The SmackDown Files: Welcome to Shane McMahon's Going Away Party From Hell (3-13-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 3-13-2018

Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana

·        SmackDown Live kicked off with AJ Styles talking about overcoming the odds in order to walk into WrestleMania WWE Champion. Styles’ road to New Orleans hit some speed bumps, but he managed to navigate the waters to ensure that his dream match against Shinsuke Nakamura came true. The fans started up the always annoying “You Deserve It” chant, but The Phenomenal One said that he earned it which makes him even more likable. He respected Nakamura and admitted that their respective paths to WWE were similar, but the similarities came to an end because Styles was the Champ.

·        Nakamura came out and shared the same sentiment, but vowed to make his dream come true at Mania by kneeing Styles in the face in order to become WWE Champion. Styles and Nakamura went face-to-face, but Rusev and Aiden English made their way to the ring to put the kibosh on any physical confrontation as the opening segment came to an end.

·        This was a good way to start the show. Styles was the humble babyface thankful for everything he’s earned in order to reach the pinnacle of WWE while Nakamura is ready to knock him off his perch at WrestleMania. This is a lock to be a great match, but there needs to more tension between both men to ensure that this bout lives up to the hype next month. The creative team doesn’t have to do anything batshit crazy, but I expect tempers to boil over sooner or later.

·        AJ Styles defeated Rusev via disqualification when Aiden English saved Rusev from tapping out the Calf Crusher. Before the DQ finish, Styles and Rusev were having a good match that featured hard-hitting action throughout. Rusev has had an impressive week in the ring despite eating a couple of high profile losses. Hopefully, this is leading up to an Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal victory at WrestleMania because Rusev Day is going to be one of the most over things on the PPV. If not, my faith in WWE will take another kick to the gut.

·        English and Rusev double-teamed Styles while Shinsuke Nakamura sat at ringside watching the beat down unfold as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Nakamura stood up, but he still took his time getting in the ring before making the save. He laid out the heels as Styles recovered in the corner. Nakamura bid his Mania opponent adieu as the segment came to an end.

·        As I mentioned earlier, the Mutual Admiration Society between Styles and Nakamura can only last for so long. This was a nice way to build tension between them without going too over the top. Let’s hope WWE keeps it simple because overcomplicating things might water down the hype for this dream match at WM.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers defeated Jimmy Uso and Big E when Rowan pinned Jimmy Uso with the double chokeslam in a solid match. Jimmy and Big E put up a good fight, but Harper and Rowan were too much to handle on this night.

·        Harper added insult to injury when he charged into the barricade while Big E was leaning against it. Rowan did further damage when he laid out E with a cross body before the duo headed backstage with their mallets in tow. This was another impressive performance by two of the baddest men on SD Live. Rowan and Harper are in the thick of the Tag Team Title chase heading into WrestleMania, but the field is crowded as The Usos still want to keep the division on lockdown while The New Day attempts to become five-time Tag Team Champs. I smell a Triple Threat Match in NOLA. Just a hunch…

·        Charlotte and Asuka exchanged words about being the best heading into their SmackDown Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania. It was a nice repartee that wasn’t over scripted in nature. How refreshing!

·        Jinder Mahal defeated Bobby Roode with the Khallas thanks to an assist from Sunil Singh. Singh climbed on the ring apron to distract Roode, but The Glorious One shoved him against the ring post before heading to the top rope. However, the diversion gave Mahal enough time to knock Roode off the turnbuckle which set up the finish moments later.

·        Mahal didn’t get a chance to celebrate the win because Randy Orton laid him out with an RKO. This is another Triple Threat Match in the making because all three men have an outstanding beef over the idiotic SD Live Top Ten List and United States Championship. This is the weakest feud heading into WrestleMania, but the work rate should be fine considering the talent involved.

