This was a good episode of SmackDown that featured a few very good matches and ended with a great moment with Sami Zayn. Zayn’s promo was the highlight of the show as the crowd was absolutely electric and Zayn showed a lot of real emotion during the segment. Also in the show, the Viking Raiders had a very good match. Madcap Moss also put on a great match with Gunther. The lowlight of the night was the Asuka-Liv Morgan match. The antics at the announcer’s table were funny but the segment was chaotic.
The match scores lost points because a few matches were just ok. The show structure was hurt by a slow start to the show. The atmosphere was good overall but some of the segments didn't get a great crowd reaction. Other than the Zayn segment, most storylines were advanced in an ok way but not great. The production/theme was good as usual.
Tonight on Friday Night SmackDown live from Montreal: Gunther defends the Intercontinental Championship against Madcap Moss. Will the Ring General’s historic title run continue? Drew McIntyre and Sheamus take on the Viking Raiders. Will they gain revenge on the Viking Raiders? And Sami Zayn returns to his hometown ahead of tomorrow’s title bout with Roman Reigns!
ABOVE AVERAGE Natalya and Shotzi vs Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler:
Baszler and Rousey were focused on submission moves early in the match. Then, Natalya and Shotzi turned things around. Shotzi landed a suicide dive and Natalya followed up with a clothesline. A big moment came when Shotzi hit Ronda Rousey with a brutal DDT on the ring apron. Natalya had Rousey locked into a Sharpshooter but Baszler broke it up just in time. In the finish, Ronda Rousey submitted Shotzi.
Results: Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler by Submission via Armbar
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GOOD Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy attack Hit Row:
Hit Row started with a rap attacking Montreal, then the lights went dark and Wyatt appeared with Uncle Howdy. The two of them took out Hit Row, a mandible claw to Top Dolla, and a Sister Abigail to Ashante Thee Adonis. Bray Wyatt then said he would face the winner of tomorrow’s match between Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 stars
Madcap Moss told us not to doubt him in his matchup with Gunther.
GOOD Drew McIntyre and Sheamus vs the Viking Raiders:
This match started with some intense brawling that quickly made its way outside the ring. As Sheamus sat dazed on the apron, Valhalla stared eerily at him. Later on, McIntyre nearly got the pin on a Michonoku Driver. Sheamus landed a knee from the turnbuckle and wanted to follow it up with a Brogue Kick. unfortunately for him, Erik countered with a powerbomb. In the finish, Sheamus broke up a tandem powerbomb with a Brogue Kick. this allowed McIntyre to take out Erik with a Claymore for the victory.
Results: Drew McIntyre and Sheamus by Pinfall via Claymore
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Karrion Kross called out Rey Mysterio.
ABOVE AVERAGE Asuka vs Liv Morgan:
Things got very chaotic at the announcer’s table, as Raquel Rodriguez came to trash-talk Carmella, who was on commentary. Then, Nikki Cross emerged to kiss Michael Cole on the head and sat on Wade Barrett’s lap. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Morgan and Asuka trade blows. One highlight came when Morgan landed Oblivion from the turnbuckle. In the finish, Asuka submitted Morgan. After the match, tomorrow’s elimination chamber’s participants traded finishers in the ring.
Results: Asuka by Submission via Armbar
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
GREAT Gunther vs Madcap Moss for the Intercontinental Championship:
Gunther physically controlled the match early on but Moss turned things around with a spine buster. Later, Madcap Moss hit the champion with a punchline but Gunther kicked out of it. A highlight came when Moss hit a fallaway slam off the turnbuckle. Despite the valiant effort from Moss, Gunther finished him off with a powerbomb to retain the IC.
Results: Gunther by Pinfall via Powerbomb
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
AMAZING Sami Zayn:
Montreal gave a huge welcome to its hometown hero. The crowd was electric throughout the entirety of this brief promo. Zayn couldn’t even start because the crowd was so loud. Zayn said that while Wrestlemania may be the biggest show of the year, tomorrow night is the biggest night of his life. He also told Roman Reigns that he will be going against the entire city of Montreal.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 4.25 stars
Overall…
This was a good episode of SmackDown that featured a few very good matches and ended with a great moment with Sami Zayn. Zayn’s promo was the highlight of the show as the crowd was absolutely electric and Zayn showed a lot of real emotion during the segment. Also in the show, the Viking Raiders had a very good match. Madcap Moss also put on a great match with Gunther. The lowlight of the night was the Asuka-Liv Morgan match. The antics at the announcer’s table were funny but the segment was chaotic.
The match scores lost points because a few matches were just ok. The show structure was hurt by a slow start to the show. The atmosphere was good overall but some of the segments didn’t get a great crowd reaction. Other than the Zayn segment, most storylines were advanced in an ok way but not great. The production/theme was good as usual.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
