Oh God, oh jeez. Oh man, oh man. It’s finally happened. If there was one guarantee in this family-friendly, PR-conscious era of SmackDown Live, it’s that at least we’d never hear Shane McMahon momentarily forget that he’s a 50-year-old white millionaire from Gaithersburg and say something ill-advised. Or so we thought.
“Ya dig?“
I can’t decide whether that line was made better or worse by the fact that it was said to the Usos. Either way, he did it I suppose. Oh sorry, in language Shane can understand: that boy gon’ done it now… ya dig?
I hate him.
And then he booked himself and Miz in a tag team title match for Fastlane. Lord, give me strength.
McMahon-igans aside though, SmackDown pulled a full Doctor Jekyll by reversing a lot of the damage done by Raw last night. Once again, Ciampa, Gargano, Black and Ricochet were the main focus of the show, except this time they were made to look somewhat impressive.
Sure, I still have some frustrations around the narrative purgatory that Ciampa and Gargano find themselves in – with their NXT history being neither embraced nor fully erased from the WWE timeline. So instead we get awkward encounters between the two men backstage, where Gargano jokingly reminds his former nemesis “it’s crazy to think that last year we went to war against each other”. Yeah, no kidding Johnny! The man betrayed you, drove your head into the LED boarding, and attacked you with a crutch. Then you responded by literally trying to murder him in a Last Man Standing Match! But haha, good times I guess. Lol.
But with the exception of that gripe, I thoroughly enjoyed their match against The Bar. Likewise Ricochet’s contest against – of all people – Eric ‘Not So’ Young. The real highlight amongst the NXT call ups though has to be Aleister Black.
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After a baffling decision to have him wrestle a back-and-forth match against Elias on Monday, having him face off against Andrade on SmackDown was a strike of genius. Not only is the Mexican far superior to Elias in the ring, but he also has a history of excellent bouts with ‘the Dutch Destroyer’. Pairing the NXT recruit with someone he has proven chemistry with all but ensured that this match would far exceed what we had seen from him on the main brand so far.
And so it was. Perhaps I was simply in a more forgiving mood after the egregious mess that was Raw on Monday, but overall I found myself enjoying this edition of SmackDown Live. With reports emerging that the NXT call ups were a rush job (no surprise there), and done without Triple H’s input (see previous comment), it’s understandable why the blue brand had more of an opportunity to salvage their image. Was it perfect? No, far from it. But at least I’m somewhat more hopeful about their main roster futures.
So with a better showing from the NXT call ups and another chapter in KofiMania, there’s no shortage of talking points from last night’s SmackDown. With that in mind, what did our WrestleTalk writers think of the show? On the next page, we’ll run through everything we liked.
What was your favourite moment from SmackDown Live?
Steven Lugo
The main event. Although this six-man tag came awfully close to just being another rematch in a long line of WWE rematches, I also found it to be very good. And hey, we got a Fastlane main event out of it.
We saw good action from the six Elimination Chamber combatants (who also delivered the goods on Sunday) and it built to a hot tag for Kofi Kingston. Kofi had a great outing, and pinned Daniel Bryan, which earned him his title shot. Yes, KofiMania is real. His two terrific performances over the last week prove that, in 2019, wrestlers still get over in the wrestling ring.
#TheNew @WWEDanielBryan… NOT a fan of #KofiMania. @TrueKofi #SDLive pic.twitter.com/FfC9eHMkFA
— WWE (@WWE) February 20, 2019
Nate Craver
SmackDown gave us five matches tonight on the show. On paper, you would probably be fairly excited for Aleister Black vs. Andrade, Ricochet vs. Eric Young, The Bar vs. DIY, Asuka vs. Mandy Rose, and Styles, Kofi and Hardy vs. Bryan, Orton and Joe.
While none of these matches were must-see, they were still solid TV matches. I can nitpick some things like lack of build or the finishes. For me, when a two-hour show packs in five wrestling matches, that will always be the best thing about the show. Well, unless they are Carmella vs. Brie Bella level matches.
Kyle Payne
The entire show from start to finish was an absolute pleasure to watch. Let me get out of the way that, after weeks of complaining, Asuka was finally on the show. She cut a promo, commentary played her absence off as having no challengers, and then she had a match. I don’t know if I was just happy to see her but the match was fresh and it was pretty competitive. Mandy Rose getting the win was the right call in that it gives Asuka a match, hopefully, at Fastlane.
The rest of the show was just excellent wrestling and it wasn’t just from the NXT brand. Yes, Black, Ciampa, Gargano, and Ricochet all had great matches but the main event was also good with a great ending that will give us Kofi vs. Daniel Bryan at Fastlane. There really isn’t much to say about the show, it’s a must-watch for fans because it was a great ride throughout. Thank God Ciampa and Sheamus are reported to be alright after a very scary spot.
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Emma Heeley
Giving Kofi the title shot against Daniel Bryan was the best call WWE could have done. He is red hot right now and quite frankly seeing the same people in the spotlight was getting a little stale. Do I think he’ll win? Probably not. But on this occasion, I’d love to be proven wrong.
Unlike Monday night’s Raw, SmackDown’s match-ups last night were all incredibly entertaining. There wasn’t one match that made me ‘zone out’ or have something else occupy my attention. Each one felt different and I love that. When they vary the match-up styles it makes the show seem less repetitive and feels like it ran faster.
What was the worst part of last night’s episode?
Steven Lugo
Mandy Rose pins Asuka. Yeesh, just typing that sentence was tough to do. Rose’s ascent to the main event of the Women’s Division was expected but, on our way to that, some things are just illogical and silly. When we last saw Asuka, she had just defeated Becky Lynch clean at Royal Rumble. Here, she is fooled by Mandy faking a dumb eye injury, and getting rolled up like an imbecile for a three count.
