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5 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (3/5)

Samoa Joe SmackDown

Written by

Robert Lentini

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The March 5th, 2019 episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, PA. It was the final episode of SmackDown before WWE Fastlane this Sunday night. Here are 5 takeaways from the show:

Kevin Owens Confronted Daniel Bryan

WWE Champion Daniel Bryan came down to the ring with Erick Rowan to kick off this week’s episode of SmackDown. Bryan pointed at the jumbotron and footage from last week’s SmackDown of Kofi Kingston being replaced in the WWE Championship match this Sunday at Fastlane by Kevin Owens was shown.

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Bryan explained that he remained silent last week as Shane McMahon and the WWE Universe gushed about Kofi Kingston. A loud “Kofi!” chant broke out but Daniel shouted over the crowd and said that it was his turn to speak. Rowan told the crowd to shut up and open their ears because Daniel Bryan is about to enlighten everyone.

Another “Kofi!” chant broke out but Bryan said that he wasn’t out here to talk about Kofi because he is not a leader, he is a supporting player and he is exactly where he should be. Daniel added that Bryan is with New Day on a promotional tour of India. Bryan joked that Mr. McMahon replaced a person that throws out a bunch of pancakes with a person that eats a bunch of pancakes.

Daniel claimed that Kevin Owens doesn’t deserve a shot at the WWE Championship because he is a nobody. Bryan added that if he loses the WWE Championship, the entire planet loses. Kevin Owens interrupted and said that he became a member of the WWE Universe during the five months he was injured.

Owens said that the time off with his family was great, but it was difficult to watch other people do what he loves to do. Kevin claimed it was awful to watch Bryan act like a maniac and talk down to everyone. Owens blasted Bryan for resorting to fat jokes and called him a pretentious jackass.

The crowd broke out in a “yes!” chant as Owens poked fun at Bryan for having a reality show and a 7-foot backup dancer in Erick Rowan. Bryan told Owens that the only reason that he doesn’t have any backup is that he doesn’t have any friends anymore. Owens admitted that it was his own fault that he doesn’t have any friends anymore and boasted about defeating Bryan with a Stunner last week on SmackDown.

Owens claimed that it was never his intention to take Kofi Kingston’s spot but he will make the best of it and capture the WWE Championship this Sunday at Fastlane. Rowan got it Owens face and Kevin knocked him out of the ring. Owens went for a Stunner on Bryan but Erick got back in the ring and planted Owens with a Chokeslam.

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It doesn’t take much for me to be excited about a match between Kevin Owens and Daniel Bryan. This promo was solid and I’m looking forward to the match this Sunday night. I’d be shocked if Daniel Bryan dropped the title at Fastlane. It is clear that the crowd is still behind Kofi Kingston and that momentum might lead to him getting his moment at WrestleMania.

Shane McMahon & The Miz Picked Up Some Momentum Heading Into WWE Fastlane

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos came down to the ring and poked fun at The Miz apologizing to Shane McMahon every week. They joked about Shane McMahon claiming that his shoe game is better than theirs and vowed to defeat Shane and Miz at WWE Fastlane and retain the titles.

The Miz and Shane interrupted and claimed that they were the best team in the world because they wear their hearts on their sleeve. Miz vowed to make his father proud at Fastlane. The Miz and Shane then knocked The Usos out of the ring as SmackDown went to a break.

Jey Uso and The Miz then battled in a singles match as Jimmy and Shane McMahon were ringside. The Miz controlled the bout early and connected with a DDT for a near fall. Jey connected with a Samoan Drop and went for a Frog Splash but Miz got his feet up. Jimmy tried to interfere but Shane took him out with a Clothesline. The Miz then planted Jey with the Skull Crushing Finale for the pinfall victory.

Samoa Joe Finally Captured His First Title On The Main Roster

United States Champion R-Truth came down to the ring with Carmella to issue another Open Challenge for the title. R-Truth said that he didn’t realize that John Cena issued an Open Challenge every week and claimed that he is already exhausted.

Lacey Evans interrupted and strutted around for a bit before heading backstage. Samoa Joe then accepted the challenge and made his way to the ring. Rey Mysterio joined the party and came down to the ring. Andrade quickly followed and sprinted to the ring. A Fatal 4-Way match for the United States Championship was then announced as R-Truth lost his mind in the corner of the ring.

The crowd chanted “Joe!” at the beginning of the match as Joe launched Andrade to the outside. Joe knocked R-Truth out of the ring and launched him into the barricade. Joe then delivered a chop to Andrade’s chest as the crowd chanted “woo!”. Joe brought Andrade in the ring and beat him down in the corner.

