the offence from Mandy Rose. As she dominates with kicks, Lacey Evans appears to distract the Empress of Tomorrow which gives Rose the opportunity to get a pin attempt, which is unsuccessful. Asuka comes back and dominates, leading to Mandy Rose being thrown over the top rope to the outside to lead us into commercial break. This leads into an impromptu non-title singles match. Coming from intermission, Mandy Rose dominates Asuka with an abdominal stretch but the SmackDown Live Women’s Champion reverses into an ankle lock and quickly gets out. Mandy Rose then slaps Asuka which gives her a comeback to get back into the match. The Empress then hits a German Suplex transitioning into a Shining Wizard. She then hits the go to sleep. Mandy Rose then complains to referee Mike Chioda that she got injured in the eye, which lures the SmackDown Women’s champion into a rollup victory.
Result: Mandy Rose via pinfall
My Opinion:
This was quite the odd way to present Asuka with a new challenge, especially since I was expecting Sonya Deville to answer the challenge instead! If I may rant on for a minute, Sonya Deville is the most underrated female superstar on the SmackDown Live roster. She deserves better than sitting on the sidelines while what Corey Graves refers to as “God’s Greatest Creation”gets all the glory. Mandy Rose is to me the Eva Marie of professional wrestling! Hate me if you want, but I can care less. Sure, she might have improved with her wrestling ability but why not give it to the woman who has came closer and closer to an opportunity but has never seen the light of day. I really hope there is a change in storyline coming forward!
Match #4: Ricochet vs. Eric Young of SANITY (with Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe)
The match gets underway and out of the gate, Ricochet displays his out of this world agility by placing Eric Young into an arm lock. However, it is the former TNA champion who knocks down the newcomer for a moment just before Ricochet kicks back up and sends Young into the outside. While he gets hot, Ricochet gets distracted by Alexander Wolfe at ringside which opens the door for Young to take control. He then applies a corner dragon sleeper to Ricochet, giving him total control of the match. Later on, Ricochet finds the power to make a comeback featuring moves such as the flying uppercut and a Spanish fly shooting star press. He then sends Young towards the outside and hits a springboard dive onto both Young and Dain to get momentum towards the end of the match. He sets up for the 630 splash and gains the pinfall in his SmackDown debut!
Result: Ricochet via pinfall
My Opinion:
Compared to his match against Elias last night on Raw, I was very more impressed tonight! It seems that WWE is more confident within highlighting NXT’s biggest stars on the main roster than they ever did the past six years. Ricochet has a future on the main roster whether he goes to SmackDown or Raw. I just hope, as I hope for Johnny and Tomasso, that they are not wasted as is Andrade is currently. His feat of athleticism and abnormal agility is insane. I personally remember seeing him back in the old PWG shows back when I was ten in Reseda. To think that he is in WWE today, showing that the impossible is now possible makes both the wrestling fan and the regular guy in me smile!
Match #5 (Main Event): Six Man Tag Team Match featuring The New Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, and Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, and Kofi Kingston
Before the match begins, The New Daniel Bryan cuts a promo on the many great names who have perfected their craft. He then states that no matter what obstacle, he survived the Elimination Chamber and claims that the crowd is uneducated. He then goes onto say that his opponent at Fastlane will not be any of the men participating in tonight’s main event because he has already defeated them inside the Elimination Chamber.
The New Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston kick things off but Bryan quickly tags out to Samoa Joe. Kofi gains the upper hand on the Submission Specialist and tags in The Charismatic Enigma, Jeff Hardy. Joe puts a stop to Hardy and tags in Orton to dominate. Bryan is tagged in and establishes a fury of what was known as Yes kicks. Orton is tagged back in to apply a headlock on an already weakened Jeff Hardy. Hardy reverses and tags in a hot Kofi Kingston who takes out the opposing team, sending Orton outside of the ring onto the announce table. While attempting a high flying move from the top rope, Bryan pushes him downwards. This gives Orton the chance to hit Kingston with a backdrop onto the announce table once more to send us into a commercial break. The match continues as we see the New Daniel Bryan dominating Kofi Kingston, then sending him into the outside. This frees up The Viper to hit another backdrop onto the announcers table. Orton is tagged into the match and establishes a headlock to weaken him. Kofi then finds the will to send Orton into the ring post and tags in AJ Styles. Styles comes in hot and takes the WWE champion to the limit. Styles attempts a Styles Clash but Bryan escapes. Joe interferes but Hardy hits a Twist of Fate but Orton throws him to the outside. Bryan locks in the label lock but no dice. Daniel Bryan faces off with Kofi Kingston. Kingston’s momentum runs wild as he takes out everyone in the match as well as Rowan and Bryan. With the support of the WWE Universe, Kofi sets up for Trouble in Paradise and hits hit. Kofi gains the victory by pinning the WWE champion, making the audience go wild to end the match. But that is not all! Shane McMahon appears and announces that at WWE Fastlane, The New Daniel Bryan will defend his WWE title against Kofi Kingston in the main event, which gains the biggest crowd pop I have ever witnessed in quite some time.
Result: Kofi Kingston pins The New Daniel Bryan via pinfall
My Thoughts:
MOST AWESOME MAIN EVENT I HAVE EVER WITNESSED EVER!!!! (and that is saying something) It are matches like these that make me invested in watching SmackDown every single Tuesday night, when I just come home from school. It makes writing these reviews worth writing. You witness all these combustible elements that endured so much at the Elimination Chamber put on a show for a crowd who has hosted WrestleMania weekend and you have to be impressed. Even to put the cherry on top, you have Kofi Kingston be showcased once again, showing why he has been here for eleven plus years, pin the WWE champion, thus earning the well deserved match at Fastlane. Great way to end an already stacked show!
Final Thoughts
I honestly do not know what to say! Out of all these reviews, which I state each and every week saying that SmackDown Live is the true A-show of wrestling entertainment! Again, as the McMahon Family had promised on Raw, we are getting fresh new matchups, fresh new faces, and great booking. Now sure fans would debate that Road Dogg is killing SmackDown Live but I strongly disagree. If anything, creative has went towards the right direction! Look at the NXT call-ups for example. Compared to last night, the way they were actually booked was more of an attention grabber for everyone, including myself! Even looking at the promos that were made, you cannot ignore the fact that those superstars have stepped up their game since it is that time of year for the showcase of the immortals. If there is one take away from the show, it would be the decision to make Mandy Rose in the title picture instead of Sonya Deville. Nonetheless, it still intrigued me to see a fresh new face be in that conversation of a championship match during a time when the Raw Women’s championship will main event WrestleMania. Overall, tonight gave me the feel of it being Mania season as well as giving me the hype for Fastlane one week from Sunday! I firmly believe that if there is ever an episode to refer to when others ask “what sets the mood for the grandest stage of them all?”, it should be this episode right here! Everyone got the spotlight from the old, the new, and the unsung. Trust me when I say that no matter what rigged WWE statistics show, what popular belief is, SmackDown Live is and will always be the house that not just AJ Styles built but the one WE THE UNIVERSE built!
