WrestleRant
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • WRR
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • About
    • Contact

Columnist Corner

WWE SmackDown Review - February 26, 2015

2/26/2015

0 Comments

 
PictureBad News Barrett and Daniel Bryan square off.
By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett Interrupted Daniel Bryan

Bryan cut a decent promo here, but his character has been acting strange these last few weeks. If a heel turn isn't in the works (and I pray to God it's not), then his odd behavior is pointless. Barrett's interruption was a pleasant surprise and it appears based off what went down here that Bryan will be involved in the Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania. Obviously, he deserves better than that, but on the bright side, it means he wouldn't be facing Sheamus for a third time, so that's a plus, isn't it?


Dean Ambrose def. The Miz

These two worked a very good match several months back and I was hoping for more of the same here, but they were really restricted for time. However, they made the most of the time they were allotted and had a nice match. Damien Mizdow was conspicuous by his absence, and although the commentators mentioned it, it was never explained. Nevertheless, the only purpose this match served was distracting Ambrose long enough so Barrett could get his belt back.

PictureDolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan and Ryback win.
Natalya def. Naomi

It was hardly surprising that they were given only a few minutes, but compared to the Divas match from Monday's Raw, this was generous. Regardless, it was a fun match that told a good story with Natalya selling her injury from Raw (I appreciate the storyline consistency). She furthered her heel turn by playing possum which was cool to see, but I'm hoping she adds gold to the group by winning the Divas Championship eventually.


Jack Swagger Interrupted United States Champion Rusev and Lana

Lana's mocking of John Cena's loss from Fastlane was humorous and it was a logical follow-up to the events of Sunday and Monday. Swagger was the last person I expected to come out and brawl with Rusev, but at least he could take a beating and not take any damage from it since... well, how much more damage can honestly be done? Rusev denying Cena a rematch made sense for his character to do, but they'll have to confirm it sooner or later considering WrestleMania is in a little over four weeks.


Daniel Bryan def. Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett (Non-title)

I loved the match these two had at SummerSlam a few years back and this was somewhat reminiscent of it. It's just a shame Barrett has been so devalued since his return as this match would've meant more had he been booked better. Bryan's win was predictable, but they worked a really solid match that I enjoyed. Meanwhile, R-Truth wasn't distracting on commentary because he was bad but rather because he was hilarious. Him referring to Byron Saxton as The Coach had me dying of laughter, even though that's something he probably shouldn't be saying. I still couldn't care less about him, but his commentary was funny this time around. And how stupid did Barrett look for not suspecting took the belt? What else did he think it went?


Byron Saxton Interviewed Roman Reigns

This was one of the better promos I've heard Reigns cut in recent memory. Too bad all of his matches can't be in the pre-taped environment (like Brock Lesnar) as he'd shine every time. The material he was given to work with something fresh and I hope we get more of this Reigns on the road to WrestleMania. It was also encouraging he didn't close out the interview with "Believe that!" as he tends to do at times which can be unbearable.


Fandango def. Curtis Axel

Just as Axel was starting to build some momentum for himself with his #AxelMania shtick, he botched one line in his promo and he's already back to square one. Anyway, what was the point of this? I've been confused for weeks as to whether Fandango is supposed to be face or heel, and while it appears he's face, no one cares because he hasn't been established as one yet. What a waste of a match.


Goldust def. Adam Rose

I appreciate them annoucning some participants of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal beforehand, but Rose being among them isn't going to light the world on fire. The match was a complete squash, but the attack on Goldust from Stardust afterward was well done. Personally, I've been liking the development of their feud so far and I'm hoping a rematch between them is in the cards for WrestleMania.


Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan def. Seth Rollins, Big Show and Kane

Perhaps it was because Rowan wasn't doing most of the selling for his team this time around and Show and Kane were kept limited, but I enjoyed this match more than I did their previous bout at Fastlane on Sunday. It wasn't anything great by any means, but with Ryback, Ziggler and Rollins in the ring for most of it, it was entertaining down the stretch. I was glad to see the babyfaces avenge their loss, but why did Rollins have to take the pin? There's a reason why Show and Kane are involved. I wasn't expecting Orton to get involved, so I wasn't disappointed he didn't show up.


Overall Show

SmackDown has been rather flat the last few weeks, but this was one of the better episodes in recent memory. The first hour was better than the second, and with the exception of a few meaningless matches, the show was solid on the whole with a lively Atlanta crowd. The Intercontinental Championship surprisingly took center stage tonight and I'm interested to see where that leads whereas the main event was the most enjoyable match on the show. There wasn't anything worth going out of your way to see, but watching it as it aired was fun for what it was.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Categories

    All
    #AskGSM
    Battle Of The Belts
    Cruiserweight Classic
    Halftime Heat
    Hidden Gems
    Lists/Rankings
    Mae Young Classic
    Mixed Match Challenge
    News
    NJPW
    NWA Shockwave
    Opinion
    Previews
    Retro Reviews
    Reviews
    RJ's Two Cents
    Satire
    SummerSlam Recall
    The Deadly Draw
    Tribute To The Troops
    Women's Eliminator
    Worlds Collide
    WrestleMania Recall
    WWE Draft
    WWE Starrcade


    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    RSS Feed

©2023 WrestleRant. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Columnist Corner
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • WRR
  • Audio
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • About
    • Contact