Logan Paul Starts the Show, Austin Theory VS Kevin Owens
After a recap of the Royal Rumble, Friday Night SmackDown kicked off with Logan Paul as the United States Champion wanted to talk trash about both Birmingham, Alabama and Kevin Owens. This brought out KO who told Logan he would beat him in their next contest before Austin Theory arrived as it was time for a match between Theory and Owens. This was a pretty decent match actually, both guys are really good, but some of the moves here I thought were particularly creative. Towards the end of the contest, Logan Paul handed Theory some brass knuckles, but this ultimately allowed Kevin Owens to floor Austin with them before he smartly learned from the Royal Rumble and hit the knucks before he pinned Theory to get the victory.
Grade: C+
Legado Del Fantasma VS Pretty Deadly VS Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate VS The LWO, Bayley Makes Her Decision, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits VS The Final Testament, Michin VS Tiffany Stratton
Naomi confirmed that she’s signed a Friday Night SmackDown contract before Tiffany Stratton came out of Nick Aldis’ office to confirm the same thing. Tiffany then just slapped Michin because why not?! Bianca Belair was then talking to Nick Aldis about getting a shot at Iyo Sky at WrestleMania before Logan Paul came in to talk trash. This was actually quite funny, and know I want this match at WrestleMania! Santos Escobar then hyped up Legado Del Fantasma in The D’Angelo Family’s restaurant (don’t think I didn’t notice WWE) before it was time for a Fatal 4-Way Tag Team match to determine the sort-of Number 1 Contender’s for The Judgment Day. The four teams involved in this match were Legado Del Fantasma, Pretty Deadly, The LWO, and the team of Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate. This was a pretty decent contest for what it was, all four teams are pretty talented, and yeah, this was alright! In the end, a double Tyler Driver 97 onto Elton Prince was enough for Dunne and Bate to get the victory, and they will face the winner of Monday Night Raw’s Fatal 4-Way on SmackDown next week.
Grade: C+
Iyo Sky and The Kabuki Warriors said that Bayley “would be finished tonight” and they made a big mistake here as The Role Model was standing just outside the door. Damage CTRL then made their way down to the ring as it was time for Bayley to pick her WrestleMania opponent. Bayley talked about her vision for Damage Control and how they are all a family, but she’s also aware that they talk about her behind her back. Bayley then confronted Iyo Sky about what happened to their friendship before the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors laid out Bayley, signalling the end of the leader’s time in DC. However, Bayley was able to fight back with a steel pipe she’d placed earlier in the show before the Grand Slam Champion made it clear that she’ll see Iyo for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania! I thought this was really good, Bayley-Sky has been a dream match of mine for a while now so I can’t wait!
Grade: B
We were then supposed to get a six-man Tag Team match between Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits taking on The Final Testament. However, the two teams brawled before the contest could begin before B-Fab arrived to take Scarlett who was trying to get involved. In the end, Lashley dropped Karrion Kross with a Spear, and there really isn’t anything else to talk about regarding this segment.
Grade: C
Nick Aldis was trying to sign Bron Breakker to a SmackDown Exclusive Contract before Adam Pearce walked in to try and spoil everything. Bron then left as Jade Cargill walked in as she also had an appointment with Mr. Aldis. It was then time for the Main Event match of the night as Tiffany Stratton made her Main Roster singles debut against Michin. I enjoyed this match, Michin is an underrated talent whilst Tiffany Stratton is an absolute star! The action here was smooth and well-paced, and it ultimately resulted in The Center of the Universe picking up the victory courtesy of the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Thumbs up from me!
Grade: B-
Cody Rhodes Makes His Decision
Roman Reigns arrived to a big reaction as The Tribal Chief looked to address his WrestleMania plans. Before that though, Roman talked thrash about “his younger brother” Seth “Freakin” Rollins in a great segment that reminded me just how much I love their never-ending feud. Roman then told Cody Rhodes that he can either stick to being the greatest Number 2, or he can try a crack at the Number 1 again! This brought out Cody who made it clear that he doesn’t just want Reigns’ Title, he in fact wants to take everything away from The Tribal Chief. However, not at WrestleMania. Amazingly, out came The Rock who shook hands with Rhodes before The American Nightmare left, leaving Dwayne in the ring staring at The Head of The Table. I totally understand why people won’t like this, trust me, I get it. However, Reigns-Rock is arguably the WWE’s biggest-ever match so it makes sense to take place in the Main Event of WrestleMania 40. In terms of this segment, I thought it was all pretty well done!
