The John Report: WWE Smackdown 03/13/20 Review
Welcome to another WWE Smackdown review here on TJRWrestling. This is going to be one of the most unique broadcasts in WWE history because it’s going to take place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando in front of no fans. The reason for that is the Coronavirus (COVID-19) that was upgraded to a global pandemic earlier in the week. It has led to major sports leagues being canceled, postponed or essentially paused in some cases. Schools have been closed all over here in North America, more people are working from home if they can and the goal is to avoid contact with other people because that’s the best way to prevent the disease from spreading. I work from home already, I live with two adults in my family and I will do what I can to avoid social contact. It’s just common sense at this point. I’m a huge sports fan, so I really hope the leagues get back running in a month or two, but nobody really knows right now. The good thing for me is I can keep writing about pro wrestling because I do it from home and thanks to current shows as well as WWE Network, I’ll always have stuff to write about.
As far as WWE goes, we all know WrestleMania is supposed to happen on April 5th in Tampa. I don’t think they should do it and they should say it is postponed until whenever the world gets back to normal. It’s not convenient, but we live in weird times right now. We didn’t know the f’n Coronavirus was going to have this kind of effect on the world. Perhaps WWE should say that they will try to hold WrestleMania in Tampa in June or July. Maybe by then they’ll be able to hold an event in front of a crowd. I also think it wouldn’t be a bad idea if they stopped doing Raw, Smackdown, NXT, 205 Live, etc. for a period of one or two weeks. While I’m sure that the whole WWE roster isn’t going to be at these events at the Performance Center, you never know who could contract the Coronavirus or come in contact with somebody that may have it. I know that WWE prides itself on Raw being the “longest running, weekly episodic TV show in history” and they don’t want to stop it, but the Coronavirus situation is unprecedented. They have to be smart about it. If WWE aired some documentaries or taped footage in the time slot that Raw, Smackdown and NXT are in then the fans are going to understand. It’s not like fans are going to complain about the lack of live content when most of us are staying in our homes. The other side of it is that WWE probably knows that with no sports leagues out there, with families staying at home, that they’re going to get a big audience as a form of entertainment of television. Maybe we shouldn’t think about ratings at a time like this, but it’s all business. Anyway, all we can really do is focus on the now and hope things get better in the future. I don’t know what’s next for WWE or for the world for that matter. I’m just hoping and praying for things to get back to “normal” soon. I miss slow news days more than ever right now.
This is going to be a weird Smackdown to watch with no fans in attendance to react to the wrestlers. A big part of wrestling is getting the fans to cheer or boo and for the wrestlers to react to the crowd. Tonight, we won’t get to see that aspect of the show. I’m sure it will be even weirder for the wrestlers. I’ll do my best to write about it and analyze it as always. I want to keep busy doing “normal” things, so that’s what I’m here to do. I’m going to wash my hands a lot too. I was always a bit of a germaphobe anyway, so I’ll keep doing that too.
The original banner I was going to use was this one you see below, but since this is a unique show, I wanted to use a photo that WWE provided. Plus, Paige wasn’t there so I decided against using it.
Live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, this is Smackdown for episode #1073. 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 Triple H standing in the WWE Performance Center. Hunter talked about the 30,000 square foot facility that is designed to bring us the WWE superstars of the future – the athletic hub of WWE and there are 100 athletes there on any given day training there. Triple H said that everybody from Sasha Banks, Bayley, Roman Reigns, Asuka, Baron Corbin and others have been there and they are back to do what they can to entertain us. Hunter said that this show will be different than any show we’ve ever seen before and let us put a smile on your face. Hunter welcomed us to WWE Smackdown on Fox. There are no fans in the building.
Sasha Banks made her entrance along with Bayley, the Smackdown Women’s Champion.
Michael Cole was there to call the action as he hyped up what’s coming up on the show this week. Cole said he had guests on commentary and said that Triple H was the first guest to join him on commentary. (Hunter ended up staying there for the whole show.)
