WWE SmackDown
Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska
The Bloodline & Nick Aldis Promo
Grayson Waller came out with Austin Theory for his opening match. They aired a highlight package of The Bloodline laying out AJ Styles, Randy Orton and LA Knight last week on SmackDown. This led to Nick Aldis telling Paul Heyman that Roman Reigns will defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Title in a Fatal-4-Way match at the Royal Rumble. They showed a backstage clip of Reigns telling Heyman to fix things.
The camera cut into the arena. The Bloodline was shown attacking Grimes before the match officially got underway. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis appeared on stage seeing what was going on. The Bloodline entered the ring. Theory and Waller left the ring. Paul Heyman claimed Bloodline weren’t the bad guys. Heyman claimed Nick Aldis was the bad guy. Heyman called Aldis a James Bond wannabe. Heyman spoke about Aldis making Roman Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Title against Randy Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight in a Fatal-4-Way Match at Royal Rumble.
Aldis took the mic from Heyman. Aldis said this isn’t a conversation between two equals. Aldis said the Fatal-4-Way match is a done deal. Aldis said The Bloodline won’t be ruining anymore matches. Aldis noted Bloodline will be in the main event on SmackDown. Aldis noted AJ Styles, Randy Orton & LA Knight will face Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns which got a huge reaction. The crowd chanted YES! Heyman noted Reigns isn’t on the show. Aldis noted Reigns doesn’t want to finish programs that he’s started. Aldis noted if Bloodline can’t find a partner. The main event will be a three-on-two handicap match. The crowd cheered. Aldis wished Heyman luck.
(Amin’s Thoughts) Nick Aldis was tremendous here. I’m really liking how Aldis hasn’t backdown to anyone showing everyone that he’s in charge of SmackDown.
They aired a Santos Escobar vignette. Escobar told Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde to not take this lightly. Escobar reminded Toro and Wilde about his attacks on Rey Mysterio and Carlito. Escobar spoke about Angel and Garza being family.
(Amin’s Thoughts) I really liked the video package as Escobar came off as a big star leading a faction with Angel and Humberto.
The Bloodline was backstage in their locker room. Jimmy Uso told Solo Sikoa nobody was going to team with Bloodline. Heyman appeared claiming there’s a locker room who wants to team with Bloodline. Heyman said he will take care of it. Jimmy said he’s worried. Solo said he’s never worried.
Angel & Humberto (w/Santos Escobar) def. LWO (Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde) (w/Zelina Vega)
Santos Escobar joined commentary for the match. Wilde shined early rocking Angel with a springboard dropkick. Toro used Humbero’s momentum sending him to the floor. Toro and Wilde hit stereo Tope Con Hilo to the floor. Garza pulled the ropes sending Toro to the floor. Humberto took control rocking Toro with a running PK. Angelo and Humberto delivered a Cutter/Gory Bomb combo to Toro. Toro avoided Humberto getting Wilde the tag. Wilde ran wild planting Angel with a rolling DDT but Humberto made the save. Angel stopped Wilde from climbing the ropes. Angel and Humberto delivered a super press slam to Wilde. Humbero planted Wilde with a sit-out powerbomb for two. Angelo and Humberto were setting up for a Doomsday Device. Wilde responded catching Humberto with a Poisonrana. Wilde connected with a springboard corkscrew hilo to Humberto on the floor. The crowd cheered as Carlito’s music played. Carlito appeared from the crowd as he brawled with Escobar to the back. Angel caught Wilde charging with a reverse rollup. Angel grabbed the ropes for leverage to get the win. (Amin’s Thoughts) This was a fun action packed match as both teams got a chance to shine. I’m glad Carlito’s involvement didn’t cost Angel and Humberto the match. Overall, this was good as Angel and Humberto winning was the right call to establish Escobar’s new faction. Carlito should also build to an Escobar match.
Carmelo Hayes was backstage in Nick Aldis office. Aldis noted Hayes was impressive in the WWE United States Championship tournament. Hayes asked Aldis about entering the Royal Rumble. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller appeared wondering what kind of show Aldis was running. Aldis noted they are doing something. Waller wondered what Hayes was doing here? Theory claimed Waller was better than Hayes. Hayes said he’s above both Theory and Waller’s level. Hayes challenged Waller to a match. Waller said he already wrestled. That was a funny line. Waller suggested Theory face Hayes. Aldis made the match.
