{"id":95213,"date":"2020-03-27T13:17:55","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T18:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=95213"},"modified":"2020-03-27T13:17:55","modified_gmt":"2020-03-27T18:17:55","slug":"wwe-smackdown-primer-3-27-spoiler-free-fallout-from-reigns-withdrawal-from-wm-title-match-continued-audience-free-show-gulak-vs-nakamura-with-ic-championship-implications-goddess-vs-empress-f","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/03\/27\/wwe-smackdown-primer-3-27-spoiler-free-fallout-from-reigns-withdrawal-from-wm-title-match-continued-audience-free-show-gulak-vs-nakamura-with-ic-championship-implications-goddess-vs-empress-f\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 3\/27 (Spoiler-Free): Fallout from Reigns withdrawal from WM title match, Continued Audience-Free Show, Gulak vs. Nakamura with IC Championship Implications, Goddess vs. Empress, Firefly Funhouse"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-136066252\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><h3>WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER<br \/>\nMARCH 27, 2020<br \/>\nORLANDO, FL. AT THE WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER<br \/>\nAIRS ON FOX NETWORK, 8:00 p.m. EDT<br \/>\nBY FRANK PETEANI (@FrankPeteani), PWTORCH SPECIALIST<\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Top 10 Moments from Last Week<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Top 10 Friday Night SmackDown moments: WWE Top 10, March 20, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2EN5rZu4D3E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Arena and Items Advertised by WWE<\/h3>\n<p>Tonight\u2019s WWE Smackdown will once again take place in the WWE Performance Center with essential personnel only as we continue to navigate the current global pandemic that is the coronavirus. The episode was pre-taped.<\/p>\n<p>We continue towards WrestleMania, the event \u201ctoo big for one night.\u201d An executive order was issued in Orange County in Florida, in which Orlando is included, that all stay in except for essential businesses until April 9. WrestleMania will likely be recorded by the time Smackdown airs tonight. Two matches on tonight\u2019s card have implications for that WrestleMania card. Here\u2019s what\u2019s on tap:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bray opens the door to the Firefly Funhouse<\/li>\n<li>The New Day and the Usos put WrestleMania fate on the line<\/li>\n<li>Drew Gulak and Shinsuke Nakamura in a match with major WrestleMania implications<\/li>\n<li>Alexa Bliss and Asuka look to settle the score<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Roman Reigns Out of Universal Championship Match<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Multiple wrestling media outlets have reported that Roman Reigns has withdrawn from the Universal Championship match against Goldberg at WrestleMania. Many reports claim he is not comfortable as a result of his history with leukemia. Given WrestleMania will likely have been filmed by the time the show drops tonight, it\u2019s hard to say what they will do or have done.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: This is ultimately the right call, but why did Roman take so long to make this decision? I\u2019m surprised this decision wasn\u2019t made by either side sooner. What do they do now? I honestly don\u2019t care. This whole f\u2019in event should have been called off.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bray Wyatt and the Firefly Funhouse<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Coming up at WrestleMania, \u201cThe Fiend\u201d Bray Wyatt will take on 16-time world champion John Cena for the second time at such event after they met six years ago in New Orleans. Bray has cited that match, in which Cena won, as the cause of his \u201cdownward spiral\u201d that led him to becoming the Fiend. Two weeks ago, Cena and Bray met face to face. Bray said throughout the years he kept hearing voices and tried to ignore them, but rather started listening to them. It was \u201cThe Fiend\u201d who put him back together.<\/p>\n<p>Last week they replayed the match from WrestleMania 30 which saw Bray attempt to get Cena to tap into his dark side. Cena stayed \u201ctrue to his character\u201d and did not give in temptation by Bray. Tonight, we get an episode of the Firefly Funhouse as we continue the build towards this rematch.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3548158591\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: Besides Randy Orton vs. Edge, this is the match that has me the most intrigued. While there are flaws in the storyline that Cena sent Bray into a \u201cdownward spiral\u201d (he did win the WWE Championship in 2017), you can logically tell that story overall. Watching that WrestleMania match again made me realize how good Cena is as well as Bray. It\u2019s unfortunate that Bray\u2019s booking didn\u2019t take full advantage of his creativity through the years.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>New Day vs. the Usos: Winner Faces Miz &amp; Morrison for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Through the years we\u2019ve had our tag team rivalries. They include the Freebirds and the Von Erichs, the Midnight Express and the Rock \u2018n Roll Express, the Road Warriors and the Four Horsemen, the British Bulldogs and the Hart Foundation, Edge &amp; Christian and the Hardys, and countless others. In 2017, we certainly added New Day (Kofi Kingston &amp; Big E) and the Usos (Jimmy &amp; Jey) to that list. They feuded throughout the year highlighted by their Hell in a Cell match at the aforementioned PPV which saw the Usos win the Smackdown Tag Team Championship. They later called an \u201cUse Truce\u201d with New Day and have had a respectful relationship ever since. Last year, in a gauntlet match with Kofi Kingston\u2019s WWE Championship opportunity on the line, the Usos forfeited their match with New Day as they wanted to see their friend go to WrestleMania.<\/p>\n<p>That won\u2019t be the case tonight as these two teams go at it for the right to face Miz and John Morrison for the Smackdown Tag Team Championship. Miz and Morrison won the titles at Super Showdown from New Day back in February. Here\u2019s a little goofing off on Twitter between Usos and New Day:<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWEUsos\/status\/1240688605766373377?s=20<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: Screwy finish leading to a triple threat anyone? Bueller? Bueller?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Drew Gulak vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: If Gulak Wins, Daniel Bryan faces Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Disclaimer: Multiple unconfirmed reports are saying Daniel Bryan is self-quarantining away from his pregnant wife, Brie Bella, and their daughter Birdie. According to Brie he has an autoimmune disease and fought asthma when he was younger. He is doing this out of an understandable abundance of concern. Nothing is suggesting he will not participate in WrestleMania, but given this news it\u2019s subject to change.