The John Report: WWE Smackdown 02/12/21 Review
Welcome to this week’s WWE Smackdown review. There isn’t a lot advertised for this show going into it. We know Seth Rollins is back on Smackdown following his return at Royal Rumble less than two weeks ago. Also, WWE is promoting a “blockbuster announcement” from Universal Champion Roman Reigns. That led to Reigns tweeting: “Everything I say is a blockbuster announcement.” The man makes a good point. The Elimination Chamber PPV is in nine days (that’s February 21) and nothing is announced on the Smackdown side yet, so we should learn more about it this week.
From the WWE ThunderDome at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Florida, this is Smackdown for episode #1121. 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. Let’s get to it.
The show began with a shot of the WWE ThunderDome and the giant WrestleMania sign that’s in the building. The announce team of Michael Cole and Corey Graves were there to call the action.
Let’s Hear from Roman Reigns
There’s a familiar start to Smackdown this week as Universal Champion Roman Reigns made his slow walking entrance with Special Counsel Paul Heyman and cousin Jey Uso by his side. They played a clip from Raw with Royal Rumble winner Edge saying he’d wait until after Elimination Chamber to announce his title-challenging decision for WrestleMania.
Reigns and his crew were joined by WWE Official Adam Pearce. I think that walk to the ring took about four minutes. He’s the new Undertaker, I think. The “you suck” chants greeted Reigns as he stood in the ring.
Reigns told Pearce not to be scared as Pearce approached him. Reigns told Pearce he doesn’t have authority over him and he doesn’t call any shots. Reigns said he is the sun, everything orbits him and Reigns doesn’t wait on Pearce or Edge. Reigns said he saw Edge last week in this ring saying Edge looked nervous and he got scared. Reigns said that Edge knows what Roman would do to him. Reigns said that he would beat Edge so bad that they would put him on a Legends Contract and make him an ambassador for WWE. Reigns said that Edge is hoping that somebody will take that Universal Title off him. Reigns said that he will keep that title for as long as he wants.
Reigns said that Pearce is there to talk about Elimination Chamber. Pearce said he had this contract for a week, but Heyman insisted that they do it this way. Pearce informed Reigns that he will defend the Universal Title inside Elimination Chamber much like Drew McIntyre. Reigns laughed and handed the microphone to Heyman.
Heyman let us know he is the Special Counsel of the Universal Heavyweight Champion. Heyman said that Roman Reigns’ agreement is that Roman will appear on mega events like Elimination Chamber and he understands that Reigns has to be there. Heyman said it doesn’t mean that Reigns has to defend the title inside the Elimination Chamber. Heyman said put six men in the match, whoever he wants, and then Reigns will defend the Universal Title against the winner of the Elimination Chamber match. Heyman wondered what Pearce was going to do about it. Heyman asked Pearce how WrestleMania did without Roman Reigns last year with Heyman saying it was the lowest attendance at a WrestleMania ever. Well played. Heyman said that Roman’s the one in charge here. Heyman told Pearce that he can make his announcement.
Pearce said he can think of two superstars in the Elimination Chamber match and they don’t need to qualify: Jey Uso was the first name. Pearce left the ring to announce the next name: Kevin Owens. Reigns was not happy about that as he left the ring and got in Pearce’s face on the floor. Reigns stared him down to intimidate Pearce as Heyman tried to calm Reigns down. Reigns slowly backed away.
Analysis: It was an interesting promo with the Elimination Chamber news. Making the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match a number one contender’s match makes it different from Raw is doing, so I’m fine with that. Reigns facing the winner at Elimination Chamber gives Roman a big advantage because the winner would be tired and hurt after being in a Chamber match. I’m fine with it because it fits Roman’s gimmick as an intimidating heel that also tries to manipulate the situations that he is put in. Good promos from Reigns, Heyman and Pearce here.
The announcers appeared on the screen talking about the show.
A video aired about Seth Rollins hyping up his return to Smackdown.
(Commercial)
It was announced that Sasha Banks is the honorary starter of the Daytona 500 race on Sunday. I don’t watch NASCAR, but good for her because it’s a big race that will give some exposure to WWE.
Adam Pearce was shown talking to Sonya Deville in the hallway. Deville suggested they do a tag team match with Sami Zayn & King Corbin vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio. The winning team will have both members qualify for the Elimination Chamber match. Pearce agreed with it. Deville said she already told the wrestlers, so that’s a case of her making a decision on her own.
