WWE Smackdown Review - March 12
Opening: Edge & Daniel Bryan Promo
Smackdown kicked off with Edge approaching the ring to address the recent events revolving around the Universal Championship picture. He cut a passionate promo on why he deserves his spot and that he should not have any lack of respect from Daniel Bryan.
This prompted Daniel Bryan to come out and tell Edge that he should understand where he is coming from. Bryan stated that he was doing business for himself. Both Edge and Daniel Bryan were very passionate about where they’re coming from. Edge left it off by saying Daniel should have just minded his own business and that he was surprised that Daniel stooped this low to try and Main Event what may be his last chance.
Rating: 4/5
This promo but Ruthless Aggression Era Vibes. Daniel Bryan, who is already good on the mic, has his promo elevated with being in with a worker with the caliber of great storyteller such as Edge.
Street Profits and Mysterio’s vs. Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode and Alpha Academy
The Street Profits and the Mysterio’s enter the squared circle as a team but then are jumped from behind by their opponents before they could even get in the ring.
Great back and forth action from both teams. Rey Mysterio received the tag at the end and cleared out the ring. Lots of chaos went on but the match neared the end when the Mysterios hit a double 619 on Robert Roode. Rey tagged in Montez Ford who ended Roode From the Heavens.
Rating: 3/5
Great tag team action on display here. The action was back and forth, everyone in the match got to showcase their skills. The Street Profits and Mysterios are now serious threats to the tag champs.
Backstage Segment: Paul Heyman & Jey Uso
Jey was going to walk into Roman’s locker room but Paul Heyman had him pump the breaks. Heyman told Jey that he’d be in a better mood later to see him and this was not the right time.
Rating 2.5/5
This segment was not anything special but it did what it needed to do to fill a spot in the show.
Interview: Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins was being interviewed backstage and was forced to watch how embarrassed he was by the wrath of Cesaro, who swung him around the ring a few weeks ago. Rollins found out that Cesaro was about to go one on one with Buddy Murphy which prompted him to go watch the match in person later in the night.
Rating: 3/5
This promo once again does its job and sets up for what happens later in the night.
Backstage Segment: Nia Jax & Reginald.
Nia Jax and Reginald dragged Shayna Baszler to the store as Nia just bought Reginald a bunch of suits.
Rating: 0.5/5
Cringey segment that didn’t lead to much direction for the story.
Cesaro vs Murphy
After Cesaro and Murphy made their entrances, Rollins put a chair down on the stage to watch the match in person. The action was back and forth, with Cesaro showing off his freakish strength. Rollins would eventually come into the ring and beat down Cesaro. “You will never be on my level!” Rollins hit two Curbstomps on Cesaro and went for a third with a chair wrapped around Cesaro’s neck, only to be stopped by the referees.
Rating: 3/5
It will be interesting to see how this rivalry shapes up. This could be leading to Rollins and Cesaro fighting in the Universal Championship.
Backstage Segment: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Zayn was backstage filming for his conspiracy documentary and offered Kevin Owens a part in it. Owens leaves it at that, saying he will think about it.
Rating 2/5
This segment did not have any impact on the show. It may lead to something later but for now, it was a segment that the show could have lived without.
Backstage Segment: Edge & Jey Uso
Edge saw Jey backstage and tried to talk some sense into him. Edge asks him how his father would feel about being the lapdog for the Head of the Table. Jey tells Edge to mind his own business and that he better “fall in line.”
Rating 2.5/5
These promos are helping Jey be established as a key part of the story (which he has been) and will help keep further building on his character.
Kevin Owens Show ft. Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair
Kevin Owens stirred the pot on his talk show. He talked about how much it would mean for Sasha and Bianca to go to Wrestlemania as tag champs and also fight for the Smackdown Women's Championship. The only two wrestlers that have gone into Wrestlemania and fought for the WWE Championship while holding the Tag Title are John Cena and Shawn Michaels. Kevin Owen’s also brought up how Reginald could cause even more tension between Sasha and Bianca, which made them bicker more at each other. Sasha called herself the Michael Jordan of the Woman’s division and said maybe one day Bianca could be the LeBron James.
Rating 3.5/5
Great promo work from Sasha. The stakes are being set high for this Wrestlemania match. Could be a possible heel turn from Sasha soon.
Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair vs Natalya & Tamina
Sasha and Bianca looked like they had the upper hand in this match until Reginald got involved. The distractions from Reginald were too much for Sasha and Bianca as Natalya would eventually roll up Bianca for the victory. Bianca and Sasha continued to bicker at one another as the Woman’s Tag Champs, Reginald, Natalya and Tamina stood tall in the squared circle.
Rating 2/5
The Reginald storyline does not have a place in the Women's Championship rivalry as it made a decent match suffer.
Big E vs Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship
Big E made his return after the Apollo Crews’ vicious attack a few weeks ago. Big E called out Apollo but he never came out so Big E then made an open challenge for the Intercontinental Championship. King Corbin and Sami Zayn both answered the challenge, but Zayn ended up getting the match. Big E dominated most of the match and picked up a decisive win. Apollo came out of nowhere and assaulted Big E from behind. Apollo laid out Big E with the steel steps, which furthermore established Apollo’s heel run.
Rating 4/5
Big E looked great in his return and also cut a great promo, which is no surprise. Apollo is truly showing what he is capable of when given the chance. These two are doing a great job keeping the mid-card title relevant on Smackdown.
Backstage Segment: Nia Jax and Reginald
Reginald convinced Nia Jax that she should go for the Smackdown Women’s Championship next week on Smackdown.
Rating 1/5
This storyline is all over the place and we can only hope that Sasha and Bianca’s feud can get past this part quickly.
Contract Signing: Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan
In the squared circle was Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman and Jey Uso. Reigns at first refused to sign the contract, and in order to get him to sign the contract, Bryan instigated him. Reigns eventually signed the contract. For whatever reason, Jey Uso felt that, for the match to be fair at Fast Lane, it would require a special guest enforcer. Jey named himself, but that prompted Edge to come down to the ring. Edge thought that was a great idea but felt he should fight Jey one on one next week on Smackdown to see who should actually get the spot. Next week will be the first time Edge has fought on Smackdown in 11 years. All hell broke loose as Edge, Roman and Bryan took shots at each other. The night ended with Daniel Bryan standing tall after hitting Edge with a Running Knee.
Rating 4/5
It is Wrestlemania season, and everyone involved in this story is doing a great job. It will be interesting to see what happens next week on Smackdown.