The WWE Smackdown Reaction for 3/25/22

Welcome to the WWE Smackdown Reaction, where I offer my take on this week’s show in Brooklyn, NY. It was the second last Smackdown episode before WrestleMania 38 next weekend.

As always, you can check out John’s full in-depth review here.

We kick things off this week with Brock Lesnar backstage taking over Roman Reigns locker room. Kayla Braxton grabbed a few comments from Lesnar and he was in full-on country mode. Lesnar cuts a good Stone Cold Steve Austin-like promo and smashes a few things. Farmer Brock is amazing. Why haven’t we had this character before?

The in-ring action kicks off with Shinsuke Nakamura taking on Jimmy Uso. Rick Boogs is the perfect addition to Nakamura’s entrance and the guitar playing for the entrance just works perfectly. The match itself was pretty good with some solid action. Boogs took care of Jey at ringside to set up the Nakamura win. I’m pulling for the Boogs/Nakamura team to win at WrestleMania. They certainly have the momentum right now.

Lesnar is still trashing Reigns locker room. This will be a reoccurring theme for the night.

We get an unnecessary three-minute video for Happy Corbin. We all know he has no chance against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania and nothing you do will convince us otherwise.

Ridge Holland is out with Sheamus and Butch (dumb name) for his match with Kofi Kingston. Ring announcer Samantha Irvin flubbed the into by announcing Xavier Woods accompanying Kingston to the ring, but he was not there because Kofi had to announce Xavier’s return. Kingston announces Holland’s new opponent as King Woods who Holland promptly jobs out to in under a minute, which is what should have happened last week, but I digress.

Oh look, Reigns has been whining and dining Paul Heyman today. They’ll show up eventually. You know that New York traffic.

Promo Time with Ronda Rousey is up next. Rousey is ready to fight and Charlotte Flair appears from backstage to recite the same tired weekly promo from the teleprompter. Rousey should tap Flair out at WrestleMania.

Braxton asks Lesnar when he should leave with Reigns on his way. Lesnar is going to wait for the champ to arrive. I’m surprised we haven’t had a spot with the Usos. Did Lesnar eat them or something?

Intercontinental Champion Ricochet is up next to take on Humberto in a championship contenders match. Los Lotharios kisses their planted groupie that shows up at all of the shows. Humberto decided to let Angel wrestle instead and Ricochet promptly jobs out to him. Seriously? Ricochet challenges Humberto to a match and it’s on.

This match goes on longer and fairly decent with another lame finish. Angel causes Ricochet to get counted out so Humberto can win. We will find out later that Ricochet will defend the IC title in a triple threat match on next week’s WrestleMania Smackdown. Are you trying to tell me there is no room on the WrestleMania pre-show for the midcard men’s title to be defended at WrestleMania on the Kickoff Show?

Sami Zayn talked about what he will do to Johnny Knoxville in their Anything Goes Match at WrestleMania before he loses to Knoxville.

Austin Theory hits Pat McAfee and takes off running. McAfee chases him all the way to Mr. McMahon’s office like he was the 24/7 Champion or something.

It was a shame to hear about Triple H being forced into retirement without a proper send-off due to his heart condition. It wasn’t a total surprise, but sad to hear for sure. John wrote more about it here, if you are interested.

It’s fatal four-way time with one member from each team in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match participating. Everybody fights to start things off. Once things settle down, we have Rhea Ripley, Sasha Banks, Queen Zelina, and Shayna Baszler in the match. The match was decent but nothing really special. It was more about putting over the title match more than anything. Banks made Vega tap out to the Banks Statement for the old hometown rib. I expect new champs, but I just haven’t decided on which face team yet.

Reigns finally showed up at the arena. He must be paid by the minute?

The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is announced for next week’s WrestleMania Smackdown. Can someone please explain to me why Finn Balor and Damian Priest are listed as participants? Again, another midcard men’s title (Balor is the US Champion) with no room for it on the preshow. Ugh.

Reigns and Heyman finally wander out Uso-less to run down Brock Lesnar. Lesnar enters through the crowd before destroying WWE security (again) with a steel chair. The security guys had no chance and bumped well. Reigns left with Heyman and the Usos. I guess The Usos hid from Lesnar all night. Lesnar stared at the WrestleMania sign to close out the show.

Let’s take a look at tonight’s highs and lows.

The Highs

Farmer Brock is absolute gold. Why has it taken him this long to debut the character? You can tell he is having fun with this run.

It was great to see King Woods return. It’s a shame Big E is on the shelf because I assume the plan was for a six-man tag at WrestleMania.

The Lows

There were lots and lots of talking and video packages tonight. This was the final Smackdown to push the matches before WrestleMania.

It’s a shame that the midcard titles can’t make the main show. I think that is something that needs to be addressed with the two-night WrestleManias going forward.

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That’s all I’ve got, until next time.