Smackdown Live Review 03/26/2019

SmackDown Live Review: March 26th, 2019

Live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut

Just less than two weeks before the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania, we witness another action-packed show from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut for tonight’s edition of Smack Down Live. This show will feature a TNA classic come to life as Kurt Angle continues his farewell tour in his last match on Smack Down against The Phenomenal AJ Styles as well as a Fatal Four Way match to determine who will face Asuka for the SmackDown Women’s Championship on the grandest stage of them all!

In-Ring Segment: The New Day, Vince McMahon, The New Daniel Bryan, Erick Rowan
The New Day kick the show off and a roar of Kofi chants emerge from the Mohegan Sun Arena! Xavier Woods settles down the craziness and states to get serious. Big E then states that for almost five years together as a trio, it has been amazing entertaining the WWE Universe. Woods then thanks the fans for everything they have done. Big E states the possibility of walking away from WWE. Woods states that it has been disgusting to see how horribly Kofi has been treated for the past eleven years. He then goes onto say in order to make this quitting action official, they must get answers from Mr. McMahon, thus requesting him to come out. Vince McMahon answers and approaches the ring. As McMahon tries to explain himself, The New Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan interrupt. Bryan states that The New Day is a joke, a joke that McMahon created. Bryan then calls Kofi a B+ player, losing multiple times in big situations. He then goes onto say that the WWE Universe cannot face the reality that Kofi is not championship material. Woods retaliates and McMahon shuts both men. Mr. McMahon states that The New Day will not quit and question if Woods and Big E are B+ players. Vince then puts Woods and Big E in charge of Kofi’s fate as they are put in a tag team gauntlet match where if they win, Kofi will face Bryan for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania!
My Thoughts:
Now this took a huge turn real quick. I will be honest, as much as I have been a fan of The New Day for the past five years, I believe it is time for all three superstars to become their own stars. Vince was right! I really do not think that The New Day will last that long as a unit, especially with this tag team turmoil later on. If you ask me, I really think that Vince will screw The New Day, thus causing a split. The Power of Positivity will be no more as championship gold will end what has been a memorable run for the three veterans of WWE! Give Kofi a true underdog story and let him climb that mountain on his own two feet instead of being carried by his brothers in arms. Plus, The New Daniel Bryan’s work as a heel has been tremendous! There has been no one who has quickly became a true box office attraction other than this new version of Bryan. If you look at the way he works a crowd and plays as a true authority-favorite bad guy is perfect! Ever since the heel turn last year, Bryan has been on a role as WWE Champion. I love where his direction is coming come WrestleMania.

Backstage Interview – Sarah Schrieber and Becky Lynch
Sarah Schrieber is appeared backstage where she introduces The Man, Becky Lynch. Lynch is asked after The Beat The Clock Challenge victory on Raw last night, does that momentum ride on for WrestleMania? She responds by saying that it will happen exactly like that come the granddaddy of the immortals. After calling Charlotte Flair a clingy third wheel, Flair’s music hits and Lynch is seen disappointed of the interruption.

