Welcome wrestling fans and readers to SLTD Wrestling. Let’s catch up with the Rasslin Roundup, and two episodes of Smackdown. This will cover both the January 28th and February 4th episodes. And in unrelated yet good news, the groundhog gives us an early spring! Ah, but enough banter and posturing, let’s get to the matches!
January 28th gave us the Highlight Reel and it segued into the 8 man tag team main event for that evening. Tag team matches were prolific on this episode and also a way to blend and mesh matches and talent together; including others who have little storyline development as well. The New Day trio opened up the show in the beginning segment. Through many interruptions and machinations, it led to the first bout of the card. Teaming with the Miz, New Day was in a losing effort versus the team of Titus O’Neil, Dolph Ziggler (who they need to elevate more so, and because of injuries). Ziggler and O’Neil’s partners to finish the tandem, were the Uso’s.
In other action, Kalisto defeated Neville and AJ Styles won over Curtis Axel. Both matches were in singles competition. Ironically, how Axel went to IC champ and had a credible reign and a legit manager, to floating around and not having much depth in his storylines or personas is quite sad. From the hokey Axelmania and now a proverbial jobber status, Axel has the ability but isn’t pushed as much or correctly now, since his initial debut/buzz. Neville is a guy as a dark horse who has talent and ability, but gets stuck in comical feuds and little investment is made into this guy. It is a crying shame; and both he and Axel are in different places, booking-wise; but their talent remains to be seen and is underutilized. Just ask guys like O’Neil and Ziggler, and even Cody Rhodes who is tagged as the Stardust persona.
Charlotte defeated Natalya in singles competition, in a non-title Divas bout. The main event was spurred by the Highlight Reel, with Jericho hosting. Jericho’s initial guests were Ambrose and Reigns, who were interrupted by the Wyatt family. Who here is thinking flashback to NOC, Night of Champions? What a short-sighted and simplistic way to book a main event, but not have any long-term ramifications in this “feud”. Instead, it’s just “a” match, and it’s only to get through the evening’s end of action.
The February 4th broadcast brought the following matches. The initial Rusev and Roman Reigns encounter to open the show, ended in a no-contest. The decision was promoted by mutual interference from Dean Ambrose and Alberto Del Rio. Wade Barrett would also follow suit. These developments would be renewed as the main event tag team bout. Roman would team up with Ambrose to defeat De; Rio and Rusev.
In other action, AJ Styles defeated the Miz, with Jericho on commentary. Jericho in a post-match development, would ask for a rematch from Styles. Styles agreed and the bout has been made, Jericho-Styles version two. Ryback in his new Goldberg-esque attire would be victorious against Wyatt Family member Erick Rowan. Braun Strowman would intervene, but Ryback thought quickly on his feet and escaped the potential attack.
Brock Lesnar was advertised for next week for Smackdown. We were also treated to a Renee Young interview of Becky Lynch, which was interrupted by Sasha Banks- based on Monday Night’s split from Team BAD and subsequent encounter.
Other matches consisted of a predictable Charlotte victory, which looks strong going into Fastlane. Charlotte defeated Alicia Foxx which was a flip-flop result; as the only real change from Monday is that Foxx took the loss; as predicted. Honestly, its a shame that Brie doesn’t get enough props, let alone victories; all because she isn’t her sister Nikki. When does Brie get her solo chance to shine? Was it the ill-fated sibling rivalry as the big break, and of which for inexplicable reasons- ended abruptly, and then they were buddy-buddy again?
The New Day comes out for an appearance, and promo. Subsequently, they were interrupted by the Social Outcasts, and led to the incoming tag team match. The New Day defeated the Social Outcast.
Finally, with help from Dolph Ziggler; Kalisto gets the win over Kevin Owens. Owens though, despite the loss would have the last laugh, laying out both men. Perhaps this is a development for the US title, triple threat at Fastlane? (You heard it here first, the Rasslin Roundup predicts it).
The main event consisted heavily on the big time players and a bridge to prop up these talents for Fastlane. Again, the analysis is that this is the best roster (including NXT talents) that WWE has had in quite some time. Imagine with all the health woes, if everybody was healthy and running full steam ahead? However, Smackdown is the premier “wrestling” show, with great matches; but very little happens to move or further develop stories (and thats what RAW is solely for). Can Smackdown become as “hot” as RAW?
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