Welcome to the Smackdown Review for February 13, 2017. For both this and Raw, I will go over what the big talking points were, pick the match of the night, and look ahead to the next show. And since the Mixed Match Challenge has started, I will review who won this weeks match up.
Talking Points
The New Faces
Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler were scheduled to have a match with the winner being added to the Championship match. The match never got started, as Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn attacked both men and left them laying. their plan was to have no one added to what they deem their match. Their plan backfired as Shane McMahon made two matches. Owens vs Corbin and Ziggler vs Zayn. If the two men won, they would be be added. The match at Fastlane got much more interesting.
The Lone Wolf
Corbin and Owens were up first. Corbin did not seem hurt by the attack from earlier, but rather fired up and looking to punish Owens. Maybe it was this attitude of constantly attacking, but Corbin suddenly had the crowd on his side. Owens only offensive was being able to dodge Corbin’s attack. Corbin ended the match with the End of Days and he was in the match. Corbin might be his best as a heel, but the role of an anti hero much like Dean Ambrose might actually suit him better.
The Challenge
Bobby Roode came out for the weekly challenge for the US Title. The man who answered was the same one who attacked him last week, Randy Orton. Before the match could happen, Jinder Mahl came out. Remarking on Orton’s ranking on the Top Ten List, Mahl was shut down by Roode who reminded him that he didnt even make the list. A fight between all three men erupted, but at the end it was Mahl who was the last man standing. Mahl going after the US Title makes sense, as the idea of an American hating heel such as himself holding it guarantees nuclear heat.
Match of the Night
Sami Zayn vs. Dolph Ziggler (Ziggler wins by pin fall and was added to the Championship match at Fastlane)
While we may never get the true story about why Ziggler gave up the US Title, the time off has surely given him much more focus. Holding his neck, Ziggler went after Zayn, but Zayn began to wear him down. It looked at the beginning that Zayn would be able to put him away quickly. But Ziggler would not stray down. He went for top rope moves, and kept charging after Zayn. Zayn went for his running kick, but Ziggler met him with a superkick of his own. Ziggler is now in the match and the crowds reaction to him and to this match might be face turn for the Underrated one
Mixed Match Challenge Week 5
Bayley & Elias vs. Rusev & Lana (Rusev and Lana win by pin fall)
Lana does not get the credit she deserves. Hired as a manager who then turned to active wrestling, she has tried her hardest and shown improvement. Rusev could have easly won this match against an injured Elias, but he let Lana keep coming in. Bayley was the better wrestler, but Lana kept going at her. Elias stopped Rusev from interfering, but it back fired as Lana was able to trip Bayley off the top rope and pin her. Lana joyfully screaming and the smile on Rusev’s face made me feel good. This is also Lana’s first win in WWE.
Conclusion
Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin have moved on to the New Day and it’s a battle of pancakes vs. waffles. The Bludgeon Brothers made their intentions known to the Usos. Charlotte took down Sarah Logan. The championship match is set for Fastlane, now we need some others to start filling up.
