SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
BECKY & CHARLOTTE…
Recap: Becky Lynch led off the show in the ring. She recapped confronting Ronda Rousey last night and swore to break her arm at WrestleMania.
Charlotte Flair interrupted and came to the ring. She mockingly egged on the fans cheering Becky, and then took credit for Becky slipping into the Rumble and winning. She said such actions were clearly learned from her. Becky responded with a sucker punch.
A brawl ensued, and the officials had trouble separating them.
Cameras later caught Becky backstage limping to her car. It was noted that she refused medical attention, and Becky herself said she didn’t want to spend any more time on the shelf.
Evaluation: I thought both Charlotte and Becky played their roles well. It seems clear that WWE is comfortable with Charlotte in a clear heel role.
Forecast: A one-on-one match between Becky and Ronda would be the best outcome for WrestleMania, but tonight seemed to be the beginning of working toward a Triple Threat. While a Triple Threat would still likely be very good, hopefully my prediction is wrong and this is a feud for Becky to fill two the two months of time leading to WrestleMania while Becky and Ronda are on separate shows.
NEW US CHAMPION…
Recap: After the opening segment, R-Truth came to the ring for a US Title match against Shinsuke Nakamura. He explained that he was granted the opportunity by the McMahons to compensate for Nia Jax taking his Royal Rumble Number 30 spot from him on Sunday.
The match was quick. Nakamura had Truth up for an Avalanche, but Truth countered into a rollup for a pin. It appeared to be a two count, and both competitors kept fighting as if the match hadn’t ended. The bell rang, however, and the referee informed an angry Nakamura that he had lost.
Rusev then came out and challenged Truth. Fighting ensued, which led to Carmella shoving Lana (who wore a boot on her injured foot). This angered Rusev, who got in Truth’s face and goaded him to put the title on the line. Truth accepted.
Truth won the match with a quick rollup. After the match, Nakamura jumped Truth from behind. Rusev joined in the beating to boos.
Later backstage, the Good Brothers confronted Rusev about double-teaming Truth. When Rusev was unapologetic, they challenged he and Nakamura to a match. Nakamura appeared and accepted.
Evaluation: It was nice to see Truth get the title. It’s something fresh and he’s got some fan support right now. It’s worth taking advantage of his fan support while he’s got it, especially since Nakamura is cold.
While it was clear Truth was supposed to defeat both Nakamura and Rusev with rollups, the confusion during his victory over Nakamura may indicate that the finish didn’t go exactly as planned.
Forecast: It certainly appears that this is a heel turn for Rusev. It also appears he and Nakamura will be a tag team going forward. SmackDown revolves around the same few teams, so having Nakamura and Rusev (and perhaps also the Good Brothers) in the picture may freshen things up.
HEMP TITLE…
Recap: In the show’s final segment, Daniel Bryan came out for a promo. He recapped his win on Sunday, and hyped Erick Rowan. Bryan accused the fans of not seeing past Rowan’s appearance and recognizing what an enlightened man he is. He said Rowan reads the greats and is his intellectual peer.
Bryan then turned to the title belt. He called it gaudy, made from cheap labor, and worst of all made of the skin of a cow. He referred to the cow as “Daisy” and recounted Daisy’s ability to feel joy and pain. The fans chanted for Daisy. He then tossed the title and revealed a new one, made of hemp and wood.
AJ Styles then came out and asked Bryan if he had been smoking the hemp from the belt. Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe, and Mustafa Ali then all interrupted, insulting each other and wanting title shots. Triple H came out and settled the issue by stating they’d all be competing for the title at Elimination Chamber. A brawl ensued.
Evaluation: Bryan’s promos have been very good, and he’s done an excellent job with his character. The belt was a great touch and looked great.
Forecast: The Elimination Chamber feud is likely to kill time before WrestleMania, so I would be shocked if Bryan didn’t retain the title.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: TOP 3 DEVELOPMENTS – SMACKDOWN 1/22: Becky-Asuka-Charlotte Clash, Styles and Bryan, Rey vs. Andrade
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