Bayley did a promo saying that the role model and the legit boss are there because they are the face (or faces) of Friday Night Smackdown. Banks said that it didn’t matter if there were 10,000 fans or no fans. Banks claimed that they built this house. Bayley asked Hunter and Cole where Paige was. Cole claimed that Paige had travel issues. Banks said that Paige is just jealous.
Alexa Bliss showed up with Nikki Cross. Bliss said that they called out the Kabuki Warriors, but all they got were some tweets. Cross told the ladies to get in the ring because they are looking for a fight. Bayley said bring a referee out there, so that set up the first match. There are still seats in the Performance Center even though there are no fans. That’s probably because WWE kept them there after the NXT show on Wednesday.
Bayley and Sasha Banks vs. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross
The face team of Bliss and Cross were aggressive, Banks and Bayley went to the floor, so Bliss and Cross attacked them there. Cross hit a cross body block while Bliss hit a sliding kick and the heels were down on the floor while the faces hugged in the ring. That led to a break.
(Commercial – There’s a video circulating online that showed the women stopped wrestling during the break. I don’t mind that at all. They shouldn’t be taking bumps with no fans out there.)
The match continued with Bayley in control of Bliss with some kicks and she sent Bliss into the turnbuckle. Cole talked about how unique this situation was while Hunter did a Vince McMahon commentary impression. The heels continued on offense. Banks hit a running dropkick on Bliss to keep her team in control. Cross was clapping for Bliss to get going, so Hunter sort of mocked Cross for trying to get the crowd going when there’s no crowd. Bliss finally got free, Cross with a running splash on Banks and Triple H said, “what a maneuver” on commentary, so it threw me off because I tweeted about him doing it. Anyway, Cross hit a cross body block off the ropes, Bayley broke up the pin and the referee wanted Bayley to get out of the ring. That distraction led to Asuka showing up and shoving Bliss into the steel steps. Cross was distracted by that, so Banks hit a backstabber and the Bank Statement submission led to Cross tapping out for the loss. The match went about 11 minutes.
Winners by submission: Bayley and Sasha Banks
Analysis: ** The match was okay with the heels winning in a cheap way thanks to Asuka attacking Bliss. It’s so weird watching this without a crowd, but credit the four women for getting through the match fine. The rumored plan for WrestleMania is a 3-way for the Women’s Tag Team Titles with Asuka/Sane defending against Bliss/Cross and Natalya/Beth Phoenix, so that’s why Asuka interfered in that spot.
When the announcers were talking about the match, Hunter had a funny line about how Asuka came in through the crowd, which is not true since there are no fans, but that’s why it was funny. Hunter left to do some other duties for the show.
Roman Reigns is up next.
(Commercial)
A clip aired from last week when they set up the Universal Title match at WrestleMania with Goldberg and Roman Reigns facing eachother at WrestleMania.
Interview with Roman Reigns
Michael Cole was in the ring and he brought out Roman Reigns. They sat in chairs in the ring.
Reigns talked about how it was weird without a crowd. Reigns said that the year has been full of ups and downs as he mentions that being in the main event is familiar territory for him. Cole said that critic thinks that Reigns just took the main event and he didn’t deserve it. Reigns said if he can main event shows in Youngstown, Ohio or small towns all year, why shouldn’t he be in the main event? Reigns said there is nobody there that has the commitment he has, he’s not bowing down to anybody and he’s going to take what is his. Cole noted that Goldberg said that he’s going to bulldoze Reigns at WrestleMania. Reigns said that Goldberg went to Georgia, so he’s not sure if he’s smart enough to know how to use a bulldozer. Reigns said he respects Goldberg, but he’s a part-timer and Reigns is a full-timer. Reigns said that he dedicates his life to this, he’s made a living doing this while adding that he has been groomed for this since he was a little boy, he’s mastered the nuances of performance and he shows it. Reigns said that he has busted his ass week in and week out, so when it comes to WrestleMania he’s going to whip Goldberg’s ass, take back his title and set this place right.
