This was an ok episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The matches were ok and most of the stories were moved along. The highlight of the show was the promo between the Usos and Cody Rhodes. Not a clear lowlight, although the Flair-Shotzi match didn't have a ton of story to it. They continue to advance that story and still involve Sami Zayn.
The matches were decent but none of them were memorable. The show structure was good but was hurt by lacking a great segment. The atmosphere was good but wasn't great throughout the show. The crowd noise was ok and the commentary was good as usual. Most stories were advanced most notably with the Bloodline and the challengers for the Intercontinental Title. Production was good but no special theme.
Tonight on Friday Night SmackDown: Jey Uso returns to the Bloodline. What was his thinking in not choosing Sami Zayn? A fatal five-way to determine the next challenger for Gunther’s Intercontinental Championship. Who will face the Ring General at Wrestlemania? The Judgement day against Legado Del Fantasma in a six-man tag match. And the Viking Raiders take on Ricochet and Braun Strowman.
Paul Heyman welcomed Jey Uso back into the Bloodline.
GOOD Drew McIntyre vs Sheamus vs Xavier Woods vs LA Knight vs Karrion Kross:
Kross and Knight formed a temporary alliance to team up on McIntyre and Sheamus. Later, Woods almost made the pin on LA Knight after an elbow drop but the pin was broken up. The Imperium came to the ring to see who Gunther’s next challenger would be. In the finish, McIntyre and Sheamus hit their finishers and made simultaneous pinfalls.
Results: Drew McIntyre and Sheamus by Pinfall via Claymore and Brogue Kick
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Paul Heyman told Kayla Braxton that Cody Rhodes is the latest to unsuccessfully challenge Roman Reigns.
GOOD Rey Mysterio announced as an inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame:
Dominik Mysterio interrupted his father as soon as Rey got to the ring. He ripped into his father’s parenting shortcomings in his pursuit of a WWE career. Then, Legado Del Fantasma came to the aid of the elder Mysterio. Santos Escobar demanded the tag match between LFG and Judgment day be moved up.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 stars
GOOD Legado Del Fantasma vs Judgement Day:
Joaquin Wilde got a two-count on Finn Balor after a springboard splash. Later, Balor finally turned the match around and tagged in Dominik Mysterio. He then accidentally kicked his father, who tried to enter the ring. With a distracted ref, Dominik Mysterio stole the win. After the match, he tried to goad his father into a fight but Rey Mysterio refused.
Results: Dominik Mysterio by Pinfall via Superkick
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Charlotte Flair requested Adam Pearce schedule a match for her.
GOOD Braun Strowman and Ricochet vs the Viking Raiders:
In the early parts of this match, Strowman tossed Ricochet over the ropes and on top of the Viking Raiders. Ivar later took out Strowman by crushing him against the barricade. Once Strowman got his wits back, he took out Ivar with the Strowman Express but Erik moved out of the way. A distraction by Valhalla opened up an attack by Erik. In the end, Ivar finished off Ricochet with a splash.
Results: The Viking Raiders by Pinfall via Splash
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Adam Pearce told Gunther that Sheamus and Drew McIntyre would face off next week to determine which of them will challenge for the Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania.
ABOVE AVERAGE Charlotte vs Shotzi:
Charlotte controlled this match early on, however, she was briefly distracted when Rhea Ripley entered the arena. After the commercial break, Shotzi tried to follow a super kick with a suicide dive. Charlotte counted the move, however. In the finish, Flair speared Shotzi and then submitted her with a Figure Eight.
Results: Charlotte Flair by Submission via Figure Eight
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GOOD The Usos and Cody Rhodes:
While he didn’t want to do it, Jey Uso said he turned on Sami Zayn because he had to support his family. He blamed Zayn for forcing him into this situation. After addressing the Sami Zayn situation, the Usos turned their attention to Cody Rhodes who joined them in the arena. With help from Sami Zayn, Rhodes fought with the Usos. Not a clear lowlight, although the Flair-Shotzi match didn’t have a ton of story to it.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Overall…
This was an ok episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The matches were ok and most of the stories were moved along. The highlight of the show was the promo between the Usos and Cody Rhodes. Not a clear lowlight, although the Flair-Shotzi match didn’t have a ton of story to it. They continue to advance that story and still involve Sami Zayn.
The matches were decent but none of them were memorable. The show structure was good but was hurt by lacking a great segment. The atmosphere was good but wasn’t great throughout the show. The crowd noise was ok and the commentary was good as usual. Most stories were advanced most notably with the Bloodline and the challengers for the Intercontinental Title. Production was good but no special theme.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 2.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
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