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WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER
FEBRUARY 13, 2018
BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. AT RABOBANK ARENA
REPORT BY JOEY GALIZIA (@RamJam89)
ANNOUNCED BY WWE
- Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin face-off for an opportunity at the WWE Championship.
- Charlotte battles the Riott Squad’s Sarah Logan.
- Bobby Roode issues a United States Open Challenge
- The New Day clashes with Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin
“WHO MATTERS LESS”
In a bizarre turn of events, commissioner Shane McMahon announced via social media that the scheduled matchup between the Lone Wolf Baron Corbin and a “returning” Dolph Ziggler would have huge implications. That’s because the winner of said matchup will join Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens in a Fatal 4-way title match against champion A.J. Styles at the Smackdown specific PPV of Fastlane in a few weeks. This comes seven days after general manager Daniel Bryan played his own authority card and punished A.J. Styles for interfering in the #1 contender’s bout between K.O. and Zayn. If you’ve forgotten, Ziggler won the United States Championship back at the Clash of Champions but walked out on the ensuing Smackdown due to frustrations with the company. He would return in the #30 spot at the Royal Rumble and get tossed out immediately destroying any credibility to his absence. Corbin on the other hand has had a rough stretch in these past 6 months. He had a short U.S. title run sure, but he also botched his Money in the Bank cash-in and was the second man eliminated from the Rumble match. Which of these two troubled athletes will be added to the main event? Guess you’ll just have to tune in to find out.
“THE HUNTED NOW BECOMES THE HUNTER”
The entirety of the WWE’s Women’s Division received an update last night on the Ronda Rousey situation. Rousey will officially sign her “full-time” contract at the red brand event of Elimination Chamber, which if you are keeping up, means that she would be exclusive to Monday nights. That sounds like good news for Smackdown women’s champion Charlotte Flair, who still isn’t entirely certain if she’ll be clashing with Asuka, or a member of team blue at the show of shows. However, it does give her the freedom to not worry about the former UFC star and her dangerous striking ability. Instead, the Nature Girl will continue to focus on dismantling the Riott Squad member by member, as she prepares to face Sarah Logan in singles-action this evening. With the Raw women preparing to make history yet again inside the Elimination Chamber, will the SD ladies try and up their game? That includes Money in the Bank holder Carmella, who just can’t seem to figure out a proper time or way to capitalize on her golden opportunity.
“LAND OF OPPORTUNITY”
-United States Champion Bobby Roode will continue his first main roster title reign by issuing another open challenge. This comes just seven days after successful fending off the very popular Rusev, and on Rusev Day to boot! However, the Glorious One didn’t have too much time to celebrate since the Viper Randy Orton turned the post-match ceremony into an RKO party. Will the Apex Predator be the one who answers Roode’s challenge?
-In the tag team division Jimmy and Jey Uso may have found their next challengers: the VERY dangerous Bludgeon Brothers who have been killing jobbers and Breezango ever since they debuted some time ago. So far only a stare down has occurred, but with the way feuds culminate out of nowhere sometimes, this one seems to have enough juice to make it into the squared circle. #teamHARPERforever
-The former challengers for the tag belts Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin look to get back on the winning end after getting swept by the Samoans at the last PPV. They will clash this evening with the pancake-eating trio of the New Day. Both teams could certainly use a victory, but with no clear direction for Fastlane, will this feud extend to the pre-show?
-205 Live’s cruiserweight tournament continues with more first round matchups. This week former champion Akira Tozawa battles the U.K. division’s daredevil Mark Andrews. Tony Nese will also be in action against the king of the PowerPoint presentation Drew Gulak.
-What of the relationship by the duo who runs Tuesday nights? It seems that Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan have slowly mended their friendship back together, but will this latest drama with world champion A.J. Styles be the catalyst that drives them apart again?
Coming to you live from Bakersfield California it’s Smackdown Live! You watching?
NOW CATCH UP ON LAST WEEK’S SHOW: KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 2/6: Sami vs. KO for a right to face Styles, Shane takes issue with Bryan’s decision-making
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