WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 1018
#SDLive
Original Air Date: February 19, 2019
Event Date: February 19, 2019
(aired live)
City: New Orleans, LA
Venue: Smoothie King Center
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Video
This past Sunday at Elimination Chamber, Kofi Kingston nearly defeated Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title in the Chamber.
Ring Area
Shane McMahon heads to the ring. Shane says that he has an exciting show planned for tonight. Also, he says the guys from NXT who appeared on RAW last night will also be appearing on SmackDown tonight. The Miz interrupts Shane and heads to the ring.
The Miz has something he needs to say. Miz says he lost their Tag Titles. Shane took a chance on The Miz, and The Miz lost. Miz confesses that he used Shane. He used Shane because he knew Shane could relate to how Miz feels about his dad. Miz talks about how Shane bringing his dad out after they won the titles was the first time Miz has ever heard his dad say that he’s proud of him. That was one of the greatest moments of The Miz’s life.
Then two days ago, The Miz let Shane down. Miz knows there’s no more automatic rematch clause, but Miz also knows that Shane can make that match happen. Before Shane can respond, The Usos come out and head down the ramp.
The Usos say they know Shane doesn’t want a rematch because his partner the Miz is a joke, a loser, a failure, and a fraud. The Usos suggest Shane get another partner. Shane doesn’t like the disrespect being shown to The Miz, so he makes a title rematch. The Miz is happy. The Usos think it’s funny.
Match 1
Aleister Black vs Andrade w/ Zelina Vega
(referee: Jason Ayers; watching in the back: Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa)
Result: Aleister Black wins via pinfall after the Black Mass
Time: 8:40
Match Thoughts
Very good match. It was a little surprising sending Andrade in there against Black considering the roll Andrade has been on lately, with with their history together, it also makes a lot of sense. The match was very entertaining. Lots of kicks and lots of very good exchanges. They could pick their feud from NXT right back up if they wanted to.
Backstage
Kayla Braxton asks Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa if they can keep up with the hype and expectations that have already been set. Ciampa says he thrives in the spotlight. Gargano says it’s amazing that he and Ciampa went to war in this building last year, but now they are here to set the world on fire together.
The Bar walks up. Cesaro says no one knows or cares who Ciampa and Gargano are. Ciampa says NXT is here to take over. Gargano says they are here to break the bar. The Bar laughs and walks away.
Backstage
Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles agree to let bygones be bygones and focus on their tag match tonight. Kofi Kingston walks up with New Day. Kofi offers AJ and Jeff a pancake branch as a sign of friendship. Styles and Hardy each take a pancake.
Match 2
The Bar vs Johnny Gargano (NA Champ) & Tommaso Ciampa (NXT Champ)
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Tommaso Ciampa pins Cesaro with a schoolboy
Time: 8:31 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Ciampa gave some good shots to Sheamus, but Cesaro didn’t seem to have much problem with either Ciampa or Gargano. At least, Cesaro didn’t have many problems until very late in the match. Up until then, Cesaro shut down Ciampa and Gargano most of the time. This was an uphill fight for the two champs from NXT, but it did show that they both have a lot of fight. IT was interesting since all four men in this match are currently heels. By default, Ciampa and Gargano fought more like babyfaces in the match.
Backstage
Samoa Joe and Randy Orton look at Daniel Bryan and his title. Rowan is also there.
Video
A look at Ricochet.
Ring Area
Asuka heads to the ring. In the ring, Kayla Braxton asks Asuka if she feels lost in the shuffle since everyone seems to be talking about the RAW Women’s title. Asuka doesn’t want to talk about BEcky Lynch and Charlotte, she wants to talk about new challenges. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville come out to the stage.
As Rose and Deville walk towards the ring, Rose says she is ready for Asuka.
Match 3
Asuka (SD Women’s Champ) vs Mandy Rose w/ Sonya Deville
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: Mandy Rose wins via pinfall with a schoolboy
Time: 6:03 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
An okay match. For Rose to get much of her offense, Asuka had to basically just walk into things. Because of that, Asuka seemed distracted almost the entire match (and was distracted at one point when Lacey Evans came out and did nothing). I suppose this is going to be Asuka’s title challenger for Fastlane. I can’t say I’m excited about that.
Backstage
Sarah Schreiber asks Charlotte Flair if Becky Lynch is going to haunt her all the way to Wrestlemania. Charlotte says Becky is the most selfish person she knows. If Becky attacks her again, then she will have Becky arrested. Charlotte will fight Ronda Rousey at Wrestlemania, and it will be the main event.
Backstage
The Miz thanks Shane McMahon for trusting him again. Miz also says that Mr. Miz will be at ringside during their title match.
Match 4
Ricochet vs Eric Young w/ Killian Dain, Alexander Wolfe
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Ricochet wins via pinfall after the 630 splash
Time: 6:40
Match Thoughts
Good match. At this point with all the NXT call-ups, the finish of the match was no surprise. Still, it was a good showcase for Ricochet. I hope this will plant some seeds in the minds of the writers though. We need more of SAnitY on SmackDown.
Backstage
Kayla Braxton welcomes New Day. Woods says Kofi’s recent success has been years in the making. Kofi says he owes his momentum to Woods and Big E, and he intends to continue his momentum right now.
Selfie Promo
Kevin Owens gives an update from a movie theater (it’s the same video from last night on RAW).
Match 5
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods, Big E & Jeff Hardy & AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe & Randy Orton & Daniel Bryan (WWE Champ) w/ Rowan
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Kofi Kingston pins Daniel Bryan after Trouble in Paradise
Time: 8:23 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. It was about what you’d expect for a six man tag like this. It started with some one on one matchups, then by the end everyone got involved for an energetic finish. Bryan and Kingston ended up being the final two men in the ring, and the excitement surrounding Kofi is showing no signs of decreasing.
Ring Area
After the match, Shane McMahon comes out to the stage and tells Daniel Bryan that he will face Kofi Kingston for the WWE Title at Fastlane.
Show Impressions
I liked the show. It was packed with entertaining matches (minus the Mandy Rose stuff), and I really enjoyed the announcement at the end. I’m not happy about Shane and Miz getting another PPV title match, but hopefully their team ends at Fastlane. I’m also not jazzed about Mandy Rose seemingly being Asuka’s next challenger, but hopefully that ends at Fastlane as well.
Match of the Night
Aleister Black vs Andrade
A very solid match. This was the most exciting match of the night for me, even if I was prety sure that all of the NXT guys were going to win again.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2019-02-19