Match #1: Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair – SmackDown Women’s Championship
Before the match begins, Charlotte Flair cuts a promo stating that she is not a third wheel, she will prove tonight that she is not. It is also revealed that this match will be a SmackDown Women’s Championship match.
The bell rings and the WrestleMania 34 rematch begins with an intense lockup. Flair attempts a chop but Asuka applies an arm wrench. Both women attempt to gain momentum however, Flair gains the advantage with a vicious hair whip. Asuka comes back with a gruesome headlock that stops her in her tracks. Flair throws an Irish-whip to the Women’s Champion onto the ropes and attempts a pinfall attempt, which is reversed into a kick by The Empress of Tomorrow to send us into commercial break.  Afterwards, Charlotte Flair is seen dominating the Women’s Champion. Asuka then comes back with a ruthless arm stretch in an attempt to submit for the win. Charlotte would then target the knee but everything escalates when The Empress hits a codebreaker out of nowhere, in homage to Chris Jericho. The comeback has begun as Asuka gains incredible speed. She then hits a Shining Wizard Knee strike for an unsuccessful pin attempt. While Asuka was caught, Charlotte hit her vintage big boot for a two count. Flair attempts a moonsault but Asuka locks in the Asuka Lock. The Queen escapes and goes for a cover which is only good for two. We are taken to another commercial. Coming back, Charlotte attempts a Figure 8 submission multiple times. Asuka is able to come back and viciously kick Flair’s head for a two count pin attempt. Both women go to the top rope and Flair hits an amazing Spanish fly! Grown with frustration, Flair begins to throw elbows on the champion. Asuka catches The Queen with a triangle choke submission. Flair powers out and hits a huge powerbomb. Flair applies a Figure 8 and gains the submission victory, thus becoming the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion!! HOLY COW!!!
Result: Charlotte Flair wins via submission and becomes the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion
My Thoughts:
I am still in shock of what just transpired moments ago! I mean, let me first say this. I did not expect Charlotte Flair to be getting a championship match tonight let alone, winning one! I believe that match between Asuka and The Queen, despite the result, proved once again about how great Women’s Wrestling truly is! Did you see that codebreaker?? Did you see the multiple close calls into thinking we did not know who would win? Those two women have unbelievable chemistry in the ring together. I honestly hope that the Women’s Division for Team Blue will not be thrown under the bus after these turn of events as all the women deserve to have a spotlight on them. This truly changed the pace towards the now confirmed main event of WrestleMania! Think about it! How awesome is it to witness a change of direction for this triple threat match? I would love to see the match become a double title match, where the winner becomes both SmackDown and RAW Women’s Champion! Now I don’t know if I would state that this would be like Chris Jericho’s moment at Vengeance 2001 but I would say WrestleMania would be better!

Match #2: AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle
Before the match starts, Sarah Schrieber interviews AJ Styles, about his match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania. Styles states that this is truly an honor being Kurt’s final match on SmackDown. He also adds that Randy may have laid the foundation but this is still the house that AJ Styles built.
The bell rings and Kurt Angle showcases his outrageous Olympic athleticism with multiple German suplexes! AJ Styles applies the Calf Crusher on Angle but Kurt reverses into an Ankle Lock. Styles escapes and gets hit with an RKO from an interfering Randy Orton, who causes a disqualification. Angle catches Orton with an Angle Slam to then help Styles get up on his own two feet to end the segment.
Result: AJ Styles via disqualification
My Thoughts:
That was a disappointment! All this hype towards an instant classic match between two greats for then to be interrupted by Orton? At least let both Styles and Angle put on a classic bout with a CLEAN finish to send The Olympic Hero on his way for his LAST SmackDown match ever in his career. A complete waste of all the expectations that I had for this dream matchup! Although, I have to admit, I loved the beginning exchange. Seeing the Olympic Hero show that he still got it was tremendous! Plus, AJ Styles showcasing his in-ring ability, even if it was for a short moment, was another highlight I took from this! But again, this was overall a dismay of a match. Blasphemous!

