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5 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (1/15)

Bryan SmackDown

Written by

Robert Lentini

in

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The January 15th episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL. Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:

Asuka Upstaged Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch strutted to the ring to a great reaction from the Alabama crowd. Becky stated that she always delivers and is not just hype. Lynch claimed that Asuka was all hype because she lost her undefeated streak to Charlotte last year at WrestleMania.

Becky added that the loss shook Asuka to her core and she fell off the radar. Lynch blasted Asuka for not being able to defeat Flair and then boasted about beating Charlotte for five months in a row.

Asuka made her way down to the ring and called Becky a bee without a sting. She added that Lynch will no longer be in Charlotte’s shadow, she will be in hers. The IIconics interrupted and scolded Asuka for not “behaving like a proper champion”.

Billie Kay pointed out Becky’s behavior and stated that it was “typical behavior from a man”. Kay and Royce claimed that they were going to win the Royal Rumble match and then become the first ever women’s tag team champions.

Lynch challenged either Kay or Royce to a match and vowed to make a statement. Lynch battled Peyton Royce as Billie Kay and Asuka were ringside. Becky extended her hand at the beginning of the match but opted to blast Peyton in the face instead.

Royce battled back and beat Becky down in the corner of the ring before applying a Headlock. Lacey Evans was shown backstage watching the match. Lynch eventually took back control and won via the Dis-Arm-Her.

Asuka got into the ring and started shouting in Japanese. Asuka brought Billie Kay into the ring for a match and locked in her own version of the Dis-Arm-Her. Asuka transitioned into the Asuka Lock for the submission victory. Lynch and Asuka had a staredown before AJ Styles’ music hit to end the segment.

I thought this was a very bizarre way to start off SmackDown. I honestly couldn’t care less about The IIconics at this point and would have rather just seen a promo between Asuka and Lynch, or a brawl. The match between Lynch and Royce went on for far too long. It should have been a squash match, instead, Becky had a difficult time overcoming Royce. Asuka then defeated Billie Kay with ease, which wound up making Lynch look weak.

AJ Styles Got Revenge On Daniel Bryan

AJ Styles walked through the crowd and then to a concession to Bryan’s promo last week. AJ had a table full of hot dogs next to him and stated that the fans can spend their hard earned money on anything they want.

Styles vowed to kick Bryan’s ass at Royal Rumble and started throwing t-shirts into the crowd. Daniel Bryan attacked Styles and wound up getting slammed through the table of hot dogs for his troubles. Security then dragged Styles away as Bryan was covered in mustard.

When this feud first started, I was concerned that it wasn’t going to cut the mustard. However, I now relish watching it every week on SmackDown. Styles and Bryan have been on a roll as of late and I’m beginning to wonder if the rest of the roster can ketchup before Royal Rumble.

Andrade & Mysterio Stole The Show

Zelina Vega and Andrade were interviewed backstage during tonight’s SmackDown. Vega stated that Andrade will defeat Rey Mysterio tonight, win the Royal Rumble and win the WWE Championship in the main event of WrestleMania.

Rey Mysterio controlled the match early and applied a Headlock. Andrade broke free but Mysterio hit him with a Hurricanrana that sent him out of the ring. Back in the ring, Mysterio went for the 619 but Andrade got out of the way at the last second. Andrade then connected with a ridiculous Powerbomb outside the ring.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1085357647258443776

Rey took back control with a Senton and then another Hurricanrana. Rey climbed to the top rope and hit an incredible Hurricanrana that sent Andrade flying off the ring apron and to the floor as the crowd chanted “this is awesome!”. Mysterio then followed it up with a Senton off the top rope.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1085359213755408384

Andrade went for a Moonsault but Rey got out of the way. Andrade impressively landed on his feet and flipped onto Rey for a near fall. Mysterio went for the 619 but Almas caught him and lifted Mysterio onto his shoulders.

