By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown Hits
Final hype for Kofi Kingston vs. Kevin Owens: The Owens video package was very well done and did a nice job of recapping his WWE highlights. Let’s face it, there haven’t been many recent highlights due to his injury layoff and the bad booking that preceded it, so it was important to remind viewers of his peak moments. The sneak attack by Sami Zayn and the double team of Kingston that followed were well done. They did a nice job of putting heat on the heels in this segment and throughout most of the show.
Andrade vs. Finn Balor vs. Randy Orton vs. Ali in a four-way: A nice Money in the Bank ladder match preview. I came away questioning if Andrade winning this match means he won’t be winning the actual ladder match on Sunday. Rather, he scored the pin over Balor, which could set him up for an Intercontinental Championship feud.
Final hype for Becky Lynch’s two title matches at MITB: The Charlotte Flair video package was solid even though it’s hard not to wonder how much bigger this match would feel if her feud with Lynch had not been overexposed leading up to WrestleMania. Lynch vs. Flair will presumably be the better of the two women’s title matches on Sunday, yet I’m looking forward to the fresh Lynch vs. Lacey Evans match more. Evans has done a great job on the mic leading up to the match and I’m anxious to see how she performs in the biggest match of her career.
WWE Smackdown Misses
Roman Reigns and The Usos vs. Shane McMahon, Daniel Bryan, Rowan, and Elias: The opening segment was fine in terms of setting up the handicap match and giving some hype to the Reigns vs. Elias and Miz vs. Shane matches for Sunday. And even the actual handicap match was fine from a quality standpoint. The problem is that as it dragged on, the reality set in that this was more of a time filling episode than a strong go-home show. That said, if WWE ever gets serious enough about turning around their television ratings to truly shake things up, Reigns and the Usos would make an excellent heel faction.
Kairi Sane and Asuka vs. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville: A minor Miss. The finish was more about Rose getting a big head than putting over the newly named Kabuki Warriors.
Check below for the latest Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and guest Justin Credible discussing his sobriety, what triggered his PTSD, filming the Credible documentary, returning to the ring, his thoughts on WWE, AEW, the NWA Crockett Cup, and more.
I love Becky but damn I want to see Lacey win and get a lengthy title run.
Yep. She’s got work to do in the ring still, but she’s got the “it” factor that could make her a star.
That would be the equivalent of Seth Rollins losing the Universal Title to Mojo Rawley.