SMACKDOWN PRIMER: Styles-Shane follow-up, Bray vs. Orton hype, Miz & Maryse vs. Cena & Nikki, Ziggler, Alpha

SMACKDOWN PREVIEW
MARCH 21, 2017
UNCASVILLE, CONN. AT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
By Joey Galizia (@RamJam89), PWTORCH SPECIALIST

“THE TIME WE DESERVE”

While a lot of focus was dedicated to backstage segments rather than the action in the ring; last week those superkicking Samoans defeated American Alpha clean as a whistle in a non-title affair. Tonight in Connecticut, they face each other again with the straps on the line. With the Shaq and Big Show match primarily out the window, this feud has the potential to make it onto the big card in Orlando but it would need an extra shot of adrenaline. That extra shot could occur on this evenings SD Live when The Usos get the better of Jason Jordan & Chad Gable for the second week in a row, and taking their championship gold away to boot.

“WE DON’T WANT NONE, NO WE DON’T WANT NONE”

Those previously mentioned backstage segments were put in place to get some hype on the A.J. Styles versus Shane McMahon angle. Styles has felt that the conspiracy to keep him out of the title scene is proven considering the hoops he had to jump through and the number of matches he’s won to earn #1 contendership. At first he just complained, but after recalling his vast success he realized that the only thing holding back the best in the world is the company itself. That target for him was Shane-O-Mac, who suffered a brutal beating from Styles which included getting his head thrown through a car window! As SD went off the air last week Shane said that Styles now has a Mania opponent so expect tonight this bout to be solidified. (I admit that the approach to this storyline is already exceeding expectations, but I’d feel better about it if Shane knew how to throw A LEGIT WORKED WRESTLER PUNCH AND NOT BABY JABS.)

“THE ASHES OF ABAGAIL, THE POWER OF INSANITY”

Here’s the thing that I really appreciate about this Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton angle: The first time these two started feuding it wasn’t really clicking. Wyatt has long been a fantastic talker, but if I were to link a specific promo without him mentioning his opponent there is no way we’d no who he was talking to. Not only that, but their match at No Mercy was not up to par or entertaining and that they MAIN EVENTED THAT PPV. While I really miss Luke Harper from this tale, it seems that Wyatt and Orton are on the brink of delivering for the show of shows. (At least I hope.) Last week the eater of worlds rubbed the ashes of his fallen Sister Abagail onto his face and preached that it has given him more power than he’s ever had before. The Viper may see that as an opportunity to burn down more compounds in an effort to prove that Bray is merely a man. Honestly, just writing all of this out loud sounds so GODDAMN ridiculous but man it’s also SO fun. Normal said BYE-BYE to this feud a long time ago and that’s exactly what this should be so I’m sure things will get even wackier on tonight’s SD. Also, I know I just said this but I miss Luke Harper.

“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE”

-Miz, Maryse, Nikki, and John Cena are all expected to appear tonight. These four could honestly do a two-hour segment that takes up the entirety of the episode and it would be LIT AF.

-Alexa Bliss has never noticed how big that target is on her back. Carmella, Natalya, Becky Lynch, and Mickey James are guaranteed to be gunning for her, but I’m certain some mystery challengers will make their faces known as well.

-Baron Corbin and Dean Ambrose have done a fantastic job staying relevant in what has become a forgotten storyline so for the love of GOD make their IC Title match at Mania official.

-Dolph Ziggler still sucks, and now he’s feuding with Mojo Rawley who is the death of wrestling, so hopefully the Shaq match does happen so we don’t have to see these two Ugos. (Tyler Breeze approved.)

Are you excited for the show? I know I am. 205 after! Austin Aries! YASSSSSSS QUEEEN.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE: SMACKDOWN PRIMER: What to expect tonight based on what happened last week including Bray reacting to Orton burning down the compound, Styles vs. Shane