The entrances took place of father-son duo Rey and Dominik Mysterio. Graves was thrilled about the idea that Rey could have to fight his own son Dominik inside the Elimination Chamber. King Corbin was up next.
Sami Zayn made his entrance with his documentary crew joining him. Zayn complained about how management helped Big E steal his Intercontinental Champion and now they are making him earn his way into the match. Zayn said that normally he doesn’t see eye to eye with Corbin, but right now they are on the same page since they are suffering the same injustice. Zayn said now they can have a shot in the Elimination Chamber. Zayn complained about the referee Charles Robinson while adding that management wants Rey and Dominik to win because they can help the company grow in the Latin American market. Zayn said that they’re the ones going to Elimination Chamber, pal.
Analysis: The typical whining heel promo from Zayn as usual. I enjoy it.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio vs. King Corbin and Sami Zayn
Rey knocked Sami off the apron. Corbin with a knee to Rey, then Rey hit a dropkick into the ropes. Zayn tripped up Rey, who was favoring his knee right away. Dominik hit a suicide dive onto Zayn with Dominik looking like he hit his head on the announce table. Dominik was fine from that as Rey hit a headscissors on Corbin out of the ring. Rey and Dominik stood tall in the ring as the show went to break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Corbin in control of Rey until Rey hit a headscissors into the turnbuckle. Dominik tagged against Zayn with a headscissors takeover and a running back elbow. Dominik with a boot to the face and a Tornado DDT off the ropes for a two count. That was really good. Zayn sent Dominik to the apron, Dominik sent Zayn into the turnbuckle and Dominik hit senton splashes on both opponents. Zayn with a rollup for two. Zayn hit the Blue Thunder Bomb on Dominik for a two count. Dominik with a neckbreaker for two as Corbin made the save for his partner. Dominik avoided End of Days from Corbin, Rey jumped onto Corbin and sent him into the ropes. Rey and Dominik hit the double 619 kick on Corbin. Zayn hit an Exploder Suplex on Dominik into the turnbuckle. Zayn hit the Helluva Kick on Dominik for the pinfall win after nine minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Sami Zayn and King Corbin
Analysis: **3/4 This was okay with the heels winning clean after Rey took out Corbin and wasn’t able to save his son from being pinned. I’m always happy to see Zayn win and a clean win is rare for him, so that was good. Zayn’s Helluva Kick is a strong finisher too. They just don’t book him to win with that move that often. Long term, I’d like to see the Mysterios have some tag team success leading to an eventual tag team title win down the road.
The win means that Sami Zayn and King Corbin are in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match, joining Kevin Owens and Jey Uso.
There was a backstage scene with Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode going up to Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville about being in the Elimination Chamber match. There was some confusion from Pearce/Deville thinking Roode/Ziggler wanted to be in the match together, but they said they would be individuals in the match. Pearce and Deville put them in an Elimination Chamber qualifier against Cesaro and Daniel Bryan for later.
Analysis: That would mean a win for Cesaro and Bryan later in the show, which is cool with me.
Big E made his entrance for a match.
(Commercial)
There was a video from last week’s Smackdown when Bianca Belair beat up Reginald with her hair.
Reginald was shown walking backstage with a glass of champagne. Banks was standing there talking to Kalisto. Reginald made it clear that he believes she can beat Bianca Belair like he said last week. Reginald gave Banks the champagne and he left.
A Progressive Match Flo showed highlights from last week’s Intercontinental Title match with Big E pinning Apollo Crews in a triple threat match with Sami Zayn as well. It was a great match.
Big E said that last week he defended the Intercontinental Championship. Big E said that the odds were against him, but like Tom Brady on a boat parade, he was left standing. He noted that Tom was wobbly too, which is true. Big E spoke about how he thought he put Sami and Apollo behind him, but here is Crews.
Apollo Crews said that he knows why Big E is out there. Crews said that Big E was going to issue an open challenge for that title, so he doesn’t see a better man for the job. Big E said that he was going to offer an open challenge against anybody but Crews. That led to Crews saying Big E is a fighting champion that takes on all comers. Big E and Crews spoke without microphones, but we Crews held a microphone on his chest, so they kept talking. Big E told Crews they are done and to go to the back. Big E called for his next challenger to come out there. That led to Shinsuke Nakamura making his entrance for a match up next.
