By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,337)
Chicago, Illinois at Allstate Arena
Simulcast live April 4, 2025 on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore checked in on commentary while a shot aired of the host city followed by a shot of WrestleMania host venue Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The fans in the arena chanted CM Punk.
Arrival shots aired of Braun Strowman, Jacob Fatu with Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga, U.S. Champion LA Knight, “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, “The Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, B-Fab, and Naomi.
Tessitore and Wade Barrett checked in from ringside and praised the typically hot crowd in Chicago. Tessitore set up a video package that recapped last week’s contract signing for the CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins match for WrestleMania 41…
The crowd chanted for CM Punk and then his entrance theme hit. Punk looked to one side and then ran over and hugged a couple of young fans in the crowd before shaking hands with others. Punk went back to the entrance area and knelt down. “It’s…” Punk said before letting the fans fill in the “Clobberin’ Time.”
Once at ringside, Punk stood on the barricade opposite the hard camera and played to the fans. Tessitore said he rarely removes his headset, but he did so that he could experience the reaction to Punk in Chicago.
Punk said he doesn’t know where to begin. He said he was told that the best television audiences were overseas, but he knew they were coming to Chicago. Punk grabbed a camera from Rico the cameraman and aimed it at the crowd. “It’s Punk Cam,” Tessitore quipped before Punk handed the camera back to Rico.
Punk said he’s not supposed to be here. He said he was born with a cord around his neck and was turning blue. Punk said his goal is normally to make new fans. He asked the fans watching on television to forgive him while he thanked 16,000 friends and family. Punk said that when they tell you you’re not supposed to be here, you question who is going to make you leave.
“I don’t know if you’ve heard this, but I’m in the main event of WrestleMania,” Punk said. He looked at the camera and then patted his arm in Rock goosebump style. A “you deserve it” chant broke out. Punks said he earned it.
Punk mentioned training at the Steel Domain Academy and dressing like a gangster for John Cena’s WrestleMania entrance. He said he was told that that’s was good as it would get because he wasn’t supposed to be there.
Punk thanked his wife April and said she’d probably be a little mad at him for doing so, but his puppy Larry(!!!) would not be. Punk said he wouldn’t be who he is or where he is without Chicago. Punk said the hard work begins now. Punk said he has a date at WrestleMania and he promised to whip Seth Rollins’ ass and to put a beating on Roman Reigns during the main event of WrestleMania.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Paul Heyman said before walking out and introducing himself. Heyman said he just arrived in Chicago and apologized for being late. Heyman said it was no disrespect to his best friend in the world, CM Punk. Heyman asked Punk for permission to enter the ring. An “ECW” chant broke out. Punk said Heyman couldn’t escape ECW.
Heyman said not to ask what you can do for your wiseman, but rather what your wiseman can do for you. “You belong here,” Heyman said. “You belong in this ring. You belong in Chicago. And by God, you belong in the main event of WrestleMania.”
Heyman recalled asking Punk to take him and then being taken out by Solo Sikoa’s version of The Bloodline the next week. Heyman said Punk considered not returning due to the beating him took during Hell in a Cell. Heyman said he asked Punk do be in WarGames and he saved The Bloodline.
Heyman thanked Punk and said he had one more favor to ask of him. Punk asked what he could for Heyman, who then asked Punk to tell him the favor that he owes him. Heyman said Roman Reigns would be there and he would be pissed off enough. Heyman said Punk doesn’t know what The Tribal Chief is like.
Punk had Heyman verify that Reigns wasn’t in the building. Heyman said he was in a training camp for WrestleMania. Punk said that as much as he doesn’t think the favor is any of Roman’s business, it will affect him. Punk said he would like to tell Reigns to his face when he tells Heyman. Punk told Heyman to let him and all of his friends know when “Big Chief decides to show up.” Punk dropped the mic and exited the ring, leaving Heyman looking concerned…
A Rey Fenix teaser video aired and hyped his debut for after the commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: The love affair between Punk and his hometown is truly special. It was a really nice hook to have Punk tease that he will share what the favor is once Reigns arrives.
