WWE Hall of Famer and Legend, Edge will be making an appearance on Smackdown to confront Roman Reigns. Will we find out who Bianca Belair will be challenging at the show of shows?
We began Smackdown seeing highlights of Edge and Bianca Belair’s Royal Rumble victories.
Then we got the entrance of the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. He was joined by Paul Heyman and Jey Uso. During the entrance, Micheal Cole and Corey Graves took us back to Reigns’ Rumble match with Kevin Owens.
Reigns took in the WWE Thunderdome’s displeasure at seeing him for a few minutes and then acknowledged his victory over KO. Then he looked to the future, which just happens to be Edge. Of course Edge gets to pick who he wants to face at Wrestlemania, but according to Reigns, Edge is wasting his time going around to the other shows. Reigns said Edge should be begging at his feet to be on the island of relevancy.
Reigns then complained about Edge making him wait. He was out first and the Head of the Table doesn’t appreciate being disrespected. Heyman let Reigns know Edge is in the building, so they called for his pyro. When Edge didn’t come out and no music hit, a crew member let the Tribal Chief know that Edge is in fact not here yet.
This causes Reigns to begin to lose it a bit. He doesn’t like playing games. Reigns said the last man to play games with him was KO and he is no longer around (at least in Reigns’ mind). Then Reigns looked right into the camera and told Edge he will give him his decision by the end of the night. The Big Dog ain’t playing games.
Cole and Graves let us know that there is a triple threat match for the Intercontinental Championship match tonight: Big E versus Apollo Crews versus Sami Zayn.
Then Dominik Mysterio made his entrance to the ring. As Dom and his dad were making their way to the ring, King Corbin attacked! Corbin threw Rey off the ramp, where he hit off a table. Then we went to commercial break.
Dominik Mysterio defeated King Corbin via Pinfall (Frog Splash)
Even with the attack on Dom, Corbin began the match a step behind. Dom was able to move quickly and avoid hits by Corbin. During the match the cameras kept showing us how Rey Mysterio was as it seemed he suffered a knee injury when Corbin threw him off the entrance ramp. The knee injury didn’t stop Rey from supporting, and even helping, his son get the victory. With a little tricks from Eddie Guerrero’s playbook, the Mysterios pulled one over on the King.
After the match we watched a Progressive Match Flo on what happened during Big E’s match with Apollo Crews last week.
Then we went backstage where Kayla Braxton was interviewing Big E. E said he has had to fight all his life, which is what he signed up for when he won the Intercontinental Championship. Tonight they’re gonna fight, Crews and Zayn aren’t ready.
We got the entrance of Daniel Bryan before heading to a commercial break.
Cesaro defeated Daniel Bryan via Submission (Sharpshooter)
For the second time in three weeks, Cesaro has beaten Daniel Bryan. Cesaro’s momentum just seems to continue. Bryan had control early on and seemed to tap into his aggression, but Cesaro was able to battle back and submit the former world champion.
After the match, Cesaro (with a bloody head) went to Bryan and gave him a fist bump.
Then we took a look back at how Bianca Belair won the Royal Rumble before going backstage where Braxton interviewed her. We got to see Belair’s parents’ reaction to her Rumble victory. Belair said she just wants to make her family proud and they will be there in spirit walking down the ramp at Mania. When asked about who she will face at Wrestlemania, Belair said she is going to make her choice her way and will let us know soon.
Back at ringside we got the entrance of Bayley. Then we went to commercial break.
Returning from break, we got a hype video that showcased a bunch of Seth Rollins’ career moments. He returns to Smackdown next week. Back at ringside Billie Kay joined Cole and Graves at the commentary table.
Bayley defeated Ruby Riott via Pinfall
Although Billie Kay interfered slightly, it actually helped Riott get out of an armbar Bayley had locked in. The referee was dealing with Kay, who was also arguing with Liv Morgan, while all that was happening Riott was able to get Bayley in an armbar of her own. Unfortunately for Riott, Bayley reversed it and hit her finisher for the three count.
After the match, Billie Kay quickly grabbed her resume and headshots to follow Bayley. Then we saw Bianca Belair walking backstage before going to commercial break.
When we returned from break, we saw Edge walking backstage! He’s here!
