WWE SmackDown – April 24, 2020 (Review)

It’s a night 25 years in the making as SmackDown gears up to host a special celebration of Triple H’s storied WWE tenure. And amongst the glitz, glamour and all-round pageantry, there is one word that rings in my mind.

Really?

As in: are we really doing this? Seriously? Admittedly, a quarter century with a wrestling promotion is nothing to sneeze at – particularly one that recently purged a whole bunch of employees, officials and talent without warning (and without much need). But even the most passionate Game-head should concede that devoting an entire show to one man – especially one currently occupying a high-ranking position in the company’s hierarchy – seems somewhat conceited and self-involved. For a company which likes to pretend that it caters to the fans, this seems to be an exercise entirely in self-adoration.

We didn’t know it a quarter-century ago, but he would go on to change “The Game” forever. Happy 25th #WWE Anniversary to my son-in-law, @TripleH! pic.twitter.com/QnacTDfZ2y

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) April 24, 2020

Let me be abundantly clear. Triple H was a good wrestler and at his peak, an excellent character. For a short time he was amongst the best heels in WWE history and his post-career contributions are immeasurable. But celebrating a career milestone is something that could easily be done at corporate headquarters, away from the public stage. And even worse, there’s a distasteful element to celebrating someone’s employment just a week after WWE fired a bunch of people.

So there are in essence two ways this could go. Either we get two hours of highlights and taped segments featuring WWE alumni singing Triple H’s praises, while he politely smiles and drinks in the revelry. That’s the horrifying prospect.

To celebrate his legendary career, @WWEShop has released the @TripleH Signature Series Championship Replica Title!

Featuring #AttitudeEra Championship plates and a custom printed strap, every detail of this title is all about #TheGame! #HHH25 https://t.co/oqgwDezZDF pic.twitter.com/jTSrOxp1Mv

— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2020

OR this entire showcase is merely a smokescreen to introduce a major angle, leaving the 50-year-old executive as the centrepiece on SmackDown going forward. That would simply be the baffling option.

Perhaps though there is a third, far better possibility that no-one has yet postulated…

There’s only one way to find out. Let’s get to the review!

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The Best of Smackdown

Forgotten No More

Kofi Kingston and Big E opened the night by drinking in their recently won SmackDown Tag Team Championships. I still find it bizarre that the titles somehow changed hands during a singles contest. Although I suppose if the WWE Championship has historically been won in 6-man tags, it only makes sense for the converse to be possible. WWE’s version of equal opportunity.

It wasn’t long before the New Day members were interrupted by Lucha House Party (shrug), Miz & Morrison (sigh) and The Forgotten Sons (forgot about them). Each team felt like they had a legitimate claim to the belts. I wasn’t so sure.

#TheNewDay won't forget THIS statement any time soon.#SmackDown @TheWWEBlake @JaxsonRykerWWE @SteveCutlerWWE pic.twitter.com/Pk6JZ3l9tf

— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2020

The Forgotten Sons claimed they could strike any time, anywhere, when people least expected it. So obviously they immediately jumped New Day and LHP, who for some reason didn’t see it coming. Miz & Morrison scampered away during the melee. This was all very paint-by-numbers, but it’s quite refreshing to see new faces in a rather drab tag division nonetheless.

A Career Retrospective

Clips were interspersed throughout SmackDown showcasing Triple H’s career high points. Despite my objections to the overall theme, the packages were in typical fashioned very well made and perfectly edited.

The King Climbing the Ladder

Just when I thought Baron Corbin couldn’t become any more obnoxious, he introduces the world to the worst set of wrestling tights ever known. There are insignias stitched all over the plain black material, with a giant medieval lion crest emblazoned across his chest. I assume it’s meant to look like the modern equivalent of a knight’s armour. Instead it just looked rather goofy. But hey, the man’s a pretend king, he has every right to look stupid.

WAIT A MINUTE.#SmackDown #MITB @WWECesaro @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/eOorSTSfxO

— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2020

Corbin faced Drew Gulak in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. Daniel Bryan, who was at ringside supporting Gulak, got jumped by Cesaro and Nakamura mid-match. Gulak went to help out his mentor but the distraction allowed Corbin to get the upper hand and seal the win with an End of Days.