Analysis: This was pretty good with Reigns making his case for why he’s getting the Universal Title shot at WrestleMania. The full-timer vs. part-timer angle is the obvious route to take. There are legit questions about whether WrestleMania will take place as scheduled, but as of now, WWE is proceeding as if it will.
Kayla Braxton was backstage with Cesaro, new Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura. They were happy about Sami’s title win last week.
Jeff Hardy was interviewed by Kayla Braxton, Jeff said he had a lot to accomplish in WWE and King Corbin talked about how things are different around here because he runs things now. Hardy told Corbin he has a match with him tonight. Elias showed up after Jeff left and Corbin left before Elias could do his song.
Up next is a re-air of the Smackdown Tag Team Title match at Elimination Chamber.
(Commercial)
It was back to the commentary table with Triple H joining Cole. Hunter made a comment about how he got demoted and his life is even busier because there was something in the Wrestling Observer about Hunter being demoted, but I don’t really think that’s the case. Cole joked that they were shooting tonight as a joke.
They showed images of Daniel Bryan beating Drew Gulak at Elimination Chamber two weeks ago.
Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak were shown backstage with Bryan saying that Gulak was right about finding holes in Daniel Bryan’s game. Bryan said his neck still hurts. Bryan asked if Drew was willing to teach. Sami Zayn and the Artist Collective showed up with Zayn bragging about pinning Braun Strowman. Zayn called Gulak a nobody as well. Bryan stood up to Sami, Cesaro stood in front of him and Bryan challenged Cesaro to a match.
Analysis: Bryan vs. Cesaro is certainly fine with me. They’re two of my favorites in all of WWE, so it’s a great match to do on this show.
It was back to commentary with Cole asking Hunter if they can make the match and Hunter joked that after a promo like that from Nakamura (he didn’t say a word) then absolutely they can make that match.
The next thing they showed was the Smackdown Tag Team match from Elimination Chamber. I already reviewed that whole show when it aired this past Sunday, March 8 (read that review here), so I’m just going to paste in my review of that match below. I’m not going to insert when they showed commercials, but there were commercials shown during the match.
Elimination Chamber Match for the Smackdown Tag Team Championships: The Miz and John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode vs. Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado) vs. Heavy Machinery (Tucker and Otis) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) vs. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)
Two teams start in the ring, the other four teams are locked into pods until it is their time to enter the match.
Big E brawled with Jey against the turnbuckle while Kingston hit a jumping elbow on Jimmy for two. Jimmy with a monkey flip, but then Kingston got him with a dropkick. Big E with a shoulder tackle on Jey followed by the belly to belly. Jimmy wit ha cross body block off the top on Big E. Kingston went for a cross body block, he slipped off the top, so it was like a tackle on Jimmy. The Usos worked over Kingston with chops on the turnbuckle. Big E saved Kingston by tossing Jimmy out of the ring, but then Jimmy saved Jey from a double team move. The Usos backed away in one corner against New Day as the clock counted down for the third time in the match.
The next team to enter the match were Lucha House Party, so there were three babyface teams. Metalik jumped off the top on Big E and it was a slip, but it was sold like a tackle. Metalik with a kick to Jey, Dorado with a springboard Stunner and Metalik walked across Dorado’s shoulders for a splash that got a two count. Dorado and Metalik hit three straight moonsaults on Jimmy, but Jey saved his brother to avoid the elimination. Big E launched both LHP guys over the top onto the mats outside the cage. It used to be steel there, but they replaced it with padding several years ago. Big E launched Kingston onto the LHP guys on the mats. They sent Big E out of the ring. Jey shoved Dorado towards the cage and Dorado managed to hang on against the cage. Dorado went up on a pod, The Usos were knocked down going after him and Kingston went after Dorado. Metalik attack Kingston up there. Dorado hit a cross body block on both Usos on the mats and Metalik with a somersault dive on the New Day guys in the ring.
