2/19 WWE Smackdown Results: Keller’s report on Elimination Chamber fallout including Kofi Kingston’s standout performance, Fastlane and WrestleMania developments, Charlotte, Usos, Shane and Miz

KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK

Announcers: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves

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[HOUR ONE]

-Phillips introduced the show but didn’t say where they were. The graphic on the screen said they were in New Orleans.

-Shane McMahon began his ring entrance. Phillips said there’s no better way to start Smackdown. Then they shifted to a three minute highlight package on the Elimination Chamber match with a focus on Kofi Kingston’s standout performance. The announcers said they’d headline with a six-man tag match featuring Daniel Bryan & Kofi Kingston & Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe & Randy Orton & Bryan. Saxton also said they’d find out tonight who will face Bryan for the WWE Title at Fastlane.

Back in the ring, Shane stood and pounded his heart with his fist and smiled and thanked the fans for a “Shane-o-Mac” chant. He touted the “amazing” six-man tag main event. He asked fans how impressive the debuts of Johnny Gargano, “Ciampa,” Aleister Black, and Ricochet were last night, then said he was so impressed, he is bringing them to Smackdown Live tonight. “And we got a lot more,” he said, at which point Miz interrupted him. Shane seemed a little irked and that shifted to a quizzical look.

Miz said he hasn’t slept in two days and he has to get something off his chest. He said 48 hours ago he lost the Smackdown Tag Team Titles. He entered the ring and said he can’t shake the guilt. He said Shane took a chance on him being his partner. He said he knows his reputation and yet Shane still took a risk. He said he has a confession to make. “Shane, I used you,” he said. “Because I knew you could relate to the way I feel about my dad and wanting him to be proud of me. It is everything I live for, and I know you feel the same way about your dad.” He said when he got hurt at Best in the World, Shane “selflessly stepped in and won the Best in the World tournament.” He said he revealed it was his dream to be tag team champions, and he prides himself on making whatever title he holds the most prestigious in WWE. He said they won it together, and two days later Shane surprised him by bringing out his dad. He said his dad walked out and, as the fans chanted Mr. Miz, his dad said he is proud of him and he loves him. Miz’s voice cracked. He said that was the first time he has ever heard him say that. (By the way, that is awful. If you’re a dad, tell your kids you love them and are proud of them all the time.) Miz said that’s the greatest moment of his life and career. He said that’s because of Shane. “So thank you,” he said. He said two days ago he let Shane down and he’s so sorry. He said he can’t change the past, but he can control the future. He said he knows there’s no more automatic rematch clause, but because he’s Shane McMahon, he can make a rematch happen. Miz encouraged a “Rematch!” chant.

Two days ago, the Usos came out onto the stage and said “Whoa!” over and over a dozen times. They said it sounds like the WWE Universe wants a rematch. Jey said there’s no automatic rematch clause, though. He told Shane to forgive Miz. He said they’d like to give them another opportunity to prove they are the best tag team in the world. Jimmy told Shane that his man, Miz, is a joke. More boos than cheers. He said Miz is a joke and a loser and a failure and a fraud – all F’s. “He’s a wanna-be A-lister with C-list skills,” he said. Jey said Shane should find another partner. Shane interrupted and said they shouldn’t disrespect his partner like that, “ya dig?” Then he said emphatically, “The rematch is on.” He turned and told Miz it’s happening in his hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. Miz shouted they will take back their belts and it will be awesome.

(Keller’s Analysis: We’re 13 minutes into the show. It went a little long, I’d say, and I’m still not a fan of having a team like the Usos just suddenly act like jerks and change from where they had been in recent months in terms of their attitude. It seems like the Usos are changing just to suit whatever story Shane and Miz are in, and it feels forced as a result. Miz is really laying things on thick. I can’t really imagine this isn’t going to lead to a breakup with one turning on the other, and Shane isn’t giving any hints that it’s going to be him.)

