WWE SmackDown – April 17, 2020 (Review)

Welcome Back, SWAFT Nation.

It’s going ot be a little awkward, since I don’t know if by the time this review goes live most of the talent will still be on the SmackDown roster.  But, we must move forward and try to enjoy the best of what we can.

TONIGHT on #SmackDown! 🔵💪https://t.co/Vkb9nshLw7 pic.twitter.com/2EJK3jy7BD

— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2020

Quite a few matches announced. Cesaro and Bryan should put on an outstanding technical display for us.  Sasha and Tamina has title implications which I look forward to seeing develop.  And I very much look forward to the triple threat for the ag Titles as well as the Money in the Bank Qualifiers.

Does @SonyaDevilleWWE deserve a chance to apologize to @WWE_MandyRose? pic.twitter.com/BESOPYU3br

— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2020

Also, can the best Storyline in WWE survive losing its writer?  Let’s find out.

Let’s get on with the show.

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The Best of Smackdown

Long-Term Brooke-ing

Dana is backstage prepping for her match with Naomi while Carmella confronts  her about not being focused on their Tag Team opportunity next week.

It's all about #MITB, as @NaomiWWE and @DanaBrookeWWE battle it out in a hard-hitting qualifying match. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/QXNVz6s3rk

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2020

Not a particularly fast match to start, but the action does increase as the match goes on.  Dana Brooke seems to get some heelish action, and she hits a pretty smooth Batista Bomb.  Dana Brooke surprisingly gets the win with a sunset flip and qualifies for Money in the Bank!

The SmackDown Women's division has its first #MITB competitor in @DanaBrookeWWE! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/lihzIRcEtZ

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 18, 2020

Corporate Ladder Match

BREAKING: WWE Superstars will climb the corporate ladder at #MITB!

The match begins on the ground floor of WWE Headquarters but the briefcases will be hanging all the way up on the roof of the corporate tower! https://t.co/iGoIUggwzo pic.twitter.com/TqawawkBXs

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2020

So turns out Money in the Bank is having its main matches take place ON TOP OF WWE HEADQUARTERS?!?!?! Actually, it starts on the ground floor and ENDS on the roof!

Fire on the Mic!

Sonya Deville comes to the ring to apologize to Mandy Rose.  She is tearfully pleas for Mandy to come out and allow her to explain herself.  As she runs through their history, Mandy comes out.

Sonya seems to be crying through her words, but quickly turns on Mandy, bringing up VERY Valid points about the presentation of Fire and Desire.  Sonya is cutting an incredible promo that feels too real at times, promising to ruin the life of Mandy Rose with her 5 years of friendship.

After a tense face off, it didn't take long for 👊's to fly between @WWE_MandyRose and @SonyaDevilleWWE!#SmackDown @HEELZiggler @otiswwe pic.twitter.com/Kzwfh5qs0k

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2020

Dolph comes out to prevent them from fighting and tries to make an appeal to Mandy Rose.  As they tensely stand off, Sonya attacks Mandy, and Otis comes out to make the rescue, though Sonya attacks Otis.  Mandy and Otis clear Dolph and Sonya out of the ring and prevent Dolph from attacking again via Caterpillar. Also it looks like a Dolph is wearing a Hawkins/Ryder shirt. What a solid dude!

https://twitter.com/TWMWrestle/status/1251318338548047876?s=20

Earn Your Money (in the Bank)

Cesaro and Daniel Bryan are in one-on-one competition.

Some keep their friends close…#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/igLNbOJheL

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 18, 2020

In the middle f the match, we get an odd Hacker interlude that seems to imply that some friends are going to become enemies pretty soon?

HERE. FOR. THIS.@WWEDanielBryan vs. @WWECesaro is 🔥🔥🔥 on #SmackDown. pic.twitter.com/mDv1N1Ml2c

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 18, 2020

This is a great technical match between the two, also showing off the strength and technical prowess of Cesaro and Bryan.  Pretty lengthy as well going a few segments.

Eventually Daniel Bryan is able to get the Labelle Lock on Cesaro, and Drew Gulak is able to prevent Shinsuke from interfering in the match, causing Cesaro to tap out.

