Tonight, Smackdown features two big matches in Rusev vs. Roman Reigns and The Miz vs. “The Phenomenal One,” AJ Styles. Both Roman Reigns and AJ Styles have been on a roll lately, and look to keep it that way until WrestleMania. There are also a lot of spots left on the Fastlane card, and maybe we’ll see some of those match implications tonight.
Roman Reigns vs. Rusev (w/Alberto Del Rio & King Barrett)
Smackdown kicks off with a match that we would usually see in the main event. Roman Reigns is usually what WWE uses to keep the fans watching until the end. With that in mind, this might turn into a tag team match main event.
I’ve said this many times over the past few weeks, but the League of Nations is not threatening. It’s a sad thing to think, but it’s true. You would think that they would be as dominant as the Shield was in their heyday. Rusev went undefeated for about a year, King Barrett is the winner of the King of the Ring tournament and former Nexus leader, and Del Rio is a multiple-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Ever since they formed, however, they have either lost cleanly or won by disqualification.
Roman Reigns gets ready for the Superman Punch, and Barrett and Del Rio interfere to save Rusev. Dean Ambrose tries to make the save, but accidentally his his best friend with a diving elbow drop. The League of Nations look to put Reigns away but Reigns gets an equalizer, a steel chair, sending Rusev and company to the back. Winner (via disqualification): Roman Reigns
Just as I said earlier, there will be a tag team match in the main event: Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose vs. Rusev & Albert Del Rio.
Kalisto vs. Kevin Owens
Kalisto, the current United States Champion (and apparently the smallest one ever according to Mauro Ranallo), has been on a roll as of late. Defeating one of the best rookies of all time in Kevin Owens would build a lot of momentum for Kalisto leading up to his United States Championship match at WWE Fastlane against Alberto Del Rio.
Dolph Ziggler is on commentary, which means that after versing Owens on Raw this week and the week prior, they are going to probably be feuding through Fastlane.
Kevin Owens look to powerbomb Kalisto through the table, but instead throws him into Dolph Ziggler. This leads to Owens paying too much attention to Ziggler and Kalisto rolls him up for the victory. Winner: Kalisto
Ryback vs. Erick Rowan (w/Braun Strowman)
Ryback has unsuccessfully been trying to get his revenge on the Wyatt Family after they attacked him on Raw a few weeks ago. He does have the best chance of victory against Erick Rowan, who lost very quickly to the Big Show on Raw this week.
Recently, Ryback has been showing that he has the tools in his move set to show a variety of styles. Adding a fast-paced, more aerial-focused set of moves has made Ryback’s matches feel more fresh. After hitting a Meat Hook Clothesline on Rowan, Ryback picks up the victory. Winner: Ryback
AJ Styles vs. The Miz
Before both competitors enter the ring, Chris Jericho comes out to join commentary. Two weeks ago on Monday Night Raw, Styles defeated Jericho in his WWE singles match debut, and Jericho has been seemingly bitter ever since. We can expect Jericho to get involved during or after the match.
The Miz did a great job of putting Styles and himself over on MizTV on Raw, and they face each other tonight because Styles refused to be the Miz’s apprentice.
On a side note, it is still unbelievable that AJ Styles is on WWE television.
Both Dolph Ziggler and Chris Jericho tonight have been great on commentary, and could be solid color commentators in the future (Jericho will probably just tour with his band Fozzy).
After countering a pinfall, he locks in the Calf Crusher on the Miz for the victory. Winner (via submission): AJ Styles
After the match, Jericho enters the ring (like I mentioned that he would) and compliments Styles on being good, but says that he still isn’t “great.” To prove Styles’s worth, Jericho challenges him to a rematch next week on Smackdown, and Styles accepts.
The New Day vs. Social Outcasts
Update: Bo Rida is still mixing beats in the studio.
It would be great if these two over-the-top ridiculous teams feud over the Tag Team Championship. It would establish credibility for the Social Outcasts, who have been getting better in the ring and on the mic every time they’re on the screen.
Kofi Kingston uses the ropes as leverage to pin Curtis Axel for the victory. Winners: The New Day
Charlotte (w/Ric Flair) vs. Alicia Fox
While Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch are trying to figure out if they’re friends or enemies, Brie Bella has seemed to put herself in the Divas Title picture by defeating Charlotte on Raw this past Monday.
Alicia Fox is one of the most underrated performers on the roster. Everything she does is fluid, she gets into her characters very well, and has the best Northern Lights Suplex I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately for Fox, Charlotte got the better of her and won with the Figure Eight. Winner (via submission): Charlotte
Another update: R-Truth still doesn’t want to be Goldust’s tag team partner, and the segments are still hilarious.
Dean Ambrose & Roman Reigns vs. Alberto Del Rio & Rusev
Man, I’m pretty sure Teddy Long is secretly booking Smackdown. Everything has been ending in a tag team match. Also, it would be great if King Barrett could be more than a distraction for the League of Nations.
Dean Ambrose almost hit Roman Reigns accidentally with a suicide dive, hinting at what will come at Fastlane. There are also hints of Reigns and Ambrose turning on each other at some point. Getting back on track, Roman Reigns hits the spear on Rusev for the win. Winners: Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose
Reminder: Next week on Smackdown, AJ Styles will face Chris Jericho in a rematch from Monday Night Raw two weeks ago. Also, for NXT fans, Bayley will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Carmella.