NXT Tag Team Champion Nathan Frazer was in the ring coming out of the break and was introduced by new ring announcer Mark Nash. Rey Fenix had a flashy entrance and received a strong reaction. Fenix stood on the ropes and removed one mask and had another one underneath…
1. Rey Fenix vs. Nathan Frazer. There were “Let’s Go Fenix” chants during the opening minute. Frazer used a head-scissors to send Fenix to ringside. Frazer went for a suicide dive, but his knees hit the ropes. Fenix moved forward to help brace Frazer’s fall. Fenix performed a spinning dive from the rope rope onto Frazer on the floor heading into a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Frazer performed a superplex and what Barrett called a Final Cut neckbreaker for a near fall. Frazer went to the ropes and went for a corkscrew dive that Fenix avoided, but Frazer drilled Fenix with a knee strike.
Fenix came back with a kick and then ran across the top rope and hit Frazer with another kick. Fenix picked up Frazer and then drove his head into the mat in piledriver fashion for a near fall. Fenix followed up with more kick s and then hit what Tessitore called the MMB (Mexican Muscle Buster) and scored the pin.
Rey Fenix defeated Nathan Frazer in 8:17.
After the match, Byron Saxton entered the ring and asked Fenix how it felt to debut in a WWE ring. Fenix said he has a lot of history in Chicago. He said it’s more than just a debut. He said he is reborn with love. Fenix said he has waited his whole life to say this, then said he is WWE. Fenix dropped to his knees and bowed…
Backstage, Santos Escobar told Angel and Berto that what Rey Fenix did is the type of performance he expects from them. Both men were annoyed. Berto called Fenix a flash in the pan and said he’s better than. Escobar liked what he heard and told Berto to prove he’s better than Fenix…
Powell’s POV: The Frazer suicide dive spot was scare for both men. Obviously, Frazer could have crashed and burned at ringside after his knees hit the ropes, but it also could have been bad for Fenix when he scrambled to catch Frazer as best he could. Frazer actually landed on Fenix’s left leg, which was bent in an awkward position. Fortunately, both wrestlers seemed to be okay and the rest of the match served as a good debut for Fenix.
The broadcast team hyped the two No. 1 contenders matches… [C] Tessitore hyped the WrestleMania week schedule…
A Drew McIntyre promo video aired. McIntyre wore a patch over right eye and spoke about his history with Damian Priest. McIntyre said he got shards of glass in his eye and may never been the same. McIntyre said he needs a miracle and he needs to pray. “Everybody knows that when Drew McIntyre prays, bad things happen,” McIntyre closed…
Braun Strowman was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Strowman said he’s sick of Jacob Fatu being a thorn in his side. He said he would buzzsaw him and then go to WrestleMania and complete his grand slam of titles.
Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga showed up and laughed at Strowman. Solo said that no matter what Strowman says, he still has to face Fatu.
LA Knight showed up and told Strowman not to waste his energy on “this pumpkin head.” Solo said Knight has a lot of balls talking to him like that. Knight said they are gargantuan. Tama made his weird noises and then said Knight should be worried about him. Knight mock Tama’s noises and then called for a referee before making his entrance… [C] Tama Tonga made his entrance with Solo Sikoa…
2. U.S. Champion LA Knight vs. Tama Tonga (w/Solo Sikoa) in a non-title match. Solo provided a distraction while Knight was on the apron. Tama took advantage by knocking Knight off the apron and against the side of the broadcast table. [C]
[Hour Two] Tama was in offensive control until Knight avoided a middle rope elbow drop. Sikoa provided another distraction. Knight knocked Solo off the apron and was rolled up for a two count. Knight came right back with a BFT on Tama and then pinned him…
U.S. Champion LA Knight defeated Tama Tonga in 8:15 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: A solid television win for Knight in a match that did not overstay its welcome.