-Aleister Black’s ring entrance took place. Phillips said in this world there is good and evil, and Black resides somewhere in the middle. He asked Saxton what the WWE Universe learned about Black last night. Saxton said he has an aura and represents everything that isn’t status quo. Graves said those who haven’t seen him before should prepare to be impressed.

(Keller’s Analysis: The lack of context to frame why suddenly NXT wrestlers were on Raw and why they’re now on Smackdown, other than “Shane was so impressed by them,” is just so odd. When the prior group of NXT wrestlers arrived, it was framed as a full fledged call-up with their brand designation between Raw and Smackdown yet to be determined. They haven’t followed up on that, and having them just appear on these shows without anyone asking if they’re here for good or just visiting or anything else related to that is just distracting.) [c]

-A video package aired on Black.

(1) ALEISTER BLACK vs. ANDRADE (w/Zelina Vega)

Some fans chanted “NXT” as the bell rang to start the match. Graves said these two have a history, but it’s the first time the “majority” of the WWE Universe has seen them compete against each other. Aleister avoided a running knee from Andrade a minute in and then did his springboard off the middle rope into a mid-ring sit. [c]

They stayed with the action on split screen during the break as Andrade took his time re-entering the ring. Black hit a series of moves and settled into an armlock. A minute later Andrade landed an inverted slam on the ring apron, scored a two count, and then settled into a chinlock. After the commercial break ended, Black rallied. He set up a hammerlock DDT, but Black rolled him up into a small package for a near fall. Black ended up finishing Andrade with a Black Mass (spinning hook kick to the chin) for the win. Graves said Black has never conformed to the norms of society.

WINNER: Black in 9:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good action. Black got to show off some of what makes him distinctive.)

-They showed Johnny Gargano and T0masso Ciampa watching backstage on a monitor. They were all smiles because, as we know, brand loyalty supersedes everything in WWE (when it’s convenient for the storyline). Kayla Braxton walked in and said the momentum continues. She said they have set expectations high in their first 24 hours, but can they keep it up. Ciampa said they defy expectations. He said he earned his title and he loves this spotlight and that’s where he does his best work. Gargano said they went to war in this building last year and now they’re showing the world that he and Ciampa are the future. In walked The Bar. They were wearing violet camouflage jackets and kilts. Cesaro said nobody cares about them, so go home and stay away from Smackdown. Ciampa asked if that was a question. He said they’re there to “take over.” Gargano said they’re not there to set the bar, they’re there to break the bar. Cesaro and Sheamus broke out in laughter and turned and left. Ciampa looked over at Gargano.

-They cut to Jeff Hardy asking A.J. Styles to let bygones be bygones and focus on tonight’s match. In walked New Day. Xavier Woods was holding Big E in his arms as Big E ate a pancake and looked super-creepy. Then Kofi extended a branch of pancakes as opposed to an olive branch.

(Keller’s Analysis: Well, there went Kofi’s momentum in one poof before our very eyes.)

-The Bar began their ring entrance. Graves said they better not overlook Ciampa & Gargano. [c]

(2) THE BAR (Cesaro & Sheamus) vs. TOMASSO CIAMPA & JOHNNY GARGANO

As The Bar continued to laugh like class clowns, Graves said they’re obviously not taking Gargano & Ciampa seriously. The announcers talked about the “great start” Gargano & Ciampa got off to on Raw with a win over Revival. (Start to what? Their main roster run? A one week visitors pass to Raw & Smackdown?) Phillips talked about Gargano in NXT in the past-tense, which may or may not mean anything. The Bar knocked Gargano and Ciampa down at ringside as they cut to a break. [c]