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-259742136\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Last week, Daniel Bryan and his new ally Drew Gulak defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro. Two weeks ago, Bryan defeated Cesaro but then a post-match angle was run where Nakamura, Cesaro, and Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn attacked Bryan. Gulak came to his aid.<\/p>\n<p>It was Bryan and Gulak who went at it one-on-one at Elimination Chamber which saw Bryan come out on top. Bryan acknowledged Gulak found holes in his game and asked for his help. Tonight, Gulak attempts to help Bryan in the biggest way possible by taking on Shinsuke Nakamura. If Gulak is successful, Bryan gets a shot at Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. Gulak and Bryan have been talking back and forth on Twitter squeezing pineapples and nerf footballs to practice headlocks. You can look at their accounts if you so desire.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: Remember when Shinsuke Nakamura won the Royal Rumble in 2018 and challenged A.J. Styles for the WWE Championship in what people regarded as a dream match at that year\u2019s WrestleMania? The bright spot in all of this is Gulak is getting TV time and there are worse things than being associated with Daniel Bryan. Bryan vs. Sami Zayn is something I advocated for when I was on as a cohost with Wade Keller a few weeks ago. I stand by that. There\u2019s a lot of talent in this entire situation.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Alexa Bliss has been calling out the Kabuki Warriors for quite some time now, looking for a chance for her and Nikki Cross to challenge for the WWE Women\u2019s Tag Team Championship. Two weeks ago, on Smackdown, Bliss and Cross (gotta call \u2018em Bliss Cross Applesauce no?) fell to Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion Bayley and Sasha Banks when Asuka interfered and attacked Bliss from behind. Last week, Kayla Braxton interviewed Bliss and Cross. Bliss challenged Asuka to a match tonight. Here\u2019s the challenge, which deserves being posted:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Alexa Bliss invites Asuka to knock on SmackDown\u2019s front door: SmackDown, March 20, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S6wXJsS4K8k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis: I love the energy from Nikki, and I love that Alexa faced the camera to make that challenge. It was to the point, had passion behind it, and it makes me want to see the match. This is the was promos should be done!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Other Match Results and News Items from Last Week<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rob Gronkowski and Mojo Rawley opened the show with Michael Cole talking about \u201cGronk\u201d hosting WrestleMania. He and Mojo were annoying and then King Corbin came out to make matters worse. Elias followed, and then Gronk suggested Elias face Corbin at WrestleMania.<\/p>\n<p>Paige appeared via Skype (I think it was Skype) and was interrupted by Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion Bayley and Sasha Banks. Paige told Bayley she would defend her title at WrestleMania against Tamina, Dana Brooke, Lacey Evans, Naomi, and Sasha Banks in a six-pack challenge. This has since been changed to a Fatal Five-Way Elimination match as Dana Brooke is out as a result of self-quarantining. Here\u2019s Sasha in a WWE.com exclusive:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Sasha Banks lashes out after Paige\u2019s WrestleMania shocker: SmackDown Exclusive: March 20, 2020\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5qUfi1EjWC0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Smackdown Tag Team Champions Miz and Morrison ran an episode of the Dirt Sheet trying to figure out who should face them at WrestleMania for the titles. They then took on Heavy Machinery (Otis &amp; Tucker) in a non-title match with Dolph Ziggler on guest commentary. Miz &amp; Morrison won via DQ when Otis hit Morrison with a chair. This was Miz and Morrison heading into the match:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Miz &amp; John Morrison can taste victory heading into Heavy Machinery match: SmackDown Exclusive\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-qIbXzgufWc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a moot point now, but Universal Champion Goldberg and Roman Reigns signed the contract for their WrestleMania match.<\/p>\n<h3>Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p>My tone is a little negative in this preview and I apologize for that, but I can\u2019t help but feel this way about WWE and how they\u2019re handling this situation right now. I could forgive AEW for continuing to do first-run programming because they don\u2019t have a library of matches they can relive on Dynamite. They\u2019re handling things much better, at least I think, if you watch their show. WWE has a plethora of content they can relive and hold off on WrestleMania until this thing blows over. They choose to press on, and we watch. We\u2019ll see how they handle Roman and who knows what other shoe will drop by tonight.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Follow Frank on Twitter @FrankPeteani. Questions and discussion are welcome. Thank you for reading!<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-338094476\"><div id=\"pwtor-2177126230\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER MARCH 27, 2020 ORLANDO, FL. AT THE WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER AIRS ON FOX NETWORK, 8:00 p.m. EDT BY FRANK PETEANI (@FrankPeteani), PWTORCH SPECIALIST Top 10 Moments from Last Week Arena and Items <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2020\/03\/27\/wwe-smackdown-primer-3-27-spoiler-free-fallout-from-reigns-withdrawal-from-wm-title-match-continued-audience-free-show-gulak-vs-nakamura-with-ic-championship-implications-goddess-vs-empress-f\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 3\/27 (Spoiler-Free): Fallout from Reigns withdrawal from WM title match, Continued Audience-Free Show, Gulak vs. Nakamura with IC Championship Implications, Goddess vs. Empress, Firefly Funhouse\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":93007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,52,4403,27,5893,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-95213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prowrestlingnews","category-opnionandanalysis","category-smackdown-primer","category-specialists","category-tvprimers","category-news_wwe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2020\/02\/Fiend_WyattBray_WK_3x2_600.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95213"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95213\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95219,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95213\/revisions\/95219"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/93007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}