0 out of 8
Photo credit: WWE.com
Who is next for Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns on the Isle of Relevance?
That question was the focus of Friday’s episode of SmackDown on Fox, the first since the blockbuster WrestleMania 38, in which The Tribal Chief defeated Brock Lesnar in the Winner Takes All main event.
Who stepped up to the table to challenge The Head of the Table, and what other stories did WWE have in store for its fans on the first episode of Blue Brand Television after the biggest night in sports-entertainment?
Find out now with this recap of the April 8 broadcast.
2 out of 8
After a disappointing, controversial loss to Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania on Saturday, Ronda Rousey kicked off Friday’s program with a no-nonsense promo. She blamed herself alone but expressed a desire for a rematch; an I-Quit match.
Flair laughed off the challenge, questioned Rousey’s nickname, and challenged her rival to stand at the end of the line. A defiant Rousey promised to inflict pain on him the next time they met.
The promo was far from dynamic and was primarily carried by The Queen. Rousey seems to have lost the confidence she had in the mic during her last run, and nothing she’s been given to say lately has done much to help her rediscover it.
Hopefully that changes.
At least the promo did what it set out to do: advanced the feud and set up a potential blockbuster rematch.
Degree
C
above moments
“I’m starting to think that ‘The Baddest Woman on the Planet’ isn’t just a scathing catchphrase, it’s a myth because you can’t win when it counts. So get in line, bitch,” said Flair Rousey from backstage.
“Not only are you going to say stop, you’re going to yell it when I twist your elbow back,” Rousey threatened.
3 out of 8
In a competitive match between two NXT Originals, Woods avenged New Day’s loss to Sheamus and Ridge Holand by defeating Butch in singles competition.
The competition defied the toughness of heel and the resourcefulness of Woods, who scored a small package rollup (renamed The Back Woods by Pat McAfee) for the win.
After the match, Butch batted at his own teammates before sitting on the top rope and sulking, “like a kid,” Michael Cole said in the comment. In that respect, this match was as much about establishing the butch character as the match itself. Considering that when it suddenly popped up on TV, no one really knew what that persona was supposed to be, it was nice to have this one week to see a development of it.
Degree
C+
top moments
- “I hurt the weights,” Woods said, referring to Butch’s past life as “bruiserweight” Pete Dunne.
- Pat McAfee covering up the Butch name by equating it with a butcher was a nice touch from the SmackDown color commentator and a great cover for a questionable name.
- It is amazing that New Day reveals that they have yet to win a WrestleMania match as a team. One of the greatest factions in WWE history has earned the right to win as a unit on the big stage.
4 out of 8
Backstage, Sami Zayn spoke to Adam Pearce about his WrestleMania loss and managed to put his own foot in his mouth and vowed to fight the next wrestler that comes through the door. This guy? Drew McIntyre.
In the arena, poor Joe Alonzo had the unenviable task of fighting Gunther in his first match as the main star of the squad. Ludwig Kaiser, formerly of Marcel Barthel in Imperium, accompanied The Ring General to the one-sided power-up match.
Gunther punishing fools will never be entertaining. He completely overwhelmed his opponent, gobbling them up and putting them away to claim victory in a solid main-squad introduction. Kaiser himself is a strong in-ring competitor and a two-time NXT Champion. Hopefully he has the opportunity to get his own ring time to better establish himself.
Degree
top moments
- Zayn flipped heels on cheese during the backstage confrontation with Adam Pearce, which was the latest in his promo excellence.
- “Big Will Smith chest-bombing,” McAfee said of Gunther’s punishing open-handed punches to his opponent’s chest.
- Backstage, Kayla Braxton introduced newest SmackDown star Raquel Rodriguez (formerly Gonzalez), who refused a kiss from Los Lotharios.
5 out of 8
A distraught Happy Corbin came to the ring for happy talk, aided by a much more enthusiastic Madcap Moss.
Corbin blamed Moss for his loss to Drew McIntyre, claiming he was too busy doing WrestleMania just around him. Undeterred by Moss’ jokes, Corbin berated him as the crowd chanted “Madcap Moss!” in support of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner.
Moss responded with a joke, the punchline being Corbin when the two broke their partnership. The jester attacked Corbin to the delight of fans and the team brawled until Moss got the best of his associate and destroyed the Happy Talk set.
Say what you will about the Happy Corbin character and creative introduction to WrestleMania, but the crowd’s reaction to Moss and his split from his protégé is proof that it worked. Fans in attendance Friday were en fuego for Moss, treating him like the next big babyface at the company.
