Kevin Owens and Randy Orton VS Pretty Deadly
Friday Night SmackDown kicked off this week with Tag Team action as Kevin Owens and Randy Orton teamed up to take on Pretty Deadly. Pretty Deadly got a decent bit of offense in here, but it was clear that the focus was on Kevin Owens and Randy Orton. However, in a genuinely shocking turn of events, Logan Paul jumped into the ring whilst the referee was distracted and nailed KO with a pair of brass knuckles which allowed Elton Prince to roll into the cover to secure a massive W! After the match, Randy Orton found Logan Paul hiding under the ring before R-KO ultimately dropped Kit Wilson and Elton Prince after the Heels tried to help the United States Champion. Orton and Owens then chased after Paul, but Logan was able to narrowly escape in a car (whether it was his or not I don’t know).
Grade: B- (A YES BOY!)
Bayley Attacks Iyo Sky, Jade Cargill Arrives, A-Town Down Under VS The Street Profits: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships WrestleMania Qualifying Match
Earlier in the day, Iyo Sky was cutting a pretty good video promo on Bayley and why she excluded her from Damage CTRL. As soon as Iyo was done, Bayley arrived and started a pretty mad brawl that was ultimately broken up by backstage personnel. This was very short, but I didn’t mind it, and I liked that Bayley at least let the WWE Women’s Champion finish speaking before getting into it with her. Anyway, straight after this, Nick Aldis welcomed Jade Cargill to Friday Night SmackDown and Jade seemed happy to be there. Cargill said the “Storm has Arrived” before she just left. This was another short and slightly odd segment, but I guess it didn’t hurt.
Grade: C+ for Both
Dakota Kai was backstage as she cut a promo on how and why she’s going to beat Bianca Belair in tonight’s Main Event before Isla Dawn tried to pitch ideas to Nick Aldis. Alba Fyre then pulled Dawn away before AJ Styles walked into shot to tell Nick Aldis that LA Knight better not be at the show tonight. This was all very odd, but at least The Unholy Union were on TV! We then saw Bobby Lashley and B-Fab getting the champagne ready as The Street Profits looked to advance to WrestleMania with a win over A-Town Down Under. This match was totally fine, some of the action was pretty decent, but it was the story that mattered more than any. After The Profits looked in control of proceedings, a crazy(ier) Karrion Kross appeared on the titantron having just attacked Lashley (whilst Scarlett had dealt with B-Fab) and this distraction ultimately allowed Austin Theory to roll up Montez Ford for the 3 count meaning A-Town Down Under are heading to WrestleMania! After the match, The Final Testament arrived and wrecked Ford, Dawkins, and The All Mighty. What I liked about this is Karrion Kross and A.O.P. acted as smart Heels.
Grade: B-
Santos Escobar Thanks Dominik Mysterio, Legado Del Fantasma VS No Catch Republic: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships WrestleMania Qualifying Match, AJ Styles Calls Out LA Knight
Legado Del Fantasma were out next as Santos Escobar had to thank Dominik Mysterio. Before all of this though, Santos fired plenty of shots in the direction of Rey Mysterio before Dominik arrived and the two arrogant Heels embraced. After this, The LWO arrived before Rey Mysterio challenged Escobar and Mysterio to a Tag Team match at WrestleMania. Rey then revealed that his Tag Team partner will be none other than Dragon Lee. The segment then ended with a brawl after Zelina Vega slapped Elektra Lopez. That match should be good at Mania, but Santos and/or Dom have to win.
Grade: C+
Naomi told Bianca Belair backstage that she has her back before it was sort of revealed that the members of The Judgment Day are keeping secrets from each other. Interesting! It was then time for another WrestleMania Qualifying Match as “Legado Del Fantasma’s” Angel and Humberto took on the No Catch Republic. I thought this match probably had the best action of the night, but it also kind of felt like the flattest/least important part of the show. That’s a big shame because all four guys are really talented, but I’m pretty sure that Angel, Humberto, Pete Dunne, and Tyler Bate will all have a part to play in this year’s WrestleMania. The reason for this is the No Catch Republic are heading to the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships Ladder Match at WrestleMania courtesy of the Birminghammer!
Grade: C+
Paul Heyman confirmed that it was Roman Reigns who ordered The Rock’s attack on Cody Rhodes Monday Night before it was announced that Solo Sikoa would be taking on his older brother Jey Uso next week. AJ Styles was then in the ring as he wanted to call out LA Knight as he knew The Megastar was in the building somewhere. In the end, LA Knight was dressed up as a member of the ringside crew before he chased The Phenomenal One off with a chair. This was another relatively short segment, but it was totally fine for what it was.
Grade: C+
Bianca Belair VS Dakota Kai
After a Tiffany Stratton video, it was Main Event time as Bianca Belair went one-on-one with Dakota Kai. Bianca Belair dominated this one for the most part, but my main take away is it was just nice to see Dakota back at it again. In the end, though, King Kota was no match for The EST and a K.O.D was enough to prove that. After the match was over, The Kabuki Warriors ran down to attack Belair before she was saved by both Naomi, and more importantly, Jade Cargill. This has set up a 6-Woman Tag Team match for WrestleMania, and that should be good given the talent involved.
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