Event: WWE SmackDown
Date: January 31, 2020
Location: Tulsa, OK
WWE SmackDown Results and Highlights
The post-Rumble episode of SmackDown kicked off with the Big Dog, Roman Reigns, making his entrance after coming out on top against King Corbin at Rumble in a Last Man Standing Match.
The Usos joined their cousin, who went on to talk about his victory. Reigns was disappointed on not winning the Rumble match, but promised to take down Corbin and his goons later in the night, and move forward with WrestleMania 36 plans.
Corbin interrupted Reigns and said that Reigns cheated to win the matchup at Rumble. Corbin went on to take a shot at the Usos’ recent legal troubles and brought up Reigns’ humiliation last month when he was drowned in dog food. Reigns suggested a loser eats dog food matchup for the six-man main-event, which was accepted by the heels.
The Miz and John Morrison def. Heavy Machinery, The Revival and Lucha House Party: The reunited duo of Miz and John Morrison won the rights to challenge for the tag-team championships, after pinning Scott Dawson with a Skull Crushing Finale-Starship Pain combination.
The Revival took the pin in a match featuring perennial jobbers Lucha House Party, which was a rather interesting move.
Backstage, Otis and Tucker were frustrated after their loss in the Fatal Four Way. They ran into Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, who were gearing up for a No.1 contenders match of their own.
Otis asked Rose out for a date next Friday, but Rose said she already had plans for that day. Otis was disappointed but Rose cheered him up by agreeing for a date on Feb 14, Valentine’s Day.
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross def. Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose: Although this wasn’t officially announced as the No.1 contenders match, it was hinted that Bliss and Cross will receive an opportunity at the titles post their victory. The two teams continued their long-running recent feud, with Bliss and Cross yet again picking up the win.
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match | Braun Strowman def. Shinsuke Nakamura(c): After weeks of chasing around Nakamura and his goons, Strowman finally laid his hands on a singles title in WWE. Despite Sami Zayn and Cesaro’s constant interference, Strowman overpowered the Japanese superstar to win the IC title.
Post-match Sami Zayn ranted backstage, but was interrupted by Elias‘s music. A frustrated Sami sent Cesaro to take care of the situation but Elias overpowered Cesaro, showing a much more aggressive side of himself and laid out the Swiss Superman in the ring.
Sheamus def. Shorty G: The Irish superstar continued his menacing streak by defeating the King of the Ring finalist yet again with the devastating Brogue Kick.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley made her entrance and went on to talk about her successful defense against Lacey Evans at Rumble. Bayley made fun of Evans and her daughter, before calling out Rumble winner Charlotte Flair. Naomi made her way out instead, and immediately laid down a challenge to the Champion. The two ladies fought it out and Naomi stood tall to end the segment.
Loser Eats Dog Food Match | Roman Reigns and The Usos def. King Corbin, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode: The two teams battled it out yet again, this time in the main-event of the Super SmackDown. After an entertaining matchup, Reigns rolled up Corbin to win the match for his team.
Post-match, the Bloodline chained up Corbin and poured dog food all over him, re-enacting the whole segment with Reigns from a month ago. Fans cheered on as the babyfaces celebrated in the ring to end the show.
Takeaways from Friday Night SmackDown
1. Is it over?
After almost three months of Reigns chasing around Baron Corbin, it seems like the former WWE Champion is finally done with Corbin and his entourage. WWE dragged it out quite a bit, but the return of Usos helped to freshen things up a bit.
Roman Reigns has grown on to become a perfect babyface in the company now, and will surely be among the first picks for Bray Wyatt’s Universal Title. After months of building him back carefully, WWE has a great chance of finally getting the ‘coronation’ and having Reigns beat the yet-to-be defeated Fiend at WrestleMania could be a satisfying end for the Fiend’s title.
However, there is still a major possibility that the fans turn on Reigns after yet another coronation, and hence WWE must ensure the feud plays out properly leading to ‘Mania.
2. The Revival Need a Reviving
Almost every week, the Revival are in the news with respect to their contract and current situation in the company. It was reported last night, that the Revival have turned down hefty contracts and have asked for their releases yet again, which could be a reason behind them taking the pinfall during the Fatal Four Way matchup.
Revival is one of the best tag teams not just in WWE, but all over the world, and it is a pity to see their talents being misused to this extent. Hopefully, WWE and the Revival end this unholy relationship as soon as possible and move on.
3. A Glowing Return
The feuds on SmackDown started to feel really stale after weeks of the same rivalries in every division, which made the return of Naomi a delightful sight. Naomi is a former SmackDown Women’s Champion, and she immediately laid down a challenge to the current champion Bayley.
Bayley was engaged in a long-running feud with Lacey Evans, which culminated on Sunday, and a short feud with Naomi could be entertaining.
