Home News 5 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (2/27)

5 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (2/27)

Robert Lentini
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5 Takeaways From WWE SmackDown (2/27)
Photo Credit: WWE.com

The February 27th episode of WWE SmackDown Live aired live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:

John Cena Was Given Another Chance To Make It To WrestleMania

John Cena kicked off this week’s episode of SmackDown. Cena brought up the Fatal 5-Way WWE Championship match at Fastlane and said that he wanted to be a part of that match. Cena added that he didn’t want to be handed a spot and will do whatever it takes to earn a spot in that match.

SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon came down to the ring. Shane broke down Cena’s idea and noted that if Cena won he would be walking into WrestleMania the 17-time champion. The crowd started to chant “Rusev Day!” and Cena stopped Shane from talking so the crowd could continue the chant. SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan then interrupted and made his way down to the ring.

Bryan got into the ring and shook John Cena’s hand. Bryan said that he actually thought that he and Shane were on the same page tonight. Daniel Bryan then said he will give Cena an opportunity to earn his way into the match. Bryan announced that Cena will face WWE Champion AJ Styles tonight in the SmackDown main event. If Cena defeats Styles, he will be added to the WWE Championship match at WWE Fastlane.

Shane McMahon Ate Popcorn As Dolph Ziggler Caused Chaos

Sami Zayn faced Baron Corbin tonight on SmackDown. Kevin Owens was on commentary for the match. Corbin controlled the match early as Kevin Owens poked fun at Baron’s hairline on commentary. Sami battled back and bounced Corbin’s head off the announce table. Corbin responded with a big right hand and slammed him into the barricade.

Corbin charged at Sami but Zayn was ready and knocked Baron over the barricade. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were shown arguing backstage. Shane was pissed off that Daniel Bryan was allowing Kevin Owens to be on commentary for the match. Bryan stated that Kevin Owens was very entertaining and provided insight from a Superstar’s perspective. SmackDown went to a break with Zayn in control of the match.

When SmackDown returned, Sami launched Corbin into the ring post. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were once again shown arguing. This time Shane had popcorn and stated that he knew Owens was going to get involved in the match. Sami planted Corbin with a Tornado DDT for two. Dolph Ziggler came out of nowhere and Superkicked Kevin Owens. Corbin then hit the End of Days on Dolph Ziggler for the pinfall victory. After the match, Dolph Ziggler hit a Zig Zag on Corbin in the ring.

Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were shown for a third time backstage. Daniel Bryan said that it looks like Shane has everything under control around here and asked if he could go home to see his family. Shane thought that sounded like a great idea and threw another piece of popcorn in his mouth as SmackDown went to a break. Shane McMahon bumped into Sami and Owens and he was still eating popcorn. He informed them that Daniel Bryan just left and they should try to catch up to him so that they are not late for the family dinner.

This show has completely beaten me down at this point. It is absolutely terrible. Instead of watching a wrestling match, we now have to watch Shane McMahon watch a match while eating popcorn. I cannot wait until this storyline with Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon is over.

Carmella Looked At Her Phone & Ruby Riott Defeated Naomi

Ruby Riott faced Naomi tonight on SmackDown. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan of the Riott Squad were ringside for the match. Charlotte and Becky Lynch also came down to the ring. The match went back and forth for a moment and then SmackDown went to a break.

Carmella was shown on her phone backstage in the middle of the match because she is going to answer questions from the WWE Universe later tonight. The match then quickly ended as Ruby Riott won via pinfall after hitting the Riott Kick.

This match was really amazing. We got a commercial break right away, Carmella on her phone and WWE’s upcoming events scrolling on the bottom of the screen during it. It was almost as if the outcome didn’t really matter at all and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

The Bludgeon Brothers Sent A Message To New Day & The Usos

New Day came down to the ring to a cut a promo about The Usos. New Day will once again be facing The Usos at WWE Fastlane for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Big E made a joke about his inner thighs being warm and repetitively asked Kofi to spritz him. Kofi sprayed water on Big E’s thighs as the crowd sat in silence. Hilarious stuff. New Day vowed to win the match at Fastlane and go on to WrestleMania

The Usos interrupted and came down to the ring. They bragged about winning at Hell in a Cell against New Day. They said that New Day is running around looking like a box of Skittles and it is annoying them. The Usos complained that they haven’t been on WrestleMania in a long time and that this year was their time. The Usos vowed to run through New Day at Fastlane like they always do and New Day will be on the sidelines at WrestleMania.

