WWE SmackDown Live
Episode 1021
#SDLive
Original Air Date: March 12, 2019
Event Date: March 12, 2019
(aired live)
City: Fairborn, OH (announced as Dayton)
Venue: Wright State University Nutter Center
Commentary: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton
Ring Area
Shane McMahon heads to the ring (where the Best in the World trophy is sitting on a table). Once he’s in the ring, Shane has Greg Hamilton announce him once again, this time saying Shane is the “best in the world.” Shane doesn’t like how Greg announced him, so he grabs Greg by the face and tells him to announce him again. Shane does the same thing again. Apparently he’s finally satisfied with Greg’s announcing.
Shane says people are always asking him how they can get ahead, and they’re always trying to take advantage of Shane’s position. Shane says he isn’t the best in the world because he won a trophy. He’s the best in the world because he was born that way. Now, he’s going to do things only for himself.
Shane says it felt good beating on The Miz in front of his father’s “baked potato face.” It felt so good that Shane would like to continue beating The Miz at Wrestlemania. That’s not a request. As Miz’s boss, that’s a demand.
Match 1
Aleister Black & Ricochet & The Hardy Boyz vs Rusev w/ Lana & Shinsuke Nakamura & The Bar
(referee: Mike Chioda)
Result: the match ends in a No Contest when New Day runs in and attacks The Bar, Nakamura, and Rusev
Time: 10:55
Match Thoughts
This was a fine match. It lasted a decent length, but besides a few moments where the pace picked up considerably, it did feel like it was just filling time until the finish. Or rather, the non-finish.
Ring Area
After the match, New Day continues to overwhelm and beat up The Bar, Nakamura, and Rusev. New Day remains in the ring as all of their opposition is sent out to the floor.
Backstage
The Usos like what New Day just did. The also wonder who is going to be challenging them for their SmackDown Tag Titles. They don’t seem scared though.
Ring Area
Randy Orton heads to the ring. Orton has something to get off his chest. Orton talks about how, over the years, he was in WWE doing stuff while AJ Styles was not in WWE (but still doing stuff). This isn’t the house AJ Styles built. This is the house Randy Orton built.
AJ Styles heads to the ring. Styles is flattered that someone who looks down on the indies like Orton would follow his career so closely. Styles says guys like Orton wouldn’t have made it in his world. Not with things like his knock-off Diamond Cutter. Orton points out that Styles and his indie pals stole “too sweet.” Styles counters by saying that his indie pals are currently surrounding Orton in the WWE locker room. Also, his indie pals didn’t go to their father for a job. Orton had help early in his career from Ric Flair and Triple H. Orton says he has accomplished more in his career than Styles could dream of. Styles lists the factions Orton has been a part of, saying he’s had a lot of babysitters.
Styles says he won’t be Orton’s next victim. Orton says Styles doesn’t have a choice. Styles is just renting a room in Orton’s house, and rent is due. Styles points to the Wrestlemania sign and tells Orton to come and take his rent if he wants it. Orton leaves the ring.
Match 2
Asuka (SD Women’s Champ) vs Sonya Deville w/ Mandy Rose
(referee: Jason Ayers)
Result: Asuka wins via submission with an Asuka Lock
Time: 2:40
Match Thoughts
This was okay. Deville and Asuka looked good, but the match was very short and got weird at the end. Ultimately this whole match was just to add more tension between Sonya and Mandy. Unfortunately, the tension tonight was caused by a very forced-looking moment where Mandy had to go out of her way to “accidentally” pull the ring skirt while Sonya was sort of standing on it.
Backstage
The IIconics wonder why Sasha Banks and Bayley haven’t been on SmackDown Live. They know Banks and Bayley are hiding from them, but they can’t hide forever.
Ring Area
Becky Lynch heads to the ring. Becky talks about having to earn her way into the main event of Wrestlemania twice, first by winning the Royal Rumble, and second by playing Ronda Rousey like a fiddle. Becky doesn’t care who she has to beat anymore. She will beat anyone and everyone to reclaim what they’ve tried to take away from her.
Charlotte Flair comes out and walks down the ramp. Charlotte congratulates Becky on making it into Charlotte’s main event. Charlotte has been working while Becky has been running around on suspensions. It’s one thing to be hot for six months, but Charlotte has been hot for four years. Charlotte says the WWE Universe supports Becky because they feel sorry for her. Becky got a handout from Ronda at Fastlane. Charlotte will make Becky and Ronda relevant again when she makes them both bow down to the queen.