Analysis: It seems like they are booking this in a way where Crews is going to turn heel because he’s frustrated that he can’t seem to beat Big E. I like that there’s a slow burn to it rather than something that is being rushed.
(Commercial)
There was a commercial for NXT Takeover Vengeance Day on Sunday night. We have a preview up on TJRWrestling on Saturday and then I’ll review it live on TJRWrestling on Sunday night. NXT Takeover shows do not disappoint.
Intercontinental Championship: Big E vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura was in control early on with a foot on the throat by the turnbuckle, but then Big E came back with a running elbow. Apollo Crews was at ringside watching the match. Big E hit a running splash on Nakamura’s chest on the ring apron. Crews was on the apron rooting for Nakamura and Big E told him to get down. That allowed Nakamura to hit a kick to the head. Big E blocked a suplex, Nakamura with a knee to the ribs and then a rising knee lift to the ribs. Nakamura jumped off the middle rope with a kick for a two count. Nakamura charged, Big E picked him up, but then Nakamura hit a spin kick to the face. Nakamura charged right into a uranage slam by Big E for a two count. As Big E went for the Big Ending, Crew went into the ring and hit a dropkick on Big E for the DQ finish. The match went only three minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Big E
Analysis: *1/2 It was fun while it lasted. A longer match between Big E and Nakamura would be cool, so I hope that happens some day soon.
Post match, Crews trash-talked Big E and brought up Big E’s comment about how Crews should go back to catering. Crews backed out of the ring and went up the ramp while Big E looked frustrated at ringside.
Analysis: I’m not sure if we can say that Crews is officially a heel now, but I think he’s heading in that direction. For now, it’s just Crews being frustrated that he can’t beat Big E, so he’s resorting to a cheap attack to make a point.
The return of Seth Rollins is next. There was another video that aired about all the success of Rollins in his WWE career so far.
The Smackdown locker room emptied out to the ringside area for whatever is happening with Rollins. Guys like Daniel Bryan and Cesaro were in the front. It wasn’t everybody, though. No sign of Roman Reigns, of course.
There was a video about Black History Month with Titus O’Neil, Montez Ford, Sasha Banks and Big E saying some quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. Well done.
(Commercial)
Welcome Back Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins made his entrance in a black leather suit with the black glove on his right hand. There were wrestlers surrounding the ring as I mentioned before the break. Rollins entered to his “burn it down” theme song even though he had the black glove on from his Messiah days.
Rollins said it feels good to be back in the ThunderDome and this ring. Rollins said that this where he belongs. Rollins said that a lot has changed since he sacrificed himself at Survivor Series and he knew it would. Rollins said that the thing that has changed the most is himself. Rollins said that as most of you, he has recently become a parent for the very first time with Seth noting he is the proud father of a beautiful, perfect baby girl. Seth said that she has changed his life in ways he has never dreamed of. Rollins said that he has a new vision now. Rollins said that when he looks around this ring he sees some of the most talented performers in the history of this industry. Rollins said he wonders where does he fit in? Rollins said that the answer is very clear to him – he is the great leader that Smackdown needs to push it into the future and make it greater than it already is. Rollins said that success and leadership is not about what you can do for me, but what he can do for them. Most of the wrestlers left towards the back. Rollins said he can your leader, your father and your mentor. Rollins said all you have to do for a better tomorrow, a better Smackdown – all you have to do is embrace the vision.
When Rollins looked around the ring, he realized that every wrestler surrounding the ring was gone except for his good friend Cesaro.
Rollins said that he knew Cesaro would understand his vision. Cesaro shook his head no and walked towards the back. As Cesaro walked to the back, Rollins did a chop block to Cesaro’s left knee. Rollins trash-talked Cesaro saying he will never live up to his potential without Rollins. Rollins kept on attacking Cesaro with referees and Daniel Bryan showing up to break it up. Bryan is teaming with Cesaro later so that’s why he broke it up. Rollins left through the other side of the arena.
