WWE SmackDown Live Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for April 25
By Grant Mannis
No Disqualification Match
Randy Orton vs. Erick Rowan
Result: Randy Orton wins via pinfall
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Five days before his “House of Horrors” Match against Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton faced a former member of the Wyatt Family. Eager to continue the damage he inflicted two weeks ago, tonight was a perfect chance for Erick Rowan to do just that. The no disqualification stipulation added fuel to the fire, as now anything could happen during the contest.
Competitive from start to finish, this was the type of match that comes to benefit both men by the end of it. For Orton, this was the best he’s looked since winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Resilient and still in possession of the vicious side to his character, he showed that he is a force to be reckoned with. As for Rowan, tonight presented him an opportunity to stand out as a singles star. He doesn’t have the spark that his former Wyatt brethren have found success with, but he’s talented nonetheless.
Towards the closing moments, this was a match where the result could’ve gone either way. On this night though, the Viper scored the win with the RKO, but not before he sent Rowan crashing into a steel chair. Between kendo sticks and all the other weapons used, it seems Orton is ready to combat the storm awaiting him this Sunday.
On the next slide is a continuation of Randy Orton’s appearance, which involves him choosing to address both Bray Wyatt and Jinder Mahal.