·        Carmella defeated Naomi with a rollup in a decent match. Carmella channeled her inner Liv Morgan by becoming a windmill dodging Naomi’s kicks until she got kneed in the face. Naomi went for the Springboard Enzuigiri, but Carmella kicked her off the middle rope and yanked her hair first onto the mat to pick up the win. Ms. Money the Bank is on a winning streak heading into the heart of WrestleMania season. Color me pleasantly surprised.

·        Shane McMahon announced that he was taking an indefinite leave of absence as SD Live Commissioner, but he made sure to make a WrestleMania announcement before saying farewell. McMahon booked Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a one-on-one match at WrestleMania as a way to stick it to his long time enemies. Owens was happy to defeat his best friend at the grandest stage of them all, but he could do that at any time. Zayn felt the same way about Owens before focusing his attention on Shane for sucking up to the fans because they wanted to see him and KO rip each other apart at Mania. Zayn decided to give Shane-O-Mac a parting gift by attacking him from behind.

·        Owens joined in on the beat down as they attacked up Shane despite the Commish putting up a good fight. Zayn nailed Shane with the Helluva Kick before Owens finished him off with a Popup Powerbomb.

·        WWE officials tried to break things up, but Owens attacked them as well which should lead to a fine or suspension. Zayn grabbed a steel chair from the timekeeper’s area and wrapped it around Shane’s neck before slamming him into the ring post in a sick spot. KO and Zayn dragged Shane backstage and did even more damage as Owens dropped him with another Powerbomb onto a metal grate as Shane gasped for air.

·        One of the refs managed to shoo Owens and Zayn away as SD Live went off the air with medical personnel tending to Shane.

·        This was a great way to end the show. Shane McMahon got his ass kicked and I expect some crazy ass match at WrestleMania involving him, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn. It will be an unorthodox match because it’s two-on-one but it should be very interesting, to say the least.

·        A part of me thinks Daniel Bryan is secretly giddy about his boss getting destroyed by his former Ring of Honor buddies. Bryan’s reaction to what happened should make for some good television next week. Will he be pissed off or elated that he doesn’t have to answer to a McMahon anymore? This storyline has been simmering since late last year. Will the big reveal finally happen with three weeks to go until WrestleMania? We shall find out soon enough.

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. The shoe was bookended by major segments taking place at the top and bottom of each hour. From that respect, WWE hit a home run promoting the major title matches on the SD Live side of the WrestleMania card. The Shane McMahon-Kevin Owens-Sami Zayn saga is this year’s obligatory blood feud which gives them special billing because their storyline has the most longevity despite things hitting a lull in terms of excitement over the past couple of months.

·        The rest of the show featured so-so wrestling with AJ Styles vs. Rusev winning match of the night honors despite the disqualification finish. The rest of the in-ring action was middling which watered down the crowd heat in Indianapolis during the second hour. Things got better during the main event segment, but the creative team needs to put together a cohesive two-hour program during the height of WrestleMania season. Every week should be must-see TV. There were glimmers of that tonight, but WWE has to push through the noise and deliver the goods over the next three weeks. Let’s hope they can get the job done. Fingers crossed!

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girl! 

The SmackDown Files: And The Idiot Of The Week Goes To...AJ Styles (2-6-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 2-6-2018

Location: Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri

Graphics Be Gone: A little complaining takes the WordArt away. For the most part...

·        SmackDown Live kicked off with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan having a tense conversation regarding their business relationship as of late. McMahon questioned Bryan for giving Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn undeserved opportunities at the WWE Championship in recent weeks. Shane-O-Mac got emotional as he accused Bryan of living vicariously through Owens and Zayn because he can no longer compete in the ring. Before Bryan could respond, AJ Styles made his way to ring.

·        Styles called out both men for their piss poor managerial skills as of late. Styles had no problem taking on all comers, but he was tired of his bosses having a proverbial pissing contest to see who had the real power on SD Live. He told Bryan and McMahon to stay backstage during the Owens-Zayn match because he controlled his own destiny heading into Fastlane and WrestleMania as the opening segment came to an end.