Paul Heyman was shown in waiting at the entrance of the parking area when Saxton approached him. Heyman looked into the camera and said no matter what the favor is, his answer is yes. He pleaded with Punk to share the details with him. As Heyman spoke into the camera,
A black SUV pulled in behind Heyman. “My Tribal Chief has arrived,” Heyman said. Seth Rollins exited the SUV and said Heyman was expecting “the other Shield guy.” Rollins said Heyman looked horrible. Rollins put his arm around Heyman and laughed while telling him that he dug himself a hole. Rollins said it affects him too. He told Heyman to let him know when Reigns arrives because he wants to hear what the favor is too…
Charlotte Flair made her entrance in non-wrestling attire. Tessitore said that Barrett would be the man in the middle for a segment involving Flair and Tiffany Stratton… [C]
A spooky vignette aired for what might be the return of Aleister Black…
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton made her entrance and joined Charlotte Flair and Wade Barrett in the ring. Barrett introduced the champion and the challenger. Flair was booed. She said that was power. Stratton asked the fans what time it was and they loudly replied, “Tiffy Time.”
Barrett asked Flair if she still thinks she made the wise choice in choosing to challenge Stratton. Flair said Stratton wanted a moment. Flair said she hadn’t done any charity work lately. She said she made the right choice because she wanted to show the smartest fans in the world in Chicago that there is no comparison.
Stratton said Flair’s biggest competitor has never been in the ring, it’s been with the fans and it’s a battle she will never win. Stratton said Flair puts on a facade that nothing bothers her and then she cried on a talkshow. Stratton said Flair will always come second to her daddy Ric Flair, and she will come in second to her at WrestleMania.
Flair tried to speak twice and stopped because of the fans. Stratton said that’s power. Nice. Flair asked if Stratton thought she was the first opponent to say she comes second to her father. Stratton asked Flair if the cat had her tongue. Flair said the fans were booing so loud.
Flair told Stratton she could have the last word. Stratton said that at age 25, Charlotte was trying to become a volleyball player while drinking in her father’s basement. Stratton said that at age 25, she’s walking into WrestleMania as the WWE Women’s Champion. The fans cheered.
Stratton said Flair claims it’s just another match for her, but it seems like she’s gotten to her. Stratton said Flair might be The Queen inside the ring, but outside the ring she’s not the queen of shit. Flair went high pitched while saying she couldn’t hear Stratton and said she’s so squeaky.
Stratton called Flair a nepo baby. Flair said she’s a nepo queen. Stratton said that after it’s all said and done at WrestleMania, Flair will be just like she is outside the ring – alone. Stratton asked Flair if her record was 0-3 and then exited the ring. “Tiffy, is that why Kaiser is in my DM’s?” Flair asked in regards to Stratton’s boyfriend Ludwig Kaiser…
Powell’s POV: WTF was that? It came off like Flair was rattled by the live crowd and gave up even though Dominik Mysterio and others have played to more heat. I guess they’re just assuming that all viewers are familiar with Flair’s appearance on Sherri Shepherd’s talkshow and that everyone knows Stratton dates Ludwig Kaiser. On the bright side, Stratton came off like she showed up ready deliver on the mic and she received a strong babyface reaction.
Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis stood backstage and said that in conjunction with Raw GM Adam Pearce, there will be a tag team gauntlet match with the winners earning a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title at WrestleMania…
WWE Tag Team Champions “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins made their entrance to watch the No. 1 contenders match for their titles… [C] The Motor City Machine Guns were in the ring coming out of the break, and then DIY made their entrance…
3. “Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin vs. “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles. “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins sat in the front row. Shelley clotheslined Ciampa over the top rope to the floor and then went after him at ringside. Ciampa ran around the ring and returned to the ring where he made a blind tag to Gargano, who hit Shelley with a slingshot spear once Shelley was back inside the ring before a PIP break. [C]
Sabin avoided the Meeting in the Middle. The Guns hit Ciampa with The Facial. The Guns set up for Skull and Bones, but Gargano hit Sabin, who pulled the turnbuckle pad off the top rope while falling to the mat.
A short time later, Ciampa tried to use the ropes for leverage while covering Sabin, but the referee caught him. Ciampa argued with the referee and then charged at Sabin, who moved, causing Ciampa to crash into the exposed turnbuckle. Sabin rolled up Ciampa and pinned him.
“Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin defeated “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa in 9:05 to earn a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles.
After the match, the Guns approached the Street Profits and the teams exchanged words…
Powell’s POV: A good tag match. I’m not sure why they felt the need to protect DIY with the exposed turnbuckle spot, but I am looking forward to the Street Profits vs. MCMG.
Backstage, The Miz and Carmelo Hayes approached “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson. Miz mocked them for losing a tag title match in their home country. Hayes called them Pretty Useless and then asked if they are a tag team or the Chicago Bears.
Pretty Deadly mocked Miz about The Marine movies. Miz said he’s a nine-time tag team champion and asked how many titles they’ve won. Wilson asked Hayes why he’s been relegated to The Miz. Miz got upset and said they are Melo Don’t Miz. “And we are AwesHim”…
Powell’s POV: Yeah, why has Melo been relegated to Miz?
B-Fab made her entrance and was joined by Michin on the stage, but B-Fab headed to the ring alone for her match against Naomi… [C] Tessitore hyped Undertaker’s show for WrestleMania weekend…
Naomi walked out for her entrance and was jumped from behind by Jae Cargill. Security quickly intervened. Naomi headed to the ring while Jade was held back…
4. Naomi vs. B-Fab. Once Naomi entered the ring, she turned back and looked at a smiling Jade Cargill. The referee was a dick in that he called for the bell to start the match without even checking on Naomi. B-Fab took advantage of the referee being an asshole, but Naomi came back and hit a modified lung blower for the win.
Naomi beat B-Fab in 2:05.
After the match, Naomi grabbed a microphone and called out Jade while noting that she was still standing. Jade entered the ring behind Naomi and then hit her with a pump kick once she turned around. Security entered the ring and stopped Jade from hitting Jaded. Jade cleared the security guards from the ring while Naomi escaped to ringside.
Smackdown GM Nick Aldis came out and said he had just about enough of this. He said there was only one solution. Aldis booked Jade vs. Naomi in a singles match at WrestleMania 41. Jade was thrilled. Naomi flashed a sinister smile…
Powell’s POV: The referee almost made me feel bad for Naomi’s character. Putting that aside, Naomi is really sinking her teeth into this heel role.
A Damian Priest video promo aired. He spoke about how Drew McIntyre couldn’t let go of his weird obsession with CM Punk, which led to him beating him in two different title matches. Priest said he eliminated McIntyre from the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber.
Priest said McIntyre attacked him like a coward and cost him his shot at WrestleMania. Priest called McIntyre a hypocrite and said that he’s a junkie who gets off on the high of telling stupid ass jokes every week for a cheap ass pop. Priest said McIntyre plays the victim. He said McIntyre doesn’t have to portray him as the villain anymore because he is the villain. Priest called for McIntyre to meet him face-to-face in the ring next week. Priest said he wants McIntyre to stop playing the victim and become his victim at WrestleMania…
A somber looking Kevin Owens was shown walking backstage with a Bret Hart jacket on while Tessitore questioned what he would have to say after the break… [C]
A Triple H video aired on his time with Evolution to promote him as the headliner of the WWE Hall of Fame class…
Nick Aldis stood in the ring and said this is a part of his job that isn’t very fun. Aldis said there is a fine line between coming back last week like everything is fine and then finding out that you may never step foot in the ring again. He said there’s a reason they say don’t try this at home. He said he didn’t want to say too much and wanted fans to hear it from the man himself.
Kevin Owens made his entrance. Once in the ring, he said he’s been doing this for 25 years. He said he gave it all he had every time he stepped in the ring. He said he experienced things he will never forget and has been able to take care of his family in a way that he never dreamed of.
[Hour Three] Owens said there’s a price to pay and it’s the toll that it takes on the bodies of wrestlers. Owens said he’s been dealing with a pretty serious neck injury for the last four months. He said they didn’t know what it was, but they found out and he needs to go have neck surgery. Owens said the timing couldn’t be worse because not being able to get in the ring with Randy Orton at WrestleMania really sucks.
