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5 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (2/26)

Kevin Owens SmackDown

Written by

Robert Lentini

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The February 26th, 2019 episode of WWE SmackDown aired live from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:

Kevin Owens Will Replace Kofi Kingston At WWE Fastlane

SmackDown kicked off with Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, and Erick Rowan in the ring for a contract signing. Shane brought up Daniel Bryan’s opponent at Fastlane, Kofi Kingston, and referred to him as an “overnight success over the past 11-years”. WWE rolled highlights of Kofi Kingston’s career as Shane McMahon vowed that they will not overlook him any longer.

Kofi then came down to the ring with Xavier Woods and Big E. Kingston stated that he is going to defeat Daniel Bryan at Fastlane and become WWE Champion. Kingston took a seat across from Bryan as the crowd loudly chanted “Kofi!”.

Vince McMahon interrupted and told Kingston that he appreciates what he has accomplished over the past 11-years. Vince then stated that it his responsibility to provide the best product and announced that Kevin Owens will replace Kofi at Fastlane. Kevin Owens came down to the ring and signed the contract. New Day exited the ring as the crowd once again broke out in a “Kofi!” chant.

Kevin Owens had a conversation with Shane and Stephanie backstage. Stephanie asked Owens how long he knew about this and Kevin claimed that it didn’t matter. Owens added that he knows how disappointed Kofi must be and suggested that he team up with him to face Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan tonight.

It has been rumored that Kevin Owens was going to face Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35 for the WWE Championship. Vince McMahon replaced fan-favorite Becky Lynch at WrestleMania and now he has done the same to Kofi Kingston at Fastlane. The “new era” of RAW and SmackDown was supposed to be run by the entire McMahon family as a group. It appears like Vince McMahon is doing whatever he wants and that could possibly lead to WWE’s authority figures turning against each other.

The Hardy Boyz Returned

Matt Hardy made his in-ring return to team up with his brother, Jeff Hardy, against The Bar. Jeff and Cesaro started off the match and Jeff quickly took control. Matt tagged in and started a “delete!” chant. Cesaro drove Hardy to the corner and tagged Sheamus in. Matt brought Sheamus to the opposite corner and tagged Jeff back in. Matt and Jeff knocked The Bar out of the ring and Jeff hit Poetry in Motion as SmackDown went to a break.

Back in the ring, Jeff connected with Whisper in the Wind and tagged Matt Hardy back into the match. Matt planted Cesaro with the Side Effect for a two count. Matt followed it up with an Elbow Drop off the second rope for another near fall. Sheamus tagged in as Jeff took out Cesaro with a Twist of Fate. Matt hit Sheamus with a Twist of Fate and tagged Jeff back in. Jeff climbed to the top rope and connected with the Swanton Bomb on Sheamus for the pinfall victory.

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R-Truth Retained The United States Championship

R-Truth claimed that he always wanted to be like his hero, John Cena, and announced that he was going to continue to the United States Championship Open Challenge. R-Truth and Carmella had a 7-second dance break before Andrade came down to the entrance ramp. Rey Mysterio shoved Andrade from behind and rushed down to the ring. R-Truth stated that he didn’t know what to do but Carmella said that John Cena would face them both. R-Truth vowed to make Cena proud and the match began.

Andrade Dropkicked Mysterio out of the ring and went after R-Truth. Mysterio leaped off the top rope and sent Andrade tumbling out of the ring. Mysterio sent R-Truth to the apron and Andrade Powerbombed him to the floor.

Andrade connected with Double Knees on Rey and went for one on R-Truth but the United States Champion got out of the way. R-Truth leveled Andrade with an Enziguri and followed it up with a Splash in the corner. R-Truth then hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Andrade for a two count.

Zelina Vega hopped up on the apron but Carmella dragged her to the floor. Mysterio went for 619 but Andrade got out of the way. Mysterio then went for a 619 on both R-Truth and Andrade but only hit Andrade. R-Truth then rolled up Mysterio for the pinfall victory. After the match, Andrade tried to attack Rey from behind but Mysterio fought him off.

