SmackDown was live this past Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio. Going down the road to WrestleMania, how can Kofi Kingston prove it to Mr. McMahon that he deserves a shot at the WWE Championship? Also, why did Shane McMahon attack his former tag team partner The Miz at Fastlane?

   SmackDown kicks off with “The Best in the World” Shane McMahon. And boy did Shane McMahon want you to know that. Before Shane explained his actions, he asked Greg Hamilton the ring announcer to announce Shane McMahon as the Best in the World. The more Shane was displeased, he aggressively forced Greg to announce it louder.

   Shane then announced that he has nothing to prove. He was liberated removing the stench from The Miz at Fastlane. He then announced that he will rid The Miz once and for all at WrestleMania.

Aleister Black, Ricochet, & The Hardy Boyz v. The Bar, Rusev & Shinsuke Nakamura

   SmackDown’s tag team division is dense and one of the best it has ever been. These four teams all have a legitimate chance to face The Usos at WrestleMania for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

   These four teams slugged it out to prove they should be the rightful no. 1 contenders to go to WrestleMania and face The Usos. In the closing of the match, all four teams brawled in the ring which the referee would end up calling for the no contest ruling.

   Then, the New Day came down to the ring for retribution from Fastlane. The New Day cleared house of every team in the ring. This was not only the message they belong in the tag title hunt, but this was a message to Mr. McMahon that Kofi Kingston deserves a shot at the WWE Championship.

Randy Orton Challenges AJ Styles

   Over the last few weeks, Randy Orton and AJ Styles have been throwing jabs at each other trying to state who truly built SmackDown. Randy Orton is a 17 year veteran of the WWE and has done everything throughout his legendary career. While AJ is a long time veteran as well, wrestling all over the world and making a name for himself. However, he has only been in the WWE for 4 years.

   Randy Orton came out and stated that AJ Styles is not the one who built SmackDown. While Randy was in WWE and winning World Championships, AJ was on the indy circuit and making dollars at a time in bingo halls.

   AJ came out and stated that Randy was built for the WWE, because Randy would have never made it on the indies with a pose and a knock off Diamond Cutter. AJ then stated that Randy would have none of those accomplishments without help. From using his dad’s legacy to get to WWE, to Evolution, to Legacy, to Rated RKO and the Wyatt Family, Randy always had help to make sure Randy did not fail.

   Randy heard enough and stated that it was time to pay up or shut up, which led to the challenge made for WrestleMania.

Asuka v. Sonya Deville

   This past Sunday, Asuka successfully defended the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Mandy Rose. Now, there is only one vision for Asuka and that is WrestleMania.

   Asuka was able to pick up the win after a solid matchup using the Asuka Lock for the submission victory. However, Asuka was able to win by yet another miscue by Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.

   At Fastlane, Sonya Deville cost Mandy Rose the SmackDown Women’s Championship when Sonya caused Mandy to slip on the ring apron. Now on SmackDown, after Asuka kicked Mandy at ringside, Sonya slipped on the ring apron as Sonya was trying to get in the ring. There seems to be dissension between Fire & Desire.

Becky Lynch Celebrates finally getting Her Match At WrestleMania

   At Fastlane, Becky Lynch finally was able to be in the match with Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania after Ronda intentionally caused a disqualification.

   Becky came out to explain her road and obstacles that have been thrown at her just to get to WrestleMania. Becky won the Royal Rumble but was suspended twice, then arrested. She had to do everything she could to get to WrestleMania.

   Then, out came Charlotte who was the participant who was handed an opportunity by Mr. McMahon to face Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania. Charlotte claims that she has earned the shot because of everything she has done over the last 4 years, being the leader of the Women’s Revolution.

   Becky retaliates by stating Charlotte has had 4 years to main event WrestleMania, but never did. While Becky in just a short amount of time has made it the most talked about topic in the industry. And, at WrestleMania, she is winning the Championship and there will be nothing that will stop her.

Samoa Joe & Andrade v. R-Truth & Rey Mysterio.

   Last week, Samoa Joe defeated these three competitors to win the United States Championship. Then, successfully defended the Championship at Fastlane. Samoa Joe is lining them up and knocking them down.

   In a tag team match with these competitors, Rey Mysterio and R-Truth have to prove why they are deserving contenders for the United States Championship. In a solid tag team match, Rey Mysterio was able to roll up Samoa Joe for the win for his team. Does Rey have an opportunity at Joe’s Championship in his future?

   After the match, the furious Samoa Joe attacked both R-Truth and his partner Andrade. The United States Championship picture is heating up.

Kevin Owens & Mustafa Ali v. Daniel Bryan & Rowan

   At Fastlane, Daniel Bryan was able to successfully defend the WWE Championship against both Kevin Owens & Mustafa Ali.

   This match was a highly competitive match with lots of big moves. But, the partnership between Rowan and the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan is stronger than ever. Rowan was able to hit the iron claw on Mustafa Ali to pick up the win for his team.

Does Mr. McMahon give Kofi Kingston his Opportunity?

   Mr. McMahon has continually thrown roadblocks in Kofi Kingston’s path to get an opportunity to challenge for the WWE Championship.

   He states that Kofi and The New Day’s matches at Fastlane were a lesson. He feels Kofi is not an individual who can stand on his own two feet as WWE Champion.

   The New Day came down to the ring and told Mr. McMahon that they are done learning from him. Done waiting for chances and watching what they say. The explain why Kofi deserves a shot at WrestleMania.

   Mr. McMahon obliges and grants him a shot at the WWE Championship, only if he does one thing. He runs a gauntlet match against 5 men: Randy Orton, Samoa Joe, The Bar and Rowan. Kofi’s road to WrestleMania runs through some of the biggest obstacles that stand in his way.

Conclusion

   This was a great episode of SmackDown, and I am not saying that just because I was in the crowd. The Randy Orton & AJ Styles saga is heating up and will only get better. Also, the WWE Championship story is building a star in Kofi Kingston. The Tag Team Championship scene is the best it has ever been. The only downfall is what is next for Asuka?

David Jacobus
Staff Writer