There are few things I truly hate in this world: global hunger, disease, intolerance.
I’m tempted to add Shane McMahon to that list.
It may seem trite and perhaps a little dramatic to elevate the SmackDown tag champ alongside those far more serious issues, but Shane is quickly becoming an intolerable presence on the blue brand. He really knows how to grind my gears, to sweat on my buttons. That sounded weird.
SmackDown was a show of two halves this week… as all things are, I suppose. But what I mean is that while the second hour was truly phenomenal, the first was abnormally atrocious. While the three-way women’s tag team bout was perhaps the worst on show last night (and perhaps a worrying preview of their Elimination Chamber encounter this Sunday), Shane O’Mac was by some distance the most tiresome.
Just two months into this so-called “New Era” that promised change, audience guidance and the elevation of new stars, we’ve got a product in which Vince McMahon is the draconian authority figure, Stephanie is the duplicitous schemer and Shane is a main brand champion. It’s 1999 all over again.
It has now become readily apparent that Shane has fully embraced the delusion that Miz has been peddling in recent months. In what was in truth a pretty good face-off with the Usos ahead of their championship clash this Sunday, Shane once again smugly referred to himself and Miz as “the best tag team in the world”. Because they hold fluke victories over the Vegas Boys and Sheamus & Cesaro? By that logic, were Braun Strowman and Nicholas the best team in the world? Was the B-Team the best team in the world?
His pompous delivery and self-delusion really makes me want to see him get beaten senseless by the Usos on Sunday, which I suppose is the marker of a terrific heel. There’s only one problem with that though. He’s meant to be the babyface! While he and Miz were cheering the local Toledo Mud Hens and celebrating quiche (urgh!), the Usos were presented as decidedly more heelish. God, I hate that I’ve spent so much time on this. I just want it to end.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtyhYypFMsZ/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
On the other end of the spectrum was Kofi Kingston and his herculean efforts during the gauntlet match to determine the final entrant at Elimination Chamber. Drafted as a late replacement for the injured Mustafa Ali, Kofi was the star of this week’s SmackDown.
The New Day member entered the match second overall opposite current WWE Champion, Daniel Bryan. In a stint that lasted over an hour, the tag team veteran tapped into his singles roots on his way to securing pin falls over Bryan, Jeff Hardy and Samoa Joe.
The highlight of his run however, came against the penultimate gauntlet entrant, AJ Styles. By this point Kofi had been put through the wringer and was barely able to stand, which prompted AJ to suggest that the match be called off. Kofi though stood defiantly, repeatedly slapping Styles and demanding that the match continue. “I’ve waited too long for this; it’s been eleven years” he kept yelling, insisting that Styles fight him.
It. Was. Awesome.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) February 13, 2019
So with much to choose from on both ends of the wrestling spectrum, what did our WrestleTalk writers take away from last night’s SmackDown Live? Keep reading to find out what they enjoyed, what they didn’t and how they rated the show overall.
What was your favourite moment from SmackDown Live?
Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
The Gauntlet match. This was essentially the same formula used for Seth Rollins last year, but it was a strong performance by Kofi Kingston that showcases why the guy should’ve been WWE champion years ago. I will nitpick and say that I wasn’t a fan of the New Day having to pick which wrestler would fight for the WWE championship.
The problem is that there was no drama between the men as Xavier and Big E were simply happy to let Kofi get his shot at Elimination Chamber. These men had a chance to compete for the top title in the blue brand on Sunday, thus every male competitor should be chomping at the bit for an opportunity to get a shot at the top gold.
Big E and Xavier wanting to be in the match for themselves could’ve been a compelling drama leading into the Gauntlet match. It also would’ve put over the value and prestige of the WWE title itself. Personally, I believe its time for the New Day to break up as there is nothing else for them to do.
Despite my nitpick, this was a great match and a strong showcase for Kofi. I’ll even ignore AJ Styles looking like idiot for not seeing the out of nowhere RKO coming. It’s essentially Orton’s gimmick, but I’ll play dumb and say it was a perfect ending, possibly because time clearly wasn’t on SmackDown’s side. After all, it’s important that we see who’s cheating on who this week on Temptation Island.