Analysis: I liked this a lot. It’s really cool that Seth mentioned his baby daughter that Becky Lynch gave birth to in early December. It was nice that Seth got some time off to be home with his baby girl. The fact that Seth is going to feud with Cesaro with Cesaro in the babyface role is incredible because it’s a feud I have wanted to see for a long time. Plus, I know Rollins and Cesaro are very close friends that have also worked out together for many years, so I’m sure they are thrilled about having a feud together. That will be awesome to see.
There was a video showing some Elimination Chamber highlights to put over the brutality of the match.
Bayley made her entrance for a match.
(Commercial)
Liv Morgan entered with Ruby Riott. Bayley beat Riott last week.
Bayley vs. Liv Morgan (w/Ruby Riott)
Morgan avoided a Bayley charge, sent Bayley into the ropes and Morgan hit a missile dropkick off the ropes for two. Bayley regrouped on the floor as Natalya and Tamina were shown watching on a big TV backstage. Morgan went for a move where she jumped off the steel steps, but Bayley avoided the charge and sent Morgan into the barricade. Nice bump by Morgan there as Bayley sent Liv back into the ring for a two count. Morgan with a punch to the ribs to rock Bayley, who charged and missed as Morgan moved. Morgan with a springboard bulldog for a two count. Morgan jumped to the middle rope, Bayley punched her to knock her down and Bayley did a shoulder breaker for a two count with Liv selling the left shoulder injury. Morgan came back with an enziguri kick and Morgan with a jumping knee attack to the face for a two count. Billie Kay showed up at ringside with her photo and resume saying she wants to apologize for last week. Riott threw the pictures into the ring, the referee got them out of the ring, Bayley with an eye gouge and Bayley hit the Rose Plant (finally a name for that move) to send Morgan face first into the mat for the pinfall win after about five minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Bayley
Analysis: **1/2 Good for the time they were given. Bayley is terrific as usual while Morgan is a babyface that is easy to like. I’m really impressed by how much Liv has improved over the last year in terms of her selling, I think her offense gotten better and she is developing more as a character. Kay causing another loss is a repeat of what we have seen many times of late. Bayley cheating to win is fitting for her heel character, so I’m fine with that as an ending.
There was a backstage interview with Cesaro and Daniel Bryan with Kayla Braxton if Cesaro was ready for their tag team match. Cesaro said that he was going to be ready for their match while taking a shot at Rollins for attacking him and his boring speech. Bryan said “that dude is tough” about Cesaro. That match is later.
There was a video featuring The Street Profits handing NASCAR driver Chase Elliott a WWE Title with Chase’s #9 on it. Chase gave them a red solo cup and some driver’s helmets.
The Street Profits made their entrance for their match. They did a pre-tape promo talking about wanting to earn an opportunity for a future title match.
(Commercial)
They showed the WWE Title given to the Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Antoine Winfield Jr. carrying the title that WWE gifted them for the parade. They also mentioned Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski as well.
The team of Otis and Chad Gable made their entrance. There was a pre-tape promo of Otis and Gable working out before the match.
Otis and Chad Gable vs. Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins)
There was some mat wrestling from Gable and Dawkins showing off their amateur skills. Gable and Dawkins each hit two arm drags. Ford showed off his athleticism while shouting that he was back after a leg injury (in storyline) a few weeks back. Gable slapped on an armdrag to keep Ford grounded. Dawkins was back in with a shoulder tackle on Gable and he slammed Ford onto Gable for a two count. Dawkins charged into Gable with an overhead suplex. Otis tagged in with a running shoulder tackle Dawkins and then a huge slam on Ford. Otis sent Ford out of the ring. Otis with an overhead suplex on Dawkins followed by a corner splash. Otis hit the Caterpillar into an elbow drop. Gable insisted on a tag while telling him to do the move they worked on. Ford sent Otis out of the ring. Gable sat on top of Dawkins to counter a pin attempt. Ford made a blind tag, Dawkins with the spinebuster and Ford hit the Frog Splash for the pinfall win after about five minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins)
Analysis: ** This was fine as a tag team match with Street Profits getting the win to build them back up after losing the titles. Whenever Gable and Otis are in a match where they are losing it’s going to be Gable that is pinned. I don’t like it, but that’s how WWE books these things. It’s like they want to protect Otis even though they have done nothing with the guy for months. The Frog Splash from Ford remains one of the best finishing moves in WWE.