Owens said he’s thankful to the company for letting him address the fans because he doesn’t know when he’ll appear in front of them again. He said he’s learned not to take anything for granted and he will never take this for granted. Owens thanked the fans and said he’s sorry. Owens hugged Aldis and started to leave the ring, but he was interrupted.
Randy Orton’s entrance music played and he walked out and slowly walked toward the ring while Owens remained on the apron. Orton walked up the steps and joined Owens on the ring apron. Owens dropped off the apron and headed toward the back. Orton entered the ring.
Owens stopped and appeared to have an issue with a fan, but the camera cut away from him. A “Randy” chant broke out. Aldis told Orton that he hated to tell him that he no longer has a match for WrestleMania.
Orton looked upset and then dropped Aldis with an RKO. Orton’s entrance theme played and then he turned and looked at the WrestleMania sign. Barrett said that at this point in Orton’s career, he doesn’t want to miss a single WrestleMania. Orton left the ring and turned back and looked at the WrestleMania sign. [C]
Powell’s POV: I’d love to know what the fan said that caused Owens to stop. Anyway, if this is all legitimate as various reports suggested throughout the day, then it’s obviously a shame. I was really hoping that Owens was going to attack Orton. Hell, I still am. I’d love it if they were working everyone, but it doesn’t look good. Here’s wishing KO the best.
Ring announcer Mark Nash stood in the ring and explained the rules of a Last Man Standing match and then entrances for the match took place with Jacob Fatu coming out first followed by Braun Strowman…
5. Jacob Fatu vs. Braun Strowman in a Last Man Standing match for a shot at the U.S. Championship. Fatu left the ring and met Strowman at ringside to start the match. In the ring, Fatu hit a pair of jump up moonsaults. The referee counted, but Strowman rolled to the floor and onto his feet heading into PIP break. [C]
Strowman pulled a table out from underneath the ring and set it up in a corner of the ring. A short time later, Strowman charged Fatu, who pulled the top rope down, sending Strowman to ringside. Fatu hit Strowman with a suicide dive that sent Strowman over the broadcast table. Strowman beat the referee’s count.
A short time later, Strowman did his Strowman Express, which led to both men crashing through the barricade and into the timekeepers’ area. Both wrestlers got to their feet at the referee’s nine count. [C]
Both wrestlers fought into production row where Strowman suplexed Fatu off a production crate and through a couple of tables. The crowd’s “holy shit” chants were censored and both wrestlers beat the count.
Back in the ring, Fatu charged Strowman and turned his back toward him while driving him through the table that was set up in a corner of the ring. Fatu used the ropes to pull himself to his feet. Strowman was trying to do the same, but he was unable to do so before the ten count.
Jacob Fatu defeated Braun Strowman in 14:50 in a Last Man Standing match to earn a shot at the U.S. Championship at WrestleMania 41.
Powell’s POV: Hard work from both wrestlers. I was pleasantly surprised to see a clean finish, as I suspected they would both fail to beat the ten count and we’d get a Triple Threat for the U.S. Title at WrestleMania.
The broadcast team hyped a look back at the Cody Rhodes and John Cena segment from Monday’s Raw. Tessitore hyped the WrestleMania After Dark events for Vegas… [C] Tessitore recapped the show’s match results as they were shown in graphics on one side of the screen…
A Cody Rhodes and John Cena video package recapped their segment from Monday’s Raw…
The following matches and segments were announced for next week’s Smackdown in Seattle: WWE Champion Cody Rhodes returns, a tag team gauntlet for a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania, Rey Fenix vs. Berto, and Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre meet face-to-face…
Paul Heyman stood in the open parking garage area. Byron Saxton showed up and asked Heyman for an update on the arrival of Roman Reigns. Heyman mocked Saxton and said any minute… [C]
An SUV pulled into the parking area where Paul Heyman was waiting. Roman Reigns emerged from the SUV and walked right past Heyman without making eye contact despite Heyman trying to speak with him. Heyman followed Reigns as he walked through the backstage area and made his entrance.