(Amin’s Thoughts) This was a nice seeing Carmelo Hayes back on SmackDown. Hayes entering the Royal Rumble would be cool to see. I would like if this leads to Hayes getting called up to the WWE main roster post-WrestleMania after his storyline with Trick Williams on NXT.
Carlito was walking backstage with Zelina Vega, Toro and Wilde. They noticed Paul Heyman standing outside the Bloodline locker room. Heyman was holding an apple. Heyman said Carlito teaming with Jimmy and Sikoa would be cool. Carlito noted he only wanted a fight with Santos Escobar. They all left. Carlito returned and took the apple. Carlito thanked Heyman for the apple. Heyman said the apple and teaming with Bloodline was a package deal. That was funny.
They aired a highlight package of Kevin Owens defeating Santos Escobar in the WWE United States Championship Tournament finals and decking Logan Paul with his cast. Logan Paul apologized for not coming to SmackDown. Paul said he was busy and wouldn’t come to Nebraska. Paul said he was on the phone with his layers about the black eye Owens gave him. Paul said Owens cast could be a liability. Paul said the WWE United States Title match at the Royal Rumble would be cancelled if Owens wore his cast.
Butch and Tyler Bate were in a cafe having coffee. Butch said he can handle himself. Butch said you can’t have a tag match without having a tag partner. Bate noted he saw Butch’s grin when he appeared at the partner. Bate noted he can help Butch find his identity. Bate said it was fun teaming with Bate against Pretty Deadly. Butch noted teaming with Bate and The Brawling Brutes was in the past. Bate told Butch to remember who told him to make a name for himself back in Blackpool. Bate asked Butch who was that guy? Bate asked Butch what that name was going to be? The camera focused on Butch who had an intense look as the screen went black.
(Amin’s Thoughts) It looks like we got a tease of WWE finally getting Pete Dunne his name back which would be great.
Bianca Belair def. Bayley (w/Damage CTRL)
Bianca Belair received a great reaction. Bayley came out with Damage CTRL. Belair caught Bailey with a series of rollups for near falls. Belair took control early slamming Bayley to the mat. Belair connected with a standing moonsault for two. Bayley responded rocking Belair with a sliding lariat for a near fall. Bayley taunted the crowd. Belair took control catching Bayley with a series of scoop slams. Bayley responded catching Belair against the ropes. Bayley distracted the referee. Damage CTRL didn’t attack Belair at ringside. Bayley wondered what was going on. Belair took advantage of going for KOD but Bayley grabbed hold onto the ropes. Belair connected with a slingshot plancha to the floor. Bayley took back control running Belair into the ring post. Belair battled back catching Belair with a spinebuster. Belair went for corner punches but Bayley responded her against the ropes. Bayley tied Belair’s ponytail against the ropes. Bayley rocked Belair with a running knee strike. Belair used her ponytail to trip against the turnbuckle. Belair made a comeback planting Bayley with a stalling suplex. Bayley went use Belair’s ponytail but didn’t work this time. The crowd counted along as Belair rocked Bayley with corner strikes. Belair connected with a backbreaker for two. Belair went for a handspring moonsault but Bayley got her knees up. Bayley responded running Belair into the turnbuckle. Belair caught Bayley going for a charge. Belair connected with a handspring mooonsault for two. Belair called for KOD but Bayley broke free. Bayley connected with a Macho Man Elbow for two. Bayley went for a leverage pin but the referee saw it coming. Bayley used Belair’s momentum sending her to the floor. Bayley distracted the referee. Damage CTRL didn’t attack Belair. Bayley had a stare down with Damage CTRL as ringside. Belair caught Bayley with a spear coming off the ropes. Belair connected with KOD for the win. (Amin’s Thoughts) This was a really good match. It was really nice to see both Bayley and Belair get lots of time to work a great match. This was a really fun back-and-forth match as both Bayley and Belair worked great together. I thought the layout out the match was really good. This was great as Damage CTRL had the opening to give Bayley the advantage by attacking Belair but didn’t. They are continuing the tease of Bayley and Damage CTRL split. Bayley babyface turn is going to be so fun to watch. Overall, this was great as Bayley and Belair delivered the best match on the show.
