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The Smackdown Live episode before the Royal Rumble was pretty good. However, it did things that I like and did one thing that I didn’t like. I will try to shorten my reviews from now on because looking at my reviews, it feels like I’m writing a mini novel.
Opening segment.
Becky Lynch was on the ring and she cut a promo basically saying that Asuka took her title without pinning her clean and Becky is confident that she will take her title back this Sunday.
Asuka then approached to the ring without saying a word until Charlotte Flair came out and basically said that she’s going to win the Rumble. That led to a sneak attack from Asuka which led to a brawl between Asuka and Becky. I get that they wanna set up a brawl between Asuka and Becky but the sneak attack made no sense to me.
Naomi vs Mandy Rose.
After the distraction, Mandy Rose pinned Naomi to the cut of three and won the match. Match itself was fine.
The Miz vs Cesaro.
The match ended with Cesaro delivered the neutralizer to The Miz and then The Bar beat the holy hell outta both the Miz and Shane McMahon. So bad that both Cesaro and Sheamus put Shane McMahon on to The Miz through an announce table. This beatdown made The Bar look impressive and for that, I like it.
Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles face to face confrontation with Vince McMahon.
Minutes after Vince McMahon introduced both Bryan and Styles, Daniel Bryan cut a promo on how AJ Styles uses his fame for himself while Bryan uses his fame for the greater good.
He also said that he's not the people's champion but rather the planet's champion. Styles replied by saying that Daniel became a different person because of the WWE championship and he's a fickle because of it.
Vince got bored and told Bryan to get in the ring. Daniel Bryan then cut a promo about Vince McMahon and people like Vince. After Vince told Bryan to get in the ring again, Styles had enough which Bryan then hit him and ran. I like this segment, especially his promo on Vince McMahon.
Mustafa Ali vs Samoa Joe.
Decent match. Ali's dive is always great to watch. The match ended with Joe reversed Ali’s finisher and turned it into the kokina clutch and won the match.
After that, there was an entertaining New Day interview with Kayla Braxton. By the way, Tony Chimmel's appearance made me laugh.
Rey Mysterio vs Andrade. Two out of three falls match.
Pretty good match. Andrade won the first fall with the powerbomb over the top rope. Rey won the second fall with the Canadian Destroyer. In the closing moments of the match, Mysterio was going for a 619 but Samoa Joe interrupted and beat both Mysterio and Andrade.
Joe cut a promo on how this beatdown is nothing compared to what he's going to do in the Royal Rumble this Sunday and then Randy Orton outta nowhere hit an RKO to Samoa Joe. Well, that was an unexpected ending to this show.
So, to recap for all of you slow mofos:
Like: The main event, Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles face to face confrontation, The Bar's dominance after The Miz and Cesaro match.
Didn't like: Asuka's sneak attack to Becky Lynch.
Sound off in the comments on what do you think about Smackdown Live this week? Follow the blog for honest pro wrestling opinions and stay safe smarks.