Becky says Charlotte squandered her time at the top, but now that Becky’s at the top, they’re going to main event Wrestlemania.
Backstage
Kayla Braxton sees Daniel Bryan and Rowan leaving the McMahons’ office. Bryan says he was having a conversation with Vince McMahon, and Vince made a tag match for tonight. Bryan and Rowan versus Mustafa Ali and Kevin Owens.
Match 3
Rey Mysterio & R-Truth w/ Carmella vs Andrade w/ Zelina Vega & Samoa Joe (US Champ)
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Rey Mysterio pins Samoa Joe with a wheelbarrow victory roll
Time: 6:12
Match Thoughts
Good match. This had fun action as expected, but thankfully it looks like it progressed the story by possibly giving a hint as to who will face Joe for the title at Wrestlemania.
Ring Area
After the match, Joe is pissed. He can’t get his hands on Rey, so he slams both R-Truth and Andrade instead.
Video
On RAW, Alexa Bliss announced that she will be the host of Wrestlemania.
Match 4
Kevin Owens & Mustafa Ali vs Rowan & Daniel Bryan (WWE Champ)
(referee: Charles Robinson)
Result: Rowan pins Mustafa Ali after a face-palm slam
Time: 6:00 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. I’m not sure what this accomplished on the road to Wrestlemania, but it was fun to watch.
Ring Area
As Daniel Bryan and Rowan walk up the ramp after the match, Vince McMahon comes out and heads to the ring.
In the ring, Vince says he is here to give everyone what they want. He’s here to give Kofi Kingston an opportunity to compete for the WWE Title. He also says people only hear what they want to hear. People better listen, because Vince says he uses moments like this as a teachable moment. New Day interrupts as they head to the ring.
Big E isn’t in the mood to be taught anything by Vince. Big E says New Day has done everything Vince has asked of them. Woods agrees, saying they have never gone against Vince and WWE, but Vince still treats them like garbage. Big E says Kofi deserves a title shot. Vince says New Day doesn’t deserve anything. No one deserves anything, even himself.
Big E says this is bigger than everything, including Vince’s ego. Woods says New Day deserves because they have earned. Kofi has defeated WWE champs, but he has not received his opportunity to compete for the title. That’s just one reason Kofi deserves a title shot. Big E says the WWE Universe has one demand: that Kofi be given the opportunity to compete for the WWE Title.
Vince says he is a pretty good judge of talent. He says that if Kofi were worthy of a WWE Title match, then it would have happened a long time ago. He says Kofi has been awesome lately and is a great representation of the WWE product. Vince says Kofi will be in the WWE Hall of Fame one day, but he will enter as part of New Day, not by himself. Vince wishes Kofi were “up to par,” but he’s just not championship material. Vince says Daniel Bryan said it best, that Kofi is a good “B plus player.”
Kofi says he’s not asking for a handout. He’s not asking for a free ride to Wrestlemania. Kofi has been living his dream for eleven years. He’d like to think that he has proven himself worthy over the past eleven years, but clearly it hasn’t been enough for Vince. Kofi says he busts his ass every week without complaining about anything, but Vince still gives opportunities to other people. Kofi has missed so many family moments because he’s been working for Vince. But he doesn’t complain. What Kofi needs Vince to tell him what he needs to do so he can do it. Randy Orton comes out to the stage.
Vince McMahon tells Kofi that all he has to do it beat Randy Orton. Samoa Joe comes out to the stage. Kofi also has to beat Joe. And The Bar. And Rowan. In a gauntlet match. If Kofi beats all of them in a row, Kofi will be headed to Wrestlemania.
The Bar and Rowan run to the ring to attack New Day, but New Day fights them off. The brawl continues as the show ends.
Show Impressions
This was an okay show. It felt like a lot more setup than anything else. There were a lot of segments that felt like more of the same stuff we’ve been seeing lately, though it looks like they’re finally pointing towards Wrestlemania not that Fastlane is out of the way.
Match of the Night
Owens & Ali vs Rowan & Bryan
None of the matches were really anything new or special, but I suppose I enjoyed this one the most.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2019-03-12