Powell’s WWE Smackdown Hit List: Charlotte Flair on replacing Becky Lynch at WrestleMania, Daniel Bryan vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Kofi Kingston in a gauntlet match, three-way women’s tag match

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE Smackdown Hits

Daniel Bryan vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Kofi Kingston in a gauntlet match: A nice treat for fans who want more in-ring action on WWE television. It’s unfortunate that Mustafa Ali is out of the Elimination Chamber, but this actually adds to his underdog story in the long term. I can’t say that Kofi Kingston being added to the match does much for me. He’s a great wrestler, but I was actually hoping for something new in Big E entering the Chamber. And while I understand the idea of building up Kingston by having him beat Daniel Bryan, Jeff Hardy, and Samoa Joe, I doubt that there are many people out there who suddenly see him as a threat to win on Sunday despite the impressive showing in his match. Nevertheless, it made for a fun story and good television. The only major disappointment was that you could see the finish coming a mile away just by looking at a clock. For that reason, I wish they would have run this match earlier in the show so there would have been more suspense for the finish.

Charlotte Flair promo: It’s no surprise that Flair shined on the mic now that she’s back in her natural heel role. There are plenty of fans who are frustrated by the thought of Flair potentially being added to the WrestleMania main event with Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch. And as much as I’d prefer to see the singles match between Rousey and Lynch, Flair is an excellent performer and she’s making the most out of the situation by heeling on the fans.

Naomi and Carmella vs. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay vs. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville: A solid match that gave the babyface duo a momentum building win, yet also put some heat on the Iiconics for their post match attack. I also like the call of starting off the Elimination Chamber match with Rose, Deville, Sasha Banks, and Bayley, as both teams are up for the challenge of having lengthy runs in the match if called upon.

McMiz TV with the Usos: There was some entertaining banter between the teams and the segment concluded with tension building superkicks from the challengers to the faces of the champions. Miz is doing a great job of making his oddball pairing with Shane into something fun.

WWE Smackdown Misses

None: A quality go-home show for the Elimination Chamber match, and it never hurts to have a strong gauntlet match fill an hour of television.

Check below for the new Pro Wrestling Boom with Jason Powell and Will Pruett discussing the All Elite Wrestling rally in Las Vegas, the potential fallout from the partnership with Mexico’s AAA promotion, Kenny Omega signing, and much more.