Back from the break, Ciampa went for a sunset flip powerbomb on Sheamus, but Sheamus landed on his left knee on landing and the knee buckled sideways awkwardly. He sold a knee injury and rolled to the floor. Gargano got a hot tag and cleared the ring of the heels. Then Gargano kicked Cesaro and then leaped off the ring apron with a flip dive onto Sheamus. Gargano then leaped at Cesaro with a head scissors to take him down. Back in the ring he hit a slingshot DDT on Cesaro for a two count. Then he applied a Gargano Escape mid-ring. Cesaro stood and lifted Gargano and delivered a backbreaker. Then he tagged in Sheamus who landed a flying knee across Gargano’s chest for near fall, with Ciampa breaking up the pin. The Bar double-teamed Gargano again with the Irish Curse backbreaker for another near fall. The announcers wondered if The Bar did underestimate Gargano and Ciampa. Sheamus trash-talked Gargano, and Gargano super kicked him for a near fall. Gargano reached for a tag, but Cesaro intervened. Gargano schoolboyed him for a two count. Ciampa then blind-tagged in and then rolled up Cesaro for a leverage three count.

WINNERS: Gargano & Ciampa in 17:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: That landing on Ciampa he’s knee looked potentially devastating, but he seemed to be putting weight on it fine afterward. Good tag match.)

-Samoa Joe, Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, and Erick Rowan were shown standing together with awkward tension backstage.

-A video feature aired on Ricochet. Phillips announced that he’d face Eric Young from Sanity later.

(Keller’s Analysis: When was the last time Eric Young’s name was mentioned on Smackdown?)

-Asuka began her ring entrance. [c]

[HOUR TWO]

-The announcers showed media coverage and Tweets reacting to the DX Hall of Fame induction.

-Dasha Fuentes interviewed Asuka mid-ring about becoming Smackdown Women’s Champion, but it seems lately fans are talking a lot more about Raw’s Women’s Division. She asked if she feels “lost in the shuffle.” Asuka said Asula is ready for new challenges. She said she doesn’t want to talk about Becky Lynch or Charlotte Flair, but rather she wants to know who is ready for Asuka right now. Mandy Rose’s music played. Mandy, joined by Sonya Deville, said if anyone is ready for Asuka, it’s her.

(3) ASUKA vs. MANDY ROSE (w/Sonya Deville)

Graves continued to act smitten by Mandy. Lacey Evans walked out to her music as the match was in progress. Deville turned and stared at her from ringside. Mandy then attacked a distracted Asuka with a Russian leg sweep for a near fall. Mandy then rolled to ringside as Asuka yelled at her. Mandy took over back in the ring and then tried to throw Asuka to the floor, but Asuka reversed it and threw Mandy to the floor. [c]

They showed that during the break Mandy took Asuka down with an inverted gut-wrench suplex. Asuka went for a leglock, but Mandy reached the bottom rope. At ringside Mandy surprised a charging Asuka with a high knee. Graves was impressed with her brains. Back in the ring, they battled back and forth at a nice pace. Asuka landed her signature spinning backfists and then a spin wheel kick across Mandy’s face for a near fall. Asuka followed with a Shining Wizard for a near fall. A minute later Graves was panicked when Asuka kneed Rose in her face. He called for a doctor and for someone to stop the match. Mandy covered her right eye. The ref pushed Asuka away and then Mandy threw Asuka throat-first into the middle rope and then rolled her up for the win.

WINNER: Rose in 10:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good match. Certainly Asuka gets the credit for carrying things, but Rose is showing she can contribute to a good somewhat lengthy match and look credible. This obviously seems to set up Asuka vs. Rose at Fastlane.)

-Backstage another interviewer (the third of the show) asked Charlotte about Becky attacking her with crutches on Sunday. Charlotte showed off her black and blue bruises on her arm. Charlotte said Becky is suspended, which means she doesn’t exist, yet she showed up in typical Becky fashion and made things worse herself. She said she reaggravated her injury and she made her pay for it. She said she’s the most selfish person she knows, and if she does it again, she’ll have her thrown in jail for criminal trespassing. She said it’s a one-on-one at WrestleMania whether anyone likes it. “It’s the main event, because I’m in it.”

(Keller’s Analysis: Really good heel promo.)

-Miz came up to Shane backstage and thanked him for trusting him. Miz said they’d get their titles back. Miz said he has breaking news. He said his dad will be ringside at Fastlane.

