The WWE Smackdown Reaction for 1/3/20 by Kelly Dishnow
Welcome to The Smackdown Reaction where I offer up my thoughts on the first show of 2020 coming live from Memphis. As always, you can check out John’s full in-depth review here.
A quick recap of last week’s triple threat #1 contender’s match starts us off before cutting backstage with Daniel Bryan. Miz shows up to cut a quick promo about wanting revenge on The Fiend before wishing Bryan luck at the Rumble.
The Smackdown opening video rolls and the pyro goes off to get us going this week.
Sasha’s god awful music hits and she comes out on to the stage before, thankfully, Bayley’s music plays. The two cut a quick New Year’s promo before being interrupted by Lacey Evans and Dana Brooke. Lacey goes on about them teasing her daughter, which isn’t really furthering the feud. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross then come out to say something unimportant and we go to break before the triple threat match begins. At least we didn’t start off with another boring Corbin promo to put everyone to sleep.
The match was decent, but it was more about selling the Lacey Evans feud with Sasha and Bayley. Alexa and Nikki weren’t factors after the second commercial break. The end came when Dana blind tagged in on Lacey. Lacey Big Show’s Sasha with the Woman’s Right and Dana comes off the top with an ugly looking senton on Sasha to pick up the win.
We get a quick interaction between Otis and Mandy Rose after a recap of Dolph Ziggler and Mandy last week. Not sure where this is leading besides an upcoming loss for Ziggler. Off to another break.
The Miz is with The New Day, who were in a good mood while Miz remains angry. Big E put Miz over and Miz wanted to fight Kofi later.
Elias is in the ring for a quick song ripping on Sami Zayn, Shane McMahon, The Revival, Dolph Ziggler, and King Corbin. Face Elias songs aren’t as entertaining as Heel Elias songs.
The Revival are shown backstage complaining about being in the Miracle on 34th Street Fight gimmick match. Shorty G (hate the name) shows up and they make fun of his height. Gable challenges Dash Wilder to a match and it’s on next. The match was far too short (hope that won’t be a theme for Gable) with Shorty G picking up the tap out victory. Quick double team by The Revival after the match leads to a Sheamus return, who Brogue Kicks Shorty G into next week.
Kofi and Miz had their match. We get another too short match with Kofi picking up the win on a rollup. After the match, Miz attacked Kofi before Big E chases him out of the ring. I’m guessing we can pencil that in as a heel turn for Miz, who hasn’t done anything of note in the past year or so.
Cathy Kelly is backstage with Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns to cut promos on their upcoming match and the Royal Rumble before heading to break.
Back from break, Cathy Kelly knocks on Miz’s dressing room door and John Morrison opened it to offer her a no comment before heading back to the ring.
Otis is in the ring with Tucker waiting for his opponent Drew Gulak to come out. Gulak prepared a PowerPoint presentation on the Otis and Mandy “relationship” but Otis just mauls Gulak instead.
Braun Strowman and Cesaro are up next after the break. We are treated to a good hard-hitting match between the two with minimal interference from Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura. Strowman picks up the win and is immediately blindsided by a Kinshasa from Nakamura before they retreat up the ramp.
A quick video package reminds us why we have Corbin in the main event this week before we go to break.
It’s main event time. Roman and Bryan come out first before Ziggler and Corbin. Nice to see Jessika Carr referee the first main event of 2020. We get a Fiend laugh a few minutes in to throw us to the final commercial of the night. After the break, the match was really good but just buying time for The Fiend to come down and interfere. The bell never rang when Fiend attacked Bryan. After Fiend left, Ziggler and Corbin try to sell the awful dog food angle before The Usos return to clear the ring. Smackdown goes off the air with Roman and The Usos celebrating.
Let’s look at tonight’s highs and lows:
The Highs:
Three big returns kick off 2020 on Smackdown. John Morrison is back to help regulate Miz back to the tag division. Sheamus could be a good intermediary for The Fiend until Roman at WrestleMania. The Usos are back to even up things with Corbin, Ziggler, and Roode (once he returns from suspension). The Usos are also a welcome addition to the tag division and make sure to have Roman as the DD Uce.
Dana Brooke actually won a match not on Main Event.
The Lows:
Dana’s senton was a bit off the mark and I hope Sasha is ok to job to Lacey next week.
Several of the matches were a bit too short.
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Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to start building to the Royal Rumble. A couple of stories progressed tonight, but we should start seeing more next week. That’s all I’ve got for now. Until next time.