Kevin Owens noted he heard everything what Logan Paul said. Owens said the cast was an advantage for Paul. Owens noted he understands what Paul is trying to do. Owens invited Paul to join him next week on the Kevin Owens Show on SmackDown. Owens noted he hopes to see Paul on the show.
WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky told Dakota Kai something in Japanese. Bayley appeared asking Damage CTRL what happened during the match. Kai pulled Bayley aside. Kai noted the referee was looking at them. Kai noted she didn’t want Damage CTRL to cause the DQ. Kai spoke about Bayley’s plan for Damage CTRL to win all the gold. Kai noted Bayley should win the Women’s Royal Rumble on her own. Bayley noted Damage CTRL was stronger together. Kai told Bayley she still has a Women’s Royal Rumble to win. Damage CTRL left. Bayley was holding her arm after the match.
(Amin’s Thoughts) Kai telling Bayley to win the Women’s Royal Rumble on her own was an interesting line. They could go in so many different directions. Bayley wins the Women’s Royal Rumble match. They could go in direction of Damage CTRL turning on Bayley if she doesn’t win the Royal Rumble. I could also see a scenario where Damage CTRL possibly cost Bayley from the winning the Royal Rumble. Bayley could win the Women’s Elimination Chamber to challenge Iyo Sky for a WWE Women’s Title match at WrestleMania. I’m liking the twist and turns they are taking before the eventual split between Bayley and Damage CTRL. Bayley is going to need some friends to face Damage CTRL. I would love to see Sasha Banks return to WWE and help Bayley. They have the perfect story in place for Sasha Banks return to WWE.
Bobby Lashley Promo
Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins.& Montez Ford) came out to a solid reaction. Lashley said Karrion Kross and Authors of Pain tried to take them out last week. Lashley said Kross and AOP got into a fight they can’t win. Lashley noted if they have problems. They confront it face-to-face. Lashley noted they get ready to fight. Lashley challenged Kross and AOP to come to the ring. The lights went out. Paul Ellering stood on the entrance ramp. A vignette aired of Kross and Scarlett speaking about their plan. They explained their alliance with AOP and Paul Ellering. The group is now called “The Final Testament!”
(Amin’s Thoughts) The presentations of these Karrion Kross vignettes have been great. You can’t say Triple H and WWE aren’t trying hard to present Kross as a top star on SmackDown. Things are looking good for Kross being aligned with AOP. This is also a win to present Lashley and Street Profits as babyface.
Pretty Deadly approached Paul Heyman backstage. They called him “Lord Heyman!” They said they have a proposition for Heyman. Pretty Deadly said they’re the best tag team. Heyman wondered if Elton Prince and Kit Wilson knew he was just looking for one partner. Prince and Wilson noted they had something going on. They left. Heyman looked upset.
They aired a Carmelo Hayes highlight package. Hayes spoke about his NXT accomplishments. Hayes noted when he shoots. He doesn’t MISS.
Bobby Lashley was walking backstage with The Street Profit. They saw Heyman standing outside. Heyman spoke about knowing Lashley a long time. Heyman offered Lashley to take out his aggression by teaming with Jimmy and Solo. Lashley noted he’s known Heyman for a long time. Lashley noted the only time he wants to stand across the Bloodline when he’s inside the ring with Roman Reigns. The crowd cheered. They left.
(Amin’s Thoughts) Lashley mentioning Reigns name was a nice tease. This would be cool to see a Lashley & Street Profit vs. Bloodline program
Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory (w/Grayson Waller) ended via Referee Stoppage
Carmelo Hayes came out to a great reaction. Hayes and Theory began with some nice chain wrestling. Hayes took control rocking Theory with a standing dropkick. Theory responded raking Hayes in the face. Hayes responded catching Theory with the Fadeaway. Hayes followed planting Theory with a Slingshot DDT onto the ring apron. Theory responded using Hayes momentum sending him into the turnbuckle. Theory took control rocking Hayes with a rolling dropkick. Theory went for an apron suplex. Hayes responded catching Theory with a slingshot suplex. Hayes made a comeback rocking Theory with strikes. Hayes connected with a springboard clothesline. Hayes planted Theory with La Mistica for two. Hayes rocked Theory with a superkick. Hayes went for a Codebreaker but Theory blocked. Theory caught Hayes with a springboard Spanish Fly. Hayes and Theory both landed awkwardly on the mat. The referee held up the “X” sign. The match ended. (Amin’s Thoughts) This was a good match till the ending. I’m really glad WWE is now stopping a match if they notice something has gone wrong. WWE did the right thing here by taking care of their performers. Hoping both Hayes and Theory are alright.
