The April 2nd, 2019 episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, MD. It was the final episode of SmackDown before WrestleMania 35 this weekend. Here are 5 takeaways from the show:
Orton Sent A Message To Styles Heading Into WrestleMania
Randy Orton and AJ Styles were guests on the Kevin Owens Show tonight on SmackDown. Owens asked Orton if he was proud of interfering in the match between AJ Styles and Kurt Angle last week. Randy said that he was damn proud of it and saved the WWE Universe from watching that match.
Styles stated that Orton has only learned one move in twenty years. Orton claimed he didn’t need more than other moves when his move is that deadly. Orton then boasted about being in WWE for almost twenty years while AJ was wrestling in gymnasiums.
AJ brought up Orton failing drug tests in the past and the crowd gasped. Orton sat in silence for a moment and then claimed that since John Cena has gone off to Hollywood, Styles has assumed the role of corporate bitch. Kevin Owens then hilariously dropped his microphone and exited the ring.
Orton and Styles traded blows and AJ got the better of the exchange. Styles made his way to the ring apron and set up for the Phenomenal Forearm. While Styles was in midair, Orton countered and connected with a devastating RKO. Randy shouted “that is going to happen this Sunday while he stood over Styles.
Styles versus Orton is one of the matches I’m looking forward to the most at WrestleMania. Tonight’s promo was excellent and both Superstars got in a couple of great lines. I hope this match gets a lot of time this Sunday because it has the potential to be special.
The Usos Will Defend The SmackDown Tag Team Championships In A Fatal 4-Way At WrestleMania
The Usos, Aleister Black & Ricochet defeated The Bar, Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev. After the match, WrestleMania Host Alexa Bliss came down to the entrance ramp. Bliss stated that SmackDown has lost it’s spirit of competition and brought up The Usos forfeiting against the New Day last week so that they could advance.
Alexa claimed that action deserved reprocussions and announced that The Usos will be defending their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against The Bar, Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev, and Aleister Black & Ricochet in a Fatal 4-Way match.
The Bar then got into the ring and attacked The Usos from behind. The remaining teams got into the ring and a brawl broke out. Ricochet and Black sent everyone out of the ring and then Ricochet flipped onto everyone.
The Miz Overcame The Odds
Shane McMahon forced The Miz to battle SAnitY in a Handicap Match tonight on SmackDown. Before the match, The Miz stated that WrestleMania means retribution. The Miz added that he is giving everyone the best version of himself and vowed to beat Shane all over the arena at WrestleMania. The Miz stated that he was going to fight for his dad’s honor. The Miz pointed out that Shane’s dad is Vince McMahon and said that makes Shane a son of a bitch.
Shane McMahon came down to the entrance ramp and danced around while Miz stared at him. Shane instructed Greg Hamilton to introduce him as the Best in the World. The Miz started off the match with Eric Young as Shane watched from the entrance ramp.
The Miz was able to take control of the match but Shane McMahon once again interrupted. Shane announced that this match was now Falls Count Anywhere and then put the image of him grabbing his father’s face at Fastlane. The action quickly went backstage and then into the parking lot. The Miz kneed Eric Young in the face and then slammed a dumpster on his head for the pinfall victory. Shane McMahon then pulled up next to him and smiled before driving away.
Becky Lynch Vowed To Become The Double-Champ
Corey Graves welcomed Becky Lynch down to the ring to discuss getting arrested last night on RAW. Becky, Charlotte, and Ronda Rousey were all arrested on RAW following a brawl.
Lynch took the microphone from Graves and rolled out of the ring. Becky stood on top of the announce table and stated that it is good to be free in Baltimore. Lynch states that she doesn’t answer to Graves, she answers to the people.
Becky claimed that slapping Charlotte at SummerSlam changed everything and made her determined to get into this year’s WrestleMania. The crowd chanted “Becky!” as Lynch hyped up the women being the main event of WrestleMania for the first time ever. Lynch vowed to make one of them “dopes” tap and become the double-champ at WrestleMania.
Kofi Kingston & Daniel Bryan Signed The Contract
Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston signed the contract for their WWE Championship match at the end of this week’s SmackDown. Big E, Xavier Woods, and Erick Rowan were in the ring as well.
Bryan interrupted Michael Cole and said that he has got it from here. The crowd chanted “Kofi!” as Bryan signed the contract. Daniel claimed he was out here to educate the masses as the crowd transitioned to a “KofiMania!” chant. Bryan told the crowd to shut up because he was trying to educate them.
Daniel accused Kofi of being complacent for the past 11-years and claimed that Kingston has been a bystander in his own life. Bryan told Kingston to not mistake a fad for reality and noted that he has been in Kingston’s shoes before. He then called the crowd parasites and said that they were feeding off Kofi.
The crowd started to chant “a**hole!” as Bryan told Kofi that this is the best it is ever going to be in his career. Kingston got pissed off and grabbed the microphone. Kofi told Bryan to shut his mouth while he educates him. Kofi stated that Bryan doesn’t know a damn thing about him.
He said that his entire career has led to this moment. Kingston noted that Bryan knows what all of this feels like and is scared as hell because he knows what comes next. Kingston stated that he will become WWE Champion at WrestleMania and signed the contract.
I thought this week’s episode of SmackDown was another letdown. The opening promo between AJ Styles and Orton was very good, as was Bryan and Kingston’s contract signing to close the show. The rest of SmackDown was incredibly boring. There was a massive mixed tag team match that only happened to promote the two Battle Royals happening at WrestleMania. The Miz’s promo was lackluster and then WWE once again buried SAnitY. This year’s WrestleMania build has been one of the worst I’ve seen and tonight was a fitting way to end it.
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