This was a great episode of SmackDown: matches were decent and the storytelling was great. The highlight of the show was the promo between Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso. Zayn isn’t done with the Bloodline and the riff between the Usos is making it onscreen. The worst part of the show was the match between Natalya and Shayna Baszler. The match was ok but it set up a future match between Tegan Nox and Ronda Rousey.
The matches were solid throughout the night but none of them were great. The show structure was very good, only getting hurt by matches with low stakes. The atmosphere was hurt by crowd noise not being great in some of the matches. Storytelling got a perfect score because the Bloodline storyline continues to be great and the feud between Rey Mysterio and his son is heating up again.
On tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown: Charlotte Flair goes face to face with the winner of the 2023 Royal Rumble, Rhea Ripley. Rey Mysterio faces off with Karrion Kross. Will Mysterio conquer his tormentor? And a six-man tag match to kick off the show.
Jimmy Uso hoped that his brother Jey will be honest and tell him what is wrong.
GOOD Braun Strowman, Ricochet, and Madcap Moss vs Imperium:
Ricochet looked to tag in Strowman but instead received a vicious clothesline from Giovanni Vinci. Later on, Gunther got distracted by Drew McIntyre as he walked toward the ring. Imperium won this match after Gunther power bombed Madcap Moss. after the match, McIntyre, with help from Ricochet, Strowman, and Sheamus, fought off an attack from the Viking Raiders.
Results: Imperium by Pinfall via Powerbomb
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Santos Escobar told Rey Mysterio how much he respected him. Then, Domenik interrupted to disrespect his father.
Paul Heyman told Jey Uso to handle his brother, personally.
GOOD LA Knight:
Knight told the crowd he views Wrestlemania as a way to make more money. He also said he wasn’t looking for a Wrestlemania moment, rather he’s going to give Mania an LA Knight moment. The New Day then made their way to the ring, telling LA Knight that Wrestlemania moments are earned. Kingston and Knight agreed to a match.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
RATING WORD LA Knight vs Kofi Kingston: (Make Subheading)
Kingston controlled this match’s momentum early on, landing a few cross-bodies. After he tossed Kingston out of the ring, LA Knight trash-talked Xavier Woods. He taunted Woods to attack him before throwing Kingston back in the ring. Later, LA Knight attacked Woods from behind. However, this left Knight vulnerable to an attack from Kofi Kinston. Woods got his revenge, as a distraction opened the door for Trouble in Paradise.
Results: Kofi Kingston by Pinfall via Trouble in Paradise
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Charlotte Flair confronted by Domenik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley:
Flair called out Ripley for not coming to the ring and accused her of being afraid. Domenik Mysterio then came to talk on Ripley’s behalf, telling Flair that Mami is different from other women. Dom then talked about daddy issues and said both he and Flair have reason to be disappointed in their fathers. As Charlotte was about to attack Mysterio, Rhea Ripley finally came to the ring. Ripley wanted a piece of the queen but Domenik held her back.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Natalya (w/Tegan Nox) vs Shayna Baszler (w/Ronda Rousey):
Baszler started off targeting Natalya’s arm, leaving her on one knee. Then, Natalya gave her opponent a tour of Europe with a side Russian leg sweep and a German suplex. A distraction from Rousey was critical, allowing Baszler to land a knee to the face of an unsuspecting Natalya. Shayna Baszler finished off Natalya with an arm bar. Tegan Nox prevented Rousey from continuing the attack on Natalya, leading to a challenge for next week from Rousey.
Results: Shayna Baszler by Submission via Armbar
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
A strange video package from Bray Wyatt in which Wyatt repeatedly asked if the audience can keep a secret.
Paul Heyman told Jimmy Uso that he’d better handle Jey or Roman Reigns will handle it next week.
GOOD Rey Mysterio vs Karrion Kross:
Mysterio started with a 619 to the back of Kross’s head and followed that up with a suicide dive. Kross regained the momentum and took Mysterio up to the top. Mysterio countered with a hurricanrana. Scarlett played a role after she stood on the bottom rope. Rey Mysterio accidentally knocked her off, throwing off the timing of the 619. Domenik Mysterio also interfered, trying to goad his father into a fight but Rey resisted. Kross greeted him with a Kross Jacket when he got back in the ring. Post-match, Domenik continued to taunt his father but Rey resisted the urge to strike his son.
Results: Karrion Kross by Submission via Kross Jacket
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
AMAZING Jimmy Uso:
Jimmy said he understands his brother’s pain but also said he needs Jey to help him defend the tag titles. Then, Sami Zayn entered the ring from the crowd. Zayn talked about his friendship with Jimmy and siad it hurt when Jimmy didn’t stand up for him at the Royal Rumble. He also told Jimmy that the Bloodline isnt a family, it’s all about Roman Reigns. Jimmy Uso punched Sami Zayn as Zayn made eye contact with Jey Uso, who was in the crowd. After hitting a Helluva Kick, Zayn fled from the arena. Jey Uso and Solo Sikoa locked eyes with Jey in the crowd to end the show.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 4 stars
Overall…
This was a great episode of SmackDown: matches were decent and the storytelling was great. The highlight of the show was the promo between Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso. Zayn isn’t done with the Bloodline and the riff between the Usos is making it onscreen. The worst part of the show was the match between Natalya and Shayna Baszler. The match was ok but it set up a future match between Tegan Nox and Ronda Rousey.
The matches were solid throughout the night but none of them were great. The show structure was very good, only getting hurt by matches with low stakes. The atmosphere was hurt by crowd noise not being great in some of the matches. Storytelling got a perfect score because the Bloodline storyline continues to be great and the feud between Rey Mysterio and his son is heating up again.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 1/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