The Bloodline was backstage. Jimmy Uso was feeling confident that Heyman would find them a partner. Heyman claimed he spoke to the entire locker room. Heyman noted he found nobody worthy to team with Bloodline. Heyman said auditions are over. Heyman said he has full confidence in Jimmy and Sikoa. Heyman said he’s not worried. Jimmy said he’s worried. Sikoa said he’s not worried. Jimmy said if Sikoa isn’t worries. Jimmy said he’s not worried either. Jimmy said “No YEET!”
Randy Orton came out to a huge reaction. The Bloodline attacked Orton before the match. Sikoa gave Orton a Samoan Spike. WWE officials held The Bloodline away.
(Amin’s Thoughts) This was a good way to get Randy Orton out of the way. You don’t to have a match where the babyface come off as heels against the top heel faction in WWE.
AJ Styles, Randy Orton & LA Knight def. The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa) (w/Paul Heyman) in a 3-on-2 Handicap Match
AJ Styles received a huge reaction. LA Knight also received a big reaction from the crowd. Knight and Styles argued about who wanted to start the match. Jimmy wasted no time attacking Knight as the match began. Knight responded catching Jimmy with a neck breaker for a near fall. Knight and Styles worked together rocking Jimmy with a double back elbow. Huge chants of AJ Styles from the crowd. The crowd chanted “YEAH” as Knight rocked Jimmy with strikes. Styles rocked Jimmy with a sliding forearm for two. Knight and Styles worked together rocking Sikoa with strikes. Sikoa took control over Styles as they returned from break. Sikoa rocked Styles with an Umaga Hip Attack. Styles battled back rocking Jimmy with the Phenomenal Blitz. Styles went for a tag. Sikoa yanked Knight off the ring apron. Knight ran Sikoa into the ring steps. Styles nailed Jimmy with a Pele Kick. Styles and Knight argued. Styles ducked as Jimmy nailed Knight with a superkick. Styles and Jimmy connected with a double crossbody. The crowd cheered as Randy Orton’s music played. Orton made his way back ringside. Styles gave Orton the hot tag. Orton ran wild planting Jimmy with a snap powerslam. Orton planted Jimmy with a Draping DDT. The crowd went wild as Orton called for the RKO. Jimmy caught Orton with a rollup for a near fall. Jimmy nailed Orton with a superkick. Orton responded hitting an RKO for the win. (Amin’s Thoughts) This was a good match as everyone worked hard. I liked the layout as they found a way to built perfectly to Orton’s return with the heels having the advantage in a three-on-two match.
Solo Sikoa attacked Orton after the match. Styles appeared nailing Sikoa with a Phenomenal Forearm. Knight gave Sikoa the Blunt Force Trauma. Styles and Knight were arguing. Orton gave Sikoa an RKO to a big reaction. Styles, Orton and Knight attacked Jimmy. Orton rocked Jimmy with the ring steps. Styles, Orton and Knight delivered the Shield Powerbomb sending Sikoa crashing through the announcers table to a big reaction. Orton’s music played. Heyman grabbed his phone. Heyman said “Call Roman Reigns!” Orton pointed as Sikoa saying “Screw The Bloodline!” The show ended.
(Amin’s Thoughts) This was a good post-match angle with the babyface laying out The Bloodline leading to Roman Reigns return next week on SmackDown. They also told an interesting story of the babyface possibly working together at the Royal Rumble by taking out Reigns and then battling over the Undisputed WWE Universal Title.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This was a wrestling heavy episode of SmackDown. There were lots of good matches on the match. Bayley and Bianca Belair had the best match. There was also some good storyline progress between Bayley and Damage CTRL. They also hyped the Undisputed WWE Universal Title contract signing with Roman Reigns returning next week. They’ve also hyped Logan Paul’s appearance to build up the WWE United States Title match with Kevin Owens. There was also some great interesting character development with Butch teasing a possible name change back to Pete Dunne. Overall, a good episode of SmackDown. The wrestling was strong point of a solid show as they continue to build towards the Royal Rumble.
