Reviews

The John Report: WWE Smackdown 01/03/20 Review

By John Canton • Published 4th January 2020

Welcome to another WWE Smackdown review here on TJRWrestling for the first Smackdown in 2020. Thank you for all the kind words and support from those of you that read my 2019 WWE Johnny Awards column that was posted on New Year’s Eve. It was a lot of fun to write like it is every year.

I’ve been dealing with the flu since Thursday probably due to too much family, friends and partying. I’m one of those guys that rarely gets sick too, but it catches up to everybody at some point when the weather gets colder too. I’m not 100% yet, but good enough to write. I’ll try to get through this as best as I can.

Live from Memphis, Tennessee, this is Smackdown for episode #1064. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Please visit TJRWrestling.net daily for our regular updates on the wrestling business featuring WWE news coverage along with reviews about wrestling’s past and present. Thanks to Melo Man for the banner up top.

The show began with highlights of last week’s main event where Daniel Bryan earned a Universal Title shot against The Fiend Bray Wyatt at Royal Rumble. Bryan got some help from Roman Reigns, who stopped King Corbin from cheating to win the match. Bryan led the crowd in “yes” chants to end last week’s show.

Daniel Bryan was shown backstage taping his wrists when The Miz walked up to him. Miz said that The Fiend violated his home, the room where his daughter sleeps and he needs to avenge what The Fiend did to his family. Miz said that he’s going to take away everything that The Fiend cares about. Miz noted that Bryan beat him last week and he earned the right to get the title match. Miz told Bryan to defeat The Fiend at Royal Rumble, not just for him, but for everyone.

Analysis: It was a fine promo from Miz wanting revenge against The Fiend. The problem with The Miz is he has been booked like such a loser as a babyface over the past year, so it’s tough for fans to see him as a credible threat.

The Smackdown introduction video aired. That was followed by a live shot of the arena where the pyro went off and the crowd in Memphis made a lot of noise.

The announce team of Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcomed us to the show. The main event is King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler vs. Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan.

The entrances took place for a triple threat women’s tag team match. Sasha Banks and Smackdown Women’s Champion Bayley were up first. I don’t think WWE can start a show without a promo, so let’s hear from the women.

Bayley said we all made it to 2020 and she’s sure that the fans thought about their resolutions like going to the gym, eating healthy and chasing your dreams. Bayley said you aren’t going to follow through with any of that and by the looks of you guys, you don’t have what it takes to make a positive change in your pathetic lives. Bayley said in 2019 they took a good look in the mirror, they made tough changes and they are the leaders of this Smackdown locker room. Bayley mentioned Lacey Evans, who made her entrance with her tag team partner Dana Brooke by her side.

Lacey Evans said she didn’t know what made them get off on scaring her child. Evans said that she is there to set up a positive impact and example while building a better life for her daughter. Evans said it made her sick that they are trying to use a 7-year-old to get to her. Evans said that she’s going to show that the bad guys can be stopped regardless of the cards stacked against you.

Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross made their entrance as the third team in this match. Bliss said they already want to tear eachother apart and Bliss wondered if they even belong in this match. Cross said that of course they do especially if they ever want to win back the Tag Team Championships and Bliss said that’s true, so they’ll start 2020 with a win.

Analysis: The promos were okay. Some of the dialogue that Evans had to recite felt very forced. It’s standard for a babyface wrestler, though. They also weren’t necessary, but as I mentioned, WWE can’t seem to start a show by just going to a match. They are set in their ways thinking that we need to hear the wrestlers talk before the first match.

(Commercial)

Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Lacey Evans and Dana Brooke vs. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross

Two women are in the ring while the others wait on the apron. The first fall wins the match.