·        This was a fine way to start the show. Power Struggle 2018 is back in full swing as Bryan and McMahon continue to butt heads over Owens and Zayn. McMahon’s words cut deep which could lead to a possible match between him and Bryan at WrestleMania. This is pure speculation at the moment, but WWE has been dropping breadcrumbs over the past few months. If Bryan is medically cleared, all bets are off. If not, the company is playing a deadly game of Russian Roulette that could bite them in the ass if they’re not careful.

·        Charlotte defeated Liv Morgan with the Figure Eight in a decent match. The Riott Squad tried to interfere down the stretch, but the referee caught them red-handed. The ref ejected Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan from ringside which set up the finish moments later. One down. Two to go.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers destroyed another random tag team when Rowan pinned Random Wrestler #1 with a double chokeslam. It was short, sweet, and effective.

·        The Usos cut another awesome promo about how they reinvented themselves last year. 2018 would be no different as Jimmy and Jey intend to keep the tag team division on lockdown. Most importantly, there was no jail ceil graphic on the television screen during their promo. Perhaps the WWE Graphics Team learned their lesson from last week.

·        The first ever SD Live 10 Ten List has been revealed:

10) Tye Dillinger

9) Randy Orton

8) Becky Lynch

7) The Usos

6) The New Day

5) Bobby Roode

4) Naomi

3) Shinsuke Nakamura

2) Charlotte Flair

1) AJ Styles.

·        Rusev failing to make the cut saddens me. The shade of it all…

·        Bobby Roode retained the United States Championship when he defeated Rusev with the Glorious DDT in a good match. The bout was perfectly early on, but it didn’t suck me in emotionally until Rusev nailed Roode with the Machka Kick for a near fall. From there, the action was on point as the crowd cheered for both men.

·        Rusev tried to put Roode in the Accolade, but Roode countered with his finisher for the win. The Glorious One didn’t get a chance to celebrate because Randy Orton nailed him with an RKO out of nowhere.

·        Aiden English and Rusev suffered the same fate as the Kansas City crowd popped something fierce. Orton might not be in a front-burner storyline right now, but he is maximizing his minutes by doing very little while getting paid at the same time. The Viper is living the dream.

·        Those damn graphics…Ugh…

·        Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable defeated The Ascension when Benjamin pinned Viktor with the Powerbomb/Diving Clothesline combination in a decent match. Viktor looked impressive as his offense was smooth and crisp throughout. It’s a shame that he doesn’t get a chance to showcase his talent on a regular basis because he’s really good in the ring.

·        Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens ended in a double disqualification after AJ Styles attacked both men at ringside. Before the screwy finish, Owens and Zayn had a very good match that was on the verge of becoming the best television match of 2018 thus far. Both men know each other very well as they delivered the goods with great wrestling and dramatic near falls.

·        Zayn had Owens on the ropes when he confronted Styles at the announce table. Styles told Zayn to take care of Owens, but Zayn continued to run his mouth. Styles turned away from Zayn, but he swung Styles around which led to the Double DQ finish.

·        Styles laid out both men and wanted a winner despite how the match ended. Daniel Bryan appeared on the main stage and announced that Owens and Zayn will face Styles in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship at Fastlane next month. SD Live went off the air with The Phenomenal One fuming in the ring while the announcers bickered about Bryan having an ulterior motive.

·        This was a strong way to end the show. Styles being on guest commentary during the main event was a clear sign that Owens vs. Zayn was going to have a controversial finish. Styles took the bait and KO and Zayn laid the trap like a couple of weasels. Styles’ words came back to haunt him as he claimed he had everything under control during the opening segment. He was in charge of his own destiny and didn’t need Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon meddling in his business. Bryan did just that which will cause further tension between him and McMahon next week.

·        Styles he has to walk through the fire in order to face Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Title at WrestleMania. The Triple Threat Match should be a Match of the Year contender if it’s not overbooked to death. I have feeling that Shane-O-Mac and Bryan will get involved, but that’s par for the course as of late. Here’s hoping this is leading up to something big at Mania because WWE continues to throw out red meat when it comes to Bryan’s in-ring status. Is this another mind fuck or something more? We shall find out soon enough.