Once in the ring, Reigns told Chicago to acknowledge him. The fans cheered and chanted OTC. Reigns asked Heyman if he was there. Heyman confirmed that he was. The fans chanted for CM Punk. Reigns said that’s exactly who he was talking about. Reigns asked Heyman if Punk was still talking about the favor. Heyman confirmed that he was.
Reigns said he doesn’t know how Chicago deals with “this guy.” Reigns asked Heyman if he should share a secret with Chicago. Heyman said yes. Reigns told the fans that Punk wouldn’t be “back here” it wasn’t for him. Reigns said Punk wouldn’t be in the main event of WrestleMania if it wasn’t for him. Reigns mocked the fans for thinking they need to like Punk because they are from the same city.
Reigns said they are good people, but they’re not very smart. Reigns said Punk wrestled Hall of Famers and champions, but he’d never been in the WrestleMania main event until he was introduced to the Tribal Chief.
An “OTC” chant broke out. Reigns looked into the camera and said Punk could hear the fans cheering for him in his city. Reigns called for Punk to come out and indulge the Tribal Chief. Reigns looked at his watch when nothing happened.
Seth Rollins’ entrance music played. Heyman shook his head. Rollins made his entrance and entered the ring. Rollins said he wouldn’t miss this one for the world. Rollins said he didn’t know what the favor was, but he had a feeling that the reality would knock his socks off.
Rollins said that Reigns doesn’t like to live in the real world, and whenever he steps outside of his little universe, reality bites him in the ass. Rollins pointed to “the heist of the century” as one example and last year’s WrestleMania main event as another.
Fans started chanting “what’s the favor.” Rollins said he was wondering the same thing. Rollins said Reigns thinks he’s better than Punk and that he’ll go away if he ignores him. Rollins said he made that mistake and now Punk is in the main event of WrestleMania and that’s something he has to deal with.
Reigns said the reality is that Rollins is not trustworthy. Reigns said he made a promise to the wiseman and that’s why Punk is allowed to stand there. The fans sang Reigns’ name in European fan style (no!!!!). Rollins said there was only one thing missing. “Let’s find out what this favor is, shall we,” Rollins said.
CM Punk made his entrance. Punk said the favor is about friendship and loyalty. He said it goes back to Louisville, Kentucky when Heyman was told to fire Punk and said no. Punk recalled talking with Heyman, Big Show, and Rob Van Dam when Heyman was leaving the company.
Punk said he made the mistake of making it about himself and worried he’d be fired. He recalled Heyman telling Punk that when he main events WrestleMania, he should force them to deal with “us.” Punk said they’re not here anymore, so he was going to force Reigns out of his comfort zone. Punk said he was going to force Reigns “to deal with us.”
Punk said Roman’s wiseman and Punk’s best friend Paul Heyman would be in his corner at WrestleMania. Rollins laughed. Heyman’s jaw dropped and Reigns looked like he was in disbelief.
“That’s the favor?” Reigns asked before laughing. “You understand that he loves me, right? He needs me. I saved him. Even if I let him, he wouldn’t.”
Reigns told Heyman to “let this desperate fool down easy.” Heyman looked at Reigns, who then looked surprised as he looked at a teary-eyed Heyman. “Are you crying?” asked Reigns. “You better wipe ’em up and tell him no.”
Reigns told Heyman that he took him in and made him relevant. “Tell him no,” said Reigns. Punk smiled as he watched the exchange. Reigns told Heyman he was giving him one more opportunity to tell Punk no.
“No, my Tribal Chief, I can’t do that,” Heyman said. Punk smiled and Rollins fell to his knees while laughing. Reigns backed Heyman into a corner of the ring and removed Heyman’s pocket square and started to wipe his eyes.
Punk attacked Reigns from behind and put him down with a GTS. Rollins stood across the ring and stared at Punk. Rollins smiled and then exited the ring. The producer credits aired along with a note about promotional consideration was furnished by Prime Hydration. Another graphic listed Smackdown for next week in Seattle at the standard television start time…
Powell’s POV: Punk and Heyman reuniting at the expense of Reigns adds a nice hook, but there’s still the issue with the Triple Threat feeling inconsequential for a WrestleMania night one main event. And then there’s the issue of it feeling like Rollins is there to ultimately take the loss. It’s a fine match for any other premium live event, but it still feels underwhelming as a WrestleMania main event.
