Smackdown Review 01/31/2020

Its the Wrestling Classic aka Justin Dhillon back here for this weeks review of Smackdown. It is Super Bowl weekend so the WWE is dubbing this as Super Smackdown. This is the follow up show to the Royal Rumble which seems so long ago now. Scheduled for this show is a fatal four way to name the new number one contenders for the Smackdown Tag Team Titles and Shinsuke Nakamura will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Braun Strowman. Also we will figure out what is next in the Fiend and Bryan feud or if they will move on from each other. Lets find out.

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Live from the Bok Center in Tulsa, OK.

Michael Cole and Corey Graves are our announce team for the evening.

Roman Reigns & The Usos
They show kicks off with Roman Reigns coming out. Reigns does his full entrance and they show still from his Falls Count Anywhere match against Corbin at the Royal Rumble. Cole also talks about how it came down to Reigns and winner Drew McIntyre in Sunday’s 30-Man Royal Rumble main event. The Usos come outs next with a full entrance to join Reigns. Reigns takes the mic and says the good news is that he kicked Corbin’s ass all over Minute Maid Park on Sunday. The bad news is… Reigns stops to think about it, looking disappointed. The Usos finish his sentence and say Reigns lost, he lost the Rumble Match. Reigns said he did lose and he doesn’t like to lose, but they’re going to make it alright tonight by kicking King Corbin’s ass and his little b—–s, then focus on WrestleMania 36. Corbin’s music interrupts as he comes out with Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode to the stage. Fans boo and Corbin tells them to save it because the feeling is mutual. Corbin says Reigns cheated and only won the match on Sunday because The Usos helped him. Corbin says he would’ve done better and even won the Rumble Match if it weren’t for the cheating in the Falls Count Anywhere match. Corbin says he demanded this six-man match because he wants Reigns and The Usos to pay for keeping him from the title shot at WrestleMania. Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso take turns taking shots at Corbin, Roode and Ziggler now. Corbin says he bets they had a lot of time to come up with jokes while they were sitting at home after embarrassing their family, a reference to Jimmy’s legal troubles. Corbin shows us a replay of how they embarrassed Reigns with dog food last month. Reigns says either Corbin has a weird dog food fetish or he’s still living in that moment as if it’s the best moment of his career. Reigns proposes a stipulation for tonight’s match, mentioning it as the main event. The loser will have to eat dog food. Fans chant “yes!” as Reigns waits for an answer. Corbin accepts the stipulation. The Usos are glad Corbin accepted because they have a surprise they brought. They then have a huge amount of wet dog food brought to the stage on a table. The music hits as the announcers hype tonight’s line-up for Super SmackDown.
My Thoughts
The full entrances for Roman and the Usos seemed excessive. Are they not allowed to come out together? Also, are we not done with this feud yet? Seriously? Another six-man tag match between these two teams where the losers have to eat dog food could either be the blow off for this feud or another step in it. I’m hoping it comes to an end. The real issue here is where does everyone go after this? I think that’s the problem the writers have too. On a positive note though, I really enjoy the Usos with Roman Reigns.

#1 Contendership for Tag Team Championship
Fatal Four-Way Match
Miz & Morrison def. The Revival, Lucha House Party & Heavy Machinery
In a competitive tag team match The Miz and John Morrison defeated the other three teams after Morrison hit the starship pain on Dawson after Miz hit him with a skull crushing finale. Morrison and Miz will challenge The New Day for the tag titles at the Saudi show.
My Thoughts
This was a solid match to kick off the show and considering the rivalry brewing these past few weeks between The New Day and Miz and Morrison, it was quite predictable which team was going to go over. The right team won but couldn’t it have been at the expense of Lucha House party or a distracted Otis rather than The Revival?

– Back from the break, we see a frustrated Heavy Machinery backstage. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville walk up. Rose thanks Otis for helping her during the 30-Woman Royal Rumble match on Sunday. Tucker tells Otis to do that thing he told him to do which leads to Otis asking Mandy out on a date for next Friday. Rose says she has plans next Friday. Otis looks shocked and disappointed. Rose says but she doesn’t have plans for the following Friday. Otis is thrilled. Rose and Deville walk off to get ready for a match. Tucker points out to Otis that he now has plans for a date on Valentine’s Day, February 14.

–  Cole and Graves show us video highlights from the Royal Rumble Strap Match between Daniel Bryan and WWE Universal Champion “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt, who retained. We also see Bryan’s post-match comments where he revealed the welts on his back and talked about how he FaceTimed wife Brie Bella and daughter Birdie, but Brie wouldn’t let Birdie see her daddy’s “boo-boos” because they were too graphic and Bryan questions if he does love this business too much,

• • – Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross make their entrance.
  
  
  – We come back from break with a quick video package of the “Halftime Heat” match between The Rock and Mankind in 1999 before Mandy Rose and Sonya

Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross def. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville
In a decent match for television, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross defeated Fire and Desire after Alexa Bliss hits twisted bliss on Mandy Rose for the win.
My Thoughts
There were no shenanigans here. It was a clean win for Alexa and Nikki without any distractions, miscommunications or interference. This could have just been a way to secure Alexa and Nikki as the new number one contenders for the Women’s Tag Team titles and not a loss to create tension between Mandy Rose and Deville.

– We see Shinsuke Nakamura and his crew walking backstage. We also see Braun Strowman walking. Cole sends us to a video package showing recent happenings between Strowman and Nakamura.