(Midway through the match, they went back to Cole and Triple H on commentary. That led to a funny toilet paper joke by Hunter.
https://twitter.com/tde_wrestling/status/1238631105739264006
Back to the match!)
The Miz and Morrison were next as the defending champions. Miz whipped Big E into the cage while Morrison choked Kingston with his knee. Miz sent both Usos into the cage. Miz and Morrison with a double team slam on Dorado, Morrison with a knee, Miz with a boot and Morrison with a standing SSP for two as Metalik saved his partner. Miz worked over Metalik with the kicks and Morrison with a twisting kick on Metalik against the turnbuckle. Miz and Morrison hit a double team DDT on Jimmy for two as Jey broke up the pin. Jey fought back against Morrison and Miz with punches, but then Miz/Morrison did the double team neckbreaker/double foot stomp for two on Jey Uso. Morrison spun Dorado around into a slam for two as Metalik broke up the pin. Metalik up top, then he went onto the top of the pod and Metalik hit a hurricanrana off the pod onto Morrison off the top for a two count because Miz broke up the pin. That was an incredible spot as fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Kingston back in with a dropkick and forearm on Miz followed by a boom drop leg drop. Morrison with a springboard kick as Miz held Kingston and Big E broke up the pin attempt. Big E with a belly to belly suplex on Morrison. Miz with the chest kicks to Big E, but then Big E caught him and Kingston hit the double foot stomp off the top onto Miz for a two count because Morrison broke up the pin.
The Heavy Machinery team of Otis and Tucker were next with each guy hitting shoulder tackles to knock everybody down. Both Usos were sent out of the ring, so Heavy Machinery splashed The Usos into the cage about six times. Dorado was up top, then he went onto the pod and Tucker hit a sidewalk slam on Metalik. Heavy Machinery hit a double team splash on Big E. Otis hit his Caterpillar walk into an elbow drop on Big E and that got a two count. There were a bunch of guys brawling in the ring, Dorado was climbing at the top of the chamber and he spun around leading to a diving attack on the pile of wrestlers. That was awesome! Heavy Machinery hit the Trash Compactor on Metalik to eliminate his team after Otis pinned Metalik.
Lucha House Party eliminated by Heavy Machinery
The clock went down to zero leading to Tucker and Otis facing off with Ziggler and Roode. Miz and Morrison saved their fellow heels. Ziggler and Miz sent Otis into the cage while Morrison and Roode pounded on Tucker in the ring. Otis and Tucker managed to take control by knocking the heel s down. Ziggler climbed up the cage to avoid Otis, so Tucker climbed up the other side of the cage to go after Ziggler Tucker tossed Ziggler into the glass. Tucker tossed Ziggler off the cage and Otis sent Ziggler throat first across the top rope. Tucker did a somersault off the top of the pod onto The New Day and Usos on the mat. That was impressive for a 320 pound guy like Tucker. Tucker fought off a double team from Ziggler and Roode as he knocked both guys down with clotheslines. Roode wanted a Glorious DDT, but Otis gave him a back drop on the mat outside the ring. Otis ran at Ziggler, who moved and Otis went through the pod as well as out of the door on the other side of the pod! Otis went tumbling to the floor. Otis sold it like he was hurt on the floor while Tucker tried to tell him to get up, but Otis wasn’t able to do it. Tucker went after Roode and Ziggler, but Ziggler kicked him to drop him to the knees. Ziggler managed to hit a superkick on Tucker and Roode hit a Glorious DDT on Tucker to eliminate Heavy Machinery. The crowd booed that because they loved Heavy Machinery.
Heavy Machinery eliminated by Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode
Otis was helped to the back while Ziggler and Roode celebrated their elimination. Kingston with the Trouble in Paradise kick on Ziggler and Big E with a Big Ending on Roode. The Usos each went up top and pinned Ziggler/Roode at the same time to eliminate Ziggler and Roode.
Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode eliminated by The Usos
The fans sang “na na na hey hey hey goodbye” at Ziggler and Roode as they left.
There are three teams left: The New Day, The Usos and the championship team Morrison/Miz. New Day and Usos stood side by side to show that they wanted to work together against Miz and Morrison. The two face teams stomped away on the champions. Morrison and Miz were tossed over the top to the match. There were superkicks that knocked down Big E and Jey. Jimmy launched Kingston into the air for a Samoan Drop by Jey. Big E with a uranage on Jimmy and Jey with a Samoan Drop on Big E for two. Kingston went up top, then to the top of the pod and Kingston jumped off with a cross body block, but Jey moved. Kingston hit the mat hard, so Morrison and Miz covered Kingston at the same time to eliminate him.
The New Day eliminated by The Miz and John Morrison
The final two teams faced off with both Usos hitting double superkicks on Miz and Morrison. The Usos went up top, Jimmy hit his splash on Morrison and Miz countered the pin attempt by Jey, so each team got a two count. Miz wanted a Figure Four Leglock, that was countered and Miz hit a Skull Crushing Finale for two as Jimmy kicked out. Miz slapped on the Figure Four Leglock on Jimmy while Morrison hit Starship Pain on Jimmy for two. Jey with a rollup on Morrison, then Jey hit superkicks on both champions and got a pin attempt on Morrison for a two count. Morrison got a jackknife cover on Jey and Miz covered using the ropes, which is legal so Miz/Morrison pinned Jey at the same time and got the pinfall win at 32:57.
The Usos eliminated by The Miz and John Morrison
Winners: The Miz and John Morrison
Analysis: ***3/4 I thought it was a great match with some very creative crazy spots. Some of those spots were Dorado hitting a SSP off the top of the Elimination Chamber, Tucker’s dive off the pod, others going off the pod and Otis went crashing through a pod to the floor. The fans were really into the match with Heavy Machinery out there, so it’s fair to say that Otis has the fans in his corner for the rivalry with Ziggler. If you read our PPV preview then you know I picked Miz and Morrison to win, plus Usos to start and make it to the finish before losing. Good call by me. It was a well-booked match.
There were about 40 minutes left in the show.
The Miz and John Morrison were in the ring with their titles to deliver a promo. Miz bragged about how they are still winning championships. Morrison said that if there is anybody there that doesn’t think they are the greatest tag team of the 21st Century, speak now. Miz said if there is anybody that does not think he is the greatest wrestling technician, they should speak now. Morrison and Miz talked about how great their movies are. Miz said there were no “you suck” chants, Morrison said “you suck” quietly and Miz said that he couldn’t suck because he’s not from Orlando. Morrison and Miz said that they don’t need a catchphrase like “New Day Rocks” or to chant “Uso” and they reminded us they’re the greatest team of the 21st Century. They did their “Miz and Morrison, hey hey ho ho” chant to end it.
Analysis: This was just a generic cocky heel promo for Miz and Morrison. It is weird that WWE would fly these guys in from LA to Florida just to do a five-minute promo when they have a limited roster in the building, but that’s what happened.
Still to come: John Cena is there. Plus, they’ll talk about Rob Gronkowski as well.
Daniel Bryan made his entrance with his new buddy Drew Gulak joining him. Bryan did “YES” taunts with Gulak encouraging him to do it. Triple H talked over the ring announcer, Cole told him you’re not supposed to and Hunter didn’t care. Anyway, Bryan vs. Cesaro is next.
Next week on Raw is AJ Styles and Undertaker having a contract signing to set up their WrestleMania match.
(Commercial)
Hey Scorsese, looking for a new cinematographer by any chance? @TripleHpic.twitter.com/6F1D2lmQkk
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 14, 2020
The show returned with Michael Cole at the commentary table while Triple H was holding a camera since he said he had to help the crew produce the show.
