SmackDown Live

SmackDown opens with a recap of The Royal Rumble.

Becky Lynch heads to the ring.

Lynch talks about about winning the Rumble and challenging Ronda Rousey on Raw the next night. She says she is proud of where she came from because she worked her way from last year's pre-show to this year's main event at WrestleMania. She talks about she is going to break Rousey’s arm and if she don’t believe that she’ll be carried out. Charlotte Flair’s music hits and she made her way out. Flair says she is actually proud of Becky for winning the Rumble and Lynch likely learned from her to get ahead. Becky decks her in the face and walks away like a freakin' boss. Flair chases her up the ramp and they start brawling.

Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. R- Truth for the USTitle

Truth counters a landslide and gets the pin and the win out of nowhere. It looks like Truth and Nakamura didn't know it was a three count at first. This was a title match, so Truth is the new champion.

Rusev comes out and says he deserves to be champion more than R-Truth. He challenges Truth to a title match right now. Carmella shoves Lana down and Truth blocks Rusev from getting to her. Truth agrees to the title match and the ref makes it official.

R- Truth (c) vs. Rusev for the USTitle

R- Truth retains the USTitle

Rusev and Nakamura take turns attacking R- Truth after the match.

Truth is shown refusing to be checked out by doctors before we head back to the ring for Rey Mysterio's match. Zelina Vega distracts Rey on the stage so Andrade can attack him from behind. He adds insult to injury by performing Eddie Guerrero's three amigos. Mysterio tries to fight back but he ends up taking a Hammerlock DDT.

Shane McMahon prepared a special video package for The Miz to thank him for pushing him to win the tag titles. He even brings out The Miz's dad to help celebrate.

The Miz's dad says he loves him and is very proud of him. The crowd and Shane cheer as Miz and his dad embrace. Shane says they will find out who their first challengers are after a Fatal 4-Way Elimination match.

 The Usos vs Heavy Machinery vs The Bar vs The New Day in a Four Corners Elimination Tag Team Match  - Winner faces Miz & McMahon at Elimination Chamber for the SDLive TagTeamTitles.  

The Usos won and will be facing The Miz and Shane McMahon at Elimination Chamber for the SDLive Tag Team Titles.

Daniel Bryan is out after the break to do something he says will change the landscape of WWE forever.

Bryan brings Rowan out and he is carrying a bag with something in it. Bryan says carrying around the WWE title makes him a hypocrite and asks for a trash can. He says the WWE title is a symbol of excess and is made from the skin of a cow.

Bryan throws away the WWE title and reveals he has paid for a new vegan belt to be made. It is made out of wood and vegan leather. We return from the break to see the ring filling up with Superstars who think they deserve a title shot. Orton, Ali, Hardy and Joe join Styles and Bryan. Samoa Joe gives a promo on his way to the ring.

Triple H reveals Ali, Orton, Hardy, Joe and Styles will face Bryan inside the Elimination Chamber for the title as a brawl breaks out to end the show.


Rating: 95/95

Awesome show and matches as we look onto Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania.

RAW

Seth Rollins comes out to open the post-Rumble episode of Raw.

The Architect talks about winning the Rumble last night because he had the most heart. He says he was trying to avoid pointing at the sign but feels like he has to right now.

Rollins talks about having the choice to battle Lesnar or Bryan at WrestleMania. Before he can decide, Triple H's music hits and he heads to the ring.

Triple H jokes a bit about the sign pointing before getting serious. He says Rollins stepped up to the challenge last night and proved how good he is. He says Seth has to make his choice about Mania tonight. He hypes appearances from Lesnar and Bryan later when Seth chooses. Dean Ambrose's music hits before Rollins can respond.

Ambrose said he was the one who was by Rollins' side when they were making $500 a month and tries to paint Triple H as the bad guy. Trips interrupts and Ambrose says this conversation doesn't concern him. Dean says Rollins has never been able to beat him fairly and asks Triple H to book a match between them right now. The Game tries to walk away and Ambrose mocks him about having to ask Vince for permission. Triple H calls for a referee and makes the match official.

Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins won

Ambrose is still in the ring when we return and he tries to talk to the crowd. Nia Jax and Tamina interrupt him as they make their way to the ring. Jax gets in Ambrose's face and ends up attacking him. She knocks him out of the ring and a few officials hold him back. He eventually heads to the back as Alexa Bliss and Mickie James come to the ring.