In-Ring Segment: The Miz, Shane McMahon, WWE Security, The Colons, Shelton Benjamin, SANITY
The Miz appears in the center of the ring with an uproar of “Miz is Awesome” chants! Miz then starts his promo by stating that this WrestleMania will be different as he will tear Shane McMahon limb from limb on the grandest stage of them all, making this match personal when his father was harmed. He promises to everyone that he will decimate Shane in a Falls Count Anywhere match, showcasing everything he will do to him. Shane McMahon interrupts and brings out security, Sanity, The Colons, and Shelton Benjamin. McMahon then requests WWE announcer Greg Hamilton to introduce him properly. Shane explains that the security is out there for Miz and not for him. Shane has reflected what he did to Miz’s father and to Miz in his hometown. Shane admits that the beating of Miz’s dad has quenched his excitement thirst. He then accepts the stipulation of a Falls Count Anywhere match. Shane then states that the biggest MIZtake that the Miz’s Dad ever had was impregnating his mother. With fury, Miz rolls down and hauls ass by taking out security, the Colons, and Shelton Benjamin! Sanity tries to slow Miz down but they both encounter in a brawl, which leads to be taken to the crowd. After a vicious brawl, he then stares down Shane McMahon from afar to end the segment.
My Thoughts:
Legitimately, I do not know how it happens but every time The Miz grabs that microphone, I appreciate and feel the passion of what is being said! For example, look at what has been said these past few weeks. You can really feel that The A-Lister is putting forth everything to make this match with Shane McMahon a memorable one! There is one thing I take away from this that I actually find hilarious, why would you pick, out of all the roster in the back, The Colons and Sanity as bodyguards? I do respect that television time is valuable but what the hell is the benefit of having a show’s tag team division showcased as a commodity instead of competition? Other than my views on the tag team division, this segment really got me hyped for this Falls Count Anywhere match between McMahon and Miz! I will also point out the diss of the night, where Shane points out The Miz’s father’s biggest MIZ-take of impregnating The Miz’s mother! To me, that was really awesome and left me with my mouth open! I cannot wait to see the craziness that will happen at MetLife Stadium for WrestleMania!

The IIconics Exclusive
The IIconics reveal the big news that they will be in a fatal four way match for the Women’s Tag Team Championships!

