This was a good episode of SmackDown. The matches were decent but the real highlight of the show was the development of the story involving Sami Zayn and the Bloodline. Zayn will indeed get his title match as Roman Reigns blamed him for breaking up his family. The lowlight of the show was probably the women’s title match. Wasn't a ton of drama as it was obvious going in that Deville wasn’t going to win. Especially since Rhea Ripley just picked Flair as her Wrestlemania opponent.
The match score lost points because outside of the opener, none of them were great or better. The show structure was pretty good but a couple of above-average matches slowed the flow. The atmosphere was good but the crowd noise was lacking at times, particularly during the less exciting matches. The announcement of the Zayn-Reigns match was great but not everything in the show was perfect from a story perspective. And production was good but nothing special in terms of a theme.
On tonight’s episode of SmackDown: Ricochet and Braun Strowman battle Imperium for a shot at the SmackDown tag titles. A fatal four-way qualifier for the women’s elimination chamber match. Who will earn a spot from the field of Zelena Vega, Shayna Baszler, Shotzi, and Natalya? Charlotte Flair defends the SmackDown Women’s Championship against the persistent Sonya Deville. How will Deville fare in this bout? And Roman Reigns addresses the state of the Bloodline. What will the Tribal Chief say about Sami Zayn and Jey Uso?
Paul Heyman told Kayla Braxton the Bloodline has no comment on Jey Uso’s status.
GREAT Braun Strowman and Ricochet vs Imperium:
Imperium tried to counter Strowman’s strength by attacking him simultaneously from two sides, but this failed. Later, Braun Strowman gave Ricochet a boost as he jumped over the top rope and onto Imperium. Gunther tried to interfere to help his stable mates, but the referee tossed him from ringside. The turning point in the match came after Giovanni Vinci hit Ricochet with a brainbuster. As Vinci made the pin, Strowman pulled Vinci out of the ring. In the finish, Ricochet hit a Swanton Bomb off of Strowman’s shoulders to pick up the win.
Results: Braun Strowman and Ricochet by Pinfall via Swanton Bomb
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
Sonya Deville confronted Charlotte Flair in an interview ahead of their championship match.
Rey Mysterio and the New Day did a promotional segment for NASCAR. During the segment, Rey defeated Domenik in a race.
ABOVE AVERAGE Charlotte Flair vs Sonya Deville for the SmackDown Women’s Championship:
Flair was in complete control for the early part of this match, dropping Deville with a crossbody off the turnbuckle. Despite this early dominance, Sonya Deville nearly made the pin after a pump kick. Deville mocked Flair by setting her up for a Figure Eight and wooing, leading to a near rollup victory. Ultimately, Charlotte Flair retained the title due to a Figure Eight.
Results: Charlotte Flair by Submission via Figure Eight
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Jimmy Uso informed Roman Reigns that neither he nor Solo Sikoa has heard from Jey in the past week. Reigns sent Jimmy and Solo to go find their brother.
GOOD the Brawling Brutes vs the Viking Raiders:
The Brawling Brutes managed to gain control of this match, punctuated by ten beats of the Irish Drum from both Ridge Holland and Butch. A distraction from Valhalla allowed the Raiders back into the match. Later, Butch nearly got the pinfall victory after a hurricanrana from the turnbuckle. However, the Viking Raiders won on a tandem powerbomb. After the match, Drew McIntyre and Sheamus attacked Erik and Ivar.
Results: The Viking Raiders by Pinfall via Ragnarok
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Shotzi vs Natalya vs Shayna Baszler vs Zelina Vega in an Elimination Chamber qualifier:
Vega almost won the match via a Canadian Destroyer but Baszler broke up the pin attempt. Later, it looked like Baszler had a leg up as she put several competitors into a kirifuda clutch. In the end, Natalya won the match after forcing Zelena Vega to tap out in a sharpshooter.
Results: Natalya by Submission via Sharpshooter
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Roman Reigns stressed the need for unity in maintaining the Bloodline. Reigns then told them to go eat while he handled business.
GREAT Roman Reigns addressed the state of the Bloodline:
Roman Reigns told the crowd he would prefer to talk about someone who matters, like Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes. As the crowd chanted for Sami Zayn, Reigns said that Sami Zayn used him. Zayn then snuck into the ring and attacked Reigns from behind. After chasing Reigns out of the ring with a chair, Zayn said he was coming for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa then beat down Sami Zayn. Reigns then told Sami Zayn he would get the championship match he wanted because Reigns wants revenge for breaking up the Bloodline.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 stars
Overall…
This was a good episode of SmackDown. The matches were decent but the real highlight of the show was the development of the story involving Sami Zayn and the Bloodline. Zayn will indeed get his title match as Roman Reigns blamed him for breaking up his family. The lowlight of the show was probably the women’s title match. Wasn’t a ton of drama as it was obvious going in that Deville wasn’t going to win. Especially since Rhea Ripley just picked Flair as her Wrestlemania opponent.
The match score lost points because outside of the opener, none of them were great or better. The show structure was pretty good but a couple of above-average matches slowed the flow. The atmosphere was good but the crowd noise was lacking at times, particularly during the less exciting matches. The announcement of the Zayn-Reigns match was great but not everything in the show was perfect from a story perspective. And production was good but nothing special in terms of a theme.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
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