Overall, Smackdown in Chicago delivered in terms of being entertaining and newsworthy. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same night audio review of Smackdown for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Smackdown by grading the show below.
Join me for my live review of AEW Dynasty on Sunday.
If you look up obsequious in the dictionary, you will see Paul Heyman’s Wiseman persona’s picture
Why would I have to look it up in the dictionary? Do you think I’m dumb? Don’t answer that. Fine, I would have to look it up in the dictionary.
Good lord this Charlotte Tiffany segment is awful!!
It was weird, for sure. Among other things, if Tiffy wants to differentiate herself, why did she dress like Charlotte?
That segment was nasty and ugly and, at the very end, Charlotte’s comments about Kaiser just seemed 8th grade pathetic.
I sure hope the match is better than the promos they’ve been cutting
I may be alone in this, but Charlotte has go away heat for me. Of all the women on the main roster and NXT she”s the only one I feel that way about. For as long as she’s been doing it, she’s not a good promo.
That was a really weird promo segment. I think honestly charlotte was so rattled by the boos that she either lost track of what she was supposed to say or gave up entirely. I don’t know if Tiffy was making things up on the spot after that but to me that felt like it became somewhat of a shoot. I don’t think the DMs comment was planned. I think charlotte is just really thrown by those boos and doesn’t know what to do. Tiffy is still green enough that it’s a lot to expect her to cover. And then beyond that… yeah.. charlotte really feels like she has go away heat. Maybe that’s why she is reacting different from Dom, as a for instance, because his heat was not go away heat. It was we are in on it heat.
I couldn’t agree more!!!
Same. Like, I don’t dislike her because she’s a “heel” and “does heel stuff”. I dislike her because she’s just lame. I wish the crowd’s would just chant “GO AWAY” over and over from the moment she enters the arena to the moment she leaves.
tan, you are not alone. Charlotte *may* be a decent wrestler, but she does have- excuse me – extreme go away heat. she’s wooden, and just NOT interesting in any way shape or form.
Seriously, if Tiffy, who is green and still awkward on the mic, can bury her like that, why is she even there (besides her name and the plastic surgery)?
As jason succinctly put it: “WTF was that?”
My god, Charlotte usually makes me immediately hit the mute button. That segment more or less confirmed that most people are just sick and tired of hearing her. Go away.
So is it a work with Owens?If it’s a shoot what will Orton do at Mania?
Charlotte looks awful. She’s really thin and is starting to look like Kenny Rodgers .
Owens walked up the steps and joined Owens on the ring apron. Owens dropped off the apron and headed toward the back and then Owens entered the ring.
Wow.
That’s alot of Owens!
Lol,see what I did there?
GFY, Nigel.
Not too surprising (the favor) but it adds some good tension to the story. I agree with you, Jason, that it’s still doesn’t sell this as a main event for me, but it will no doubt be a good match. They all ahve high skills and could bring it. I’m not sold on the idea that Rollins will take the pin; but, of course, as a triple threat, there are no DQ. So, return of the OG bloodline? Sami sneaks in and messes stuff up? Brass knickles?
Heyman’s bootlicking character was really over the top tonight.
The Final Cut is a move that Goldust uses as his finisher and still uses in AEW
Rollins is just not at Roman or Punks level of stardom, and it really feels odd to even have him there.
I sincerely hope they are not faking a neck injury with Owens. Bad taste, worse karma.
Probably not because of Big E and all..
I’m not even kidding: I dont have cable/satellite/whatever it takes to watch smackdown, so i rarely see some of these wrestlers. I literally didn’t know that was Charlotte when I saw a acreenshot of this segment. Get her off TV, away from live crowds, and get her help. I hate to state the obvious, but her outside is revalealing that there’s something wrong on the inside. Body dysmorphia is real and a clear indication of something internal. She’s got real problems that go beyond wrestling crowds or promos.