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was solid. The main event saved the show from drowning in a sea of mediocrity. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have wrestled against each other hundreds of times, but they always bring something different to the table. It’s a rivalry that will never get old despite both men burying the hatchet for the time being. Despite getting another shot at the WWE Championship, I don’t think KO and Zayn will cede the spotlight heading into WrestleMania unless one forces the other to do so. We shall see how it all plays out over the next few weeks.

·        The rest of the show was fine, but it didn’t feel must-see until the main event segment. The in-ring action has been subpar as of late which shouldn’t be the case. There are a couple of feuds bubbling beneath the surface, but the blue brand lacks a spark right now. There is no Miz or John Cena to carry the broadcast from a promo standpoint this year. With one more major PPV before Mania, the creative team needs to lay the foundation for something huge that will propel SD Live to the Promised Land. Here’s hoping they get the job done. Fingers crossed!

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!

The Raw Exposé: Motown 25 > Raw 25 (1-22-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 1-22-2018

Primary Location: The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Secondary Location: The Manhattan Center in New York City, New York

Happy Anniversary: Raw Turns 25!

Rest of the Show: Meh…

·        Shane and Stephanie McMahon kicked off Raw 25 with a video package recapping the most memorable moments over the past 25 years. Afterward, Shane and Stephanie introduced Vince McMahon so he could take a bow for creating a wrestling juggernaut.

·        Vince was moved by the ovation, but things quickly went south when his kids gave him a plaque commemorating the occasion. Apparently, Shane and Steph set up a GoFundMe page which resulted in limited donations coming in. Vince was offended that the gift was so cheap before running down the city of Brooklyn because they had plaque on the teeth and arteries for eating too many hot dogs.

·        Vinnie Mac decided to thank himself for being the mastermind behind Raw and took credit for the show being a success. Before he could continue, Stone Cold Steve Austin came out to a raucous ovation.

·        Stephanie immediately left the ring while Shane stuck around like a lamb being led to slaughter. Vince tried to calm Stone Cold down by claiming that he was a senior citizen suffering from a number of health ailments. Because of his AARP status, Vince appointed Shane to fight Austin on his behalf.

·        Shane-O-Mac tried to make nice with The Rattlesnake, but he got bit with a Stunner instead.

·        Vince grabbed a couple of cans of Miller Lite and shared a toast with his arch nemesis. The beer drinking continued until Austin dropped Vince with the Stunner as the crowd popped something fierce. Austin celebrated by drinking some Steveweisers as Shane McMahon regained consciousness.

·        Shane tried to share another toast with Austin, but he got nailed with another Stunner as the opening segment came to an end with Austin giving the audience the double middle finger salute.

·        This was a great way to start the show. Vince McMahon and Stone Cold had another classic encounter while Shane was thrown to the wolves by his own father. Just like old times!

·        Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, and Asuka defeated Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Nia Jax, and Alicia Fox when Banks made Fox tap out to the Bank Statement in a decent eight-woman tag team match. However, Asuka reminded her tag team partners that it’s every woman herself at the Royal Rumble when she tossed James, Bayley, and Banks over the top rope. Is this a sign of things to come? We shall find out soon enough.

·        The Undertaker appeared at the Manhattan Center and cut an ominous promo about the future. It wasn’t a retirement announcement but left me very confused, to say the least.

·        The Miz became an eight-time Intercontinental Champion when he defeated Roman Reigns with the Skull Crushing Finale in a good match. The Miztourage (Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas) paid dividends at ringside as they took cheap shots at Reigns behind the referee’s back. Reigns eventually nailed both men with the Drive-By. The diversion allowed Miz to remove the covering from the middle turnbuckle which played into the finish.

·        Reigns nailed Miz with a Superman Punch and was about to finish him off with the Spear when Dallas grabbed Reigns’ leg. The ref caught Dallas red-handed which led to him and Axel being tossed from ringside.