A clip aired from WWE Backstage from this past Tuesday when it was mentioned that Rob Gronkowski is close to signing a deal with WWE.
Mojo Rawley was sitting with the announce team and Cole asked Mojo if Gronk is coming to WWE since Mojo is one of Gronk’s best friends. Mojo said that the rumors are true because Gronk is joining WWE and he’s going to be on Smackdown last week. Rawley and Hunter were shoving Cole around because they were getting hyped. Hunter told Cole he could have told him all that. Mojo is a Raw guy, but he’s probably going to be on Smackdown now to be with his buddy Gronk.
The trio of Cesaro, Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura entered for the next match. Zayn was on commentary.
Daniel Bryan (w/Drew Gulak) vs. Cesaro (w/Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn)
Cesaro was aggressive to start the match. He was attacking Bryan with forearms and uppercuts. Bryan went down to the mat as the show went to break one minute into this match.
(Commercial)
The match returned with Cesaro remaining in control as he hit a suplex while Bryan was on the apron, so it was an impressive looking suplex. Cesaro with a running uppercut, Bryan jumped off the ropes and Bryan hit a running clothesline. Bryan worked over Cesaro with the “Yes kicks” and then a roundhouse kicks to the head. Bryan charged in and Cesaro launched him into the air leading to an uppercut to the chest for a two count. Cesaro with a Crossface, then they each battled over nearfalls and Bryan got a Small Package Cesaro for the pinfall win after about seven minutes because Bryan is Mr. Small Package.
Winner by pinfall: Daniel Bryan
Analysis: **1/4 This was just two veterans going through the motions to put on a solid match. Cesaro was on offense for most of it until Bryan found a way to win. They could have had a much better match, but there’s no reason to go crazy in a match with no fans there. They went seven minutes and only showed four minutes of it, which is disappointing because they could time it better to show all seven minutes.
Post match, Cesaro and Nakamura attacked Bryan. Gulak went into the ring to save his new buddy Bryan, then Gulak was sent out of the ring and the heels whipped Gulak into the steel steps. Bryan hit a suicide dive on Nakamura. Referees showed up to break it up.
The Cole and Triple H announce team was on camera with Triple H trying to add some black to Cole’s soul-patch goatee.
Still to come is John Cena and Jeff Hardy is against King Corbin up next.
(Commercial)
Next week on Smackdown: Rob Gronkowski will be there. Also next week, Roman Reigns and Goldberg will have a Universal Championship contract signing.
King Corbin was already in the ring. Jeff Hardy made his entrance for his first match in nearly one year after coming back from major knee surgery. Elias joined Cole and Hunter on commentary.
King Corbin vs. Jeff Hardy
Corbin attacked Hardy before the bell and sent him out of the ring. After the bell rang, Jeff came back with a double leg drop and a low dropkick to the head. Hardy was firing up the crowd that wasn’t there, he got a boot to the face and Corbin hit a Deep Six slam for a two count. Corbin yelled at Elias for being out there watching the match. Elias stood up on the announce table, Corbin wanted his finisher, Hardy countered that and hit a Twist of Fury (apparently Matt Hardy has “Twist of Fate” trademarked so that’s why it is Twist of Fury) and Hunter said “what a maneuver” so thanks to him for that. Hardy went up top for the Swanton Bomb for the pinfall win after about three minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jeff Hardy
Analysis: *1/2 A quick match to put over Hardy in his return to action. This felt rushed. I guess it furthers the Corbin/Elias story since Corbin yelled at him, but it’s not like I am clamoring to see that match.
John Cena is up next in the main event.
(Commercial)
Triple H stood in the PC saying that there are no fans there right now, but he knows the fans are with him in their hearts. Hunter said it’s WWE “then, now, forever” like they always say.