Not only does it make Asuka look weak, but it assumes every WWE fan is fickle! (Fickle! Fickle!) We’ve waited weeks to see Asuka on TV again, and this wasn’t the way to bring her back.
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Nate Craver
My heart says the worst thing about SmackDown this week was the discontinuity of the DIY we see on the main roster compared to Ciampa and Gargano on ‘WWE’s third international touring brand’.
However, I’m going to have to go with Mandy Rose and the finish for Asuka. If you want Rose to get a title shot, there’re a million other ways to get there than by making Asuka look stupid and weak.
Do the exact same gimmick finish in a number one contender’s match against Carmella, Naomi, or anyone else. If you are absolutely dead set on having her beat Asuka, use Sonya Deville for crying out loud. While Rose is faking the eye injury, have the the referee check on her. Let Sonya catch Asuka from behind with a chair shot or a spear. The finish was weak, Ya Dig!
WOW !!!! Asuka couldn’t kick out of a roll up ???? Asuka fell for the “my eye is messed up”??? I’m DEFINITELY READY for ASUKA !!!!! I AM READY !!! Just cheat cheat cheat ! #SDLIVE
— CJ Perry (@TheCJPerry) February 20, 2019
Kyle Payne
No Becky Lynch? I’m grasping at straws trying to find something bad about the show.
Emma Heeley
What are they doing with the NXT guys? I was really excited to see them on Raw, but seeing them on SmackDown kind of took the wind out of their sails. Does this just mean they can float between both shows like the previous random call ups?
At least the newest four are getting in-ring time and not just offering strange backstage skits. Speaking of, can someone explain to me why they have Lacey Evans wander down the ramp to offer absolutely nothing to what’s going on around her? I just don’t get it… am I missing something?
Also, the opening promo with Miz, Shane and the Usos was just… meh. It wasn’t bad, but we saw pretty much the exact same thing the week previously. It felt a little long-winded and I honestly lost interest halfway through (sorry Miz). Also, why are they getting a rematch? I guess if you’re the boss, that contractual rematch clause is still valid.
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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)
Steven Lugo
SmackDowner. Corey asked, “What better way to kick off SmackDown than with Shane-O-Mac?” Well, I can think of a few.
The crowd was a little more alive than last night’s Raw audience, so that’s a plus right off the bat. At the same time, I’m torn. While I got to see many of my favorites, they weren’t presented in a very flattering light. Andrade faced Aleister Black, which meant one of them had to lose, even though they both need wins. Andrade took the loss, and his great series with Mysterio is a distant memory.
Ricochet fought Eric Young, which would be good under normal circumstances, but the leader of SAnitY was clearly thrown in as an afterthought just to take the pin. (Is this what it takes to get SAnitY on television?) Finally, we had Gargano and Ciampa defeat The Bar. Oh, to have the former DIY members working together like nothing at all had transpired between them. Sorry, there’s just so much water under that bridge.
He's like a comic book character… but real. @KingRicochet #SDLive pic.twitter.com/F4YzgI0CGx
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 20, 2019
Nate Craver
I look at this show on paper and I think I’d have to give a high rating, but I just can’t. Part of it is the disappointment of how the four NXT guys have been booked. Ciampa and Gargano not being allowed to finish out the two-year story on NXT before being reunited on the main roster has me really bummed. Black has looked like just another guy. Ricochet has been the lone standout of the four debuts for me.
When you look at SmackDown, their roster is deep and talented. They have people with potential and the proven record of getting over either organically or as part of a good storyline. Just look at Kofi Kingston. You tell a good story and the crowd is all in. SAnitY, Rusev, Nakamura, Rey Mysterio, the Good Brothers and Nikki Cross are just a few.
Yet, here we are this week seeing Young and Andrade fed to the newbies. Asuka picks up a crappy loss after disappearing for a month. The US Title has been hibernating. The intriguing program with Rey and Andrade has disappeared. Oh, and weren’t Rusev and Nakamura forming a tag team? Consistency and follow through, please!
SmackDown can make us care if they want to, but they haven’t used all the tools in their tool box. At least we got decent matches, a couple of good promos, and Kofi gets a title shot. Smack Bang in the Middle for me, although it was pretty close to a SmackDowner.
.@WWENXT's @ProjectCiampa & @JohnnyGargano are the first duo in nearly three YEARS to win 2-on-2 tag team matches on both @WWE #Raw & #SDLive in the SAME week!
The last team to accomplish this feat was The League of Nations (@RusevBUL & @WWESheamus) in the winter of 2016.
— Wrestling Stats & Info (@WWEStats) February 20, 2019
Kyle Payne
SmackDamn. It’s mind boggling how night and day Raw and SmackDown are. I had a great time watching the show, loved that Asuka finally made an appearance, that Kofi Kingston got another opportunity to shine, and the NXT wrestlers all looked great.
SAnitY also made a rare appearance and I hope this is a sign of things to come. The Miz and Shane McMahon storyline continues – I know one of them is turning on the other and it’s heartbreaking. I’ve really come to enjoy the interactions between the two of them.
Go watch the show, stop reading me praise it. Go watch it. I can’t wait for next week’s SmackDown.
Emma Heeley
This week’s SmackDown was a good show. The matches were entertaining and not bogged down by too many pointless promos. However, with the lack of Becky Lynch this week, there were no overly compelling storylines to keep me that enthralled. Don’t get me wrong, it was a solid show, but it just seemed to just lack that extra punch of a storyline that the previous weeks have been offering.
This week’s SmackDown is Smack Bang in the Middle.
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