2/28 WWE Talking Smack Review: Styles confronts Shane and Bryan about whether he gets to keep his WrestleMania title shot, plus Alpha and Natalya

WWE TALKING SMACK REVIEW
FEBRUARY 28, 2017
AIRED LIVE ON WWE NETWORK
BY CRAIG ELBE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Renee Young welcomed the viewers to the show, followed by an introduction to herself and Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan, our favorite with his hands full.

They began by discussing the burning of the Wyatt Family compound at the hands of Randy Orton.  Bryan said the number 1 contender is now in up in the air with many questions and allegations regarding tonight’s traumatic turn of events.

During his brief stay with the Wyatts, Bryan said he never considered arson as a way out but said Orton is wired differently.  Renee talked about the many versions of Orton we’ve seen, but this one against Wyatt at Wrestlemania would be one to watch.

Bryan offered no comment as Renee pivoted and welcomed Natalya to the show.

First Guest: Natalya

Natalya claimed her interaction with Alexa Bliss was just girl talk and veteran advice, nothing more as Renee thought otherwise but Natalya repeated she’s on to Bliss.

She touted her pride, honor, and integrity with her victory last week against Nikki Bella.  Bryan of course disagreed due to Maryse’s interference but was rebuffed by an ignorant Natalya, being the greater Canadian in her opinion.  She said she should be entitled to a title shot after winning that brutal match last week.

Natalya puts over the Harts as accomplishing more than double what Mickie James ever has. She wondered why Bliss has not acknowledged that when she instead chooses to focus on James’s career accomplishments.  She further begged for a title shot, claiming royalty instead of self pity and wanting to have her cake and eat it too.

There were tense moments with Renee throughout, ending in a sarcastic thank you from Natalya before she left the desk.

Bryan seemed exasperated about not having control of his life or his show.  He pointed out Natalya’s hypocrisy from moments before, A.J. Styles’ poor grammar, and everybody else’s ridiculous things he has to hear.

Renee and Bryan elaborate on Natalya’s title shot request.  Renee feels she’s earned it despite Bryan’s reiteration of Natalya not winning clean last week but agreed with Natalya’s self-royalty status.  Bryan joked about Renee’s arbitrary title shot hand outs, then figuratively threw his hands up to all these ridiculous happenings.

Renee attempted to cool off all the ridiculous talk and welcomed American Alpha to the show.

Second Guests: American Alpha

Chad Gable talked about being home in St. Paul and humble bragged that he won his team and individual high school state wrestling championships in the same building.

Gable and Jason Jordan wished they could have fought the Usos tonight.  Jordan took out his phone to show stalker pictures the Usos took of he and Gable tonight backstage and posted them to Uso’s Twitter page.  Gable wondered what the Uso’s message is and if they’re gangsters or stalkers.  They say they’ve been ready to fight when they’ve been called out by the Usos but have yet to have a fight.

Bryan got curious about inappropriate pictures being taken and posted of American Alpha  by the Usos, only to get picked on.  Renee snuck in that she feels Jordan is stalkable after Gable referenced Jordan’s experience with creepy individuals.

Bryan shared he knew Jordan was “porking” until the Royal Rumble, then trimming down for  Wrestlemania.  Renee was flabbergasted by the porking term as Jordan quickly clarified it just means gaining muscle.

Gable asked Bryan for a chance to put them with the Usos in a proper setting instead of having to continue listening to them.  Bryan promised to do his best and put in a good word for them but got distracted by someone or something behind the cameras, which nobody let him get away with.

Renee pleaded Alpha to watch their back, Bryan hoped nobody stalks them to the showers.  Renee suggested the buddy system to laughter and wished them luck with the Usos and thanked them for being on the show to end the awkward exchange.

Renee wondered what Bryan’s problem was.  He threw back her buddy system idea and imagined Gable and Jordan in the shower together as Renee innocently claimed it was just to protect each other!

Renee got serious and brought up tonight’s Miz TV segment and the tension that ensued between the couples of Miz and Maryse and John Cena and Nikki Bella.  Renee said next week will feature a mixed tag match of Carmella and James Ellsworth vs Nikki Bella and John Cena.  Bryan said it’s a match of firsts:  the first time Cena and Bella are teaming up and the first time “Big Hog” Ellsworth and Cena will be in a match together.  Renee doesn’t think Ellsworth will fare well, Bryan refuses to agree but remains a Big Hog supporter and locker room dance starter for Ellsworth.

Bryan recalled Carmella and Bella’s previous battles as Renee pondered Carmella’s influence on Ellsworth, including his ring gear for next week, eliciting a big “oh yeah!!!” sound from Bryan.  He also openly hoped for an Ellsworth moonwalk.

Renee got back to serious business to talk about tonight’s match between A.J. Styles and Luke Harper.  They go back and forth about how great each wrestler was tonight and the match overall.

SPECIAL GUEST: SHANE MCMAHON

Shane McMahon interrupts Renee and Bryan, telling Bryan he just talked to Styles. Shane said they have a lot to go over and he should leave with him.  He was callous toward Renee despite her concern for him and being happy to see him for the first time in a while.

SURPRISE GUEST: A.J. STYLES

Styles then came to the desk in an angry panic, wanting to make sure he will be in the Wrestlemania main event for the WWE Championship no matter what is going on between Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton.   Styles detailed all the hurdles he jumped over to earn the title shot, including beating Harper twice after Shane restarted the match.  Styles added getting kicked is what McMahon deserved as he was where he didn’t belong.

Shane reiterated to Styles he and Bryan have a lot to discuss. Styles insisted there’s nothing to discuss as he earned his title match against Wyatt at Wrestlemania.  He drops the mic and walks off.

Renee asked them how they’re going to handle the situation.  Shane simply said they are going to leave right then and there to start working on it.  Renee thanked them both and gave one final plug to next week’s mixed tag match of Carmella and James Ellsworth vs Nikki Bella and John Cena.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S REPORT: 2/21 WWE Talking Smack Review: Lynch wants James, Usos warn Alpha, Bryan the Bubble Buster, Flat Earther A.J.