At ringside, Bianca Belair made her entrance to the ring. Belair said that since she won the Royal Rumble her life changed over night. She’s been getting props from everyone, even people she doesn’t know! Back to the matter at hand, Belair said choosing an opponent for Wrestlemania is the biggest decision of her career.
She then talked about Asuka, who Belair said is the Empress all day, everyday. Then she brought up Smackdown Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks. She gave props to both women, but said if she wants to put the EST in Wrestlemania she will have to do it her way….then got interrupted by Reginald.
Reginald wanted to give Belair some advice. He said if she picked Asuka, he could certainly see Belair defeating her. But if she picked Sasha Banks? Belair won’t win. According to Reginald Belair can’t even beat Carmella.
Enter Carmella.
Carmella said that Reginald is a wise man. Then Carmella bragged about beating Sasha Banks twice, all while Belair just gave her a look. Carmella said she was certain she could beat Belair just like she has Banks.
Enter Sasha Banks.
Banks said she was going to stop looking in her rearview and look to the road ahead. Then she said Belair certainly has her attention. She’s been watching Belair: picking up Otis? That certainly makes her the strongest. Beating Bayley in the obstacle course, making her the fastest. But the best? Nah, that would be Sasha Banks.
If Belair is going to choose her, the do it. While Belair has it all, she doesn’t have the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Before Belair could respond, Reginald once again interrupted. He said if she does pick Sasha she will lose like he told her. The three ladies in the ring seemed shocked Reginald would open his mouth. Belair then whipped Reginald with her hair to get him out of the ring!
Backstage, Paul Heyman informed Roman Reigns that Edge was finally in the building. Then we went to another commercial break.
Returning from break, Kayla Braxton was interviewing Sami Zayn. Zayn said Braxton was trying to twist the narrative. He said tonight the documentary crew will finally get a happy moment when he regains the Intercontinental Championship.
During Otis and Chad Gable’s entrance they got an inset promo. In the video they gave a warning to Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. They said they are fine champions, they haven’t experienced the methods of Otis and Gable.
Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler defeated Otis and Chad Gable via Pinfall (Glorious DDT)
Gable and Otis were on the same page, but unfortunately after a distraction from Ziggler couldn’t make the comeback to win.
After the match we went to commercial break.
When we returned from break, we saw some highlights from Andre The Giant versus Hulk Hogan, which took place 33 years ago. Hogan then gave a promo on his former tag team parter Edge, basically saying no matter who he picks Edge will win.
The at ringside we got the entrances of Apollo Crews and Big E before going to another break.
Returning from break Edge was chatting with Shinsuke Nakamura.
Big E defeated Apollo Crews and Sami Zayn via Pinfall (Big Ending)
Resiliency by the champion. The triple threat match was filled with tons of action. Apollo Crews hit a dive on Big E, then a moonsault off the apron on top of him. Zayn tried to capitalize after a Helluva Kick, but Crews pulled him out of the ring. Crews tried to capitalize after making it a one on one match, but E caught him.
After the match we saw Edge walking backstage before going to commercial break.
Returning from break Corey Graves hyped up Talking Smack. Then we once again saw the hype video for Seth Rollins’ Smackdown return.
We soon got the entrance of Edge! He told us that we can accomplish something you dream of. Edge said he dreamt about coming back here, back home, and winning the Royal Rumble. He said he dreamt about main eventing Wrestlemania and gaining back something he believes is his.
What champion will he choose? Drew McIntyre? Finn Balor? Roman Reigns? Edge said he has asked his family and friends and gets different answers. He even pulled over and asked a random person on his way here and John gave him a different answer then others in his life. Before Edge could continue, Roman Reigns’ music hit.
Reigns wasn’t alone of course, Heyman and Uso walked down to the ring with him. As Reigns entered the ring, Uso sized up Edge before eventually entering the ring as well. Edge seemed amused that Reigns brought back up. He boasted about being out there alone.
When Edge made another comment about Uso being out there, Reigns sent him to the back. Reigns then wanted Edge to acknowledge him as the main event of Wrestlemania and his champion of choice. Edge didn’t say a word…he didn’t get to as Kevin Owens entered the ring and gave Reigns a Stunner!!
We end the show with KO leaving the ring and Edge fully amused.
The question on everyone’s mind is who should he face? Craig broke it down for us here.