Rey countered into a Crucifix Bomb for a two count. Mysterio followed it up with the 619 and made his way to the top rope but Vega hopped onto the ring apron. Andrade capitalized on the distraction and crotched Mysterio on the top rope. Andrade then hit the Hammerlock DDT for the pinfall victory.

First of all, I have no idea why WWE has changed Andrade “Cien” Almas’ name to simply Andrade. It doesn’t make any sense to me. However, if they felt they needed to do that for marketing reasons because they are now going to push him on the main roster, then I don’t care. Andrade is insanely talented and that was on full display tonight. He needs to be on SmackDown every week and Vega is the perfect manager for him.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1085361027800354816

Mandy Rose Invited Jimmy Uso To Her Hotel Room

Jimmy Uso thought he was getting a gift from Naomi, but it wound up being from Mandy Rose. Mandy gave Jimmy her hotel room key and Sonya Deville confronted her backstage. Rose told Deville that she just wants to make Naomi’s life miserable and the best way to do that was to break up her marriage.

Jimmy went to Mandy’s hotel room and Rose told him not to be shy. Mandy took off her robe and a photographer ran into the room and snapped a few pictures. Rose put back on her robe and said that she despises Naomi. Rose added that Naomi will never be as hot as her. Naomi then ran into the hotel room and attacked Mandy. Rose threw Naomi over a couch and ran out of the room.

I thought it was going to wind up being Jey that was inside the hotel room instead of Jimmy. Instead, it apparently was Jimmy and then it led to one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen. This was pretaped, so I thought at least something interesting would happen here. They could have set up a fake TV and had one of the Superstars get thrown into it, or just anything to amplify this boring storyline.

I don’t understand how someone tumbling over some furniture was a satisfactory end to this segment. Nobody is going to say “hey, did you see Mandy throw Naomi over a chair last night on SmackDown?” to their friend tomorrow.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1085363637475250176

The Miz Threw Shane McMahon A Birthday Party

The Miz threw Shane McMahon a birthday party tonight on SmackDown. Miz presented Shane with two specialty cakes, one of them had a picture of them on it. The Miz then gave Shane some new sneakers and then rolled highlights from his career, culminating in Shane winning the Best in the World trophy at WWE Crown Jewel.

Shane thanked The Miz and admitted that he always dreamt about being a tag team champion. McMahon added that he was very proud to go into Royal Rumble with The Miz as his partner. The Miz vowed to make Shane’s dream come true at Royal Rumble. The Miz and the crowd then sang Happy Birthday to Shane.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions Sheamus and Cesaro interrupted and called Shane and the Miz embarrassing. The Bar claimed that Vince McMahon didn’t come to the party because he doesn’t give a damn about Shane.

Shane suggested that The Miz face Sheamus right now but The Miz said that he wasn’t in his ring attire. Shane then hyped The Miz up and Miz shouted that he will face Sheamus for Shane’s birthday.

The Miz controlled the match early and hit Sheamus with a couple of Dropkicks in the corner of the ring. Sheamus exploded out of the corner and dropped Miz with a Clothesline. Cesaro hopped up on the ring apron but Shane grabbed him from behind and threw him through the table with cakes on it. The Miz then rolled up Sheamus from behind for the victory.

After the match, Sheamus attacked The Miz from behind. Shane rushed to the ring for the save and then Miz planted Sheamus with the Skull Crushing Finale. The Miz and Shane brought Sheamus to the corner and Shane made his way up to the top rope. The Miz held up a birthday cake in front of Sheamus’ face and Shane delivered the Coast to Coast Dropkick. Shane and Miz posed with the Best in the World trophy to close the show.

I still don’t agree with the SmackDown Tag Team Championships being caught up in this storyline. As a result of that fact, New Day doesn’t have anything to do on SmackDown. The Usos are just serving as pawns in a storyline between Mandy Rose and Naomi. SAnitY, Gallows & Anderson, and every other team on the SmackDown roster has nothing to do at the moment. The Shane McMahon and The Miz storyline could have been set up without disregarding the entire SmackDown tag team division in the process.

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