Evans went after Banks to start, but Banks tagged out to Cross to get out of there. Evans whipped Cross into the turnbuckle. Brooke with a body slam on Cross, who came back with a jawbreaker and Cross hit a corner splash. Bliss tagged in against Brooke with a jackknife cover for Bliss for two. Banks tagged the back of Brooke to become legal in the match, Bliss kicked Bayley to knock her down and Bliss with a standing dropkick on Banks. Bayley tagged in, Bliss didn’t know it and Bayley tossed Bliss into the ropes. Banks with a knee attack on Bliss with Bayley getting the two count. Banks tagged in to slap on a chinlock on Bliss and Banks hit a running dropkick on Bliss for two. Bliss with a jawbreaker, then a headscissors that sent Banks out of the ring. Cross went up top and took out three women on the floor that were in the right spot to catch her. Banks whipped Cross into the steps leading to a break.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Banks hitting the double knees attack on Cross. Brooke with a running shoulder tackle on Banks, then she sent Bayley into Banks and a handspring elbow on both women. Brooke with suplexes to Bayley and Banks for a two count as Bliss made the save. Cross with a neckbreaker on Evans, Bayley sent Cross out of the ring, Bayley pulled Brooke’s hair and Banks hit a running knee on Brooke for a two count. Bayley and Banks sent Brooke back first into the turnbuckle for two. The crowd was pretty silent for this match. Banks and Bayley made quick tags as they worked over Brooke. Bayley with a cheap shot forearm to Evans to knock her down. Banks with a knee lift on Brooke and Bayley hit a belly to back suplex on Brooke for two. Brooke with a forearm to knock Bayley off the apron and then Brooke hit a suplex off the ropes. Bayley got the tag, kick by Brooke and Evans got the hot tag. Evans with an arm wringer, then standing moonsault on Bayley and Evans hit a running kick to the chest. Evans hit her corner splash on Bayley. Evans went for a moonsault, Banks pulled Bayley out of the way and Bayley got a two count while the other women made the save. Bliss with an STO on Brooke. Banks with a knee to Bliss. Bayley and Banks with a double team slam on Cross. Evans avoided a double team, Banks got a rollup for two, Brooke got the blind tag, Evans with a Woman’s Right punch on Banks and Brooke went up top for the Senton Bomb for the pin on Banks. That was a landing where Dana landed with all of her weight on Banks. Ouch. Rough landing. Brooke usually does it better than that. They got 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Lacey Evans and Dana Brooke

Analysis: *** The match was good with the three teams working well together and the right decision with the faces getting the win. Since Banks and Bayley are so established as the top heels on the show, it makes sense that Evans and Brooke would get the win. The obvious direction for Royal Rumble is Bayley vs. Lacey Evans for the SD Women’s Title, but they could save that for WrestleMania and go with Bayley vs. Brooke for Royal Rumble if WWE feels like Brooke is ready for it. I’m not saying it’s what I want. I’m just talking about the possibilities. I think Evans beating Bayley for the SD Women’s Title at WrestleMania is a strong possibility. I guess they could do a Banks/Bayley split leading to a title match, but I think WWE views Evans as a pet project right now and they want to put her over huge.

There was a replay of last week when Dolph Ziggler destroyed the fruitcake gift that Otis gave to Mandy Rose.

Otis was shown lifting some barrel when Mandy Rose showed up to wish him a Happy New Year. Mandy asked if his mother made something special for the holiday. Otis said he didn’t see what happened last week, but his momma did. Tucker showed up to tell Otis they had a match to focus on, so they left.

Analysis: The drama continues. Otis didn’t see it? Maybe you should watch the show you are on. Just an idea.

(Commercial)

A commercial aired for the Royal Rumble on January 26th. Speaking of the Royal Rumble, I am reviewing every Royal Rumble all month long on TJRWrestling with one or two posts every day, so check it out in our Royal Rumble section.

The Miz was shown walking backstage where The New Day had pancakes with 2020 on them and maple syrup on them. Big E claimed he watched the balls drop on New Years and Kofi Kingston wondered. Kofi put over Miz for having a successful 2010 decade like main eventing WrestleMania, marrying his dream woman, having two beautiful daughters and winning the most titles in WWE last decade. Big E noted that Kofi tied Miz for the most titles. Miz said it’s not about titles, it’s about The Fiend making things personal with him and Miz challenged Kofi to a match. Kofi accepted.

Elias was in the ring asking Memphis if they are feeling alive tonight as he played some music on his guitar. Elias said he hopes Sami Zayn gets punched in the jaw and if Shane McMahon returns, send him to Raw. Elias ripped on The Revival, Dolph Ziggler and said that King Corbin is like a STD that just won’t go away. Elias said that all hope is not lost you will see at Royal Rumble when everybody walks with him.

