Sami Zayn may be the contender at Elimination Chamber, but undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is sure to step into enemy territory this weekend. A fevered Montreal audience ate every moment of Zayn’s closing speech on Friday’s episode of SmackDown.
Kevin Owens has been absent since the Royal Rumble, but Friday night was all about The Sami Zayn Show. The brave outsider barely uttered a word as his hometown crowd showered him with chants, praise and song. It was a moment to remember fondly in the rich history of WWE in Canada.
SmackDown also featured an intercontinental championship match between GUNTHER and No. 1 contender Madcap Moss. The challenger cemented himself as a top contender by winning a fatal four-way match on last week’s SmackDown.
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Montreal’s Bell Center.
Sami Zayn, Hometown Hero
Video packages throughout the broadcast showed the entire saga between The Bloodline and Zayn: how the two parties formed their alliance, their cohesiveness, the trial and the case.
Zayn made a triumphant return to Bell Center in Friday’s closing segment. His music was played to an overwhelming ovation from the Montreal crowd and his slightly delayed arrival reinvigorated the fans. There was a surreal joy in Zayn’s eyes as he watched the crowd sing along to his theme song. A heated Zayn couldn’t utter a word as the crowd sang.
Zayn noted how everyone’s eyes are on WrestleMania this time of year every year. For Zayn and the people of Montreal, Elimination Chamber is a once in a lifetime moment. Reigns has been warned that he’s not only fighting Zayn but the entire city of Montreal on Saturday night. Zayn spoke from his chest as he addressed the undisputed WWE Universal Champion, assuring Reigns that he would go down. SmackDown ended with the audience singing along to Zayn’s music.
I’m very conflicted about that. On the one hand, giving Zayn his solo moment in front of a rabid crowd in his hometown was probably the right decision. On the other hand, there are so many interesting subplots between Zayn and The Bloodline – like Jey Uso’s enduring friendship with Zayn and Jimmy Uso lying to Paul Heyman – that haven’t been advanced at all. There may be external circumstances as to why some members of The Bloodline didn’t appear in the last episode before Elimination Chamber, but it was still a bit disappointing. The world champion was nowhere to be seen the night before his title defense. Luckily, both Zayn and the passionate Bell Center crowd made up for it. Zayn has arguably the best emotional range of any active WWE Superstar. The light in his eyes, the tears he shed and the conviction with which he delivered his lines deserve praise. As has the Montreal audience who have followed him every step of the way. We didn’t get much in terms of story development, but what we got was great. Grade: B+
What else happened on WWE SmackDown?
- A graphic that pays tribute to the late Jerry Jarrettwho died on February 14.
- Ronda Rousey and Shayna Bazler defeated. Shotzi and Natalya by submission after Rousey caught Shotzi in her signature armbar.
- Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy wrapped up a miserable rap performance by Hit Row featuring Ashante Adonis and Top Dolla.
- Wyatt challenged Brock Lesnar or Bobby Lashley, whichever emerges victorious from the Elimination Chamber.
- Drew McIntyre and Sheamus defeated. Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) via pinfall after McIntyre cracked Erik with a brogue kick.
- Karrion Kross told Rey Mysterio he was a pathetic excuse for a father and upon seeing Dominik Mysterio, Kross reconsidered his parenting.
- Asuka defeated. Liv Morgan via submission after catching her in an armbar variant.
- Intercontinental Championship – GUNTHER (c) def. Moss over pinfall with a Tenryu Powerbomb to retain his title.