This was a pretty good episode of Friday Night SmackDown that featured some decent matches and more good storytelling with the Bloodline. That was the highlight of the show: the story arc between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. It'll be interesting to see where they take this now that KO and Zayn are back to being friends. The lowlight was probably the match between LA Knight and Xavier Woods. The action was fine but the ending was sudden and a little disappointing.
The match score loses points because a couple of matches were good but just missed the mark of great. The show structure loses points because a few of the matches toward the end were ok or don’t have much story to them. The atmosphere was good but not a big match pop during any of the matches, although the last promo did get a good reaction. Storytelling was hurt by some matches not having a lot at stake. This was a regular SmackDown so no theme but the production quality was high.
Tonight on Friday Night SmackDown: Sami Zayn confronts Jey Uso. Will talking do any good for this broken relationship? Sheamus and Drew McIntyre battle for a Wrestlemania match against Intercontinental Champion Gunther. Will Sheamus get one more shot or is it McIntyre’s time to shine? And we hear from the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
GOOD Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn:
Cody addressed Roman Reigns and the respect he has for his Wrestlemania opponent but this wasn’t what he mainly wanted to talk about. He then invited Kevin Owens to the ring, who has had his own issues with the Bloodline lately. But Rhodes wasn’t done, as he also invited Sami Zayn to the ring as well in an effort to play peacemaker. Rhodes wanted to pay Owens back for the role KO played in connecting Cody outside of WWE. Sami Zayn told Kevin Owens they don’t need to be friends to take down the Bloodline but that’s what bothers KO: he doesn’t want to work with someone who doesn’t want to be his friend. Zayn followed Owens to the parking lot and said they will always be friends and brothers.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio vs Zelena Vega and Santos Escobar:
Ripley tried to get a cheap shot on Escobar but he countered and tagged in Vega. Zelena Vega forced Ripley out of the ring and hit her with a moonsault. Later, Vega hit Mysterio with a hurricanrana but this distraction was her downfall. Rhea Ripley hit her with a Riptide to win the match
Results: Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio by Pinfall via Riptide
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
GOOD Rey and Dominik Mysterio:
Rey told his son that all his absences during Dom’s childhood were to provide a better life for Dom and his sister. While he wants his son at his side for his HOF induction, Rey Mysterio then ripped into his son for the disrespectful way he has acted. Finally, Rey told Dom he would not fight him at Wrestlemania.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez vs Tegan Nox and Emma:
This match was a qualifier for a fatal four-way at Wrestling. Nox and Emma controlled this match early on but Liv Morgan eventually turned it around with a backstabbed to Tegan Nox. Rodriguez hit a Tejana Bomb on Emma and Liv Morgan finished her off with ObLIVion.
Results: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez by Pinfall via ObLIVion
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Charlotte Flair:
Referencing their match years before, Flair said Rhea Ripley couldn’t beat her then and can’t now. Ripley then came to the ring and promised to make Flair fear her at Mania. Ripley punched the champion before leaving.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Sami Zayn told Kayla Braxton that he is dealing with a lot but that he brought it on himself.
ABOVE AVERAGE Xavier Woods vs LA Knight:
LA Knight controlled this one early on, dropping Woods with a DDT. Later, it looked like Knight would continue the offensive but Xavier Woods countered. Woods then won on Backwoods. After the match, LA Knight mocked Rey Mysterio’s issues with his son, earning a punch from Mysterio.
Results: Xavier Woods by Pinfall via Backwoods
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
GOOD Sheamus vs Drew McIntyre:
Before the match started, Imperium made their way to the ring to see who Gunther’s next challenger would be. The two men went blow for blow early on but Sheamus eventually took advantage with the help of an Irish Curse Backbreaker. However, McIntyre stopped the assault and hit Sheamus with a superplex. Later, Sheamus countered a Claymore with a knee and nearly got the pinfall victory. It appeared that both men would get ten counted after they both landed kicks. But Gunther wouldn’t have it, leading an attack on Sheamus and McIntyre. The intercontinental champion powerbombed Sheamus onto the back of McIntyre. After the match, Adam Pearce informed Gunther that he will defend the IC against Sheamus and Drew McIntyre at Wrestlemania.
Results: No Contest
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Jey Uso and Sami Zayn:
Jey Uso told Zayn that he didn’t trust Zayn but opened up to him but Sami Zayn betrayed him. Zayn responded that Jey Uso has a choice about whether or not he submits to Roman Reigns. Then, Jimmy Uso came to the ring to attack Sami Zayn along with his brother. Kevin Owens then came to the rescue of Sami Zayn. Owens then embraced Sami Zayn to a huge pop from the crowd as Cody Rhodes smiled backstage.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Overall…
This was a pretty good episode of Friday Night SmackDown that featured some decent matches and more good storytelling with the Bloodline. That was the highlight of the show: the story arc between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. It’ll be interesting to see where they take this now that KO and Zayn are back to being friends. The lowlight was probably the match between LA Knight and Xavier Woods. The action was fine but the ending was sudden and a little disappointing.
The match score loses points because a couple of matches were good but just missed the mark of great. The show structure loses points because a few of the matches toward the end were ok or don’t have much story to them. The atmosphere was good but not a big match pop during any of the matches, although the last promo did get a good reaction. Storytelling was hurt by some matches not having a lot at stake. This was a regular SmackDown so no theme but the production quality was high.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
