Home News WWE Smackdown Recap & Reaction (3/28)

WWE Smackdown Recap & Reaction (3/28)

Robert Lentini
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WWE Smackdown Recap & Reaction (3/28)
WWE SmackDown

Shane McMahon Versus Styles is Official

Smackdown GM Daniel Bryan kicked off this week’s episode of Smackdown. Daniel Bryan asked the crowd if they were ready for Wrestlemania and the crowd broke out in a “yes!” chant. Shane McMahon came down to the ring and danced around the table in the ring. AJ Styles then joined the party and Shane McMahon mockingly clapped as he entered the ring. The entire crowd started to chant “AJ Styles” as Shane McMahon and Styles sat down.

Shane McMahon stated that when Smackdown became “Smackdown Live”, he and Daniel Bryan envisioned a place where every Superstar would get an oppurtunity. Shane said that Styles was one of the greatest talents to ever step foot in a wrestling ring. Styles agreed with Shane and acknowledged how phenomenal he was. Shane claimed that Styles’ ego got out of control and he became arrogant. Shane McMahon warned Styles that if he doesn’t bring his A-Game to Wrestlemania 33, it will be Shane’s hand that is raised at Wrestlemania. Shane then signed the contract and pushed it over to AJ.

Styles said that they were having a traditional match, so Shane couldn’t use things like chairs or tables. Styles vowed to embarrass Shane on every level at Wrestlemania 33. Styles referred to himself as “the best performer to ever set foot in a WWE ring”. Styles then signed the contract, shoved the table out of the way and got right in Shane’s face. Daniel Bryan separated the two as the crowd chanted “let them fight!”. Daniel Bryan suggested that the two seal the deal with a handshake. Shane reached out his hand and Styles walked away.

Reaction: The promo itself was good but I’m a bit concerned that there was no stipulation added. I hope that changes before Sunday’s show. I would be much more interested in this match if it were no DQ, a cage match or any other match besides a traditional match. I was looking forward to Shane McMahon doing something ridiculous at Wrestlemania 33. If it is just a traditional wrestling match, there is no reason AJ Styles shouldn’t win the match with ease.

Naomi Returns & Wrestlemania 33 Will Feel the Glow

Carmella gave Ellsworth the gum from her mouth before the match started. Alexa Bliss and Mickie James were on commentary for this match and started arguing immediately. Carmella beatdown Becky Lynch in the ring as the cameras cut to Alexa and Mickie argued ringside. Alexa and Mickie then got up and started shoving each other. Bliss connected with a right hand to the face of Mickie James. The brawl then entered the ring and the match ended in a disqualification. Mickie hit the Mick Kick on Alexa Bliss. Becky and Mickie then had a stare down in the ring and Smackdown went to a commercial break.

When Smackdown returned it was now a tag team match between Becky Lynch & Mickie James versus Alexa Bliss & Carmella. Mickie beatdown Alexa and tagged in Becky Lynch. Becky continued the beatdown but Alexa Bliss was able to tag in Carmella. Alexa then shoved Carmella in the ring and told Ellsworth to “shut up!” when Ellsworth dared to say something to her. Lynch tagged in Mickie James and Carmella took control of the match. Carmella hung Mickie up on the second rope and Alexa kicked her in the face from the ring apron.

Alexa Bliss got back into the match and she dragged Mickie to the mat by her hair. Alexa then connected with a right hand and Natalya’s music hit. Natalya started walking down the entrance ramp and Smackdown went to another commercial break. When Smackdown returned, Natalya had joined the commentary table as Mickie was still stuck in the ring. Becky Lynch was finally tagged in and she immediately connected with a series of kicks. Natalya then got up on the ring apron but Becky hit her in the face. Ellsworth then tripped up Becky and Carmella pinned her for the victory.

A brawl then broke out after the match and Naomi came down to the entrance ramp. Naomi then hit a ridiculous Hurricanrana on Natalya on the entrance ramp. Naomi then knocked Alexa out of the ring and grabbed a microphone. Naomi announced that she was back and that she was entering the Smackdown Women’s Championship at Wrestlemania 33 in her home town of Orlando, Florida.

Reaction: It is great to see Naomi back from injury. It would have been awful if she had to miss Wrestlemania 33 in her home town. It is still unclear what kind of match the Smackdown Women’s Championship will be at Wrestlemania 33. It was revealed that this match will be on the Kickoff Show and I think that is a letdown. For the most part, I think the women’s division has been more interesting on Smackdown than the Raw’s women’s division. I also would like to see title matches be featured on the main show at Wrestlemania. The Smackdown Women’s Championship match now joins the Cruiserweight Championship match on the Wrestlemania 33 Kickoff Show.

Breezango Join the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Tyler Breeze was still dressed as Nikki Bella and approached Daniel Bryan backstage. Breeze wanted to declare himself eligible for the Smackdown Women’s Championship match. Daniel Bryan suggested that Breezango join the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal instead.

Reaction: I do not ever want to see Tyler Breeze dressed as Nikki Bella again.

The Miz and Maryse came down to the ring and the final installment of their Total Bellas parody was shown. The Miz also played Daniel Bryan in this episode. Daniel Bryan was depicted as a very small person who is also a complete buffoon. Nikki Bella (Maryse) then proposed to John Cena at the kitchen table and a “to be continued” message flashed across the screen. The Miz and Maryse were then shown in the ring and they said that you will find out if Cena accepted Nikki’s proposal after the commercial break.