Charlotte Flair Wants The RAW Women’s Championship Handed To Her

Charlotte Flair came down to the ring and pointed at the WrestleMania sign. Flair complimented Vince McMahon on making the main event of Fastlane even better and the crowd booed.

Charlotte boasted about Vince anointing “your Queen” to save WrestleMania against Ronda Rousey. The crowd immediately started chanting “Becky!” as Charlotte called Lynch a criminal. Flair referred to Rousey as a quitter and then referred to herself as the gold standard.

Flair claimed that she would never lay down the title like Ronda did last night on RAW. Charlotte added that Becky Lynch and Ronda fear her and fear makes people do irrational things. Charlotte claimed that she fears nothing and that a true champion fears no one.

Charlotte rolled footage of Ronda defining a true champion as being the best in the world on their worst day, and that if they cannot defend their position they need to step aside. Charlotte stated that she would never quit or lay down the title because she is the true champion. Flair vowed to show up next Monday on RAW so Vince McMahon can crown her as the new RAW Women’s Champion.

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The Superstar in this feud that seems to be getting the least reaction from the crowd is Ronda Rousey. That could possibly change on Monday night when Rousey inevitably confronts Charlotte and I’m sure Becky Lynch will show up once again. Flair’s promo tonight was great as she was able to piss off the crowd with ease.

Kevin Owens Pinned The WWE Champion

Kevin Owens and Kofi Kingston faced Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan in the main event of this week’s episode of SmackDown.

Kingston and Bryan started off the match as the crowd chanted “Kofi!”. Bryan quickly tagged in Rowan to a chorus of boos from the crowd. Rowan launched Kofi across the ring as Daniel applauded from the ring apron. Rowan leveled Kofi with a shoulder tackle and then Owens tagged himself in.

Owens went right after Rowan but got knocked on his ass via another shoulder tackle from Rowan. Owens got back only to get knocked down again by a Dropkick from Rowan. Bryan tagged in and Owens leveled him with an elbow to the face.

Kingston tagged in and hit Bryan with a kick to the face. Kofi sent Bryan out of the ring and tagged Owens back in. Kevin hit an impressive Cannonball over the top rope and posed for then took a moment to pose in front of Kofi on the apron.

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Bryan and Rowan took back control of the match and isolated Kofi in the corner of the ring. Bryan perched Kofi up on the top turnbuckle and connected with a Superplex for a near fall. Bryan applied the LeBell Lock but Kofi reached the bottom rope to break the hold. Daniel went for a Dropkick in the corner but Kofi countered with a Double Stomp.

Owens tagged himself in and lit up Bryan’s chest with a few chops. Owens sent Bryan to the corner and hit a Clothesline. Kevin followed it up with a Dropkick off the second rope and then a Senton. Owens booted Rowan to the floor outside the ring and hit a Cannonball in the corner.

Rowan got back into the ring for a moment but Owens sent him back outside with a Superkick. Owens connected with the Pop-Up Powerbomb on Bryan but Daniel was able to kick out at two. Owens climbed to the top rope but Rowan ripped him down and sent him flying over the announce table. Kofi shoved Rowan into the ring post and then leaped onto him off the top rope. Bryan went for the Running Knee but Owens dodged it and hit the Stunner for the pinfall victory.

Owens told the referee to raise Kofi’s hand after the match and then had a conversation with him as SmackDown went off the air. It will be interesting to see if Owens is returning as a face or a heel, as that wasn’t made clear on tonight’s episode. I’m sure Kofi will have more to say about being screwed out of his WWE Championship opportunity next week. At least I’d like to think that there will be more to that storyline and Kingston doesn’t just accept it. Both RAW and SmackDown were entertaining this week. Hopefully, that trend continues as WWE builds towards Fastlane and then WrestleMania.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1100591872450457600

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