Then, after the bell, the three heels beat up Bryan and Gulak. This was a fairly decent, enjoyable affair. It was later confirmed that Corbin and Bryan would go head-to-head next week.

Sneaky Pairing Scores a Sneaky Title Match

Life is full of little mysteries. Where did we come from? How do some organisms survive without oxygen? When did Carmella and Dana Brooke become a tag team?

Flexin' might look a whole lot better with a piece of the #WomensTagTitles around your waist, @DanaBrookeWWE! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/S6gutTBm3l

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 25, 2020

We’re unlikely to get answers to any of those questions any time soon. Last night though, Dana and Carmella not only showcased their new partnership but also got a shot at the Tag Titles. And for the most part, it was a remarkably solid wrestling display.

Carmella failed to notice a hot tag and got caught with a unique Flapjack / DDT combo. So Bliss and Cross retain but it was great seeing Brooke and Carmella get some exposure in a good outing.

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The Worst of SmackDown

A Gronk-ward Situation

Michael Cole revealed that Rob Gronkowski had decided to re-enter the NFL, which created a complicated situation as he was still the company’s 24/7 Champion. He and Corey Graves engaged in some asinine banter about Gronk possibly getting pinned in the end zone and other similarly hilarious ideas.

It’s clear WWE has no solution to this impasse, so why even bring it up? They couldn’t be bothered when the issue involved the Universal Championship and Roman Reigns’ absence. But somehow the 24/7 Title is worth keeping tabs on.

The Irishman Continues to Stagnate

Sheamus weathered an early onslaught from performance centre recruit, Daniel Vidot, before booting the rookie’s head off fifteen seconds later. Perhaps it’s the absence of any fans, but Sheamus’ return feels utterly lifeless.

Be careful who you mention around @WWESheamus, @MichaelCole. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/XToMLG4iHL

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 25, 2020

After Miz & Morrison made their entrance for the next match, Sheamus intimidated Michael Cole by ripping off his headset and staring him down. I’m not sure if it was Michael Cole’s meek whimpering or the fact that Lucha House Party’s music was playing in the background, but this did not work tonally.

The Fall and Rise of Jeff Hardy

SmackDown aired Part 3 of the mini-documentary chronicling Jeff Hardy’s tumultuous return to WWE. This time the focus was on the Hardys’ surprise appearance at WrestleMania 33. It was a poignant, captivating reflection of the workings behind the scenes leading up to that shocking moment, incorporating some of Jeff’s family tragedy.

UP NEXT: Experience the third chapter of @JEFFHARDYBRAND's life story … THE REDEMPTION! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/X3xiwmuc9L

— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2020

The final instalment is scheduled for next week. Apparently this is all leading to a feud with Sheamus, who has an issue with Jeff for some reason. That’s literally all I know.

The Weapon of Underdogs

Lucha House Party and Miz & Morrison had a relatively fun, albeit short, match. It was all very much what you would expect from the two teams, with the exception of Miz attempting a kip-up which resulted in him falling on his backside. Even gravity refuses to put him over.

THAT JUST HAPPENED.#LuchaHouseParty just DEFEATED @mikethemiz & @TheRealMorrison! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/mrl18foIWU

— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2020

Miz went to end the match with a Skull Crushing Finale, but instead got rolled up by Gran Metalik while Morrison desperately tried (and failed) to make the save. I have a major issue with the finish. Miz & Morrison took most of the contest and lost, while LHP got beaten up and then scored a lucky rollup. No-one looked good here.

An X, a Fist and a Cardboard Cutout

Sasha Banks, flanked by Bayley, made her way to the ring fanning herself with a cutout of Lacey Evans’ daughter. This outraged Corey Graves, who furiously claimed that Banks had crossed the line. I’m not sure why he was so bothered though because Evans clearly couldn’t have been less interested as she pranced and twirled her way to the ring.

Aaaaaaaaaand the mind games have already begun.#SmackDown #MITB @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/oGjGUZFoOA

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 25, 2020

Sasha spent much of the contest targeting Evans’ right arm, supposedly negating the threat of the Women’s Right. Until Evans just punched her in the jaw two minutes later anyway. Riiiiiight.