Cena Cuts an Incredible Promo

When Smackdown returned from a commercial break, the conclusion of the “un-aired episode of Total Bellas” was shown. John Cena (The Miz) denied Nikki’s proposal and said that it would damage his brand. Cena then went on to say that “Never Give Up” is in reference to never giving up his spot in the WWE. If he does, it will go to someone more talented and deserving. Cena then went on to say that he will never marry Nikki because he doesn’t love her and only loves himself. The Miz and Maryse then took off their costumes and warned Cena and Nikki that Wrestlemania 33 will be their curtain call. The Miz called Cena a “circus act” and a without WWE, Cena will just be “big dumb animal wandering the streets”.

Cena and Nikki Bella then came down to the ring to confront The Miz and Maryse. John Cena said that the segment was funny and it was one of the few good things that The Miz has done in the WWE. Cena stated that it was ridiculous that Maryse blamed Nikki for the WWE not bringing her back when Maryse was standing in a WWE ring now. Cena said that the truth is that the WWE simply didn’t want Maryse back at the time because she contributed nothing. Cena called The Miz’s movies crappy bootlegs of films Cena has already made. Cena then claimed that he was still trying to figure out what Maryse was doing in the WWE. Cena said that there is a women’s revolution going on in the WWE and all Maryse does is waste space and collect a paycheck.

Cena then commented on how Maryse and The Miz have been married for a long time yet they do not have any kids. Cena then asked The Miz if he “was firing blanks” and smacked him in the crotch. The Miz looked absolutely infuriated. Cena then called The Miz a “pu**y” and it was bleeped out. Cena then called The Miz and Maryse cowards and said they weren’t the “it” couple, they were the “sh*t” couple. Cena then challenged The Miz to fight him right now. Cena then said if Maryse wants to slap him, she better watch out because Nikki will slap the botox out of her face. The Miz and Maryse then retreated. The Miz almost got back into the ring but Maryse talked him out of it.

Reaction: The Miz has been great since the brand split. Cena has been excellent for a long time. The Miz and Maryse promo at the end of the Total Bellas parody was very good. However, John Cena completely owned this segment. Cena can make any match feel important and he sold a lot of people tonight on this match/feud. His promo felt very real and some of the shots he took at The Miz and Maryse were brutal. I was dreading this match when it was announced and now I cannot wait to see it at Wrestlemania 33. That is a credit to all four Superstars involved in the feud and especially John Cena for cutting one hell of a promo tonight.

Mojo, Slater, Rhyno & American Alpha defeat The Usos, Dolph Ziggler & Breezango

The first few minutes were fast-paced. Everyone was getting launched out of the ring left and right. Rhyno hit a big time Gore on Ziggler. Breeze kicked Rhyno out of the ring and then Mojo hit him with a forearm for a victory.

It was announced that the Smackdown Women’s Championship will defended in a Six-Pack Challenge match. It will be Alexa Bliss defending her title against Carmella, Mickie James, Becky Lynch, Natalya and Naomi.

Wyatt Defeats Harper, Receives Warning From Randy Orton

Bray Wyatt and Harper traded punches to start off the match. Harper connected with a Dropkick that sent Bray out of the ring. Harper threw Wyatt over the barricade and climbed up on the announce table and Smackdown went to a commercial break. When Smackdown returned, Bray Wyatt was in control of the match. Harper fought back and slammed Wyatt to the mat for a two count. Wyatt slammed Harper to the mat and followed it up with a Senton for a two count. Harper hit Wyatt with a Suicide Dive outside the ring and Bray fell over the announce table.

Harper brought Wyatt back in the ring and connected with a big boot for a two count. Wyatt went for a Sister Abigail but Harper countered it into a Superkick and followed it up with a Clothesline. Harper went for the pin but Bray grabbed the bottom rope to break up the pinfall. Wyatt then stared at Harper and Harper hesitated. Wyatt then connected with the Sister Abigail for the pinfall victory.

Wyatt posed in the ring and shouted “follow the buzzards”. Randy Orton was then shown on the titantron and he was once again at the Wyatt compound. Orton then drove a stake through the ashes of Sister Abigail and stated that he was coming for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania 33. Smackdown went off the air with a viper launching at the screen.

Reaction: For the most part, Smackdown did what it had to do tonight. It hyped up most of their matches that will be featured on Wrestlemania 33’s card. I was disappointed that the Intercontinental Championship storyline wasn’t mentioned at all as both Ambrose and Corbin were not on tonight’s show. The highlight of the show was definitely Cena’s promo on The Miz and Maryse.

As for the WWE Championship feud, I feel like the WWE has dropped the ball on this one. Bray Wyatt has deserved a title reign for a long time but it has lost a lot of it’s mystique. Instead of having a simple storyline, the WWE Championship has become bogged down in this convoluted storyline about Sister Abigail and her ashes. I thought the Wyatt Family and Orton storyline was one of the better parts of Smackdown. Now, it has gone off the rails and lost a lot of momentum heading into Wrestlemania 33. Orton and Wyatt are capable of putting on a solid match and that would rectify most of this. I figured that the build up to the WWE Championship would be great, but it hasn’t really landed for me. I’m all for bizarre storylines, but this one hasn’t engaged me at all recently.

What did you think of this week’s episode of Smackdown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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