This was a fine episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The matches were good and all pointed attention toward tomorrow’s Premium Live Event. The highlight of the show was the tag match where Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne defeated Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh. The match was good and gave Dunne and Bate momentum ahead of the title match. The low point was the main event match only because the sketchy finish felt repetitive after Tiffany Stratton beat Liv Morgan under questionable circumstances. Both matches featured competitors in the Elimination Chamber and had outside interference affect the finish.
The matches were good but none of them were great. The show structure was good but the didn’t always feel easy to watch nor did the main event set itself apart. The atmosphere was good but not great throughout. The matches built towards the Elimination Chamber but storytelling was nothing special. The production value was high but not a theme of the show.
On tonight’s episode of SmackDown: Liv Morgan takes on Tiffany Stratton. Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne face Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh ahead of their title match. The Street Profits take on the Authors of Pain. And Drew McIntyre goes up against LA Knight.
GOOD Liv Morgan vs Tiffany Stratton with Bianca Belair at ringside:
Stratton immediately said it was Tiffy time and she needed to leave for Elimination Chamber. Morgan, however, was in a fighting mood and dragged her opponent back to the ring. After some back and forth, Morgan nearly pinned Stratton with a Crucifix Driver. Later, while failing to convert the Prettiest Moonsault, Tiffany Stratton hit an Alabama Slama for a near fall. Chaos ensued when Stratton slapped Bianca Belair at ringside. The EST, of course, chased after her but the referee stopped Belair and missed Morgan’s pin. Stratton took advantage and made the pin.
Results: Tiffany Stratton by Pinfall via Rollup
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Drew McIntyre told Kayla Braxton his career depends on how he performs at Elimination Chamber. Bobby Lashley joined the fray and reminded Drew of the time he was locked in a Hurt Lock courtesy of the Almighty.
Cedric Alexander and Ashontee ‘Thee’ Adonis are forming a tag team but can’t agree on what to wear.
Roman Reigns reminded Jimmy Uso that he decided to interrupt Jey Uso’s title match. Paul Heyman was only the messenger. Heyman then told Reigns that Grayson Waller was waiting to see him.
SQUASH – Dante Chen fell victim to Bron Breakker in Breakker’s SmackDown debut.
Finn Balor told Kayla Braxton that Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne have no chance of winning the tag titles.
GOOD Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh vs Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne:
Pete Dunne did his usual limb bending but this this time also bent Dominik’s legs. Later, Bate spun around both JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio. then, Bate and Dunne hit a suplex-lariat combo but Dirty Dom broke up the subsequent pin attempt. In the finish, Bate and Dunne hit a double powerbomb to secure the win. After the match, Finn Balor and Damien Priest attacked the winners but Dunne and Bate fought them off.
Results: Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Paul Heyman found Grayson Waller and told him the Tribal Chief wanted to see him.
GOOD The Street Profits vs the Authors of Pain:
The Street Profits started in control with Angelo Dawkins hitting AOP with a Suicide Dive. AOP’s power advantage helped them turn the match around, nearly pinning Montez Ford after a lariat-side Russian Leg Sweep combo. Pandemonium broke out as Bobby Lashley and B-Fab fought with Scarlett and Karrion Kross. This distracted the Profits causing the Authors of Pain to win the match.
Results: The Authors of Pain by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Bayley and Dakota Kai promised revenge on the rest of Damage Control after Kai was attacked by the group.
GOOD LA Knight vs Drew McIntyre:
Other participants in the Elimination Chamber, Logan Paul, and Kevin Owens, joined the announcers’ table. In the match, McIntyre hit LA Knight hard with a suplex outside the ring and then a catapult under the ring. Later, LA Knight perplexed McIntyre but only got a two count out of it. Things broke down completely, as Kevin Owens attacked Drew McIntyre after a collision at the announcers’ table. After the match, all the other participants in the Elimination Chamber match joined in the brawl.
Results: Drew McIntyre by Disqualification
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Overall…
This was a fine episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The matches were good and all pointed attention toward tomorrow’s Premium Live Event. The highlight of the show was the tag match where Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne defeated Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh. The match was good and gave Dunne and Bate momentum ahead of the title match. The low point was the main event match only because the sketchy finish felt repetitive after Tiffany Stratton beat Liv Morgan under questionable circumstances. Both matches featured competitors in the Elimination Chamber and had outside interference affect the finish.
The matches were good but none of them were great. The show structure was good but the didn’t always feel easy to watch nor did the main event set itself apart. The atmosphere was good but not great throughout. The matches built towards the Elimination Chamber but storytelling was nothing special. The production value was high but not a theme of the show.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 2.5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
