Are you ready for a good time? WWE Smackdown is coming to you LIVE from the WWE Performance Center. We all know why, I hope you are doing okay and hope this COVID-19 passes quick. Hang in there, hug and love your family. I will continue to review Smackdown and this episode was just awesome.
Show opener
Triple H kicked off the show, introducing us to the WWE Performance Center. The opening promo was very passionate and as a fan this is very much appreciated. Triple H promised the show would be different than anything we’ve ever seen before and the show started. Triple H delivered a very powerful and emotional intro to this show. I’m blown away actually, there’s hope, the WWE isn’t completely lost. When things like this happen you see what they are all about. Hang in everyone, WWE is rough right now but this episode of Smackdown was special. I enjoyed every second of it.
The performance center was completely empty and that was haunting. It reminded me of the pindrop arena in WWE 2K20. Michael Cole was solo for the most part and joined by Triple H. This episode shows what it takes to be in the WWE, these people are damn good at what they do.
Again, I can’t stress how emotional that opener was, how powerful this was. The world is in a holy crap crisis and WWE is bringing us entertainment. Thank you.
Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross
The legit boss made her way to the ring, and she brought it as usual, accompanied by the Smackdown women’s champ, Bayley. Bayley cut off Triple H and hopped on the mic. Bayley called out Paige and asked where she was. The banter between Triple H and Sasha and Bayley was a lot of fun, Cole stated that Paige cited travel issues and that’s why she wasn’t at the show. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross interrupted the boss and finally Alexa was on the mic. Bliss Cross Applesauce was looking for a fight. Bayley agreed and asked for a ref.
Cross and Bayley kicked the match off. This show and match had the feeling of a WWE live show, which is a fantastic experience. Cross and Bliss had several quick tag attempts and maintained an upper hand through the beginning of the match. The match ended up with Bayley and Sasha being taken out outside of the ring. After the commercial break, Bayley was in charge over Bliss. She finally got out of the ring and tagged Sasha in.
Nikki, being Nikki was still working the “crowd” trying to get Bliss back into it as Sasha remained in control. Bayley and Sasha remain in control, Bayley took over, Bliss tried to reverse but she put her back in the corner and tagged Sasha back in. Cross was tagged in and she did what she does, came in like a tornado and put in some work. Sasha couldn’t handle Nikki’s crazy and fast paced offense. After a top rope cross body from Nikki, she had Sasha down for the count and Bayley came in just in time to save the day.
Out of nowhere, Asuka showed up and slammed Alexa into the ring. Asuka, proud of herself danced her way up the ramp. Sasha was able to capitalize on the interference and submit Cross. I loved this match. After that killer, emotional and powerful intro, they needed a strong match and those four women are terrific. Asuka showing up was awesome, let’s get this story in full swing!
Roman Reigns Interview
Michael Cole was set up in the ring with Roman Reigns. What’s been driving Roman? Having his health, his family and now he’s stoked to be back in the main event. Roman doesn’t care about the critics, listen this guy has been busting his ass and putting on some long matches, he never dropped the Universal title either folks. He’s the man to stop Goldberg. They address the match, Spear vs. Spear. Goldberg’s a part timer, there’s no time for that. Roman gives it all 100% of the time, he’s a full timer. Roman killed it on the mic in that interview. Just a stellar job.
Kayla Braxton with Jeff Hardy (Interrupted by Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Shinsuke)
Sami is the IC champion if you hadn’t noticed, and how cool is that? Sami’s awesome, he’s been killing it and they had some celebrating to do and felt the need to disrupt the interview before it started. Jeff Hardy did get his chance to talk and was happy to be back on Smackdown. He was interrupted by the king himself, Baron Corbin. The king is out of his mind and it’s awesome. Corbin did another masterclass on how to be a heel and prompted Hardy to take a field sobriety test and that was hilarious. Hardy let him know that hey, he had a match tonight and it was with King Corbin.
Elias showed up, guitar in tow and ran off the king before he could get his song out. Disappointing as hell really as the songs get better and better every week.
Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak backstage
Daniel found Drew in the back, Drew wanted to walk off but Daniel wasn’t going to let him. He acknowledged that Drew was a technical master, and Daniel was ready to learn. Sami and his crew, the artist’s collective interrupt the pair. Sami couldn’t be happier as he reminded them he is the IC champion. Sami called Gulak a nobody and Daniel stepped in and a match was made, Daniel Bryan vs. Cesaro.
WWE showed the Elimination Chamber Smackdown tag team match.
Miz and Morrison in the ring
The Smackdown tag team champions put on a promo in the middle of the ring. They played into the empty arena thing really well. Miz and Morrison mocked the new day and just about every tag team in existence.
Mojo Rawley joining Michael Cole
The rumors are true, Rob Gronkowski will be at Smackdown next Friday night.
Daniel Bryan vs. Cesaro
Daniel was escorted to the ring by Drew Gulak. Cesaro was escorted by, you guessed it, Sami and Shinsuke. Sami joined Cole and Triple H at the announce table. Bryan and Cesaro started with a fast pace and intensity. Cesaro powered Bryan into the corner and landed several uppercuts giving him the momentum.
After the break, Cesaro was still in charge. Bryan had an active commercial break, but Cesaro’s uppercuts and clotheslines were too much. Cesaro continued to work on Bryan’s upper body, around his neck more specifically and threw him all around the ring. Bryan took over with a momentum burst, Gulak whispered some ideas to him and the yes kicks to the chest of a downed Cesaro almost got him a three count.
Cesaro almost got a three count with a violent burst of offense and put Bryan in a cross face. Their chain wrestling was great here, they both went back and forth, small packages and almost two counts before Bryan was able to finally keep the shoulders down for a full three count and this one ended. This dynamic with Bryan and Gulak should be interesting in the coming weeks, especially as team Sami and Bryan and Gulak beat the crap out of each other outside the ring after the match.
Jeff Hardy vs. King Corbin
King Corbin wasted no time and went on the attack immediately taking Jeff out of the ring and throwing him against the barrier as quick as possible. The bell finally rang and Corbin stayed on the attack. Elias joined Triple H and Cole ringside. Jeff took a beatdown but he’s still got it. Dude’s got a great offense and started pulling out all of his tricks.
Corbin got frustrated after the short burst of offense by Jeff. Corbin and Elias exchange words. Elias stood on the announce table and started shredding his axe, Jeff landed a twist of fury off the distraction and went up to the top rope. He landed a swanton bomb and got the three count.
Triple H said not many people have the skill to play guitar so badly that it knocks another man out of the ring. H was on fire during this episode.
John Cena to discuss the Fiend and Wrestlemania.
John Cena joined Michael Cole ringside after Triple H dropped another powerful promo. Then. Now. Forever. Bray Wyatt says his loss to Cena six years ago at Wrestlemania was the reason for the Fiend. John doesn’t agree with that. You can’t blame anyone else but yourself for your failure, John handles it by giving an attitude adjustment. Cole asked about John “antagonizing” the Fiend. John didn’t see it that way, he doesn’t see Bray as the future of the WWE. John doesn’t feel Bray earned it. John wants to take Bray Wyatt out of the equation, he promises a match uncomfortable to watch. John says he is going to end the hype of Bray Wyatt. Bray interrupted and was there in person, as Bray and joined the two in the ring. Cole got the hell out of there and rejoined the announce table. Bray accused John of not really caring about the future of the WWE. Bray delivered a powerful retort to John’s promo, the Fiend and John Cena at Wrestlemania, look out. Bray promised a slaughter.
This was my favorite episode of Smackdown so far in 2020. It wasn’t easy to pull this off, and yes they provided a lot of filler with the replay of the Elimination Chamber match but for the most part, this episode was stellar. The passion of what these people do was fully on display. Thank you WWE for providing this entertainment. We all talk crap, and I have done my fair share but I have hung onto the hope and episodes like this show what WWE is capable of. I hope you enjoyed the episode and the review, let us know your thoughts.