John Cena Interview
John Cena entered for an in-ring interview with Michael Cole. Cena said he missed the fans at home and he can’t wait to see them soon. Cole talked about how Bray Wyatt blames Cena for beating him six years ago and that’s why Bray is The Fiend now. Cena talked about how for years, he gets blamed for beating other people and somehow ruined their career. Cena said that Wyatt got lazy, gave up and blamed him while adding that Bray’s biggest enemy is himself. Cena spoke about some of his biggest losses while mentioning guys like The Miz, CM Punk, The Rock, The Undertaker at WrestleMania and why do people not say that he is buried? Cena said he adapts and gets back into it. Cena said that people get lazy, they blame everybody else but themselves and Cena said he responds to people that blame him for failure by giving them an Attitude Adjustment.
A clip aired from two weeks ago showing Cena’s promo about how WrestleMania should go on without him.
Cole asked after all of that, why would you antagonize Wyatt? Cena said that he accepted a challenge. Cena talked about how wants to invest in people that earn it each and every single day. Cena mentioned names like McIntyre, Ciampa, Riddle, Ripley, Velveteen Dream and wanting to see WWE invest in those names. Cena said that his WrestleMania match with Bray Wyatt will end up as the most overhyped superstar in WWE history.
Bray Wyatt showed up behind the barricade and he went into the ring saying it was good to see John again. Cole left the ring at this point. Wyatt said that Cena was doing great, he’s a big Hollywood star, he’s got beautiful girlfriends on tap and most of us can’t imagine what it’s like to be John Cena for just one day. Wyatt told Cena he’s not sick, Cena is. Wyatt said he knows why Cena can’t say no. Wyatt said that Cena cares about Cena, he doesn’t care who has to smash or bury as long he gets his spotlight. Wyatt said that Cena craves the spotlight like an addict. Wyatt said six years ago at WrestleMania, Cena took something for him and Wyatt has thought about it a lot. Wyatt said that the voices in his head never stop, then something magical happened and then he stopped fighting the voices and he started listening to them. Wyatt said that they took his crooked little world and they turned it into a majestic little fun house. Wyatt said that Cena broke him, but The Fiend put him back together. Wyatt told Cena that at WrestleMania, it’s going to be slaughter and you just don’t know it yet. Wyatt: “Let me in, John.” The lights went out and a Fiend image was on the screen to end it followed by some Fiend laughter. That was it for Smackdown this week.
Analysis: I thought that was a good promo from John Cena and even better from Bray Wyatt explaining how Cena beating him at WrestleMania six years ago changed him. Cena is sick of having to deal with Wyatt while Wyatt believes that a guy like Cena is why he has had such a tough life. That’s why Wyatt wants to beat Cena so badly to prove that he can be better than him and in Cena’s case, he wants to prove he’s still one of the best ever. You can see the perspectives of both guys and that’s why it works so well. I think Wyatt should win at WrestleMania (if it happens), but it’s certainly not a lock.
Final Thoughts
I’m not going to rate it or offer up three stars of the night. If I had to rate it then I’d go about a 6 or 6.5 out of 10. This was a different kind of show with no crowd and only three actual matches, so to compare it to a regular show is unfair. With that said, I thought it was a pretty good effort from WWE in making the best of a tough situation. There were three actual matches in the ring with none of them really standing out. There’s no reason to go out there and kill yourself in a long match with no fans. Keeping it simple in the ring is the smart thing to do. They also killed 30+ minutes by re-airing the SD Tag Team Title match from Elimination Chamber on Sunday. With a limited roster on hand, they had to do something like that.
I laughed at a lot of things Triple H did on commentary with Michael Cole, so thanks to Hunter for providing some of that comic relief.
I don’t know what the future of WWE shows is while the world is dealing with this Coronavirus issue, but I give WWE credit for moving forward as best they can.
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Thanks for reading. Go reigning NBA Champions Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. My contact info is below.
John Canton
Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com
Twitter @johnreport