Big E interrupted and boasted about hosting WrestleMania while The Usos were in the back eating catering. Big E added that they didn’t get to WWE because of their daddies and said that they weren’t on the sidelines like The Usos at WrestleMania because they rushed the field and took what was theirs. Big E stated that they will become the 5-time Tag Team Champions at WWE Fastlane and there is nothing that The Usos can do about it.

The Bludgeon Brothers interrupted and slowly walked towards the ring. They brought their mallets into the ring and both The Usos and New Day retreated.

This promo started off painfully awkward but wound up being great. New Day was trying way too hard to be funny and they failed miserably. The Usos came down to the ring and rescued the promo. Big E’s response was also very good. As I’ve said before, I’ve just seen this match far too many times recently to get excited for it.

I thought the Bludgeon Brothers were doomed when SmackDown aired those terrible vignettes before they debuted. I actually find them entertaining and am looking forward to their ascent in SmackDown’s tag division.

It Is Now A Six-Pack Challenge For The WWE Championship At  Fastlane

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Aiden English tonight. John Cena’s music hit while Nakamura was on the entrance ramp. Cena stopped and pointed at the WrestleMania sign. Nakamura did the same as SmackDown went to a break.

Cena then faced AJ Styles in the main event of SmackDown. If Cena won he would be added to the WWE Championship match at WWE Fastlane. Dueling “lets go Cena” and “Cena sucks!” echoed throughout the arena as the match started. Cena connected with a Tornado DDT for two as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

When SmackDown returned, Cena was back in control and connected with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena lifted AJ onto his shoulders but Styles escaped. AJ then hit an awesome Neckbreaker for a two count. Cena went for a super Attitude Adjustment off the second rope but AJ escaped and planted Cena with a Powerbomb for two.

Dolph Ziggler was shown watching the match backstage on a monitor. Cena slammed AJ to the mat as Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens were shown talking while watching the match on a monitor. I cannot wait to see who is watching the match backstage next!

Cena hit a Clothesline in the ring for a two count. AJ connected with an Enziguri as SmackDown went to a commercial break. Cena hit an Attitude Adjustment for a two count during the commercial break. When SmackDown returned, AJ connected with a Clothesline for two. AJ missed with a Moonsault and Cena locked in the STF in the middle of the ring.

AJ broke free and hit the Phenomenal Forearm for another two count. AJ went for the springboard 450 Splash but Cena got his knees up. Cena connected with an Attitude Adjustment and went for another one but Styles escaped out of the ring. Cena chased after him but AJ got out of the way and Cena crashed into the steel steps. AJ Styles stopped the referee from counting Cena out.

Cena slammed AJ Styles through the announce table with an Attitude Adjustment. Cena rolled back into the ring and the referee started counting. A fan reached out his hand and helped AJ Styles up and AJ got back into the ring at the count of 9. Cena went for another Attitude Adjustment but AJ countered into the Calf Crusher. Cena rolled through and lifted AJ Styles onto his shoulders and planted him with an Attitude Adjustment for the victory.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s music hit and they made their way to the entrance ramp. Baron Corbin attacked Cena from behind and they all started beating down Cena and Styles. Dolph Ziggler came down to the ring and took out Corbin, Zayn and Owens. Ziggler then punched Styles in the face and Cena planted Dolph with an Attitude Adjustment as SmackDown went off the air.

Tonight’s main event was a pretty good match. John Cena being added to the main event at Fastlane makes things more interesting. I’d be surprised if he won the title at Fastlane but anything is possible.

I used to really enjoy SmackDown. I thought it flowed better than RAW and it usually had basic storylines that allowed the focus to be on the action in the ring. Now, I find myself disliking this show more and more every week. The constant shots to Superstars watching a match backstage serve a purpose, but they are shown way too much throughout the show every week. It has become comical and would make for a great drinking game if you took a shot every time a Superstar is shown backstage standing awkwardly to the side of a monitor and watching it at a bizarre angle.

I would prefer them to promote a Carmella Q&A during an entrance or before a match, rather than right in the middle of a match. SmackDown has also fallen in love with on screen text and emojis. It is over the top and makes me feel like I’m watching a cartoon for toddlers.

Then there is the biggest issue with this show, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan. I think they are both awesome and was pumped when it was announced that they were going to be the SmackDown GM and Commissioner. On their first episode, they said that the focus of SmackDown was going to be about the Superstars in the ring. Now the show is far too focused on the bitterness between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon. It has become the exact opposite show that it was supposed to be and RAW is now consistently more entertaining.

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