Nate Craver
Kofi Kingston’s performance in the gauntlet match was really good. When WWE wants to, they have the performers to tell great stories in the ring. I wonder if this was the same storyline they were going to do with Mustafa Ali if he’d been healthy. If so, that would’ve been great. It would have really pushed Ali even more.
Part of me wonders if it wasn’t wasted on Kofi though. He’s been around so long. He is what he is at this point. This 60-minute plus stay in the gauntlet match was great, but it doesn’t make me think he’s winning the Elimination Chamber. It just elevates him for future storylines. Maybe that’s better used for a newer, up-and-coming star, like Ali.
Steven Lugo
Gauntlet match. It was refreshing to get an hour-long wrestling exhibition for a change. Kofi Kingston was given the chance to turn in an iron man performance, reminding us all how good he really is. It’s unfortunate that Mustafa Ali had to be pulled from the match, but each of Kofi’s encounters (against Bryan, Jeff Hardy, Joe, and Styles) were very good, and even though I decry Randy Orton ending every single show with a random RKO, I thought this one was cool.
On future SmackDowns, hopefully we see this kind of thing again – New Day members doing more than comedy, and longer matches too.
Kyle Payne
That gauntlet match was absolutely spectacular. They needed to build up Kofi as a viable contender for the title and they succeeded in strides. Kofi came across as the athletic, crafty veteran that he is. No one has more heart than Kofi and I loved the amount of respect he got from the audience and the showcase the company allowed him to have. You need to watch this match if you haven’t seen it, especially if you liked the performance Rollins pulled off last year. I don’t want to discount the other performers in the gauntlet match, they all gave great performances and had great chemistry with Kofi.
The segment between Miz, Shane McMahon, and the Usos was great. The subtle jab between the two, the chemistry they had on the mic, the funny moments, and especially that line about Mandy Rose towards the Usos was all great. I’m actually excited to see the match. The SmackDown women had a nice, fun match with Naomi finally getting some small redemption on Mandy Rose.
We can’t not talk about the awesome promo Charlotte Flair cut at the start of the show. She had the entire audience in the palm of her hand. Charlotte Flair is at her best when she is completely in character and trolling the audience.
"I'm going to dedicate the #WrestleMania main event that I'M going to have to my BEST FRIEND @BeckyLynchWWE!" – @MsCharlotteWWE
What a good friend. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/PWYbe6Zjy9
— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2019
What was the worst part of last night’s episode?
Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
To be honest, I didn’t have much problem with SmackDown Live. If I had to choose something, then it would be The Usos / Miz & Shane McMahon segment. I didn’t care much for the comedy bits in the beginning but the segment became interesting when the tension between the teams grew. Not a terrible segment by any means, but one that could’ve done without the comedy stuff.
Nate Craver
The gauntlet match was the majority of the show. Therefore, there wasn’t really a lot to choose from. However, I have to say the Randy Orton finish would be the worst. I know we’re supposed to suspend our belief of what would happen in reality when we watch wrestling. But, Randy is pretty well known for jumping out of the crowd and attacking his opponents. Given that his music played for what seemed like forever, AJ looked pretty stupid.
Also, I’m not sure Orton needs to be the one standing tall at the end. I’m guessing WWE was trying to make it look like AJ wasn’t weak because he got hit out of nowhere. I just think the storyline heading into the Chamber is AJ vs. Bryan. Given the way it played out, AJ looked like an idiot. I would rather AJ have been the victim of a roll up or lost because of his temper getting the best of him. There were lots of ways they could have made him not look stupid, lost, and still be a serious threat to Bryan.
…and from OUTTA NOWHERE @RandyOrton RKOs and PINS @AJStylesOrg to secure himself as the last Superstar to enter this Sunday's #EliminationChamber Match! #SDLive #WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/Gt2JFF75Qa
— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2019
Steven Lugo
Women’s triple-threat tag. This was hardly bad, but compared to other moments on the show, it was my low point, I guess. I like that they continue to promote the Elimination Chamber match with sit-down backstage interviews, presenting the chase for the titles as a ‘real fight feel.’
