Just like the Raw Review, the SmackDown Review is making a triumphant return as well. The Blue Brand now heads full speed on the road to WrestleMania. However with both Royal Rumble winners deciding to go after Raw Champions, who will challenge for the WWE Championship and the SmackDown Women’s Championship on the grandest stage?
SmackDown kicked off with the winner of the 2019 Women’s Royal Rumble, Becky Lynch. Becky called out Raw Women’s Champion and opponent at WrestleMania, Ronda Rousey. She passionately states her rise to the main event of WrestleMania. From the pre-show last year to becoming the top superstar in WWE, to overcoming a defeat against Asuka to winning the Royal Rumble and now to the main event of WrestleMania. Becky promises that she will leave Ronda laying and prove that she is better than the former UFC champion.
Out came Charlotte Flair. She states that Becky would have never made it to the main event without her. Becky says nothing in retaliation, but she retaliated with a punch to the mouth. Which Charlotte would respond in kind by attacking Becky from behind and the two would brawl around ringside.
R-Truth v. Shinsuke Nakamura: United States Championship
This past Sunday at the Royal Rumble, these two men had two different nights. Shinsuke won back the United States Championship during the kickoff show of the Royal Rumble. R-Truth, however, had an opportunity to enter at #30 in the Royal Rumble. However, he was attacked by Nia Jax before he could enter the match. The McMahons granted him a shot at the United States Championship since he never had an opportunity to compete in the Royal Rumble match.
Coming to the end of this fairly quick match, R-Truth rolled up Shinsuke and what seemed to be a 2 count was actually a 3 count and the winner and new United States Champion, R-Truth.
There is immense confusion surrounding the finish but the fall stands. However, before Truth can celebrate, out comes the former Champion, Rusev. He challenges Truth because he feels the United States Championship deserves better than both Shinsuke and R-Truth.
R-Truth v. Rusev: United States Championship
In another pretty short contest, R-Truth was able to roll up Rusev and retain the United States Championship. After the match, Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura beat down and laid out R-Truth.
Rey Mysterio v. ???
It was supposed to be Rey Mysterio facing an unknown opponent. However, before the match, Zelina Vega came out and stated that it was Rey’s fault that she was barred from ringside last week. Then from behind, Andrade attacked Rey and left him laying in the ring. The tension between these two is reaching its intense peak.
The Miz & Shane McMahon Celebrate Winning the SmackDown Tag Team Championships
This past Sunday at the Royal Rumble, The Miz and Shane McMahon shocked the world and defeated The Bar to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. “The Best Tag Team in the World” returned to SmackDown to celebrate their monumental victory, now as Champions.
The celebration did not have confetti, champagne, streamers, of balloons to celebrate with. Shane instead had a video package to show The Miz. The video package shows their coming together as a tag team and the reason Miz tried so hard to team with Shane McMahon. He wanted his father to finally be proud of him, which led to their moment this past Sunday at the Royal Rumble where Miz’s father was finally proud of him.
Shane then brought out Miz’s dad, George. Mr. Miz states that he is finally proud of The Miz. Shane then announced a fatal four way match to find out who the next challengers will be for Shane and The Miz.
The Usos v. The Bar v. Heavy Machinery v. The New Day: Elimination Tag Match
These 4 teams looked to capitalize on this major opportunity for a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Championships at Elimination Chamber.
The first team, The New Day, was eliminated by Heavy Machinery after they hit the Compactor and pinned Kofi Kingston.
The next team eliminated was Heavy Machinery by The Bar. Heavy Machinery had a good debut performance on SmackDown. Finally, The Usos were able to eliminate The Bar.
The Usos are now on their way to Elimination Chamber to battle The Miz and Shane McMahon for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
Daniel Bryan Changes the Climate of SmackDown
At the Royal Rumble, Daniel Bryan successfully defended the WWE Championship against AJ Styles. However, it wasn’t without controversy as Erick Rowan interfered and attacked AJ Styles, which led Daniel Bryan to retain the WWE Championship.
Daniel Bryan comes out and states that the WWE Universe won because it no longer has to deal with the ignorance and intolerance of AJ Styles. He then brings out Rowan, the one who helped Daniel retain the championship. Rowan also is carrying a bag. Daniel states that the WWE Championship is not the symbol that resembles him. It is made of leather which was from a cow.
Daniel then presented his new eco-friendly WWE Championship. A Championship made from hemp and wood. The WWE Championship is now biodegradable.
AJ Styles, followed by Randy Orton, came out to state their disdain of Daniel Bryan and his new WWE Championship. Then out came Jeff Hardy, Mustafa Ali and Samoa Joe all looking to get in the face of the WWE Champion.
Triple H then pops up on the titantron and announces that Daniel Bryan will defend the WWE Championship inside an Elimination Chamber match. It will be Daniel Bryan taking on Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton and Mustafa Ali. The climate of SmackDown has indeed changed.
Conclusion
This episode of SmackDown was very entertaining and featured many unexpected moments. One example being R-Truth winning the United States Championship, something no one expected would happen. Also, the announcement of new challengers for both the SmackDown Tag Team Championship and the WWE Championship.
However, what is the fate of the SmackDown Women’s Championship? With Charlotte trying to go after Becky and Ronda, what happens with Asuka?
David Jacobus
Staff Writer