WWE SmackDown aired live from the TD Garden in Boston, MA. Universal Champion Goldberg and John Cena appeared on tonight’s show.
WWE SmackDown 2/28 Results
- Lacey Evans & Naomi def. Sasha Banks & Bayley
- Robert Roode def. Kofi Kingston
- Daniel Bryan def. Curtis Axel
- The Usos def. John Morrison & The Miz
Here are 5 takeaways from this week’s show:
Roman Reigns Will Face Goldberg At WrestleMania
New Universal Champion Goldberg came down to the ring to a chorus of boos as Michael Cole pointed out a photo of him with the belt got a lot of Instagram likes.
Goldberg asked “who’s next?” and dropped the microphone. Roman Reigns’ music hit and he joined Goldberg in the ring as the crowd chanted “you both suck!”. Reigns said that he is next and dropped the microphone. The match was then officially announced later on the show.
Opinion: Well, there is now at least one match I don’t care about at this year’s WrestleMania. Michael Cole stated that people were getting goosebumps during this segment. He didn’t clarify whether they were watching while cold or were excited for this match. It also doesn’t make sense to me what Roman Reigns did to earn the title shot besides beating King Corbin several times. I was assuming that Reigns would win the Elimination Chamber match to get a shot at the title. Instead, all Reigns had to do was walk to the ring and say he was next.
Sasha Banks Returned & Lost In Her Hometown
Bayley was set to face Naomi again tonight. Sasha Banks returned and joined Bayley in beating down Naomi. Lacey Evans rushed the ring and a brawl broke out. It was then announced that it will tag team match. Naomi hit Banks with a Crossbody outside the ring. Lacey connected with an awkward hop over the top rope followed by clumsy fall onto Bayley as you can see in the GIF below.
Match Recap: Banks and Bayley controlled the match early and isolated Naomi in the corner of the ring. Evans brought Sasha outside and threw her into the ring apron. Naomi capitalized on the distraction and rolled up Bayley for the victory.
Opinion: Sasha Banks made her triumphant return in her hometown only to lose a random tag match. It was great to see the SmackDown Women’s Champion get pinned in this match that nothing as well. I’m also looking forward to watching WWE desperately try to get Lacey Evans over once again in the coming weeks.
Braun Strowman Will Defend The IC Title In A Handicap Match At Elimination Chamber
Renee Young moderated the contract signing for the Intercontinental Championship match at Elimination Chamber. Braun Strowman will defend the title against Shinsuke Nakamura at the PPV. Sami Zayn and Cesaro accompanied Nakamura to the ring for the segment.
Zayn said that they were trying to conduct business like gentlemen and asked Strowman to grab a seat. Braun obliged and grabbed the computer chair and launched it out of the ring. Sami stated that Nakamura couldn’t enjoy his birthday last week because Strowman Powerslammed him onto a piano.
Strowman told Sami to shut up because everyone is tired of hearing him bitch and moan. Braun added that he doesn’t care what is in the contract, even if he has to fight all three of them, and just signed it. Zayn amended the contract so that Strowman will have to fight all three of them in a 3-on-1 Handicap match at Elimination Chamber.
Nakamura and Cesaro beat Strowman down in the corner and Sami followed it up with the Helluva Kick. Sami hit another one before Nakamura hit the Kinshasa. Cesaro and Shinsuke then Suplexed Strowman through the table.
Miz & Morrison Will Defend Their Titles In A Tag Team Elimination Chamber Match At The PPV
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Miz and John Morrison came down to the ring and boasted about winning the titles at Super ShowDown. Miz said that they proved all the haters wrong and now they can choke on their pancakes.
Miz and Morrison tried to start a chant for themselves before posing in the ring as Miz’s entrance music played. Ring announcer Greg Hamilton interrupted and announced that Miz & Morrison will defend their titles in a Elimination Chamber match at the PPV. Heavy Machinery, New Day, Roode & Ziggler, Lucha House Party, The Usos, and New Day will be the other teams in the match. The Usos then battled Morrison and Miz in a tag match.
Match Recap: The Usos controlled the match early as the glitch appeared on the screen once again.
Miz and Morrison battled back and started to start a chant for themselves once again. Jimmy tagged in and hit Morrison with a boot to the face and hung him up in the Tree of Woe. Jimmy then planted John with a Destroyer as Jey tagged in. Jey hit a Frog Splash for the pinfall victory.
Opinion: I will forever be dumbfounded as to why WWE has many of their champions lose non-title matches on television. I don’t understand the point of having Miz and Morrison win the titles 24-hours ago and then lose their first match the following night.
John Cena Will Face The Fiend At WrestleMania
John Cena made his return at the conclusion of this week’s episode of SmackDown. Cena got a great reaction from the crowd as John stated he will always be a WWE superstar.
Cena said that he is doing something different at this year’s WrestleMania and that he always prides himself on listening the to the WWE Universe. John added that the crowd is all passionate about the future of WWE and he is to.
John claimed that he is doing the right thing this year and that WrestleMania should go on without him. Cena said that WrestleMania spots should be earned and not demanded. Cena thanked the crowd and exited the ring. Cena gave a salute on the entrance ramp before the lights went out. The Fiend appeared on the entrance ramp and pointed at the WrestleMania sign. John tipped his cap at The Fiend and the lights went out again to end the show.
Opinion: The final few seconds of SmackDown were very well done with The Fiend challenging Cena at WrestleMania. I loved the shot of Cena slowly turning around to reveal The Fiend behind him. The rest of the show was a letdown unless you are a diehard Goldberg or Reigns fan.