Welcome back to another Rasslin Roundup edition of two Smackdown episodes. This article will feature and analyze the February 11th and 18th episodes of the show.
On February 11th, we saw Styles-Jericho round two, and tonight at Fastlane is the rubber match with these two superstars. Jericho opened up this episode of the show and promo-ed about his match for this evening, as well as Fastlane ahead.
Instead, due to the interruptions from the Social Outcast, this round two singles bout becomes a tag team match. The match evolves into Styles AND Jericho teaming up versus Outcast members Curtis Axel and Adam Rose. Styles and Jericho win the tag bout, but their initial singles classic encounter is later in the show as the main event.
In other action, Sasha Banks was victorious over former Team BAD member Naomi. Interestingly enough, it would’ve been more ironic if the trio broke up in a female Demolition format. With Sasha being the proverbial “Smash”. Meaning she is established from NXT, and this isn’t her first go-around. Sasha knows her career is bigger, brighter than the rest. Naomi being Axe, the leader and the one who is trying to assert her veteran influence and leadership; while having trust issues in the group and trying to protect herself as well. Then, Tamina would’ve been the muscle, the Crush of the Team BAD tandem. Muscle, but also torn between the two other members; wondering where her loyalty is going to lie; but can be “influenced” by both parties, but not controlled as a impressible, strong diva.
We also have a video vignette hyping the Dudley Boyz return to heel tandem, and budding feud with the Uso’s as their match will be at Fastlane. The two best tag teams who don’t hold the belts, and are not named “New Day.” And Smackdown follows this up with a abrupt and out of place promo cryptic-style of Bray Wyatt- which comes across as filler and with no clarity or defined role of where Bray is going, his new feud or regarding Fastlane.
The action returns with the Cosmic Wasteland, pitting Stardust and the Ascension members Konnor and Victor in 6-man action. They were in a losing effort to the Lucha Dragons and Neville. Honestly, Neville’s career is treading water and should be brighter. He is a great wrestler and in good matches, but the spots on the card have been consistently mid-card level. He deserves a push and a title, but he has no real character attributes. He doesn’t get enough, much less any promo time or to develop himself beyond being a “wrestler”. Now Kalisto is back in a tag team with the high spots despite having a singles run and as US champ. Is he a singles star, or a tag wrestler?
Main event and naturally to tie up the series, Jericho predictably wins. Otherwise, why would they settle the feud and or continue it at Fastlane? Great match, but predictable outcome. This show was a great wrestling laden show and is geared towards many video vignettes and hype videos to entice those to again, follow the pay per view and tune into the pay per view. But outside of the primary stories: Tag team, and main event- what other “stories” were there for the undercard?
February 18th brings the special attraction as Brock Lesnar appears and opens up the show. Triple H also appeared and to hype up the involvement, connection to Fastlane and the importance of the winner going to the main event at Wrestlemania. They have also teased the budding Lesnar-Triple H feud, which we have seen before. But the only difference in the dynamic is that a title is up for grabs, but will virtually be the same match regarding style, etc.
The first bout featured the return of Sheamus from injury. He teamed with League members Rusev and Alberto Del Rio in a 6-man contest to open the show. They went against, and defeated the team of Ziggler and the Lucha Dragons of Sin Cara and Kalisto. Del Rio will be facing Kalisto for the US title at Fastlane; and interference from IC champ Kevin Owens help prop up that bout for the PPV.
Sasha Banks again was victorious and once again versus another Team BAD stable-mate in Tamina. This win and subsequent following led to a Fastlane match with Sasha teaming with Becky Lynch versus Tamina and Naomi.
In other bouts, Jericho defeated the Mi z by submission. For Divas action, Charlotte in a non-title bout defeated Natalya who is now underutilized and not given a real push, despite her talent as well. Brie Bella appeared and will challenge Charlotte at the PPV, in which will be Brie’s last bout with WWE. (See if you can predict the obvious outcome. Brie doing the honors and really solidify Charlotte in her reign, despite no real obvious challengers to unseat her- outside of Sasha).
In the main event, Roman Reigns and Ambrose teamed up versus the Dudley Boyz which ended in a DQ. Lesnar appeared and raised hell to solidify his claim as the next champion to be. We also saw snipping and snide maneuvering with Ambrose and Reigns, as Ambrose lays his claim to move on and for the win at Fastlane.
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