Joe sent Andrade tumbling out of the ring and then hit a ridiculous forearm to his face after leaping through the ropes. Andrade took control and planted Mysterio with three Suplexes in a row. Andrade climbed to the top rope but Mysterio got up and crotched him on the turnbuckle.

R-Truth lifted Joe up in the Electric Chair as Mysterio hit Joe with a Crossbody. Andrade countered into a roll-up but R-Truth kicked out at two. R-Truth hit a Splash on everyone and went for another one on Joe but Joe countered with a Uranage. Andrade hit Joe with a Dropkick and then planted Rey with a Powerbomb.

Joe threw Andrade into the ring post and then turned around into an Enziguri from R-Truth. R-Truth followed it up with a Spinebuster and then slammed Mysterio on top of Joe. R-Truth hit Joe with the Five Knuckle Shuffle for a two count. Joe got up and quickly locked in the Coquina Clutch. Mysterio broke it up with the 619 and then Andrade Dropkicked R-Truth out of the ring.

Mysterio hit R-Truth with the sliding Splash but was then Powerbombed off the apron by Andrade. Vega then took out R-Truth with a Hurricanrana as the referee wasn’t looking Carmella got pissed off and hit Zelina with a Superkick. Back in the ring, Mysterio hit Andrade with the 619 and followed it up with a Frog Splash. Rey went for the cover but Joe broke it up with a Senton. Joe then slammed Andrade to the canvas for the pinfall victory. Samoa Joe is the new United States Champion.

After the victory, United States Champion Samoa Joe was interviewed backstage. Joe said that he doesn’t pander to the masses and took a shot at R-Truth looking up to John Cena.

It is about damn time that Samoa Joe has a title around his waist on the main roster. Joe has been one of the more overlooked Superstars and this is long overdue. Joe is a tremendous in-ring worker and consistently elevates every feud he is in with his excellent promo skills. I have no idea why it took so long for WWE to give him a title, and I can only hope that they now give him a long run with the United States Championship. That title has been an afterthought for some time now and Samoa Joe can change that if given the opportunity. Also, Samoa Joe versus John Cena at WrestleMania 35 for the United States Championship doesn’t sound too bad.

Mustafa Ali Saved Kevin Owens

Mustafa Ali

Kevin Owens squared off against Erick Rowan tonight on SmackDown. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan joined commentary for the match. Owens went right after Rowan to start off the match and hit him with a few punches to the face.

Rowan battled back with a big boot and followed it up with a Dropkick that sent Owens out of the ring. Bryan got up from his seat and shouted at Owens that he was a coward. Owens attacked Bryan but Rowan made the save and launched Owens into the steel steps.

Rowan followed it up with a shoulder tackle and then posed for the crowd. Daniel Bryan then attacked Owens and the match quickly ended in a DQ. Rowan planted Owens with a Body Slam and then Mustafa Ali ran down to the ring. Ali went for a Suicide Dive but Rowan caught him.

Ali broke free and hit Rowan with a Hurricanrana that sent Erick into the ring post. Bryan hit Ali with a knee to the face off the ring apron. Owens then snuck up behind Bryan and connected with a Stunner. Rowan and Bryan then retreated up the entrance ramp to end the segment.

Charlotte’s Plan Backfired

Charlotte Flair invited Becky Lynch to the ring for a conversation before their match this Sunday at WWE Fastlane. If Becky Lynch wins this Sunday, the RAW Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania will become a Triple Threat. If Lynch loses, she will be “done” with WWE.

Flair came down to the ring as highlights from Ronda Rousey’s attack on Becky Lynch on last night’s episode of RAW were shown. Charlotte mockingly started a “Becky!” chant as Lynch’s music hit and she hobbled down the ramp with her crutch.

Charlotte had a giant grin on her face as Becky got into the ring and grabbed a microphone. Lynch said it is good to be back on SmackDown and then claimed that she was in Charlotte’s head. Becky added that she was also in Ronda’s head and that Rousey hit her with her absolute best last night.

Becky stated that she is still standing and is ready to fight again. Another “Becky!” chant broke out as Charlotte yawned in the ring. Lynch claimed that she has nothing left to lose and Charlotte attacked her. Flair went after Becky’s knee but Lynch fought back with the crutch. Becky then locked in the Dis-Arm-Her in the middle of the ring but WWE officials rushed the ring to break it up. Flair retreated as Lynch pointed at the WrestleMania sign and told Charlotte that she will see her at Fastlane.

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There are plenty of matches to look forward to at WWE Fastlane, but Becky Lynch versus Charlotte is at the top of the list. Overall, this week’s episode of SmackDown was entertaining and did a solid job of hyping up Sunday’s PPV.

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