(Keller’s Analysis: So Miz’z dad turns on Shane, and it appears Miz is upset but then he joins in and celebrates with his dad for tricking Shane all along?)

-Ricochet made his ring entrance. Graves said Ricochet lives his life to be a beacon of hope for everybody because no dream is out of reach if you put in the work and believe in yourself. Saxton said he’s capable of eye-popping moments. [c]

(4) RICOCHET vs. ERIC YOUNG (w/Killian Dane, Alexander Wolfe)

They aired Sanity’s ring entrance on split screen during the break. Young grounded Ricochet into a side headlock. Ricochet made a comeback and rallied including a springboard elbow and standing flip splash onto Young for a two count. He fended off interference from Wolfe and then flip dove onto Young and Dane at ringside. Then he climbed to the top rope and hit his 630 on Young for the win.

WINNER: Ricochet in 7:00.

-Braxton interviewed New Day backstage. She said Kofi was the story of the match last night and he captured the hearts of the world. Xavier said this didn’t happen over the course of seven days, but rather 11 years. He said he’s been doing this for 11 years, which is longer than Instagram has existed. Big E said it’s longer than “Empire” has existed “and we all know they’ve doing crazy things to keep that show interesting.” The fans laughed. Kofi said the last week has been so special because he feels the entire WWE Universe has his back. He said #KofiMania has been trending on Twitter. He said Big E and Xavier pushed for him to represent New Day at Elimination Chamber. He said he appreciates it, but it’s time to introduce everyone to his other friend – Mo Mentum. “And we’re about to keep it going.” Big E introduced Kofi. [c]

-The same Kevin Owens interview aired from the movie theater that also aired on Raw.

-More ring entrances took place. As Bryan and Rowan walked out, Bryan did some heel work on the mic. He said the fans tried to will the title off of him, but he survived. He said he serves a higher purpose to enlighten and educate even though none of the fans want to be educated. He said he will educate them once more about his opponent at Fastlane. He said he will tell them not who it is, but who it’s not. He said his opponent will be none of the men in the match tonight “because I defeated all of them inside the Elimination Chamber.” His music played and he completed his ring entrance. [c]

-A commercial aired for Ric Flair’s 70th birthday celebration.

(5) KOFI KINGSTON & JEFF HARDY & A.J. STYLES vs. DANIEL BRYAN & RANDY ORTON & SAMOA JOE

The match began 46 minutes into the second hour. Orton got in his obligatory mid-match chinlock on Hardy early. A minute later Kofi climbed to the top rope and took aim at Orton at ringside, but Bryan shoved him off the top rope. Orton then back suplexed Kofi into the announce table. They cut to a break. [c]

Phillips said they are hopeful they’ll find out who Bryan’s opponent will be at Fastlane before the end of the show, but if they don’t, then check out WWE’s various social platforms. Late in the match, after a lot of tags and back-and-forth action, Bryan put Styles in a LaBell Lock. Styles grabbed the bottom rope. Styles landed a Pelé kick. Both were slow to get up. Kofi, who was getting fan chants, crawled onto the ring apron and reached for a tag. He got the tag and he charged at Bryan, Bryan backdropped him over the top rope, and Kofi landed on a crowd of wrestlers at ringside. Kofi caught a diving Bryan with a forearm and then landed a flying dropkick. Bryan rolled to ringside. Kofi flew off the top rope onto both Bryan and Rowan at ringside. “Kofi-Mania is running wild!” declared Phillips. Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise for the three count. Big E and Xavier lifted Kofi onto their shoulders. Graves called it a career resurgence.

WINNERS: Kingston & Styles & Hardy in 13:00 when Kofi pinned Bryan.

-Shane McMahon walked onto the stage with the “shocking announcement” that Kofi would challenge Bryan for the WWE Title at WrestleMania. Fans popped and Kofi celebrated with his New Day partners. Phillips said if you don’t believe, you better believe. The show ended as Kofi continued to celebrate the news.