·        The distraction allowed Miz to hit Reigns with the Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Reigns charged after Miz, but the A-Lister moved out the way as Reigns slammed his head against the exposed turnbuckle which set up the finish moments later.

·        The crowd popped for the finish because they hated Reigns. This was the perfect setting for Reigns to drop the title which should lead to his presumed Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.

·        Jason Jordan generated the third-most heel heat on the show as he couldn’t get a word in edgewise during his appearance on Christian’s Peep Show. Seth Rollins looked on in astonishment as Jordan died on the proverbial vine.

·        Cesaro and Sheamus came out to tell Jordan that he sucked which led to Jordan attacking Sheamus. The brawl was on as Rollins laid out Sheamus with a tope. Jordan held Cesaro so he could take a flying knee from Rollins, but the Swiss Superman moved out of the way as Rollins took out Jordan instead. To say that the crowd was overjoyed would be an understatement. All in all, this was a nice way to hype the Raw Tag Team Championship Match at the Rumble.

·        Bray Wyatt defeated Matt Hardy with Sister Abigail in a subpar match. The Manhattan Center is getting the short end of the stick when it comes to seeing quality in-ring action.

·        Nice cameo by Chris Jericho as he put Elias and his scarves on the list. Y2J deserves a full segment, damn it!

·        The oddest feud of 2018 is John Cena vs. Elias. Elias was singing a ditty when Cena interrupted him. Cena was in the middle of cutting a promo when Elias told him to shut up. He blamed Cena for ruining his moment. Cena told him to do something about it.

·        Elias told him that he doesn’t answer to Cena or the scumbag fans in Brooklyn as he headed out of the ring.

·        Elias tried to sneak attack Cena, but he was dropped with the Five Knuckle Shuffle instead. Cena went for the AA, but Elias wiggled out of the move as he nailed Cena with a low blow. He grabbed his guitar and struck Cena in the back before hitting the Drift Away to wrap up the segment.

·        Elias is such a great asshole. His personality continues to shine and he’s in a high profile feud with John Cena. Their first match on Christmas night left a lot to be desired, but their second outing should be much better once they work out the kinks. Hopefully…

·        Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews ended abruptly when the referee called for the bell after both teams were disqualified for kicking too much ass.

·        The Dudley Boyz helped ease the pain when Bubba Ray and D-Von put Heath Slater through a table. It was a beautiful moment that made the previous match worth enduring.

·        Mene Gene Okerlund interviewing AJ Styles was a nice surprise. Styles impersonating Hulk Hogan was surreal, but he sold it like a champ.

·        The DX Reunion was cool as Triple H and Shawn Michaels paid homage to Ravishing Rick Rude and Chyna before introducing The New Age Outlaws. X-Pac made a surprise appearance followed by Razor Ramon. For some reason, WWE cut to commercial which made Ramon’s entrance super awkward.

·        Fortunately, Ramon had a chance to address the crowd before The Bàlor Club came out. Both factions joined forces for a Too Sweet Salute as the crowd popped for the moment. Billy Gunn was about to say his signature line when The Revival came out to interrupt.

·        Gallows and Anderson defeated The Revival when Karl Anderson pinned Dash Wilder with the Magic Killer. The match was nothing special, but it was a means to an end as Dash and Dawson took a parade of finishes from the DX-Bàlor Club Kliq. Billy Gunn finally said his catchphrase as the crowd joined in on the “Suck It!” chant. This was nice a dose of nostalgia that sent the Manhattan crowd home happy.

·        Meanwhile, all hell broke loose at the Barclays Center when Brock Lesnar nailed Braun Strowman with a wicked clothesline at ringside before hitting Kane with the F5. Strowman went back on the attack as he knocked Lesnar out of the ring with a clothesline.

·        Strowman tossed The Beast against the barricade before power slamming him through the announce table as the crowd popped for the spot. Raw 25 went off the air with the Monster standing tall while the Beast and the Machine licked their wounds at ringside.