Analysis: I still think Elias is better as a heel, but that was fun.

The Revival were shown in the locker room complaining about the Street Fight match that saw them getting slammed on Legos. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder complained about how they are not a bunch of clowns and they are tired of looking like clowns. Shorty G walked up to them saying he embraced who he was and it was the best thing for him. Wilder mocked Gable for being the New Year’s Baby because he’s so short. Shorty said that the short jokes don’t bother him and said it’s about “rise over size” while adding when you’re comfortable in your own skin, you can do anything. Wilder said you can’t beat one of us in a match, so Shorty challenged Wilder to a match and Dash said he’s on.

Shorty G made his entrance. They haven’t featured him that much in the last month or so, but here he is in a singles match again.

(Commercial)

There was a commercial for the first Raw of 2020 promoting the return of WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. Plus, Andrade defends the US Title against Andrade.

Shorty G vs. Dash Wilder (w/Scott Dawson)

Dawson was on commentary for this match. Shorty with a headscissors takedown followed by a bridging overhead suplex for a two count. Wilder came back by sending Shorty onto the top rope and dropped him back with a belly to back suplex off the top. Shorty with a kick to the gut and an overhead suplex. Shorty hit a running cross body block on Wilder to send him over the top to the floor. Back in the ring, Shorty with a cross body block and Wilder rolled through for a two count. Shorty got a sunset flip for two. Wilder sent Shorty into the top rope, then he went for a slam, but Shorty slapped on an Ankle Lock. Wilder tapped out to give Shorty the win.

Winner by submission: Shorty G

Analysis: ** It was good for the time given. They work well together from many years as part of tag teams, so I’m glad they got a few minutes for the match.

Post match, Scott Dawson went into the ring to attack Shorty from behind. Wilder joined his partner in attacking Shorty.

Sheamus made his entrance for his big return after he was out of the ring for the last eight months. When Sheamus got into the ring, The Revival shoved Shorty into him and The Revival left. Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick on Shorty to drop him in the ring. Sheamus stood over a fallen Shorty to end it.

Analysis: Sheamus is back as a heel as expected. It looked like he might be there to save Shorty G, but he’s back to the heel role he’s been in for most of his career. It’s what I expected because using him as a face doesn’t make sense based on Sheamus’ comments where he was trashing the Smackdown roster during promos in the last two months. The reason Sheamus was out of action is because he has spinal stenosis, which can be a very serious injury, but he’s obviously well enough to keep wrestling.

Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz is next.

(Commercial)

The New Day duo of Kofi Kingston and Big E made their entrance with the Smackdown Tag Team Titles. Kofi threw some pancakes into the crowd as usual while Big E did his unique dance moves. It’s also funny as Big E stares right at ring announcer Greg Hamilton during his introduction. The Miz made his entrance doing his usual routine on the stage and trying to have an intense look on his face.

Kofi Kingston (w/Big E) vs. The Miz

Kingston tripped up Miz followed by a splash for a two count. Kingston with a monkey flip on Miz that sent him across the ring. Kingston with a running elbow smash, Miz missed a dropkick to the floor, Kingston teased a dive, Miz moved and Kofi bounced back in the ring. Miz with elbows to the head, Kingston kicked him to the corner and Miz connected with kicks to the ribs. Miz with two running knees against the turnbuckle and then Kingston countered with a boot to the face and Kingston went up top with a punch to the head. Kingston with a Boom Drop legdrop. Miz avoided Trouble in Paradise, neckbreaker by Miz, Kofi wanted SOS but it was blocked, Miz wanted Skull Crushing Finale but it was blocked and Kingston rolled up Miz while sitting on top for the pinfall win after about four minutes. Miz kicked out right after the three count to show how close it was.

Winner by pinfall: Kofi Kingston

Analysis: **1/4 A solid match with an ending that put over how even they are as competitors. They did a good job of making the most of the time they were given and telling a story without hitting any of their finishers. Miz did a good job of acting frustrated during the match.

Post match, Miz was pissed off and hit Kofi in the back with a forearm. The fans booed that. Miz punched Kingston and Big E went into the ring, so Miz bailed. Miz walked up the ramp looking angry. The fans chanted “you suck” at Miz. Miz yelled at the fans: “After everything? After everything? Everything I’ve been through. How dare you? I’ve given you everything. Everything!” Miz continued to look shocked.