It helps to have something on the line, too. To me, Naomi and Carmella still seem like an unlikely, thrown-together tag team. That’s fine, but I think it should be acknowledged more often; we shouldn’t just have to accept it as fans ‘just cuz.’ Carmella used to be a massive heel.
During the match, The IIconics almost completely avoided competition, and their antics went unpunished to the point where the commentary team didn’t even chastise them much. Also, compared to ‘Absolution’, the tag team name of ‘Fire and Desire’ sounds stupid.
Kyle Payne
It’s really disrespectful that the two main women on SmackDown Live – Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch – are fixated and focused on the Raw Women’s champion, while there is absolutely no sign of the SmackDown Women’s champion.
Asuka is the champion for this brand and she hasn’t been featured, has no viable contender, and I don’t even think she was even mentioned this week. I don’t mind Becky and Charlotte wanting to fight Ronda, as there is a lot of unfinished business between the three of them. But it’s a disservice to Asuka that she, at this moment, has no contender at WrestleMania.
How would you rate the show overall? (From best to worst: SmackDamn, SmackTastic, Smack Bang in the Middle, SmackDowner and A Smack in the Face)
Jeffrey Bowie Jr.
A High SmackTastic. This was not a perfect show, but it damn well came close to being one. The show did a good job of building key matches for Elimination Chamber on Sunday. The Gauntlet match was without a doubt the highlight as not only did it build up the Elimination Chamber match, but it teased potential feuds down the road past the pay-per-view.
The triple threat tag match was fine for what it was and I liked the logic of the IIconics not tagging in. It also made sense that Naomi didn’t care because she wanted to get her hands on Mandy Rose. The company made a late effort to push the Women’s Tag Team titles match and while I feel that the match is still ice cold going in, at least they tried on the blue brand.
Charlotte’s heel promo to start was also strong. I’m not a fan of Flair being a part of the Lynch / Rousey match at WrestleMania especially since that seems to leave Asuka without a credible opponent, but I won’t deny that she’s giving strong performances now that she’s a heel again.
Methane gas!
*KICK*
Polluted oceans!
*KICK*
Rising temperatures!
*KICK*#SDLive #WWEChamber @WWEDanielBryan @TrueKofi pic.twitter.com/qI9o6UmY0i— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 13, 2019
Nate Craver
This was the go-home show for Elimination Chamber. While Kofi’s run was awesome and the in-ring action of the gauntlet match was solid, I just am not sure all of the booking decisions made 100% sense to make Bryan’s championship look in jeopardy. Charlotte’s promo was solid to open the show, but it lacked the heat of the Becky segments of recent weeks. Finally, we had the women’s tag and the men’s tag segments. Neither were anything special. I’m going with a Smack Bang in the Middle.
Again, like last week, SmackDown proves easily watchable, but we’re supposed to be critics. The critic in me believes while SmackDown is good and is utilizing the talents I want them to use from their roster in main roles, it could be better. Instead of a hot angle with Becky, she looks like a scolded puppy who’s hiding beneath the bed. Vince put her in her place and she no shows SmackDown after apologizing. One of the most entertaining in-ring stories of late is Mysterio and Almas, which has disappeared two weeks in a row. Orton standing tall. These are reasons I couldn’t go higher for a go-home show.
https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE/status/1095666687184195584
Steven Lugo
Here I go handing out a SmackTastic. This go-home show did a far better job of promoting Elimination Chamber than Raw did the night before. Both chamber matches seem more important, and more immediate, as a result.
It was also helpful to see just one McMahon, rather than a whole slew of them. And even the one was just Shane in his tag team role. We know he and Miz are not really the best tag team in the world, but their segment with the Usos was entertaining. The Gauntlet main event made it a SmackDown Live worth remembering.
Kyle Payne
SmackTastic! I couldn’t give it the highest rating because of the lack of the women’s champion Asuka. It’s really criminal she wasn’t even mentioned and has no opponent at WrestleMania. Other than that, the show was great.
We had good storytelling with Charlotte, the Usos, and Shane McMahon and The Miz. The highlight of the entire show was great wrestling and the clinic produced by Kofi Kingston. My excitement for Elimination Chamber is at an all-time high for the SmackDown oriented matches.
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