Bayley made the save by lifting Banks’ foot onto the rope to prevent the pin. An outraged Lacey hoisted Bayley onto the apron and in the ensuing fracas, the referee was too distracted to count the pin after Sasha rolled up Evans.

This mixup upset Banks, who started yelling at her pal at ringside. During all the confusion, Evans somehow picked up the little cutout of her daughter and used that to clock Banks as she turned around. Apparently facsimiles of family members don’t count as foreign objects in WWE, because the referee had no issue with the use of the cutout and counted the pin.

One step closer for @LaceyEvansWWE. #SmackDown #MITB pic.twitter.com/SUCT4UlmGu

— WWE (@WWE) April 25, 2020

After the match, Tamina showed up and superkicked Bayley while Banks looked on motionless. What an absolute menagerie of nonsense.

The Black Sheep of Video Packages

A video package recapped the events of last week vis-a-vis Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt, as well as the former’s history in the Wyatt Family. It did nothing to explain why Braun is so haunted by the plastic sheep’s mask or why this rivalry is, in Michael Cole’s words, “personal”.

Twenty-Five Years for This?

Triple H strolled out to bathe in the glory of his career milestone. He was prevented from doing his token water spit by an exceedingly cautious stagehand. A quick glance at the clock revealed that there were still 20 minutes of SmackDown left, which felt worryingly long.

Before ‘The Game’ could get started, he was interrupted by Shawn Michaels. They engaged in some classic dad humour, which included Michaels bitterly lamenting that he hadn’t received a 25-year anniversary celebration.

Michaels cued one video package of DX bloopers… and then another featuring Triple H’s history of WrestleMania losses. As HBK transitioned to the issue of ‘No Fun’ Stephanie, the woman in question called her husband to chastise Michaels for mocking her. Then Ric Flair called to pass on his congratulations, before the emotion of the moment overcame him.

Tell us how you really feel, @ShawnMichaels…#SmackDown #HHH25 @StephMcMahon pic.twitter.com/sjvVzmIkQq

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 25, 2020

10 minutes left in the show.

Continuing the FaceTime roulette was Road Dogg, who was mercifully cut off quickly. Five minutes.

This brought out Vince McMahon, who started to say some nice things about his son-in-law, before making an abrupt u-turn in true Vince fashion. He called Triple H boring, ranking his career slightly above the Gobbledy Gooker but perhaps more on a par with the Katie Vick debacle or the Bayley “This is your Life” segment. His readiness to throw people under the bus for his creative ideas is staggering. Now do Old Day and Kofi losing to Brock in seven seconds!

Of course, Triple H – like any dutiful son-in-law – was laughing hysterically throughout this roast. Eventually Vince wrapped up and instructed everyone to go home. So the arena lights were turned off as Triple H wondered whether he and Shawn were being kicked out. SmackDown ended in darkness to the literal sound of crickets.

.@VinceMcMahon OUT.#SmackDown #HHH25 @TripleH pic.twitter.com/englXKpAro

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 25, 2020

This segment was an unadulterated, unflattering, unfunny, poorly planned vanity exercise. Neither a celebration of Triple H, nor a fun segment to trigger storylines, this just… was. It simply existed. And that’s probably the kindest thing I can say about a segment that’s likely never to be replayed or spoken of ever again.

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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)

For a show billed as being a momentous point in history, this was one of the most forgettable episodes of SmackDown in recent memory. Baron Corbin won. Sasha Banks lost. A few other things happened that already seem to be evaporating from memory like fingerprints on an abandoned handrail.

But by FAR the most offensive thing on the show was Triple H’s career celebration. Without any clear direction, it served little to no purpose other than as DX and Vince McMahon’s personal sketch show. I would ultimately be more offended, but I can’t even muster outrage at something that I won’t remember two days from now.

So how do you rank a complete non-entity of a show? Even a middling score seems flattering. Although it wasn’t irredeemably awful either. So, by that metric, this week’s SmackDown was a SmackDowner. Let’s promise never to talk about this ever again.

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• April 24
• review
• Smackdown
• wwe

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