Analysis: It looks like that is the heel turn of The Miz. I have no problem with that because I think the face run of The Miz over the last year was a failure for the most part and he’s always been one of those guys that was better as a heel. The cheap attack on Kingston drew boos and then the fans saying “you suck” at him led to Miz saying “how dare you?” at the fans for saying he sucks. I think he can do an easy heel promo trashing the fans for being disrespectful considering all he’s been through like when The Fiend invaded his home and so on. Miz as a heel is Miz at his best. It was also smart to have him go against Kingston, who is one of the most popular guys in WWE, so I’m sure the creative team knew the fans would boo Miz for that.

The team of Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns were interviewed by Cathy Kelly. Bryan said that The Miz is mentally breaking, but that’s what happens when you face The Fiend and he noted that it happened to Seth Rollins and Finn Balor (both turned heel after it). Bryan said that the only person who has not been mentally broken is him because “good ol’ DB is unbreakable.” Bryan said he’s going to walk out of the Royal Rumble as the Universal Champion. Reigns said so you’re walking into WrestleMania as the Champion? Reigns said that’s perfect because he’s entering the Royal Rumble and he’s going to win that match. Reigns said that means the main event of WrestleMania is Daniel Bryan vs. Roman Reigns. The fans cheered. Reigns noted that no one took that Universal Championship away from him. Roman told Bryan he better be ready. Bryan said Roman knows he’ll be ready any place, any time and he’ll be double ready at WrestleMania. Bryan told him to be ready for their tag team match and Reigns said he would be.

Analysis: That was a good interview by both guys. They put over the importance of the Universal Championship, the Royal Rumble and Reigns wanting to get that title back. Reigns was right in saying he didn’t lose the Universal Championship. Reigns gave it up when he had leukemia in October 2018. Reigns has been out of the title picture since he came back last February, so I fully expect him to be in the Universal Championship match at WrestleMania, most likely against The Fiend Bray Wyatt. Whether Reigns wins the Rumble or not is another story. I think they’ll do Reigns/Fiend either way. It’s not like Roman must win the Rumble to set that up.

Otis made his entrance with tag team partner Tucker for a match.

(Commercial)

They replayed Kofi Kingston beating The Miz and then The Miz attacked Kingston after the match.

Cathy Kelly was shown at the locker room door of The Miz. John Morrison answered the door. She said she was hoping to get a word with The Miz and Morrison said that Miz doesn’t have anything left to say tonight. Morrison closed the door.

Analysis: Welcome back to WWE, John Morrison. I did not expect his return to be in a backstage setting like that. They could have saved it for something bigger, so I can understand if some fans are upset by Morrison’s return being so anticlimactic. I think using Morrison as an ally of Miz could work really well since they are very good friends going back to their “Dirt Sheet” days in the mid-2000s and they remain close friends. It could lead to a tag team feud with New Day, so that’s why Miz facing Kofi earlier in the night made a lot of sense too.

The announcers talked about it with Graves saying they heard “rumblings” that Morrison was returning to WWE. Graves said he hoped Morrison stays on Smackdown.

Analysis: It was officially announced on WWE Backstage and then pushed all over WWE.com in early December. Just saying.

Drew Gulak did a promo saying that there is no way that Mandy Rose is ever going to date Otis. The fans booed. Gulak said that Mandy wants a man with a physique or a man with a mind like Dolph Ziggler or himself. Gulak said that Otis looks like he is leaking butter. Gulak said that he had a 372 slide Powerpoint presentation. The slides were “Reasons Why Mandy Rose Would Never Date Otis” and all we saw was the first slide because Otis slammed Gulak.

Otis (w/Tucker) vs. Drew Gulak

Otis with an overhead suplex on Gulak that sent him out of the ring. Gulak tried a suplex, but Otis countered with a suplex of his own followed by a Gorilla Press Slam. They showed Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville watching the match while Dolph Ziggler went up to them to talk to Mandy. Gulak punched Otis, told him Mandy would never date him and Otis did his hulking up routine. Otis with a body slam followed by a corner splash. Otis hit the Caterpillar to a huge pop and an elbow drop. Otis went to the ropes where he hit a Vader Bomb for the pinfall win after three minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Otis

Analysis: 1/2* A squash match win for Otis since he is getting regular TV time these days and Gulak is there to lose matches. I’d like to see Gulak featured more, but it’s probably not going to happen.