Alexa Bliss and Mickie James vs. Nia Jax and Tamina Snuka (Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match for the Tag Titles)

Nia Jax and Tamina Snuka won and qualify for the Elimation Chamber Match for the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin

Baron Corbin won

Corbin attacks Angle after the match.

We see a video package recapping Balor vs. Lesnar last night at Royal Rumble for the Universal Title.

Finn Balor comes out and talks about his match against Brock Lesnar last night and how he made Lesnar believe. And, before he could continue Lashley comes out for some reason.

Lashley ends up attacking Balor and planting him with a spinebuster. He is about to leave when Rush encourages him to hit another spinebuster.

The Revival vs. Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins

The Revival won

Elias is in the ring after the break and the crowd chants for him. Elias says he has been testing the crowd and they have been letting him down. He says everyone should be giving him a standing ovation before he even plays a note. And, is interrupted by Jeff Jarret.

Jeff Jarrett comes out on the stage with his own guitar and gets a pop when he calls Elias "slap nuts." Road Dogg joins him after a moment and the crowd loses its mind. They start singing "With my baby tonight" since Elias doesn't want to perform.

Jarrett and Elias brawl and Double J gets the upper hand. He tries to grab a guitar and Elias ends up taking it from him and breaking it over his back.

Natalya and Dana Brooke vs. Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott (Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match for the Women’s Tag Team Titles)

Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott qualifies for the Elimination Chamber for the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Ronda Rousey comes out for her open challenge for the Women’s Championship.

Ronda thanks Sasha Banks and talks about how Becky has a choice to make of who she wants to face a WrestleMania.

Bayley comes out and answers the challenge.

Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Bayley for the RAW Women Championship

Ronda Rousey retains the RAW Women’s Championship

Bayley offers a handshake out of respect before Becky Lynch's music hits and she limps her way down the ramp.

Becky gets a standing ovation as she heads to the ring. Lynch says she knew she would end up in the ring with Rousey again and reminds her of what happened the last time Becky came to Raw. She officially chooses to face Rousey at WrestleMania for the belt.

Ronda gets in Becky's face and makes some threats while Lynch just smiles at her. She brags about being more famous than Becky and promises to beat her at WrestleMania. Braun Strowman vs. Drew McIntyre Braun grabs the steel steps but Corbin attacks him before he can use them to cause a DQ. The Lone Wolf grabs a chair and goes after Braun. The Monster Among Men punches the chair out of his hands and throws him from pillar to post. Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar head out after the break so Rollins can make his decision about WrestleMania. Rollins comes out and attacks Lesnar, but The Beast is able to hit the F-5 to stop him. He grabs Seth and hits a second F-5. He hits a third and a fourth in quick succession. He lays the title on the mat and hits one more on top of the belt. Seth never officially announced his pick, but it looks like we know what we will get at WrestleMania. Rollins yells at Lesnar and asks if that is all he has. Brock grabs him one more time for a sixth F-5 to end the show. We all know it will be Lesnar. I mean seriously. Following RAW: It was officially announced on Facebook that it will be Lesnar vs. Rollins at WrestleMania 35 for the Universal Championship.

Rating: 90/90

Great show and matches as we look forward to WrestleMania 35 .

Royal Rumble

Here we go with the kickoff show that includes a panel of Jonathan Coachman, Beth Phoenix, Booker T, and Jerry "The King" Lawler. 

We see a incredible video package hyping Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor for the Universal Championship and how it is compared to David vs. Goliath. 

JBL called AJ Styles a "Modern Day Shawn Michaels" and expects the Styles & Bryan match for the WWE Championship to steal the show. He compared their rivalry to Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat. 

Bobby Roode and Chad Gable vs. Razar and Scott Dawson 

Bobby Roode and Chad Gable won 

We see a vide package hyping Asuka vs. Becky Lynch for the SDLive Women’s Championship.

The panel hypes tonight’s match card. 

Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the USTitle 

Shinsuke Nakamura won and is the New United States Champion.

Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Kalisto vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Hideo Itami in a Fatal 4 Way Match for the Cruiserweight Championship 

Buddy Murphy retains the Cruiserweight Championship 

Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch for the SDLive Women's Championship

Asuka retains the SDLive Women’s Championship.

The Bar (c) vs. The Miz & Shane McMahon for the SDLive Tag Team Titles 

The Miz & Shane McMahon won and is the New SDLive Tag Team Champions

Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Sasha Banks for the RAW Women’s Championship 

Ronda Rousey retains the RAW Women’s Championship.

Women’s Royal Rumble Match 

Becky Lynch won and will go on to WrestleMania to face the champion of her choice. - I am thinking it will be Ronda Rousey.

Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship 

Daniel Bryan retains the WWE Championship thanks to some involvement from Erick Rowan and then following the match both of them attacked Styles and then they celebrated together. I guess they’re working together now.

Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Finn Balor for the Universal Championship 

Brock Lesnar retains the Universal Championship. After the match, Lesnar attacks Balor a few times for the hell of it and then leaves with the title. 

Men’s Royal Rumble Match 

Nia Jax comes out and attacks R-Truth and then enters the match -  very strange. Eventually, gets eliminated.

Seth Rollins wins and will go on to WrestleMania and will face the champion of his choice - which I am thinking It will be Brock.

The show ends with Seth Rollins celebrating and pointing at the WrestleMania sign.

Rating: 90/90

Great show and matches leading to WrestleMania.

SmackDown Live

SmackDown opens with Becky Lynch heading to the ring. She gets the usual pop as she walks down the ramp. She says she would love nothing more than to fight, but she has something to say tonight.

Lynch says she should be in the main event of WrestleMania and she is willing to beat everyone to get what she wants. She is quickly interrupted by Asuka.

Asuka holds up her title in Becky's face, but before anything else happens, Charlotte comes down the ramp. She vows to win the women's Royal Rumble so she can headline WrestleMania. Asuka ambushes Lynch but The Man doesn't go down easy. They brawl until several officials break them up as the crowd chants "Let them fight." Becky and Asuka keep breaking free and getting to each other. Lynch leaves Asuka down at ringside.

We go backstage to see Lynch and Asuka going at it again and it takes several officials to get them separated.

Naomi vs. Mandy Rose

Mandy Rose won

The Miz vs. Cesaro

Cesaro won

Shane goes after Sheamus and sends him into the steel steps. He fights off Cesaro and rams him into the ring post before cleaning off an announce table. He lays Cesaro on it and climbs to the top turnbuckle. Sheamus shoves him off and he crashes to the ground. He delivers a Brogue Kick and Miz covers Shane to protect him from more attacks. The Bar puts Miz on the table and then slams Shane on top of him to put both men through the table at the same time.

Mustafa Ali delivered one heck of a promo toward Samoa Joe leading to their match later tonight.

Vince McMahon comes out after the break to oversee a confrontation between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan.

Bryan comes down but refuses to get into the ring with the man who slammed him into a pile of what he calls processed animal carcasses. Bryan and Styles trade insults for a bit while McMahon just stands there.

McMahon tries to make Bryan get into the ring, but Bryan says Vince and his generation are parasites and goes on a rant about how he is part of the problem. AJ chases after Bryan and they fight at ringside. Styles takes control early 

and runs Bryan into the steel steps. He rolls Bryan into the ring and Bryan hides behind Vince to avoid a Phenomenal Forearm before hitting the flying knee and leaving with his title.

Samoa Joe vs. Mustafa Ali

Samoa Joe won

Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade Cien Almas in a 2 Out of 3 Falls Match.

Samoa Joe comes out and causes a DQ by attacking both men. He rams Andrade into the ring post and locks Rey in the Coquina Clutch. He grabs a mic and says he came here to make a statement. He promises to win the Royal Rumble before Randy Orton comes out of nowhere and hits an RKO to take him down.

Rating: 90/90 

Awesome show and matches as we get closer to Royal Rumble.

RAW

Raw opens with a video package paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When we go live to the arena, Brock Lesnar's music hits and he heads to the ring.

Paul Heyman gives his usual promo hyping his client. He puts over Finn Balor for defeating John Cena last week to earn a title shot. Instead of getting Balor, Vince McMahon's music hits and he struts his way to the ring. Vince tells the story of David vs. Goliath and says Finn likens himself to David in this situation. Heyman's reactions are priceless. Braun Strowman ends up coming out and Vince demands to know what he wants as Lesnar stands ready to fight.

After Braun vents a little, Balor's music hits and he walks to the ring as the crowd cheers him on. Strowman says he doesn't think Finn can beat Brock but he hopes he does. Balor says he will do what Braun couldn't do and this beating Lesnar. The Beast walks away up the ramp laughing, but he stops when Balor starts talking about David. Vince books Finn vs. Braun and invites Brock to watch from ringside.

Finn Balor vs. Braun Strowman

 Lesnar grabs Balor before he can make the cover and hits an F-5 to cause a DQ.

Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush come out after the break. There is a small stage set up in the ring for Lashley to stand on for his IC title celebration. Rush says open challenges are for kids and Lashley is in this for the money. Lashley poses for the crowd as Lio straps the belt around his waist. Apollo Crews eventually interrupts him. Crews congratulates Lashley on winning the IC title but says nobody paid to see him pose. He challenges Bobby to a match. Rush says Crews isn't on Lashley's level. Apollo does his best pose in response. Eventually, Lashley attacks him as he is posing but Crews ends up being the one standing tall after throwing Lio Rush onto Lashley. 

Bobby Lashley vs. Apollo Crews

Bobby Lashley won 

Seth Rollins is in the ring after the break. He talks about an MLK quote that means a lot to him before talking about everything he has lost over the past couple of months. He then talks about how he will win the Royal Rumble this Sunday. 

Seth Rollins vs. Drew Mcintyre 

Seth Rollins won

Jinder Mahal and Singh Brothers vs. Lucha House Party

Lucha House Party won

Elias is in the ring and he gets the crowd excited with his usual routine. He says tonight's song might be his best yet, but he is immediately interrupted by Baron Corbin. The former GM says Elias won't be playing a song tonight and Elias orders the truck to cut his mic. He mocks Corbin for continuing to dress like he is the GM in his song. Corbin finally rushes the ring but has to bail when Elias swings the guitar at him. 

Elias vs. Baron Corbin 

Baron Corbin won

Alexa Bliss is out after the break for her talk show segment. She plays a video hyping the women's Royal Rumble.

Nia Jax is the scheduled guest, but Ember Moon ends up coming out and interrupting them. This starts a trend with some of the other women declaring their intentions to win the Rumble. Bliss stands on her chair and yells at everyone to respect her show and support each other so they don't ruin her reputation as a talk show host. Jax starts a brawl by shoving Moon into everyone else.

Alexa Bliss gets a pop when she announces she will be competing in the Royal Rumble match. Lacey Evans comes out and insults the classless little girls who just had a brawl. She says she will win the Rumble, not Bliss, who she calls a sawed off runt.

Heavy Machinery vs. The Ascension 

Heavy Machinery won

Bobby Roode and Chad Gable vs. The Revival for the RAW Tag Team Titles with Curt Hawkins as the special referee

Bobby Roode and Chad Gable retains the RAW Tag Team Titles

Hawkins points to the replay to justify his actions to The Revival after the match. They end up attacking Hawkins but Zack Ryder makes the save.

Ronda Rousey and Natalya vs. Sasha Banks and Bayley

Sasha Banks and Bayley won

The show ends with Rousey and Banks having a standoff.

Rating: 70/70

It was a decent show and matches as we get close to Royal Rumble.

SmackDown Live

SmackDown opens with the announces running down what we can expect to see on tonight's show. We go to a shot of Daniel Bryan out by a concession stand ranting about how the snacks at the stand are bad for our health. He says we eat fast food to fill a void in our lives.

Bryan ends up throwing a hot dog at one fan and a soda at another fan. He ends up walking through the crowd toward the ring while continuing to insult the fans. R-Truth ends up ambushing Bryan and beating him up. They are going to have a match after the break.

Daniel Bryan vs. R-Truth

Daniel Bryan won

Bryan is about to leave on the stage when Styles comes out of nowhere to take him down. Several security guards try to hold him back but he keeps getting past them. Bryan escapes before AJ can use a chair on him.

Andrade Almas and Samoa Joe vs. Mustafa Ali and Rey 

Mysterio

Andrade Almas and Samoa Joe won 

Rusev comes out and gives a promo apologizing to Lana, who is injured at home. He blames Nakamura, but Shinsuke appears on the big screen from the production truck and shows a clip of what happened last week. He says it's all Rusev's fault Lana got hurt.

Rusev runs backstage but he ends up getting attacked by Nakamura and crushed with a production crate. Shinsuke hits one more Kinshasa before leaving.

The Usos vs. The Bar

The Bar won thanks to a distraction from Mandy Rose.

The Miz comes out and congratulates The Bar on their win.

The Miz says The Bar has never beaten him and Shane. Sheamus ends up hitting him with a Brogue Kick. He also accepts The Miz's challenge. We head backstage to see Naomi attacking Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. The pair end up getting the best of her before Jimmy comes in and breaks up the fight.

Daniel Bryan gives a quick interview as he is leaving saying AJ Styles will never be the hero he wants to be Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella (Winner comes #1 Contender to the SDLive Women's Championship) Becky Lynch won and will be facing Asuka at Royal Rumble for the SDLive Women's Championship. Asuka comes out with her title after the match. Becky stares her down as she poses in the corner. She holds up the belt in Becky's face as they exchange heated words. The show ends with both women refusing to back down. Rating: 80/80 Awesome show and matches as we get closer to Royal Rumble.

