Recap by Kyle Combs
Rest in peace Howard Finkel. 1950-2020
Smackdown on Fox from the performance center, April 17th 2020. Cole was joined by Corey Graves for the live show. Tonight was action packed and Sonya had a chance to clear the air with Mandy, we will get to that later.
How about kicking the show off with a moment of bliss? You can never go wrong with that. Alexa was joined by her partner, Nikki Cross, the first ever two-time women’s tag team champions. Their guest was Braun Strowman, the WWE Universal Champion. They congratulated each other which was cool, and why not shift gears to Bray Wyatt? Braun’s response was a deep dive into Bray’s mind, Braun has no interest in playing games. Braun promised the only thing he (Bray) will get is these hands.
A gift was seen under the ring post, Bruan thought for sure it was given to him by Alexa, team little big all the way. But it was a box and inside was Braun’s old mask from the Wyatt family. The fiend laughed throughout the performance center, Alexa and Nikki stood in the corner, Braun was shaken by that.
Sasha Banks vs. Tamina
Before we continue, what time is it? Boss time. This match had a huge stipulation, if Tamina wins, then she gets a shot at Bayley. Sasha started the match with a peace offering, a legit boss t shirt, but it was too small and that threw Tamina into a rage. Tamina controlled early, Sasha gained some momentum during the second half of the match and she looked good doing it, Tamina powered out of it and ended up on the outside. Sasha dominates on the outside and gets back into the ring.
Lacey Evans ran out and jumped off the ring steps and attacked Bayley! Sasha was seen in the ring laughing at this. Sasha went to attack Tamina but she was ready, she had enough rest and blasted her with a super kick. Tamina tosses Sasha back in the ring and it was over after the three count. Lacey joined Tamina in the ring, held her hand up. Seeing Sasha laugh at Bayley tells us a lot about their friendship. I think we all know where this one’s going.
Lacy Evans caught Kayla Braxton backstage. Lacey said Sasha got what she deserved. Lacey promised to not stop until the mission was complete. Lacey has sasha in her sites, oh boy.
Sheamus vs. Denzel Dejournette
I saw his last name on my screen and I still think I spelled it wrong. This match was a complete squash, I don’t remotely understand what the deal is with all this nonsense. Sheamus was surprised by Dejournette early on, and that offense lasted about 2 seconds. Sheamus landed a brogue kick to his face and got the three count.
Sheamus set his sites on Cole after the match. Sheamus isn’t happy that Cole is talking about Jeff Hardy, so what about the Celtic warrior? Sheamus got in Cole’s face, I’m surprised he didn’t crap himself, and Graves was less than useless when it came to helping out as usual, which I love. Sheamus and Jeff Hardy feud incoming BOOM!
Dana Brooke and Carmella backstage
Carmella stressed her feelings toward Dana wrestling tonight vs. Naomi as it can potentially hinder their ability to win the tag team championships next week. Carmella unenthusiastically wished Dana good luck.
Dana Brooke vs. Naomi
Feel the glow, this was money in the bank qualifying match. It should be noted, because this is important, Naomi came to the ring with a disco ball on her head. When the match started it was roll up after roll up and I’m not talking about the fruit snacks, I’ll stop. Dana told the ref to start the countout after tossing Naomi to the ground. Dana became impatient and rolled Naomi back in the ring. Dana had Naomi in a body scissors, she fought out of it and went on the offense.
The match became hard hitting at this point, the two collided, Dana landed a sick powerbomb and almost got the pinfall. Naomi kept up with the counters and Dana had an answer for just about every one of them. Each superstar had a close pinfall after Naomi landed a rearview. The reverses and counters kept coming, and Dana landed one more counter, allowing her to get a roll up three count on Naomi. I think this all but guarantees that Alexa and Nikki retain next week, it will be interesting to see the chemistry with Carmella and Dana.
Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose
Sonya pleaded for Mandy to come to the ring, and she finally did. Sonya said she’s spent more time with Mandy in the last five years than she has her own family. The tears kept up and she was playing victim, then she said Mandy is the most selfish person she has ever met. Apparently, Sonya has a huge problem with Mandy. Sonya has one objective, and that’s to see Mandy hurt.
Sonya dug deep, called Mandy a dime a dozen, said she has no talent, this thing got personal and this feud is RED HOT! Sonya promised to use every ounce of her being to ruin her life. Sonya ended her words with calling her a centerfold bitch.
Dolph Ziggler came to the ring to try and chill things out. Dolph kept saying he will make it up to Mandy, he said that they can’t deny what they have. Dolph asked Mandy to look him in the eye and tell him she doesn’t have feelings for him anymore, Sonya attacked Mandy, Otis ran to the ring, Sonya jumped on his back, Mandy slammed her off of Otis. This segment was fire, I don’t even know what to say. This storyline is deep and it’s personal, the only thing it missed was Tucker.
Cesaro vs. Daniel Bryan - Money in the bank qualifying match
Cesaro and Bryan both had a crony in tow heading to the ring. I had to make sure my TV wasn’t on fast forward, this match started fast. Bryan got Cesaro out of the ring and did a dive, landing him onto the announce table, then the hacker interrupted, showed some segments and promised more of the truth.
Cesaro dominated the middle of the match, he whooped Bryan up and down the ring and outside of it. After the second commercial, Cesaro was still on the power offense in the middle of the ring. Bryan was able to get some momentum and wrap Cesaro up in an armbar, Cesaro really wanted to win this match as he pulled out all the stops. Bryan stayed on the left arm of Cesaro and then the yes kicks began. One final yes kick to the shiny dome of Cesaro almost ended in a pinfall.
Bryan kept a cool head and got back on Cesaro. Bryan stayed on that left arm, but Cesaro is much more powerful, he picked Bryan up like he was nothing and dropped Bryan into a knee from his shoulder, this led to a pinfall attempt, Bryan kicked out and ended up in a cross face. Bryan rolled through it and hit the yes lock, mid ring. Cesaro broke the yes lock, the wrestling in this match was stellar, more roll ups and kick outs by each man. Bryan countered the power from Cesaro into another yes lock attempt, Shinsuke hopped into the ring, Gulak held him off and gave Bryan enough time to force Cesaro to tap out. This match was so good! I didn’t expect anything else honestly, Bryan always brings it and Cesaro is one of the most underrated wrestlers in WWE today, an awesome match.
Pre commercial beatdown of Elias at the hands of the King. How many guitars are harmed in these segments? No walking with Elias tonight my friends.
Big E vs. The Miz Vs. Jey Uso for the tag team championship
Belts meant for two, will be defended by one again. Let’s hope this is the end of this nonsense. Miz and Jey had a plan from the rip, team up on the larger, powerhouse competitor in Big E and that they did. The announce table sure didn’t last long, just when you thought an announce table would see the beginning and ending of a show, you were wrong.
After the commercial break we see a Jey Uso losing his mind, suicide diving from end to end on Big E and Miz. Jey was in control at this point. Miz and Big E were both down and against the turnbuckle on opposite sides. Jey got a little too cute, took too much time and allowed Big E to get to his feet. Miz came to life as well but he spent too much time taunting Big E, Jey back on the attack.
Miz snuck a roll up on Jey and landed a close two count, more rolling through for pin attempts, no dice. Miz landed a skull crushing finale on Jey but he kicked out, Miz hooked in a figure four in the center of the ring. Jey held on for quite a while with Big E no where in site. Big E picked Miz up like a small child and hit the big ending and Big E got the three count. The new smackdown tag team champions are the new day, eight time champions, pretty cool.
The women on Smackdown are absolutely crushing it, all of the matches were good tonight but the first half was a much stronger showing.