Braun Strowman was shown walking backstage for a match against Cesaro.

(Commercial)

Braun Strowman made his entrance to a good pop. Cesaro entered as the opponent with Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn joining him. Cesaro is back to wrestling in trunks and wrestling boots. For the past few months, he was wrestling in pants and shoes.

Cesaro (w/Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn) vs. Braun Strowman

Cesaro worked over Strowman with strikes, then a shoulder tackle sent Cesaro into the ropes and Strowman came back with a bigger shoulder tackle to knock Cesaro down. Strowman hit a running corner clothesline, Cesaro sent Strowman throat first into the top rope, Strowman with an uppercut punch and he sent Cesaro off the apron into the barricade.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Strowman sending Cesaro back first into the turnbuckle, but Cesaro came back with a dropkick to the knee. Zayn distracted the referee leading to a jumping knee strike from Nakamura. Cesaro with a running kick on Strowman for two. Strowman came back with a sidewalk slam followed by two shoulder tackles and a corner splash. Strowman punched Nakamura with the left hand to knock him off the apron. Cesaro with a running attack, but Strowman knocked him down with a clothesline. Strowman did his runaway train spot by running over Cesaro and Nakamura with shoulder tackles. Zayn hid under the ring. Strowman ran over Cesaro again. Strowman picked up Cesaro, Zayn into the ring, Strowman was distracted by that, Strowman charged at Cesaro, who moved and Strowman went shoulder first into the turnbuckle. Strowman hit the Powerslam on Cesaro for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Braun Strowman

Analysis: **1/2 The match was fine with Cesaro bumping his ass off to make Strowman look impressive. The result of this match was obvious because Strowman is booked so strong all the time. I thought they did a good job of using Zayn and Nakamura to distract Strowman during different points in the match and it made it look like Cesaro had a shot. It was either going to be a Strowman pin or a DQ finish, but having Strowman win by pinfall makes sense.

Post match, Nakamura went into the ring and hit Strowman with the Kinshasa knee strike to put him down. Zayn got his guys out of there before Strowman could get back up.

Analysis: They are setting up Nakamura vs. Strowman for the IC Title. I’m not sure if that’s going to be at the Royal Rumble, but it would make sense if it was there.

There were highlights shown from last week’s Smackdown to show why we’re getting the tag team match main event this week.

Roman Reigns made his entrance as Michael Cole shrieked about how the Big Dog is here. Reigns does a good job of greeting the kids on his way to the ring. Good ovation for Reigns. The main event is next.

(Commercial)

It was announced that next week on Smackdown, Sasha Banks will face Lacey Evans. That could be a win for Evans to set up for an SD Women’s Title match against Bayley.

Daniel Bryan made his entrance leading to the “yes” chants from Bryan and the crowd. Bryan will challenge “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship at Royal Rumble on January 26th.

The heel team of Dolph Ziggler and King Corbin were up next. Ziggler was out first for the team. Corbin was carried down to the ring on his sedan that was carried by some indy wrestlers.

King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler vs. Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan

Corbin worked over Reigns with kicks against the turnbuckle, Reigns came back with punches and a Samoan Drop led to Corbin rolling out of the ring. Reigns hit the Drive By kick on the apron on Corbin. Ziggler tagged in, Reigns hit him with a boot to the face and Bryan tagged in with a forearm for Ziggler. Bryan with a running dropkick on Corbin to put him down. Bryan with a back body drop on Ziggler over the top to the floor. Bryan did the “YES” chants, which led to the lights flickering while The Fiend’s laugh played in the arena leading to a break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Reigns punching Corbin and hitting a boot to the face. I think I heard the referee Jessika Carr say “nine minutes” to the guys to tell them how much time was left, but I’m not sure if that’s what she said. Reigns punched Ziggler off the apron, which led to Corbin hitting the Deep Six slam as the heels took control. Corbin sent Reigns into the steel steps. Ziggler took over with a neckbreaker on Reigns. Corbin sent Reigns shoulder first into the turnbuckle and Corbin did it again this time with Reigns taking the shoulder bump into the ring post. Corbin sent Reigns into the turnbuckle again. Reigns avoided a Corbin attack, Corbin slid back in and Reigns hit a Superman Punch. Bryan got the hot tag with a running clothesline on Ziggler. Bryan with a corner dropkick on Ziggler followed by kicks to the chest, Bryan sent Ziggler to the top rope and hit a hurricanrana off the top. Bryan delivered the Yes Kicks to the chest of Ziggler, the roundhouse kick was avoided by Ziggler and Bryan went for the LeBell Lock (just call it the Yes Lock again) and Corbin broke it up because Bryan could really lock it in. Reigns with a Spear on Corbin and Ziggler with a superkick on Reigns. Bryan avoided the Zig Zag, ducked the clothesline and Bryan hit the running knee to the face. Bryan was about to go for a pin, but that’s when The Fiend’s presence was felt as the lights went out. The match went 13 minutes.

