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The Feb. 6 edition of WWE SmackDown was a very solid show from start to finish with a variety of quality content.
Last night’s WWE SmackDown saw the blue brand get in further gear for the Fastlane pay-per-view in over a month. The WWE Championship picture got clearer and a key United States Championship match took place last night as well.
Not everything was perfect, however, and some of what the WWE universe saw last night wasn’t the best it could have been. But with that being said, let’s take a look at a few grades of certain segments and/or matches from the Feb. 6 edition of WWE SmackDown.
5. Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan
The SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair hasn’t had many title defenses as of late, but she has been involved in a feud that could have a payoff sometime in the near future. Charlotte, along with Becky Lynch and Naomi, has had her fair share of problems with The Riott Squad.
The feud hasn’t seen much progressing over time, but the past couple weeks have seen Ruby Riott emerge as a potential SmackDown Women’s Championship contender with The Riott Squad gaining an advantage. Last night saw Charlotte battle Riott Squad member Liv Morgan in what would turn out to be a solid match.
The two put on a solid encounter with a lot of quality elements thrown in, despite the match not being the longest. But in the end, Charlotte made Morgan tap out with the Figure-8 to gain momentum back against The Riott Squad. Riott and Sarah Logan were thrown out of the ringside area during the match as well.
This was a match that didn’t have much anticipation, but it probably exceeded the little expectations that it had going in. But most importantly, it helps the progression of Charlotte’s feud with The Riott Squad with the Fastlane pay-per-view a little over a month away. That is where we could see Riott challenge Charlotte for the women’s title.
Overall, Charlotte vs. Morgan was a pretty good match that successfully showcased both individuals while keeping an ongoing feud alive.
Final Grade: B-
Photo by WWE’s Twitter
4. Announcement Of SmackDown Top 10 List
Something that came out of nowhere as of late was the announcement of a new SmackDown Top 10 List. Many fans were confused as to what the purpose of this list would be, especially considering the results of the list apparently had nothing to do with the fans.
This list was apparently voted on by SmackDown superstars and whether that’s true or not or it’s just a work, the first release of this list was announced last night. And to put it mildly, it was controversial with several rankings seeming off and some superstars that could have been on the list not being anywhere to be found.
AJ Styles being in the number one position was a no-brainer, but not having Rusev on the list was pretty criminal given his recent momentum. It was cool to see Tye Dillinger at number 10 on the list, but that just suggests the list isn’t much to take seriously given how Dillinger’s persona is being the perfect 10.
The Usos being ranked below The New Day was also controversial. Maybe this list was created just to create controversy and debate, but it doesn’t seem like anybody knows what the true purpose of it is. Will it lead to future opportunities for superstars on it? That remains to be seen after last night’s initial rankings announced by GM Daniel Bryan.
The SmackDown Top 10 List seemed random to begin with, and last night didn’t help the list dig itself out of the random category.
Final Grade: C
Photo by WWE’s Twitter
3. Opening Segment Featuring Shane McMahon, Daniel Bryan, and AJ Styles
The often disagreeing figureheads of SmackDown have been at each other for weeks with disagreement after disagreement. Commissioner Shane McMahon and GM Daniel Bryan haven’t seen eye-to-eye lately thanks in large part because of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Shane O’Mac has been feuding with Owens and Zayn for months, but Bryan has joined the picture over the past several weeks often sympathizing with the heelish duo. Last night saw Shane and Bryan open the show up with a promo in the ring that was later joined by AJ Styles.
The blue brand’s authority figures made a lot of great points and unlike many of their other promos in recent weeks, this one felt genuine and real. Shane mentioned how Bryan wants to still be in the ring wrestling and insinuated that he is living vicariously through Owens and Zayn. It was very well-done, and Styles added more to the segment when he joined.
The WWE Champion talked about the grind of being on the road and being away from your family, but how he can handle it because he loves being a wrestler and he will be a fighting champion no matter what. Most opening segments of SmackDown tend to drag on, but this one had a much different feel to it and should be considered a high point of the show last night.
Last night started off with some real emotion and a genuine segment that could even potentially lead to the in-ring return of Bryan down the line.
Final Grade: B+
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2. Bobby Roode vs. Rusev For United States Championship
Two of the most popular superstars on Tuesday nights have been Bobby Roode and Rusev. Roode has gained the United States Championship for his first main roster championship and Rusev has developed into arguably the most over superstar on the entire brand with his Rusev Day gimmick.
The two were set to battle it out for the U.S. Championship last night after Rusev won a number one contender match the previous week. As a former U.S. Champion, it was conceivable that Rusev could win the title again last night given how popular he has been over the past few months.
The match turned out to be very solid with a lot of impressive moments and near falls. The drama was pretty high towards the end with both superstars shining. But Roode capitalized on a Glorious DDT to retain his championship. And to top off the match, Randy Orton hit a huge RKO outta nowhere on Roode and then on Rusev and Aiden English.
It would have been cool to see this version as Rusev as U.S. Champion, but having him and English potentially in the tag team title picture at WrestleMania 34 would probably be better. And if Orton’s involvement is a sign of things to come, he could be the next challenger for Roode and the U.S. Championship, a title Orton has never won before in the WWE.
Last night’s U.S. Championship match was very solid and did a lot for both Roode and Rusev along with potentially setting up Roode’s next challenger in The Viper.
Final Grade: B+
Photo by WWE’s Twitter
1. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
No two superstars have wreaked as much havoc on Tuesday nights over the past few months as Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. The two have run roughshod over the brand and are constant thorns in the side of commissioner Shane McMahon.
But last night saw these two friends in a different situation. GM Daniel Bryan announced the previous week that Owens and Zayn would face each other last night in a number one contender match with the winner going on to face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at Fastlane. Many wondered if they would actually fight each other, but those questioned would be answered quickly.
The two have proven to have great chemistry together in the ring in the past, and that carried over last night and the two put on a very good match. It was a very physical battle throughout much of it and the in-ring prowess of both superstars was on full display. But with Styles ringside on commentary, that is where things eventually broke down.
Zayn got in Styles’ face and The Phenomenal One responded by attacking both Zayn and Owens, leading to a disqualification. Bryan then came out and announced at Fastlane, it will be a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship with Styles defending against Owens and Zayn. Fastlane aside, last night proved a lot at the same time with two of the most talented superstars in the WWE.
Next: WWE Raw 5 Takeaways From Feb. 5 Show
It’s always great to see Owens vs. Zayn, and even while being heelish best friends, the two can put on a clinic in the ring.