RAW

Raw opens with a title card paying tribute to the late Mean Gene Okerlund. We head backstage to see a huge brawl taking place between Bobby Lashley and Seth Rollins. Several Superstars and officials are trying to keep them apart as they fight.

After Rollins and Lashley are separated and taken away, John Cena music hits and he heads to the ring. 

Cena announces he is entering the Royal Rumble, but before he can say anything else, Drew McIntyre's music hits and he comes out on the stage. He says he has been waiting for years to confront Cena. He calls Cena the greatest of all time, but Drew says he has a reputation for taking out the greats. He tells Cena to ask The Shield, Kurt Angle and Dolph Ziggler what he is capable of.

Cena says he has heard all of this before and McIntyre should shut up and think of a different promo. He asks what makes Drew different from anyone else. Drew says he is going to show Cena what makes him different. For some reason, Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley come out to complain about Seth Rollins. Rush says they are going to get a lawyer if something doesn't happen to Rollins. He tries to cancel the show and Rollins runs back out to attack Lashley again. Dean Ambrose comes out to attack Rollins. Cena and McIntyre join the fight. The heels get the upper hand until Finn Balor comes out to even the odds. 

John Cena and Seth Rollins and Finn Balor vs. Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley and Dean Ambrose 

Seth Rollins and John Cena and Finn Balor won 

Rollins goes backstage, knocks a cup of coffee out of Triple H's hands and demands a match against Ambrose tonight. Triple H books it and makes it Falls Count Anywhere. He welcomes the old Seth back and walks away.

After a 10-bell salute to Mean Gene Okerlund, Hulk Hogan comes out to pay tribute to the man who interviewed him countless times throughout his career.

Hogan comes out to the fans chanting his name. He says he came out in character because that is the way Mean Gene would have wanted it. He says Okerlund loved entertaining the fans more than anything in the world before playing a video of his greatest moments. 

Hogan gives one last promo as if he was being interviewed by Mean Gene to end the segment.

Bobby Roode and Chad Gable (c) vs. The Revival in a Lumberjack Match for the RAW Tag Team Titles 

The Revival had their leg on the rope but the ref didn’t see and Bobby Roode and Chad Gable retain the RAW Tag Team Titles.. Some conspiracy going on. 

Elias vs. Baron Corbin 

Baron Corbin won 

Braun Strowman comes to the ring and looks like he is ready for a fight. Heyman and Lesnar appear on the big screen and says there won't be a face to face meeting tonight so Strowman can survive until the Rumble. Strowman says he is in the ring waiting while Lesnar is hiding backstage. 

Lesnar is eventually goaded into heading out to the arena. He circles the ring like a shark surveying his prey while Strowman keeps his eyes on him. Brock decides to walk away. Braun yells at him and says he will win the title at the Royal Rumble. 

Apollo Crews and Ember Moon vs. Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox 

Apollo Crews and Ember Moon won 

Alexa Bliss comes out for her new talk show segment and orders someone to bring her a cup of coffee. She plays a video package showing Rousey's first year in WWE. 

Rousey comes out for her interview and says she wants to be a champion everyone can be proud of. She says there is one woman who has pushed everyone to their limit in the locker room, and that person is Sasha Banks. Nia Jax comes out pretending to vomit at the thought of Rousey vs. Banks. 

Jax wants to know when she will get her rematch, but Banks comes out before Ronda can respond. She thanks Rousey for her kind words and she would love a match for the title. She says she will teach Rousey how to lose with class. Jax gets in her face and Sasha challengers her to a match with the winner getting a title shot. The Boss walks to the ring but Jax just sits in one of the chairs on the stage as the show cuts to commercial.

Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax  (#1 Contender to the RAW Women's Title)

Sasha Banks won and will facing Ronda Rousey at Royal Rumble for the RAW Women's Championship

Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Seth Rollins for the ICTitle in a Falls Count Anywhere Match

Seth Rollins attacks Dean Ambrose before the bell starts.

Dean Ambrose retains the ICTitle thanks to some involvement from Lashley.

After the match, Lashley put Rollins through a table to put a final exclamation point on his attack and to end the show with Lashley standing tall above the body of Rollins.


Rating: 90/90
I thought it was a decent show tonight there was some great matches and segments as we head to Royal Rumble.