Match Result: No Contest

Analysis: ***1/4 Good match with a lot of energy, but I didn’t like the finish. Why not just have the faces win? Do the heels really need to be protected here? They should have had Bryan get the win to give him some more momentum going into his title match at the Royal Rumble. The Fiend showing up to attack Bryan is okay with me, but do it after the finish.

The red light was back because “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt was at ringside. Bryan tried a suicide dive, but The Fiend caught him. Bryan went for a running attack off the apron and The Fiend gave him the mandible claw. The Fiend whipped Bryan through the barricade that was by the timekeeper’s area. The Fiend put Bryan in The Mandible Claw again. The lights flickered in the arena again, then the lights went out and The Fiend was gone.

Analysis: It was another dominant showing for The Fiend while Bryan continues to face an uphill battle against him.

The lights were back on with referees and Producers like Adam Pearce and Sonjay Dutt checking on Bryan. Reigns also went to check on Bryan, but Corbin and Ziggler attacked him from behind.

Corbin put a handcuff on the left wrist of Reigns and they had dog food cans with them just like they had last month. They cuffed Reigns to the bottom rope. Just when it looked like they were going to pour the dog food on Reigns, The Usos music hit and The Usos made their return. Welcome back, boys.

The Usos ran down to the ring to save their cousin Reigns. Ziggler ran at The Usos, who gave him a double superkick. The Usos hit a double superkick on Corbin in the ring. The Usos each hit running dives over the top onto Ziggler and Corbin on the floor. Jimmy and Jey checked on Reigns in the ring, they uncuffed him and helped him to his feet. The cousins hugged in the ring and The Usos raised Roman’s hand. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: This was well done and a nice way to end the show on a positive note. I remember writing a few weeks ago when Reigns was getting attacked nearly every week that it would make a lot of sense to bring The Usos back in this spot. The Usos have been off since last summer when Jimmy got a DUI arrest, but then the charge was dropped recently and now they are back. This should also mean Jimmy’s wife Naomi will be with him on Smackdown, so that should help the women’s division.

Reigns and The Usos are very close. I’ve seen and read interviews with them over the years. They are second cousins, but Roman also considers them his best friends. They grew up together, they’re the same age (34 years old) and I’m sure they are thrilled to be on the same show together. While they have tagged up a few times on TV in the past, it hasn’t been a regular thing. Perhaps it will be more common now. The Usos returning should also help the tag team division as well. Welcome back to The Usos and please be careful on the road!

Three Stars of the Show

Daniel Bryan
Roman Reigns
The Miz

The Scoreboard

6.25 out of 10

Last week: 6.5

Last 5 Weeks: 6.5, 5.75, 6, 4.75, 5.25

Final Thoughts

I give this week’s Smackdown a 6.25 out of 10.

This felt like an average show with some good things happening to keep it from being bad. It was newsworthy as the first Smackdown of the year since we got the return of John Morrison (after nearly a decade away), Sheamus and The Usos. I like all of them, so I think they’ll help the Smackdown roster. The main event could have had a better finish although it did further the Bryan/Fiend story and bring The Usos back by saving cousin Reigns.

I think Smackdown has been slowly developing the midcard storylines better than they did a few months ago. With that said, they aren’t putting on great matches on TV as much as they should considering the roster they have.