After last week’s Smackdown chock full of returns, the show’s second 2020, Friday Night Smackdown 1/10, showing was less than stellar.
The Miz opens the show with an apology for his behavior last week. After his ordeal with The Fiend and other recent kerfuffles, the multiple time former IC Champion says he just had a bad day. He is however happy to welcome back his former tag partner and The “Shaman of Sexy,” John Morrison as his guest on Miz TV. Morrison cracks a few jokes before turning on the WWE Universe for getting on his friend’s case. As the crowd starts to react negatively to Morrison, the New Day come out to remind them don’t they dare be sour!
The Miz vs. Kofi
This leads to a rematch from last week of Kofi vs. the Miz. (This time with Big E and Morrison on commentary and later at ringside) Would’ve loved to see Morrison in action here instead of a rematch from last week. This match gets some time and Kofi almost picks up the win twice with a roll up and S.O.S respectively. Miz targets the knee and locks in the figure four leg lock before Kofi makes to the bottom rope. However Miz is able to hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the win after Morrison hits a pretty epic leaping cannonball off the ringsteps onto Big E causing the distraction.
Yowee Wowee, next up, it’s time for Firefly Funhouse. In this week’s episode Bray talks about love. He says the Fiend has no love for Daniel Bryan and recaps his former feuds with the leader of the “Yes” movement. He says now The Fiend is just looking to hurt Daniel.
Our musical entertainment for the evening is none other than Elias who riffs a little diddy about his fellow Royal Rumble competitors. Elias even fires some shots at the WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.
Backstage Mandy Rose brings Otis a homemade cake and an apology. Tucker seems uncertain of Mandy, and Otis is left speechless as Mandy heads for the ring.
Mandy Rose w/ Nikki Cross vs. Mandy Rose w/ Sonia Deville
Rose almost gets the win early after a Sonia distraction and a running knee. Bliss finally rallies and even slaps Rose in the face. As Bliss gains momentum Otis runs down the ramp with the cake. Rose takes advantage of the distraction allowing her to get a huge win by rolling up Little Miss Bliss.
For those keeping score at home, that’s two matches in a row with distraction finishes.
Sasha Banks vs. Lacey Evans (or so we think)
Can I just say I love Lacey Evans as a face. As we’ve said several times over the past few months, Evans is a former Marine and current super mom. It writes itself. The crowd loves it too. Heck, the WWE Universe even starts USA chants. Sasha no shows the match and heel Bayley taunts Lacey on the Titantron. Evans calls out Bayley for a title shot, but the Smackdown Women’s Champ continues to taunt Evans. Evans storm off to back but is jumped by Bayley first. A backstage brawl ensues until a ref breaks it up.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan is able to respond to The Fiend by saying he remembers everything. In fact he says that he outsmarted Bray Wyatt. He says he has changed for the better and the Fiend can be beaten. Ramblin’ Rabbit appears on the monitor and says he knows how Bryan can beat The Fiend before Wyatt cuts him off. Okay, I’ll bite. Needless to say the Firefly Funhouse/ Fiend bit has lost some steam in recent months, but I do like this idea that the Fiend possibly has a certain kryptonite if you will. This is fresh and has my attention. Hopefully they run with this.
Braun Strowman w/ Sami Zayn & Cesaro vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Strowman easily overpowers Shin. Shinsuke is able to get in a few strikes but nothing else. Zayn ends up pulling the IC Champion out of the ring and provides the distraction. Cesaro sends Strowman into the ring post and Shinsuke hits a massive kick. After commercial Shinsuke is somehow still in control. In fact Shinsuke almost puts Strowman away with a running knee strike. I’m very surprised at how much offense Nakamura is able to get in this one. Finally Strowman regains momentum with a massive Spinebuster. The distraction theme of the night continues as Cesaro enters the ring with a steel chair. Nakamura misses a title belt strike on The Monster among Men and Strowman puts away the Intercontinental Champion with a running powerslam. Now let’s FINALLY get this guy a singles title.
Either Mandy Rose is leaving cakes for everyone or there is a random present waiting in the locker room for Daniel Bryan. Bryan opens the present to find a seemingly destroyed (bitten) Ramblin Rabbit. Never fear, as a I believe Ramblin Rabbit has been killed a few times now.
The Usos vs. King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler
LOTS of entrances and chatter before this match. We finally get to it with the Usos dominating early with lots of tandem offense. In fact the Usos are in control for nearly all of the match before The Revival come out for the … you’ll never guess … a distraction! But wait Roman Reigns‘ music hits and he lays out the revival. I’m super confused as I thought Roman was at ringside since he was literally just out here talking with the Usos. I am very, very confused at this point. The match continues after with bodies laid out inside and outside of the ring. Reigns spears Corbin for the DQ and starts to clear off the announce table.
Out of nowhere Robert Roode who was supposedly out of action for a wellness policy violation attacks reigns and hits a GLORIOUS DDT on Reigns on the outside. Roode, Ziggler, and Corbin lay out the family and hits a spinebuster onto Roman on the announce table. The table doesn’t break so Ziggler hits and elbow through Reigns through the table.
Final Thoughts: (a la Matt Widdis)
This is essentially the same Smackdown we see week in and week out with the same cast of characters in the spotlight. I’d like to see a lot more of the deeper blue brand roster featured on tv along with some fresh storylines. Tonight featured a few rematches of sorts and nearly every single match had some sort of interference. The only bright spots tonight were Lacey Evans, and the intrigue for a weakness in The Fiend persona. Other than that Smackdown on Fox needs to step it up. With one of the most popular PPVs just over two weeks down the road, the blue brand desperately needs to bring something fresh to the table.
