SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER
FEBRUARY 27, 2018
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. AT STAPLES CENTER
REPORT BY JOEY GALIZIA (@RamJam89)
ANNOUNCED BY WWE
- Can John Cena get to WrestleMania through Smackdown Live?
- Sami Zayn battles Baron Corbin.
- Naomi steps up to answer Ruby Riott’s challenge.
- The New Day reignites their dynamite feud against The Usos in tag action.
“FREE AGENT”
Oh that young newcomer John Cena. Last night in Anaheim he poured his guts out to the WWE Universe exclaiming that even through his decades of success, the only person to blame for his recent failures is himself. A challenge to the Undertaker would be made, but according to Cena that match occurring is an impossibility. So instead the free agent will play his free agency card and appear this evening on the blue brand in a last ditch effort to earn his way into WrestleMania.
What that probably means is another one-on-one showdown with the Royal Rumble winner Shinsuke Nakamura. The King of Strong Style has been noticeably absent since his massive triumph in Philadelphia, but understandably he hasn’t really had a reason to be around. Things could really get interesting if Cena not only challenges the artist, but forces him to put his WWE title shot against A.J. Styles on the line. None of this is for certain, but it would make the most sense. Somehow, Cena jumping from show to show has instantly made Tuesday nights much more interesting.
“THE WILD WEST OF THE FATAL FIVE”
Meanwhile things are heating up between the five men who will clash for the WWE Championship in two weeks. While Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin have rightfully earned their way into the title match, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will do whatever it takes to assure that no one walks out of Fastlane with gold besides them. Sami has even promised Kevin that he will lie down in the ring if necessary. This might not be sitting well with A.J. Styles, who after dethroning the evil Jinder Mahal has already been asked to defend his championship twice with the stipulations working against him. As for the rest of his challengers: The Lone Wolf saved Ziggler (oddly) from a two on one beatdown from the YEP movement. That leads us to Corbin and Zayn squaring off this evening.
“GIVE ME YOUR HUNGRY, YOUR POOR, YOUR GLORIOUS”
-While there is no shortage of challengers for the WWE title, United States Champion Bobby Roode would certainly like to know who his clear challenger is. The Maharaja Jinder Mahal has made it clear that he would like to win all the gold, and avenge his tournament lost against the Glorious One in the meantime. However, the viper Randy Orton has been an RKO machine and has clearly entered himself into the scene whether Jinder and Bobby like it or not. With no match set for Fastlane, don’t be surprised if this triple-threat gets solidified tonight.
-In the women’s division, SD champion Charlotte Flair still eagerly awaits Asuka to make her final decision on which brand she will challenge at WrestleMania. However, she should focus on one thing at a time. Ruby Riott earned herself a title shot after pinning Becky Lynch last week and will be getting that opportunity against the Nature Girl at Fastlane. Can Charlotte remain focused and rid herself of the Riott squad leader, or does that showdown with the Empress frighten her to her very core? The answer is always the same: NO ONE IS READY.
-One of the best rivalries of 2017 will remerge tonight at the Staples Center as the tag team champions Jimmy and Jey Uso face off against the pancake eating unicorn stampeding New Day. Will they give us another classic bout? Most likely yes, but what does that mean for the Samoans at Fastlane? The Bludgeon Brothers are clearly the team to beat in the division currently and with Gable and Benjamin still lurking in the shadows, don’t be surprised if another multi-man match gets added to the card in Ohio.
-HAPPY RUSEV DAY EVERYONE! Hopefully that means we see the man himself.
-Is Tye Dillinger alive?
-The feud between commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan is far from over. The controversy continues to thicken with this most recent world title booking with both men clearly abusing their power to make a point. Eventually, someone must stop them, before they destroy each other.
Live from L.A. it’s Smackdown Live! Mixed-match challenge and 205 Live after! You watching?
NOW REFRESH YOUR MEMORY ON LAST WEEK’S SMACKDOWN: KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 2/20: Styles talks about Fastlane title defense, Charlotte & Becky & Naomi vs. Riott Squad, New Day vs. Gable & Benjamin
Is Tye Dillinger alive? Hell is Mike Kinellis, Mojo Rawley, or Lana still with us? Looking at Raw even with all the injuries they still could pack the EC with 7 top talents and fill out the under card. So hell, move Samoa Joe to Smackdown when he returns to give Roode, Styles, Nakumura and Orton fresh feuds. Turn Rusev face and bring in Elias to have a big man feud with. Let Dillinger, Rawley, Kinnelis, Ryder, Ziggler, English, and Corbin shore up the midcard. Have creative go back to the Attitude Era Smackdowns when they had 6 matches a week with plenty of backstage segments to move storylines along. And for goodness sake get rid of the split screen during commercials. Since they started doing that I think we are seeing less action because as soon as the match starts they go to break and those commercials are distracting.