Given his work with McIntyre over the past three months, Moss deserves this opportunity.
Degree
A
top moments
- “Bum Corbin back?” McAfee asked.
- “I think you’ve gotten too big for your suspenders and forgot your place: to tell me a joke,” Corbin said of Moss.
6 out of 8
Sami Zayn was panting to recover from his humiliating loss to Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania. Drew McIntyre had other plans as the Scottish warrior beat him up early and often, even preventing the Great Liberator from escaping up the ramp.
Zayn eventually escaped his opponent’s grasp, dodged a Claymore, and ran away through the crowd. McIntyre menacingly pointed Angela at Zayn to close the segment.
The match wasn’t anything special, but it did set the stage for a rivalry between these two that could be pretty damn funny if Zayn gets to remind fans that he’s a talented competitor in the ring. The individual styles of the competitors seem to mesh well, as do the characters.
Unless McIntyre is going to challenge Roman Reigns next, he has far worse options than working with one of the top overheels in the company.
Lacey Evans then edited a promo that served as a reintroduction to her and her story. It was fantastic, real, raw and emotional. It was what the Sassy Southern Belle persona never was: relatable. Fans reacted accordingly, cheering her as she wrapped things up.
Degree
C+
top moment
- “I’m definitely still hung over!” McAfee said after a video recap of his WrestleMania performance.
- Lacey Evans returned to television and opened up about growing up with an addicted father and her journey into WWE. “That doesn’t make me any better than other superstars, but they sure as hell aren’t any better than me,” she said to end the video.
7 out of 8
Rhea Ripley was conspicuous in her absence as partner Liv Morgan walked into the ring for a match with Sasha Banks accompanied by Women’s Tag Team Championship partner Naomi. Morgan hoped to turn the tide in her and Ripley’s favor, but to do so she had to defeat one of the best wrestlers of her generation, The Legit Boss.
Morgan and Banks put on a very good match that at one point got the fans on their feet to support both women. Banks was consistently the better wrestler and the shock on her face when Morgan countered a superplex into a small package for the win reflected her shock and surprise.
The former Riott squad member needed this win to avoid the loser label, but also to prove to Ripley that she’s not the team’s weak link as the Aussie inevitably turns heels.
Degree
B
top moments
- Naomi put Morgan on comment, something that will only help her and Banks if (when?) they beat her and Ripley to retain the tag titles on Monday Raw.
- The banks sold the loss outright, as a cocky champion would. The look on her face was priceless, one that recognized the surprise of defeat.
8 out of 8
After days of teasing the WWE Universe about the next step on the Isle of Relevance, undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns delivered the big reveal: he wants The Usos to go to Raw and fight for the Tag Titles, with it The Bloodline can all hold gold.
Shinsuke Nakamura interrupted proceedings and teased a feud with The Head of the Table, only to be construed by The Usos in a disappointing ending to the show.
Monday night’s Usos vs. RK-Bro seems like the most logical next step for both teams considering they totally dominate their respective brands’ tag divisions. We saw the beginning of this rivalry on Monday’s Raw when Jimmy and Jey teamed up with Austin Theory to defeat Randy Orton, Riddle and Finn Balor, so nothing about this announcement is terribly surprising.
What is surprising is the reference to Nakamura as Reigns’ next challenger for the Universal Championship.
The artist has spent most of the past two years as a tag team competitor, but has still built a ton of credibility with wrestling fans thanks to his worldwide success. His reputation precedes him and, more importantly, replaces some of the questionable bookings that have accompanied him in recent years.
Nakamura vs. Reigns is a new match-up and, more importantly, traces its roots back to the 2018 Royal Rumble when the potential challenger won the title match by eliminating the champion. It would be fitting for WWE to remember this if it suggests Nakamura may be able to defeat Reigns and end his epic title run.
Degree
A
top moments
- “SmackDown and the Universal Championship… it wasn’t enough,” Reigns said before reminiscing about his win over “Cowboy Brock” at WrestleMania.
- “I want you all to go to Raw and I want you guys to bring me these Raw Tag Team Championships,” the tribal chief told the Usos.
- “The Bloodline will have all the gold soon!” shouted Reigns.
- “Let me give you some of that Bloodline love,” Reigns said before hugging Nakamura, only for The Usos to rock The Artist with a double superkick.
- McAfee’s “Superkick Party” reference was a nice wink and nudge for the audience.