Smackdown on Fox, Friday March 27th 2020. This review will be a little different than past reviews. There’s so much going on in the world and in WWE, let’s capture these storylines and a little less “play by play” results.
Smackdown started with the boss Sasha Banks and Bayley. Bayley rocked out a new haircut and her and the boss were straight fire. Her match is a fatal 5-way elimination match at WrestleMania 36. This promo was fantastic between Bayley and Sasha, you can tell Sasha has a lot on her mind, she wants that belt. Bayley said that Sasha and her are “better together” that really made Sasha feel a little different, you could see her mindset change.
Lacey interrupted them, she’s a part of the 5-way. She had a lot to say and right before she got a groove Naomi came out. The ring got real crowded when Tamina made her way out and used words to say actions speak louder than words, she attacked Naomi and Lacey. Sasha and Bayley capitalized on that and bum-rushed Naomi in the corner. Tamina won the staredown as Sasha and Bayley left the ring fairly unscathed. There’s something about a heel Bayley that is hard to ignore and really, it’s pure magic. I’d be okay with Bayley retaining but babyface or heel, I’m ready to see Sasha have that belt again. Naomi is stellar in the ring, so she’s really the wildcard. You know Tamina is going to take bumps, you know Tamina is going to come in and steamroll but she won’t walk out as champion. It’s hard to tell where WWE is with Lacey, are they willing to put the strap around her waist? I say yes, it would be shocking. My heart says Sasha, my gut says Lacey.
Drew Gulak vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Remember from last week, if Gulak won this match then Daniel Bryan gets an IC championship match at Wrestlemania 36. Sami Zayn joined Michael Cole in commentary for this match and that was a joy. Drew Gulak won this match with a jackknife cover. It’s matches like this that actually make me miss the crowd, when things normalize, matches like that are going to get a huge pop. The momentum was fast in this one after the initial feeling out between the two. They spent some time out of the ring at first but once it came back in, they went back and forth.
WrestleMania implications here are huge as Daniel Bryan gets his match against Sami Zayn. I’m going to be bold here and say Sami Zayn retains but it will be the help of his goons that get him there. Ongoing story potential is Gulak and Bryan going onto form a tag team and becoming top tier, winning the belts and adding some much needed personality to those titles. I could be completely wrong but Daniel Bryan and Gulak vs The Miz and John Morrison would be a powerhouse of a match. Drew Gulak sharing PowerPoint presentations about the entire tag team division would be incredible.
Promo involving Dolph Ziggler and Otis
That moment last week between Otis and Tucker was powerful. The cameras showed Dolph backstage talking to someone on his phone, calling Otis pathetic and other choice words. I don’t believe he was talking to Mandy, he all but admitted to setting this whole thing up. Dolph challenged Otis to a match at Wrestlemania with Mandy in Dolph’s corner. Otis needs his boy Tucky now more than ever.
This match could be electric. Dolph always brings it and Otis is a powerhouse who’s very good in the ring. The dynamic with Mandy as well could make this the sleeper hit of the show. I want WWE to take a risk here. Dolph wins the match, and goes to humiliate Otis after the match, he admits what he did. Mandy doesn’t like it, kicks Dolph to the curb and goes to the aid of Otis. Tucker is weary of her intentions but he lets her in and the saga ends. Heavy Machinery go back to what they do best, dominating tag team matches, but with Mandy by their side.
Elias cut a promo with his guitar. The target of his latest song was the King. The king wasn’t a big fan of the song and threw Elias off his high rise stage. Elias took a nasty plunge on the ground and was assisted by WWE officials.
Asuka vs Alexa Bliss
After a great build up (See what happens when you give Alexa a mic?) this match happened! Nikki Cross joined Cole at the table, Cole’s response, “Oh no. Oh no, no no no no!” That was great, Nikki gave him a big hug and Cole reminded her of social distancing. Nikki was more of a cheerleader for Alexa than a commentator and that’s perfectly fine. Alexa and Nikki both had a great time imitating Asuka’s dancing from the stage but that was a great way to get the empress of tomorrow fairly upset. Alexa’s face on the steel steps was the price to pay for that.
The chemistry in the ring between Alexa and Asuka was great. The match was hard hitting with a lot of taunting. Alexa and Asuka both showed a lot of great moves and what they are really capable of. Asuka is a powerhouse and clearly bigger than Alexa. She’s a master in the ring though and the size difference was used against her by Alexa. The match didn’t let up for a single moment. Alexa maintained momentum after that slam to the steel steps and didn’t take her foot off the gas pedal. The hard hits continued, clotheslines and solid punches allowed Alexa to finish this fight with a DDT in the middle of the ring for the three count.
We know Kairi is recovered so look for these tag team titles to be on the line soon. Alexa and Nikki are always favorites to win but it’ll be interesting to see what happens. I think Raw and Smackdown should have women’s tag team champions.
Wrestlemania 32 match Triple H vs Roman Reigns
New Day promo backstage
They have to face the Usos in a winner goes to Wrestlemania match to face the Smackdown tag team champions.
Promo backstage with Dolph, Sonya and Mandy
Well, well, well it seems to me that Sonya sent the texts! Dolph and Sonya were in this and set it all up! Sonya sent the text saying Mandy would be late. Color me pissed!
Firefly Funhouse
Bray’s mind has been amazingly lost and the funhouse was full of all kinds of crazy voices as his dip into madness gets deeper and deeper. Abby had a lot to say, does the Fiend have what it takes to beat John Cena? We will see at Wrestlemania. Here’s my two cents. The Fiend wins because he absolutely has to. There’s no other way around it, if Cena wins then it’s official, Vince McMahon hates one of the most talented overall performers on the entire roster, Bray Wyatt. Bray challenged Cena to a Firefly Funhouse match at Wrestlemania, whatever that is.
The New Day vs the Usos
Miz and Morrison joined Cole on commentary for this match and they were incredible and obnoxious at the same time. Kofi offered the speed and Big E offered the power. For the first half of the match the Uso’s were off, they didn’t seem to jive while the new day just picked them apart. The second half was a different story, the Uso’s started to feed off each other and they looked like the tag team they’ve always been.
The Uso’s both land a superkick on Big E and almost ended the match right there with a 3 count. The match continued with a lot of double teaming between both teams. Complete carnage ensued as Kofi dropped Morrison on the announce table, Miz didn’t like that and came around the table to say something about it and a flying Uso came over taking Kofi and the Miz out. The match ended with a DQ as the ref called for the bell. The wrestlemania Smackdown tag team title picture is now as muddy as before. Cole interrupted the chaos of Miz and Morrison attacking the Uso’s and the New day to announce that Miz and Morrison will be defending against the Uso’s and the new day in a ladder match! WHOA!
See you next week for the Smackdown before the ‘Mania that should’ve been postponed!