Opening Segment
This looped "you suck" chant is hilarious. Roman Reigns does Roman Reigns things and cuts an amazing promo about how Edge should be begging for the chance to face him at WrestleMania. Paul Heyman says Edge is here, but when he calls for Edge, he's not here. Roman Reigns gets super pissy about it and yells. He wants Edge's answer by the end of the night.
Dominik Mysterio defeated King Corbin
5.75/10
If there's one thing I need after seeing Baron Corbin beat Dominik Mysterio twice it's seeing the match for a third time! Corbin attacks Dominik before the bell. WWE has been doing a lot better about reducing commercials during Raw and Smackdown matches. This match is solid enough, I just don't care about it after seeing it done to death already. After a break, Corbin does an incredible Deep Six. Corbin has done an incredible job making Dominik look great. Rey Mysterio holds Corbin's legs and Dominik gets the win with a 619 and a frog splash.
Cesaro defeated Daniel Bryan
6/10
Michael Cole mentions Seth Rollins will be back on Smackdown next week. Shinsuke Nakamura was watching Cesaro and Daniel Bryan's match. Surprised they didn't mention the fact that Nakamura and Bryan lived together for a while. You can see Daniel Bryan getting more frustrated as he can't put away Cesaro. Cesaro got the win clean as a sheet with the Sharpshooter, but got his head busted wide open along the way. Cesaro fist bumps Bryan after. I'm not sure what's going on with Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura and Daniel Bryan, but I hope something is!
Bayley defeated Ruby Riott (w/ Liv Morgan)
6/10
Billie Kay is on commentary. I like them setting up matches based on Royal Rumble eliminations. Bayley and Ruby Riott are killing it. A corner arm drag, a Riott Kick, a lawn dart, then a call-back to the Royal Rumble elimination spot. I didn't realize how bad I needed a Bayley vs. Ruby Riott match until they just killed it on Smackdown. Billie Kay tried to help Ruby, but Bayley hits her finish and wins. Liv Morgan blamed Billie for it. Why!?
Bianca!
Bianca Belair says that she's going to make her decision on her time. I don't mind it if it buys us a few sensible weeks of Bianca Belair on other shows. She cuts a promo in the ring, but is interrupted by REGINALD. Carmella isn't far behind, and so is Sasha Banks. It looks like we'll be getting Carmella vs. Bianca Belair soon. Bianca whips Reginald with her hair, which I've missed a lot.
The Dirty Dawgs defeated Team Alpha
5/10
Street Profits are on commentary for this. I'm okay with them getting a title shot re-match because they had such a long reign, but them complaining on custom commentary is not a babyface move. I really enjoyed the finish of this match, with Ziggler running Otis into the corner. He'd get Chaos Theory suplexed, which set up Roode hitting the Glorious DDT and pinning Gable.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Big E (c) defeated Apollo Crews and Sami Zayn to retain the title
6.5/10
Apollo Crews is an early highlight. A top con giro and an insane moonsault to the floor hit for him. Big E has some great offense, but this match really seems set up to highlight Apollo's arial abilities. Big E does a German suplex to Apollo while Apollo does a T-Bone suplex to Sami.
Zayn almost wins with a Helluva Kick, but Crews pulls him out. Crews wasn't having any of Sami's complaining shit and yeeted him over the barricade. When he returned to the ring he ate a Big Ending. Big E retains.
THE CHOICE
Hulk Hogan brings up how Edge was his tag team partner, and Hogan cuts a promo. That's it. Yeah, so 33 million people watched Hogan vs. Andre. Have Jinder on to talk about the 20 mil that watched Superstar Spectacle instead!
I feel like Edge presented a list of cool younger talent and said "let me spend all week brushing up against them, please."
Edge comes to the ring, and so do Reigns & Co. Edge says he's in Reigns' head, so Reigns sends Jey Uso and Heyman away. Reigns tells Edge to say his name, but instead Kevin Owens comes out and hits a Stunner on Reigns.
Rating Guide
10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor
Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a "star rating," which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive "TV match" lands at a 5. The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.
These are opinions, and incredibly inconsistent ones that may change upon a second viewing, or sitting on the match for a period of time. Don't take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own!