The Street Profits were on the stage celebrating the win. Sasha Banks, the Smackdown Women’s Champion, made her entrance in a blue leather outfit. The Street Profits and Banks danced together a bit since they’re all faces. Banks is up next.
Analysis: Ford is the husband of Bianca Belair, who may be targeting Banks. I don’t mind having babyfaces dancing together. They’re all friends. It’s okay with me.
(Commercial)
This week on Talking Smack, the guests are Sami Zayn and Sasha Banks. Zayn is so entertaining on that show. It’s hosted by Kayla Braxton and Paul Heyman, who does a tremendous job on that show.
Let’s Hear from Sasha Banks
Sasha Banks did a promo saying that everybody is talking about Bianca Belair. Banks talked about how there is one choice for the EST to make and that is Sasha. As a reminder, Bianca gets a title shot at WrestleMania for winning the Royal Rumble match two weeks ago.
Bianca Belair showed up saying that she likes Sasha too. Belair went into the ring to tell Banks that Sasha is not “The Boss” of her. Belair said that everybody is thinking about her WrestleMania decision…and here comes Nia Jax with Shayna Baszler.
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler walked out there because they are the Smackdown Women’s Tag Team Champions, which allows them to be on any show. Jax ripped on Belair while Baszler mentioned they are two-time Women’s Tag Team Champions. Jax said that they are on a roll. Banks said she heard rumors that they were going to show up, so roll the footage.
A clip was shown of Naomi beating Shayna Baszler on Raw. Banks said there was more footage. Jax told Sasha not to do it and Belair called for it. That led to Nia Jax facing Lana in a Tables Match. Jax missed a leg drop and then yelled “MY HOLE” after it. The “MY HOLE” line was trending for a day after that. Lana tackled Jax through a table to win the Tables Match.
Jax and Baszler tried to attack, but the faces were ready. Banks rocked Baszler with a knee to the face. Belair and Banks worked together to send Jax out of the ring. Jax bumped onto the apron with Jax biting her hand to prevent herself from saying “MY HOLE” again, so that was funny that she bit her hand. Belair and Banks sent Baszler out of the ring, so the faces Banks and Belair stood tall.
Analysis: It was a simple way to set up a tag team match with Belair and Banks working as babyface allies against the heel champions. Good job laughing about Nia’s “MY HOLE” comment too.
Daniel Bryan and Cesaro were shown talking backstage ahead of their match.
The Smackdown Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode entered for the non-title main event match.
This Monday on Raw is a Gauntlet Match between the six men in the Elimination Chamber match: Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, The Miz, AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy. The winner gets to enter the Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Title in the last spot.
(Commercial)
Cesaro made his entrance first followed by Daniel Bryan. The winners of this match join the four others in the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode vs. Cesaro and Daniel Bryan
This is not for the SD Tag Team Titles held by Ziggler and Roode. Bryan started with Ziggler, then Cesaro tagged in and the heels took control for a bit. Bryan tagged back in with some kicks to the chest of Roode, Bryan went for a submission move and Roode got to the bottom rope to break the hold. Roode knocked Cesaro off the apron. Bryan sent Roode out of the ring, Bryan tried suicide dive, Roode avoided it and Bryan hit Cesaro by mistake. Roode sent Bryan into the steel steps while Ziggler sent Cesaro into the steel steps. Sami Zayn and King Corbin showed up to scout the match since they are already in the Elimination Chamber match. That led to a break.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Ziggler having a sleeper on Bryan and then Roode tagged in with kicks on Bryan against the turnbuckle. Ziggler got in a cheap shot punch on Bryan as well. Roode hit a suplex on Bryan. Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman were watching in Roman’s dressing room. Ziggler did an elbow drop on Bryan. Ziggler tried to set up Bryan for a move off the top, Bryan with a headbutt and Bryan hit a missile dropkick on Ziggler. Roode tagged in, he knocked Cesaro off the turnbuckle and Bryan hit an uppercut, but then Roode hit a great looking spinebuster for a two count. Ziggler tagged in for a double team neckbreaker/spinebuster for a two count. Ziggler missed a corner charge when Bryan moved and Cesaro got the hot tag. Cesaro with repeated forearms on Ziggler, then to running forearms and Cesaro punched Roode off the apron. Cesaro launched Ziggler into the air leading to an uppercut for two. Roode was back into the ring with a chop block to the back of the left knee of Cesaro. Bryan back in with a running knee to Roode and Ziggler hit a Fameasser to Cesaro for two. Cesaro blocked Ziggler’s torture rack attempt, then Cesaro with a slam into the knee. Cesaro slapped on the Cesaro Swing and then Cesaro did the Sharpshooter submission on Ziggler, who tapped out. Cesaro got the win for his team after 13 minutes.