·        This was an abrupt way to end the show. Lesnar was on the warpath until Strowman put in that work. Strowman has been unstoppable over the past few weeks. However, the outcome heading into the Triple Threat Match on Sunday remains the same. Lesnar will retain the Universal Championship and face Roman Reigns for the title at WrestleMania 34. Anything less would be a shocker. I would love to see WWE swerve us all, but that is highly unlikely unless something crazy happens. Kane will eat the pin while Strowman maintains his street cred for being a badass. Consider it a guaran-damn-tee! I think…

·        Overall, I thought Raw 25 did a nice job paying tribute to past while putting a spotlight on the future. The show dragged at times as the in-ring action left a lot to be desired. Roman Reigns vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship wins best match of the night honors by default because WWE had a tough time serving two masters as the action was dry at the Manhattan Center until DX came out during the third hour.

·        The company running two shows in two different location seemed like a good idea on paper. However, the execution was so-so as the fans had to watch half the show on the big screen while feeling cheated if certain stars didn’t show up at their venue. It was a hot ass mess, to say the least.

·        My favorite part of the show was the poker game involving the APA (JBL can still kiss my ass after blocking me on Twitter), Heath Slater, Rhyno, Ted DiBiase, MVP, The Usos, Natalya, The New Day, and Jeff Hardy. It was mindless fun as Slater kept getting bad beats until he had to resort to cheating in order to win a hand. Dana Brooke busted him which resulted in The Million Dollar Man taking down the pot with a royal flush.

·        The presentation of former Raw General Managers was cool as well as the women from the past getting their moment in the spotlight. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a few of them appear in the Women’s Royal Rumble on Sunday.

·        The Rock not appearing on the show was a letdown, but his production schedule is super busy these days. Batista making a cameo appearance would’ve been sweet as well, but it wasn’t meant to be.

·        Raw 1000 remains one of the best Raws of all time. Raw 25 had too many lull spots which prevented the show from being an all-time classic. Here’s hoping Raw 30 has a bit more bite in 2023 because the future is bright if the E doesn’t wet and shit the bed.

·        Until then, the Road to WrestleMania kicks off with the Royal Rumble on Sunday. Who will punch their tickets to New Orleans? We shall find out soon enough. And so it begins…again.

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls!

The SmackDown Files: Just Say The Word - Daniel Bryan's One-Step Guide Towards Match Booking (1-9-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Location: Legacy Arena at The BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama

Date: 1-9-2018

Rallying Cry: Roll Tide!

Somber Cry: Poor Dawgs...

·        SD Live kicked off with Renee Young conducting a sit-down interview with AJ Styles. Young asked Styles if he thought his 2-on-1 handicap match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble was unfair. Styles sidestepped the question because he didn’t want to throw Daniel Bryan under the bus. Renee pressed the issue again which caused Styles to admit that he felt that the decision was unfair because Bryan took his sarcasm as gospel.

·        However, Styles vowed to beat Owens and Zayn at the Rumble to prove that SD Live was still his house.

·        Owens and Zayn came out and accused Styles of backtracking because his mouth got him in trouble last week. The dynamic duo planned to do something that hasn’t been done since the days of Laycool: Become co-Champions! Ah, the good old days… *sniff*

·        Shane McMahon appeared on the main stage and announced that KO and Zayn will face Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles in a 3-on-2 handicap which will take place later tonight. Despite McMahon not agreeing with Bryan’s decision from last week, he still supports him. For now…

·        This was an okay way to start the show. AJ Styles’ promo was fine, but Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were the real MVPs of the segment as Zayn continues to crack me up with his over the top celebrations. His leaping ability is something to behold. Trampoline be damned!

·        Becky Lynch defeated Ruby Riott with the Dis-Arm-Her in a decent match. Nothing more, nothing less.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers made quick work of The Ascension when Harper pinned Viktor with a Powerbomb. Harper and Rowan weren’t finished as they dropped Konner with a double Chokeslam for good measure. Total Domination from the two men with no first name. What can I say? It’s a WWE thing.

