WWE SmackDown Grades: RKO Outta Nowhere Sets Stage For The Royal Rumble

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2. Samoa Joe vs. Mustafa Ali

The main roster addition of Mustafa Ali has been a big positive for the blue brand over the past few weeks.  The former heart and soul of 205 Live has quickly adapted to Tuesday nights and has had several impressive performances, but another superstar hasn’t taken too kindly to Ali’s addition.

Samoa Joe was set to take on Ali last week, but after Joe attacked Ali before the match and viciously drove him into two ring posts on the outside, the match never got going.  The real match would take place last night with Joe looking to prove his dominance against the new kid on the block, so to speak.  Ali had other ideas, however, and put forth a stellar performance against The Samoan Submission Machine.

Joe controlled the match early on, but Ali turned things back around and would push Joe to his limits throughout much of the match.  The pace of the match picked up and that greatly favored Ali, who had Joe on the ropes for a while.  It looked like the upset could actually happen, but in the end, Joe was too much and he would eventually put things away.

After a coquina clutch, Joe would get the win and put Ali to sleep in the process.  It was a solid match that saw both men look impressive just days before the Royal Rumble match.  Joe could be a major factor in the Royal Rumble match and Ali could be a darkhorse in the match that could shake things up.  Only time will tell.

It actually happened this week and Joe vs. Ali was a solid match that did what it needed to do for both men.

Final Grade: B+