In a story driven SmackDown Live, we finally get an answer from Vince McMahon about Kofi. Why Shane turned on the Miz. An eight man tag team match. A surprise match for the Planet’s Champion and company. Matches confirmed for WrestleMania. Let’s get started!
Why Shane why? Eight man tag team match up. WrestleMania match confirmed.
Shane explains himself.
Shane McMahon opens the show and addresses why he turned on The Miz. The GM of SDL states that he is tired of people trying to get “things” out of him. Shane-O-Mac says that he the best in the world, because he was born to be. Also, it felt liberating to finally do what he wants to do (eye roll) and beatdown Miz in his hometown. Not only did Shane felt great beating Miz, but it was better beating the Miz down in front of his “potato face” father. Shane states that he felt a spark in him that will never go away. So everyone should get used to it and issues a match at WrestleMania against Miz.
The Hardy Boyz/Aleister Black and Ricochet Vs The Bar/Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev. No contest via New Day interference.
Jeff Hardy starts off against Sheamus and starts off strong. Utilizing his brother Matt in signature Hardy Boyz moves. This was short lived, as Sheamus regains control and tags in Cesaro. One half of The Bar beats down Jeff and it continues with the rest of the heel team taking turns. Eventually Jeff hot tags Ricochet and the Future of Flight hits a head scissors to dropkick combo, but is blasted by Rusev. Thrown back in by Cesaro, Ricochet is now the punching bag for the heels. Ricochet is hit by a big European Uppercut by Cesaro and endures a big amount of beatings before hot tagging Matt Hardy.
The Deleter quickly gains control and tags in his brother Jeff. Together they land Poetry in Motion, but Sheamus plants a boot on Matt’s face. What follows is a rapid succession of signature moves, ending with Jeff Hardy’s Swanton Bomb for a two count. An All out brawl follows and The New Day arrive. The 5-Time champs are frustrated for Kofi and take it on the heels. Laying waste to them all and demand respect.
The Viper believes he built AJ Styles “House”.
Randy Orton arrives and cuts a very poignant view on “The House That AJ Styles Built”. The Viper states that when AJ was working in the indies and at other promotions, Orton was headlining every big event for WWE. Styles enters and says “for someone who looks down on the indies, you sure followed my career”. Also, retorting that Orton would’ve never made it the indies with Orton’s pose and knock off Diamond Cutter. The two exchange a fierce and great promo, with it all ending towards a match at WrestleMania.
The Empress of Tomorrow fuels future rivals. The Man is ready. Tag Team match ends in the US Champ angry.
Asuka vs Sonya DeVille with Mandy Rose. Asuka wins via Asuka Lock
As a match to further a split between Rose and DeVille, both women trade moves and ends with Asuka locking an ankle lock. From there Asuka is in charge attempts a baseball slide on Deville, but hits Rose. This leads to Mandy to pull up the ring apron and trip Sonya. Allowing Asuka to submit DeVille in the Asuka Lock. Afterwards, Rose looks down her “best friend” and DeVille attempting to apologize. Eh, whatever.
Becky Lynch is a Godesses on the mic.
So, “injuries” are BS in WWE. Lynch walks out, tosses her crutches, and states that i”it’s great to walk on my own two feet”. Let’s not forget that she was “injured” and was a big beatdown to days ago, that included Flair’s Figure 8 lock. Ok, belief suspended, I guess. The Man cuts a great promo on how she got under Ronda Rousey’s skin, calling her brainless and a weirdo. Charlotte Flair enters and tells Becky, it must feel great getting everything you want without working for it. Charlotte stating that she was the one that gave it her all for four years and that is why se is The Queen. Lynch retorts with, maybe we don’t need a Queen, just The Man. Hail Becky!!
R-truth/Rey Mysterio vs Samoa Joe/Andrade. Rey/Truth win via roll up pinfall.
Remember when I said I could watch these four fight anytime, well it’s getting stale now. Truth starts off strong against Andrade and hits a tag team huricanrana with Rey on Andrade. Rey goes for an early 619 on Andrade, but Joe b;ind tags in and catches Rey in mid air. After Joe plants Rey for his efforts, both Andrade and Joe work over the Masked Lucha Legend. Joe locks in disturbing submissions on Rey, compelling R-Truth to break it up. Eventually Rey hot tags in Truth and Truth goes “John Cena” with 5 moves of doom. Joe breaks the Attitude Adjustment by Truth and chaos ensues. Which leads to Rey to roll up Joe on a countered Uranage (Samoan Driver) for the win. Joe is furious and lays out R-Truth and his partner Andrade.
Vince McMahon’s improve match and his offer to Kofi.
Kevin Owens/Mustafa Ali vs Daniel Bryan/Rowan. Bryan/Rowan win via Iron Claw Slam pinfall.
In an impromptu match called by Vince, KO/Ali face off against the Organic Warriors. Owens starts off against Bryan and quickly takes it to the Planet’s Champion. Bryan tags in Rowan and the Free Range Brute overpowers Owens. Kevin desperately attempts all he can against the brute, but fails. After a tandem beating, Owens hot tags Ali in and the Lionheart attempts to use his quickness.
However, Rowan is just too powerful and hits a big elbow on Ali. Bryan is tagged in and hits a nice snap suplex to pin to LaBelle Lock. Mustfa barely breaks the hold with the ropes. Ali attempts a come back but fails to see a blind tag to Rowan, who delivers the Iron Claw Slam for the pinfall. Shortly after the win, Vince McMahon’s music hits…
Vince’s explanation and offer to Kofi.
The true shot caller of the WWE Universe arrives and explains why what he did to Kofi. Vince states that he recognizes on what Kofi has done in his 11 year tenure, but he is still not a top draw. McMahon states that the company need draws and Kofi is just not it. New Day enters, both Big E and Xavier Woods debate on what Vince says, but it falls on deaf ears (we should be use to that). Then the ever silent Kofi grabs the mic and cuts a passionate promo. Kofi tells Vince that he has never took his children out on Halloween, missed his son losing his first tooth, all just to work in WWE. Kofi tells Vince, but there enough is enough. What does he have to do to be contender in Vince’s eye’s. The Devil in a suit states that he only has to beat this man, Randy Orton enters. Then this man, Samoa Joe enters. Then these men, The Bar enter. Lastly this man, Rowan enters. Vince tells Kofi, if you win a Gauntlet match between all of these stars, you will get your shot at WrestleMania. Hot damn, Vince is evil.. but we all will be cheering on Kofi to make it to WrestleMania. Will he arrive there in one piece is up for debate.