·        Mojo Rawley advanced to the semifinals of the United States Championship Tournament when Rawley nailed Zack Ryder with a charging forearm for the win. The match was solid as both men showed nice aggression throughout. Rawley still comes off a bit too hyped for my taste, but I am digging his heel character so far. He’s one of the best talkers on SD Live when he’s allowed to speak in his own voice instead of reading from a script. Here’s hoping Mojo is given more mic time in 2018 because he has potential to get over as a big star if the creative team doesn’t drop the ball on his push.

·        Daniel Bryan continues to get booking inspiration from wrestlers when Chad Gable put his foot in his mouth by claiming that Bryan wanted him and Shelton Benjamin to defeat The Usos twice in the same night. Bryan agreed and booked Gable and Benjamin vs. The Usos in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at the Royal Rumble.

·        The segment ran a bit long, but Gable saved the day with his quirky sense of humor while Benjamin played the straight man who set up the punchlines like a boss.

·        In an odd booking decision, Breezango defeated Aiden English and Rusev when Fandango pinned Rusev with a roll-up. The match was fine, but I question the decision because Rusev and English are more over than The Fashion Police. WWE continues to miss the boat on Rusev Day. Sigh…

·        AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a No Disqualification/No Count Out 2-on-3 Handicap Match when Orton nailed Zayn with an RKO for the win. Owens and Zayn intentionally got counted out which ended the first match prematurely. Shane McMahon came out and restarted the match with no count outs.

·        Match #2 got underway with the babyfaces firmly in control. Orton was about to nail Zayn with an RKO when Owens attacked him with a steel chair which drew the automatic DQ. Owens went after Styles and Nakamura before he and Zayn scurried up the ramp like a couple of rats.

·        McMahon appeared once again to make Match #3 No DQ which resulted in Styles chasing KO backstage while Orton and Nakamura cornered Zayn at ringside.

·        Orton hit Zayn in the face with the steel steps before dropping him with a Belly-to-Back Suplex on the announcer table.

·        The Viper tossed Zayn back in the ring as he got nailed with the Kinshasa from Nakamura followed by Orton’s finisher for the win.

·        SD Live went off the air with Nakamura and Orton celebrating in the ring while the announcers questioned whether or not Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were on the same page based on their actions tonight.

·        This was a good way to end the show. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were outsmarted this week, but did McMahon abuse his power by making the duo pay for their sins 2X?

·        Daniel Bryan can point to Shane-O-Mac letting his personal feelings get in the way of what’s best for business. However, Bryan has shown power-hungry tendencies over the past couple of weeks which puts his impartiality into question as well.

·        Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are playing the roles of Good Conscience/Bad Conscience as they try to defend Bryan and McMahon’s actions as of late. One of them is right while the other is blowing things out of proportion. WWE is doing this intentionally as they try to throw fans off the scent when it comes to who’s playing who.

·        It’s a great storyline that keeps people guessing every week. The big reveal will probably take place at the Rumble or Fastlane PPV in March. For the company’s sake, here’s hoping McMahon is the one turning heel because Bryan is not getting booed unless he beats up Captain Planet in a street fight. Just saying…

·        Overall, I thought this tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. The in-ring action left a lot to be desired until the main event ended things on a high note.

·        With two more live shows until the Royal Rumble, SD Live needs to turn up the volume heading into the first major PPV of the year. The main event and tag team scene is on fire while the women’s division and mid-card scene are treading water at the moment.

·        The women need to branch off into individual feuds after the Rumble while more depth is needed when it comes to viable challengers for the United States Championship. These issues will continue to bog down the show unless the creative team remedies the situation. *Cough* Push Rusev! *Cough*

·        The Rumble is shaping up nicely, but I need WWE to make me care during the home stretch in order to push things over the top. They’ve got two weeks to get the job done. Let’s hope the E takes care of business because I have a feeling that NXT Takeover: Philadelphia might win the weekend if they’re not too careful. It’s happened nine times over the past two years. Can Triple H make it 10-for-10? We shall find out soon enough.

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!