WWE SmackDown: Results, Highlights and Grades for January 10th, 2020

Braun Strowman vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (non-title match)

Braun Strowman has the advantage early as Nakamura struggles to fight back with strikes, kicks and punches. Nakamura bounces off the ropes and runs into a boot from Strowman. He then picks Nakamura back up to clobber his back down, then kicks him while he’s down.

He pulls Naka by the hair into the corner. Punches him into a seated position. Nakamura rolls out the ring into the arms of Sami Zayn. Braun Strowman stares down both him and Cesaro. He chases Zayn into the ring. Zayn argues with the ref, allowing Cesaro to push Strowman into the ring post, which allows Nakamura to kick Strowman over the barricade, leading us into a commercial break.

Back from break, Nakamura comes off the top rope with a knee to get a two count on Strowman before locking a rest hold in. Braun gets back to his feet, but Nakamura kicks him back down. Nakamura leaps off the middle rope, only to get clotheslined, kicking off his signature comeback spot.

A series of clotheslines and a clobber to the chest leads to a two count for Strowman. He sets up a Powerslam, but Naka wiggles out to hit a high single leg dropkick, then a knee to the side of Strowman, leading to a nearfall. Bunch of knees into Strowman’s stomach.

Nakamura goes for the Kinshasa, but Nakamura grabs him for a spinebuster. Cesaro comes in with a steel chair, but gets caught by the ref. Strowman clotheslines Cesaro out the ring. Zayn hands Nakamura his title. Strowman dodges getting hit with the title, but nails Nakamura with a Powerslam for a victory. He then poses with the title until Zayn snatches it out of his hand and leaves.

Winner: Braun Strowman

Grade: C-

I imagined this match to be a little more entertaining in my head. This wasn’t really cutting it for me. Braun got about 90-10 offense on Nakamura the whole match. In theory, given the size and strength advantage, that’s should’ve been how it went, but even with the interference, there was hardly any suspense or intrigue for me on this one. I’m certainly not intrigued enough to see a title rematch.

Sheamus has another hype promo, this time goading about beating up Chad Gable last week and how he’s ready to unleash chaos on WWE now that he’s back.

After that, Daniel Bryan goes to the locker room to find a gift box waiting for him. It’s of Ramblin’ Rabbit’s dead corpse. Yuck.