Main Event – Tag Team Gauntlet Match: The New Day vs. Gallows & Anderson,
Hot out of the gate, Xavier Woods hits Karl Anderson with a huge knee strike, followed by a huge superkick! Big E takes out Luke Gallows and hit UpUpDownDown on Anderson for the first win of the match. That was faster than my first relationship!
Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev appear as the next tag team in the gauntlet match! Xavier Woods hits a huge irish whip towards the corner on Nakamura. Nakamura hits Woods with a rolling knee strike. Rusev is tagged in and starts hammering down on Woods! The Bulgarian Brute throws out Woods to take us into commercial break. Woods tries to fight back and reaches for a tag but Rusev drives him into the corner turnbuckle. Shinsuke is tagged in and takes control with “Good Vibrations” followed by a huge headlock. Nakamura transitions into a facelock. Woods fights back yet again and takes out Rusev. Nakamura tries to hit an exploder suplex and Woods flips out of it and tags in Big E. Big E makes the hot tag and establishes a comeback. The King of Strong Style tags in Rusev and throws Big E to the outside. With a distraction from Nakamura, Rusev hits a huge kick followed by a Kinsasha knee strike. Woods would then assist his partner by taking out Rusev with a springboard maneuver. The New Day hit another UpUpDownDown finisher on Nakamura for their second win!
The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro) appear as their next challengers. Coming back from commercial, Sheamus and Cesaro take control of Big E. Sheamus controls the left leg of Big E in order to weaken the strongman. Sheamus tags in Cesaro and stops E from making a tag to Woods. The Swiss Superman hits a Cesaro Swing followed by a Sharpshooter. Sheamus is tagged in once again to stomp out of the damaged left leg. The Bar then take control for a moment until Big E takes both of them off to tag in Xavier Woods! Woods hits a huge knee strike on Cesaro and hits an amazing Apron DDT on Sheamus. This would lead Woods to hit a springboard senton. He then follows that with a huge leg drop on The Celtic Warrior for what looked to be athree count but is broken up by Cesaro for another commercial break. Returning once again, Cesaro takes control of E’s damaged leg once gain. Sheamus is tagged in and surprisingly goes on the top rope for a move which then caught by a Big E powerbomb. Woods is tagged in to try to get momentum. Woods rolls up Sheamus for the upset win, eliminating The Bar! The Bar attacks The New Day post match in anger of their loss. They then bring out a table. The Bar put E through a table.
The SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos come out as the next team in the gauntlet. The Usos then state that they and the WWE Universe respect Kofi Kingston. They then forfeit the match. The New Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan are seen backstage irate over these turn of events for another commercial break.
While Xavier Woods assists Big E up, Greg Hamilton announces that there is one more team left for the New Day to face. The New Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan appear and beat down on the already weakened New Day! Bryan starts working on the injured left leg. Big E tries to fight back both Rowan and Bryan. However, Bryan reverses with a Single Leg Boston Crab submission but Woods breaks it up out of nowhere! While going for a corner dropkick, Big E catches the WWE Champion and hits The Big Ending but Rowan breaks it up. Rowan is tagged in and hits a huge side slam. Rowan would then tear apart the announcer’s table, even throwing the chairs out of the way. In the process, Woods hits a DDT onto the outside. Big E then tumbles the announce table onto Rowan, leading to a count out victory! The New Day celebrate this tremendous win, overcoming the odds, leading Kofi to a WWE Championship match versus The New Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania! Backstage Kayla Braxton interviews Vince McMahon and he confirms that Kofi Kingston will face Bryan at WrestleMania!
Result: The New Day (Xavier Woods & Big E)
eliminate Gallows and Anderson via pinfall,
eliminate Nakamura & Rusev via pinfall,
eliminate The Usos via forfeit,
eliminate the New Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan via countout
My Thoughts:
I still cannot put into words what I have just seen! That gauntlet match was the true definition of what passion and hard work for a dream to become reality. I admit it too, Woods and Big E put on a historical clinic not only for Kofi Kingston’s championship dream but also for tag team wrestling! If you take a look at the elimination process from The New Day, their tactics were absolutely wonderful. The quick elimination at first shocked the hell out of me given how gifted Gallows and Anderson are as a unit! The second elimination took a little longer than I thought considering how much I am not a fan of this Nakamura/Rusev combo. Let me elaborate, Nakamura and Rusev are great as individual competitors instead of as a team! They are trying to be Sheamus and Cesaro, yet they do not have a feel as a team in my book! What, because they are both heels, they automatically work as a tag team? Hell no! Speaking about The Bar, I was personally a fan when they put Big E through a table because it has been way to long since we have seen a table spot in WWE! Seeing The Usos forfeit was interesting but not as shocking considering they are the babyface champions!  I put forth respect to both Woods and E for going through hell to do what is right. What added to this match being special was seeing everyone from the locker room come out and support the victory. Now I know I am bias when I say that seeing Becky and Kevin Owens out there really added to this heartwarming celebration since I am a huge fan of both. I am so happy to say that this match was the perfect ending towards an amazing show!

Final Thoughts
I don’t know where to start with this column because all of my feelings towards this episode is just pure happiness! I am proud to be supporting such a well-constructed show minus one misconception that was made with the Styles and Angle match. First thing is first, having Charlotte Flair as the SmackDown Women’s Champion in a lot of people’s minds was the wrong decision and to that degree, I agree with them to that extent. My explanation is, why would you award Charlotte Flair like this when she is already apart of the biggest main event in WrestleMania history? However, I know the exact answer to that question. Flair won it because she earned it! She will help an already vacant SmackDown Women’s division on the grandest stage of them all in the triple threat match! Let me also pay my respects to Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E for putting everything at risk and on the line just to be at WrestleMania. They had a dream and it became a reality! I know from a personal experience that the road to your dreams isn’t easy. I have suffered depression, felt lost, and thought that there was no solution to my ongoing problems that are standing in my way of my dream! I know that dreams not only for me but for everyone is possible and tonight was a clear cut example of that statement. Remember boys and girls, do not let anything hold you back from what you want to do in this life! Do not let anyone tell you differently. If your dream and aspiration is to become WWE Champion, than by God, do it! If there is something I learned from tonight, it is to never give up hope. Anything is truly possible! If you fight for your dreams, YOUR DREAMS WILL FIGHT FOR YOU! (not stolen from the old Daniel Bryan) Until next time savages, stay macho and embrace the madness!