Intercontinental Championship
Braun Strowman def. Shinsuke Nakamura (C) w/ Sami Zayn & Cesaro
In a solid match. Braun Strowman defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to win the Intercontinental Championship after Braun sent Nakamura into a corner in which Sami took the turnbuckle off of followed by a running powerslam.
My Thoughts
Braun Strowman finally wins his first singles title 3-4 four years after he had the most momentum in the world. I am surprised they pulled the trigger on this so soon as I thought this would be a feud that would have went to at least the next PPV before a title change. I’m happy for Braun though.

Elias Segment
Back from a break we are with Sami Zayn backstage ranting to Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura about the injustice that just happened to them. Alyse Ashton walks up for comments and Sami rants to her, running her down as a grade school journalist. Sami is interrupted by the sound of Elias’ guitar in the ring. Sami is not happy tonight. Sami and Elias have words. Elias keeps playing to taunt him. Sami sends Cesaro to the ring to take care of the situation.
We go back to the ring and Elias introduces himself to a pop. He says we are on the Road to WrestleMania 36 and you know what that means. He wrote everyone here tonight a new song. He asks everyone to clap along. The music interrupts and out comes Cesaro.
Elias attacks as Cesaro goes to enter the ring. Cesaro fights back but Elias gets the upperhand. Elias with a clothesline, delivering more aggressive offense than usual. Elias then knocks Cesaro out of the ring with a big knee. The bell never rang. Elias’ music starts up and he poses in the corner as Cesaro stumbles up the ramp.
My Thoughts
This was something that happened. It gave Elias something to do and maybe its leading to another mini feud between Cesaro and Elias but it felt like a bit of a cluster and poorly produced.

– They plug the “After the Bell” podcast. Be sure to check it out.

Sheamus def. Shorty G
In a quick match, Sheamus defeated Shorty G with a brogue kick.
My Thoughts
They gave Shorty G enough offence and just enough to give his fans hope that he would pick up an upset. Sheamus stands tall as he should. I believe this was his first match non against on a jobber on Smackdown since his return.

Bayley Speaks
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley makes her way to the ring. Bayley is all smiles tonight as fans boo her when she enters the ring. Cole points out how next week’s SmackDown will take place from Bayley’s hometown of San Jose, California.
Bayley says, “Damn, I’m good!” She raises the title and goes on about how she, a role model, defeated Lacey Evans to retain her title at the Royal Rumble. Fans quickly give Bayley the “What!?” treatment. Bayley says she got payback on Evans for injuring her friend Sasha Banksand forcing her to miss the Rumble. Bayley says she did all that with Evans’ daughter sitting in the front row. Fans boo Bayley. Bayley says now Evans’ daughter Summer has to look at her mother knowing she’s a loser. Bayley says Summer can sit in the crowd with the rest of the sheep and watch her now if she needs someone new to look up to.
Bayley goes on and says it’s a given that Charlotte Flair will pick her for her title shot at WrestleMania 36. Bayley calls Flair out but the music interrupts and here comes Naomi instead, for her first appearance since returning to action in the 30-Woman Royal Rumble match on Sunday.
Naomi is wearing a new helmet, covering her face and lit up with LED lights. Graves calls it a “LED fish bowl” on her head. Naomi dances around and hits the ring as Bayley looks down at her. Naomi takes the mic and says she’s missed SmackDown but she couldn’t help but hear all the trash talking Bayley was doing. Naomi says Bayley is out here lying, saying she’s beaten everyone. Naomi says Bayley has never defeated her. Naomi says as the former SmackDown Women’s Champion, the title could use some glow and the next chance she gets, she’s going to drag… Bayley drops Naomi with a shot to the face with the title out of nowhere. Bayley mounts Naomi with more strikes. Naomi comes back and hits a big springboard kick from the second rope as fans pop, sending Bayley out to the floor on her back. Naomi gets fired up as her music starts back up. Bayley recovers on the ground as Naomi dances around the ring to her music. The Usos come out for their match so Naomi interacts with them.
My Thoughts
I forgot Bayley was even on this show and the champion. When her music hit, it was more of a “oh yeah” reaction from me. WHERE IS SASHA? Also no follow up from Lacey Evans? Regardless, I am elated to see Naomi back and I personally like the new helmet LOL. The women’s roster is stacked on Smackdown and adding Naomi just makes it more stacked.

Loser Eats Dog Food
Roman Reigns & The Usos def. Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler & Bobby Roode
In a decent main event, Roman Reigns and The Usos defeat King Corbin, Roode and Ziggler after Roman rolls up Corbin for the win.
After the match, Reigns and The Usos celebrate. The music stops as The Usos bring the chains and handcuffs over to cuff Corbin at ringside. He tries to fight them off but Reigns levels him with a big Spear at ringside. Ziggler and Roode are still trapped over on the other side of the announce table. They chain Corbin to the ring post like Reigns was chained up last month. Reigns and The Usos roll the cart of dog food over and Reigns starts flinging it on him. The Usos grab the large tub of dog food and pour it all over Corbin. Reigns dumps another tub of wet dog food all over Corbin. Reigns and The Usos pose for a photo, all smiles, in front of a dog food covered Corbin. Super SmackDown goes off the air with Reigns and The Usos celebrating in the ring as Reigns’ music hits.
My Thoughts
I hope this was over. It was fun I guess. Its a good way to end the feud if it is over giving Roman revenge for the dog food that was dumped on him by Corbin and his cronies. It was a happy ending to send the crowd home happy.

Final Thoughts
This was a meh episode of Smackdown. It felt like a huge drop compared to episodes before the Rumble. There is nothing on this episode that really stood out to me or I’m going to remember fondly weeks from now. I guess Strowman finally winning his first singles title because I am happy for him because it was long overdue but then again I do feel like it was a few years late and underwhelming to do on a meh episode of Smackdown. It wasn’t horrible but it definitely wasn’t super in any way.