Winners by submission: Cesaro and Daniel Bryan
Analysis: ***1/4 A really good tag team match between four veteran wrestlers that know what they are doing out there. I don’t think anybody watching this match thought that Roode/Ziggler were going to win, so that’s a bad thing since they are Tag Team Champions that look like obvious losers. However, I’m never going to complain about wins for Cesaro and the way that Cesaro has been booked of late has been wonderful to see. Bryan has been the guy putting over Cesaro twice in the last month, so at least this time Bryan could get the win with him. I think this match and the Rollins attack on Cesaro earlier shows that WWE considers Cesaro to be a face now. That’s certainly fine with me.
The win means that the Smackdown Elimination Chamber match looks like this: Kevin Owens vs. Jey Uso vs. Sami Zayn vs. King Corbin vs. Cesaro vs. Daniel Bryan.
Post match, Jey Uso attacked Cesaro with a chair shot to the back. Corbin and Zayn attacked Bryan outside the ring. Zayn and Corbin attacked Jey, but then Zayn sent Corbin into the turnbuckle. Bryan with a running knee on Zayn. Kevin Owens went down to the ring with a Stunner for Corbin, a Stunner for Bryan, KO with a Stunner for Cesaro and KO with a Stunner for Jey too. Reigns was shown watching on TV looking frustrated. Owens grabbed a steel chair and sat down into the ring. Owens looked into the camera: “I’m coming for you, Roman. We’re not done. I’m not going away. I’ll see you real soon.” End show.
Analysis: A strong ending with KO looking like a big star hitting four Stunners in a row. No Stunner for KO’s best friend Sami Zayn since Bryan took out Sami with the running knee. I think they are certainly teasing that Owens will get another Universal Title match against Reigns at Elimination Chamber. However, I would love to see Cesaro’s positive momentum continue. It would be cool to see him win. Daniel Bryan is a great choice also. I doubt any of the three heels have a shot at winning the Elimination Chamber match. I like how it has been booked so far. They have another Smackdown episode to build to it some more.
Three Stars of the Show
- Cesaro/Daniel Bryan
- Roman Reigns
- Seth Rollins
The Scoreboard
7 out of 10
Last week: 7
2021 Average: 7.11
Final Thoughts
I thought it was a good show overall. There are some weeks of Smackdown where you might get two or three matches going 15 minutes or more. This was not one of those weeks. There was only one longer match over 10 minutes and that’s okay because I think the storyline progression was strong throughout the night. They are going for something different at Elimination Chamber by having a number one contender match on the same night as the Universal Title defense for Roman Reigns. It might lead to another Reigns/Kevin Owens match, but maybe it’s somebody else. I like that there are options.
Seth Rollins returned, Cesaro was disappointed in him doing the Messiah gimmick again and that led to a Rollins attack, so that’s a fresh feud. Apollo Crews was heelish again towards Big E, but no full turn yet. I liked Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks working together against Nia “My Hole” Jax and Shayna Baszler. I’m happy Cesaro and Daniel Bryan are in Elimination Chamber because of their main event win. The team of Sami Zayn/King Corbin winning to get into the Elimination Chamber worked well too.
While I would not say this was some all-time great show, there were a lot of entertaining segments/matches throughout the night. I like Smackdown nearly every week.
The next WWE pay-per-view is Elimination Chamber on Sunday, February 21. Here’s what we know so far.
WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. The Miz vs. Sheamus
Smackdown Elimination Chamber Match: Kevin Owens vs. Jey Uso vs. Sami Zayn vs. King Corbin vs. Cesaro vs. Daniel Bryan
Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Smackdown Elimination Chamber Match Winner
United States Championship: Bobby Lashley (c) (w/MVP) vs. Keith Lee vs. Riddle
Raw Women’s Championship: Asuka (c) vs. Lacey Evans (w/Ric Flair)
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John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
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