Tag Team Singles

Big E, Miz, and Jey Uso are taking part in a rare triple threat Tag Teams match in a singles format.  Match goes to the outside pretty quickly and Big E gets put through the table  despite his plan to use it.

8-Time
8-Time
8-Time
8-Time
8-Time
8-Time
8-Time
8-Time

And new SmackDown Tag Team Champs, @WWEBigE & @TrueKofi! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/0xroeRFGPj

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 18, 2020

The rest of the match goes pretty standard, it’s a good showing, and the end result is a new Tag Team Champion The New Day! Cool after-match reactions as well.

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The Mixed Bag of Smackdown

Twisted Moment of Bliss

Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss open the show with a Moment of Bliss featuring Braun Strowman.  After some championship congratulations all around, they get to the heart of the matter between Braun and Bray.  Braun talks about Bray’s mind games and tactics, talking about his manipulation of reality itself.

A surprise “𝖌𝖎𝖋𝖙” from @WWEBrayWyatt leaves @BraunStrowman stunned. pic.twitter.com/DN5vTvMqFl

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2020

Braun soon finds a mystery gift waiting for him, and assumes it’s from Alexa, but upon opening it discovers his old Wyatt Family black sheep mask.  Bray’s laughter echoes through the performance center as glitched Wyatt Family video plays.

Boss Battle

Sasha and Tamina are the first match of the show.  Sasha tries to give Tamina a shirt of friendship, bu Tamina rejects it and tosses it to Bayley since it’s a small and she wars an extra large.

SHE DID IT! @TaminaSnuka has earned an opportunity at the #SmackDown Women's Championship pic.twitter.com/9BgY97Wcxi

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 18, 2020

When Sasha takes over on the outside, they’re able to do the glitched post spot, and as Bayley goes to taunt Tamina, Lacey Evans runs out and tackles Bayley immediately.  Tamina hits two superkicks for the win.

Lacey gives Charly an interview afterward to say that she’s got Sasha in her sights and has a “No Sasha” drawing on her hand to symbolize her end goal.

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The Worst of SmackDown

Hi Sheamus…Bye Sheamus

Another week, another dominant statement from #TheCelticWarrior @WWESheamus. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/IL7n8aBdgu

— WWE (@WWE) April 18, 2020

Sheamus is in the ring with Denzel Dejournette who is once again given the enhancement entrance.  Denzel tries to get offense in, but Sheamus able to verpower him and deliver a brogue kick for the win.

We guess @WWESheamus isn't a fan of @JEFFHARDYBRAND. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/r4RXbR1x9s

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 18, 2020

Sheamus seems to be upset with Cole for talking about Jeff Hardy last week during his dominant performance, finding it to be disrespect.  This leads immediately to a  Jeff Hardy promo package.

Elias Attacked

"You will BOW DOWN to your king." – @BaronCorbinWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/620KRdIvKR

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 18, 2020

Elias is coming to the ring with his guitar when there is a surprise attack by Elias, who seems quite upset at the troubadour.  Corbin seems to focus on the hand of Elias as well as knocking out his throat with his scepter.  He also finishes it off with an El Kabong across the back for good measure.

RIP Fink

No one said 'And NEEEWWWWWW' quite like him. Howard Finkel, was the voice of an entire generation.#ThankYouFink pic.twitter.com/7zKBhMsP1a

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 18, 2020

The Tribute isn’t the worst, the fact that he’s gone is.

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Overall Rating for the Show (From best to worst: Smacknificent, SmackTastic, Smack Bang in the Middle, SmackDowner and A Smack in the Face)

This show was back and forth.  I have no idea what they’re doing with Sheamus, and I was legitimately shocked by the results of Naomi vs Dana Brooke as well as the Tag Team Championship.  Sonya Deville has set herself up to be a star with that promo, and I can’t wait to see where this story goes from here.  Also wasn’t a big fan of some of the segments tonight

That being said, this show is still a HIGH Smack Bang in the Middle

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• April 17
• review
• Smackdown
• wwe

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