WWE SmackDown Grades: The New Day Launches KofiMania Into Orbit

1. Tag Team Gauntlet Match

It was only a week ago that Kofi Kingston went through five other superstars to win a gauntlet match that was supposed to clinch his spot at WrestleMania 35.  However, Mr. McMahon pulled the rug out from under Kofi when he threw WWE Champion Daniel Bryan into the match to keep Kofi out of WrestleMania.

The fix had been in for Kofi over the past few weeks, but last night saw him get one final chance to earn his way into the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 35.  However, unlike last week, this opportunity would have to come via other superstars when his fellow New Day brothers Xavier Woods and Big E took part in a tag team gauntlet match that if they won would give Kofi the opportunity of a lifetime.

The first opponents for Woods and Big E were Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, who were defeated in very short time.  The next tag team featured Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura, who pushed The New Day to the limit for a while.  But it wasn’t enough to end the dream and The New Day prevailed from this match as well, just in time for its toughest challenge yet against The Bar.

The Bar had Woods and Big E on the ropes, but it wasn’t enough and they knocked off The Bar as well, even though they attacked them after the match and Big E got put through a table.  The Usos were next in line, but their respect towards The New Day and Kofi, in general, led to them forfeiting the match.  However, The New Daniel Bryan and Rowan were the final roadblocks in the way.  But Woods and Big E managed to put them away and get the emotionally-charged win.

KofiMania will run wild on the grandest stage of them all when Kofi gets a shot at winning the WWE Championship after a fantastic tag team gauntlet match.

Final Grade: A