SmackDown Live

SmackDown opens with The Miz coming out. He looks less happy than usual but he still poses for the crowd on the stage. Miz plays a video showing what Shane did at Fastlane and said on SmackDown the following week. The A-Lister says he has always been focused on the Road to WrestleMania and it has cost him. He admits he has used everyone he has ever known to get ahead because this business means the world to him, and so did his friendship with Shane.

Miz says people tried to warn him about Shane and he didn't listen. He does a good job selling the emotion he is feeling as he talks about how it felt for his dad to have to watch his son get beaten up. He says the McMahons don't own him or Kofi. He talks about having to earn the respect of everyone for the past 13 years and the crowd chants his name.

Miz ends his promo by promising to beat Shane at WrestleMania. After he leaves, Sasha and Bayley head to the ring to address The IIconics.

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce come out and mock Bayley and Banks. They even make a joke about the college admissions scandal going on. The Boss and The Hugger don't look impressed.

The IIconics vs. Boss N Hug Connection

The IIconics won 
Kevin Owens is back to host the new and improved Kevin Owens show. He says it's usually KOMania, but this year is all about Kofi Kingston and Becky Lynch. He brings out The Man as his first guest. Owens also brings out Charlotte and talks about how friendships can sour in this business. He makes some jokes before suggesting Becky and Charlotte have a match tonight. Things get heated and Becky slaps Charlotte. The Queen tackles her over the table as they brawl around the ring.

Daniel Bryan is in the ring to talk about Kingston's upcoming Gauntlet match. He calls it an injustice because Kofi does not deserve the chance to fight for the title

Kofi Kingston's Gauntlet Match

Kofi Kingston won and is going to WrestleMania to face Bryan for the WWE Championship
Woods and Big E run to the ring to congratulate their teammate.

Vince comes out and says Kofi has one last opponent to go through before he earns his spot at WrestleMania. His final opponent is Daniel Bryan. The bell rings and Bryan immediately starts laying into Kingston with kicks to the body. Kofi is put in the tree of woe and hit with several kicks before Bryan sits him on the top turnbuckle. He hits a belly to back superplex for a two count. Bryan puts Kofi in the Labell Lock but he reaches the bottom rope. Bryan hits the Yes Kicks but Kofi ducks the last one and hits the SOS for a near fall. Bryan hits a couple of running dropkicks in the corner. Kofi rolls him up for another unsuccessful pin. Kingston misses a crossbody and Bryan stomps his head into the mat. He sets up for the running knee and hits it for the pin and the win.

The show ends with Woods and Big E running down to check on their friend and Bryan calling Kofi a B+ player.

I guess that whole opportunity was literally for nothing?



Rating 60/60:

I would rate it more but I am disappointed in this storyline or build up (if you well because it just looks dumb when you know they'll probably do this match at Mania in the end). It had some decent matches leading to Mania though.