WWE SMACKDOWN HITS & MISSES 2/17: Final EC hype with Sami Zayn in Montreal hits big, more

Natalya & Shotzi vs. Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler – MISS

The good. The Montreal crowd made noise during a women’s match. The work overall was fine—the bad I understand the thought process of building Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler as a tag team on their way to WrestleMania, but why do they have to beat a participant in the women’s Elimination Chamber less than 24 hours away from the PLE?

Sami Zayn Hype video – HIT

WWE’s bread and butter. The Sami Zayn hype video was fantastic. I wish WWE put as much thought into their television shows as they do their video packages.

Hit Row Rap – HIT

Bray Wyatt, of all people, saves us from Hit Row rapping. In the aftermath, Bray Wyatt calls out Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley. So Bray Wyatt will face the winner of Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania, which is a bold choice.

Drew McIntyre & Sheamus vs. Viking Raiders – MISS

Big dumb guy fun is usually a slam dunk for me, but this match felt like it was just there. If Drew and Sheamus couldn’t get a decent match from the Viking Raiders, I don’t like their future moving forward within the team tag division. Drew McIntyre & Sheamus win the match to build momentum for their actual tag team breakup potentially?

Asuka vs. Liv Morgan – MISS

What a jumbled mess this was. I would have liked the focus to have been on Asuka and Liv Morgan, but we were watching Nikki Cross dance on the announce table. Asuka won, which led to every woman in the Elimination Chamber getting a spot in the match’s aftermath.

Gunther vs. Madcap Moss Intercontinental Championship match – MISS

Gunther rules, but Madcap Moss isn’t ready for a main event match. On the surface, Gunther appeared to be facing a prospect from NXT rather than a veteran from the Smackdown roster. However, Gunther getting the win was never in doubt.

Sami Zayn promo – HIT

Sami getting his old theme back was great. I’m glad CFO$ worked something out so Sami could get a bigger pop. Of course, Sami didn’t need to cut this extended promo to sell you on Elimination Chamber, but damn, the Montreal crowd sure did. That was one of the best WWE hometown crowd reactions that I can remember in some time. The only thing left now is for Sami to get a haircut and lose valiantly in his hometown.

FINAL THOUGHTS: With a PLE twenty-four hours away, the show wasn’t meant to be a five-star classic, but WWE delivered on selling you on Sami Zayn and why he could beat Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber.

CATCH-UP: 2/18 NJPW BATTLE IN THE VALLEY 2023 PPV REPORT: Mercedes Mone vs. Kairi, Okada vs. Tanahashi, more