WWE SmackDown was broadcast from Barcelona, Spain, for the first time. The Miz was going to receive Cody Rhodes in Miztvbut was interrupted by a fight between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair.
The A-Lister cut the entrance of Rhodes to save time and was criticized for it by the champion. He promised to be in Brussels, Belgium, for RAW, since John Cena has not appeared since the shocking events of Elimination Chamber.
Two mysterious bullets were issued. One showed the silhouette of a masked fighter sitting at the top of a ring post. The other showed black smoke and, depending on how it was interpreted, had a “4” or an “A.”
Could they be for Rey Fenix and Aleister Black? WWE decided not to use Alexa Bliss again, while Randy Orton gave Carmelo Hayes another defeat. Here is the best and the worst of SmackDown from Barcelona.
#3. Worse – operate without all the correct information
Cathey Kelley interviewed Jade Cargill in SmackDown, allowing The Storm to address the attack last November. He revealed that he did not see the attack, but he saw Naomi running.
She was mostly annoying because she didn't want Naomi to “dictate” what she deserved, which shows an Entitlement aura. Kelley asked why he hadn't alerted people before, but Jade didn't have much answer.
Cargill continued to express his anger because Belair had allied with Naomi as if nothing had happened. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodríguez interrupted the interview, looking for an apology, but The Storm did not think it was the right time.
The entire research/revelation process has felt unequal, so we hope it comes more to light since Jade did not see what really happened.
#2. Better – NXT UK is alive and well in SmackDown
Gunther appeared in Barcelona to face the Spain's own axiom. As expected, the fight was great, demonstrating that Axiom and The General Ring are among the most endowed technicians in the ring today.
Axiom was able to stay at the level of the much larger Gunther due to its speed and technical skill. Two power bombs and a monstrous lariat were needed to finally defeat half of the champions by NXT couples.
Although most of the roster are no longer with WWE, it is still great to see remains of NXT UK live and thrive in Raw and SmackDown.
#2. Better/Worse – Knight and the United States title scene
The Knight gave a promo after recovering the title of the US of Shinsuke Nakamura last week. It was interrupted by a desperate Jimmy Use, who wanted an opportunity for the title.
Only Sikoa followed the example. Braun Strowman came out to support Use and Knight, so Nick Aldis scheduled a fight of six men facing Knight, Jimmy and Strowman against Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga.
Winning fights should not be crucial to get a possible opportunity for the title, since Solo and Jimmy have lost more fighting than they have won. The fight was fine, and the crowd got involved in the victory of the heroes.
The defeat is another great setback for Sikoa and Fatu. The post-combate beating in the parking lot was the best part and will lead to another confrontation between Monster and Werewolf in the next week.
#2. Worse – The Queen's Return
Charlotte beat B-Fab in his first fight in more than 15 months. Why are you fighting for the first time from the rumble (more than 40 days)? As in the rumble, The Queen received fireworks during his entrance.
It is difficult to invest in a fight when the stars are treated/presented as Flair and B-Fab in SmackDown. The fight had several uncomfortable moments and exchanges, especially with blows.
Flair won predictably (and should have done it), but only broke his submission when Tiffany Stratton ran to the ring. The Queen immediately knocked Stratton once they got physical. The live crowd loved the separate fight.
The problem is that WWE has used that dynamic so much lately, killing the fire that should have had. Stratton and Flair wore pink equipment, so it was difficult to distinguish them in chaos. Charlotte did not sell Stratton's Moonsault at the end of the segment, sitting five seconds after it happened.
#1. Better – SmackDown rivalry built in logic
Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest are scheduled to fight in Wrestlemania 41. After recent clashes, McIntyre gave a logical reasoning about why he is pointing to Priest in 2025.
He mentioned how The Archer of Infamy charged his briefcase on him in Wrestlemania 40 and beat him twice thanks to the help of CM Punk. The Scottish warrior also had problems with Priest, who eliminated him from Rumble and Chamber.
However, this is how those fighting are won. McIntyre did not end, since he attacked Priest during his fight with Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura and Priest had great chemistry as two of the most experienced strokes in WWE.
The strange thing, however, was that no one tried to separate things except an arbitrator. They must have been selling Stratton's Swanton Bomb.
#1. Better/Worst – Another Change of Title Before Wrestlemania 41
WWE is going to the well too many times before the largest show of the year. Five titles have changed hands in the last two weeks in the three brands of WWE.
Iyo Sky, Shawn Spears, the Knight, Stephanie Vaquer and the Street Profits claimed gold on the way to Wrestlemania. The fight was great, as expected, since SmackDown's division is the best of the company.
Johnny Gargano accidentally kicked Tommaso Ciamp, giving the Profits the opening for victory. The problem is that doing the same repeatedly removes the brightness of each change of title.
#1. Worse – Roman Reigns does not appear on the “Roman Reigns Day”
Paul Heyman gave a promotion by stating that it was the “day of Roman Reigns” since WWE 2K25 was officially launched. But as in the revelation of the cover, Reigns decided not to appear live for fans.
The Wiseman said the tribal chief would appear live in Italy The next one week, causing boos of the multitude of Barcelona. Heyman said they should not boo, but buy cheap plane tickets for the SmackDown next week.
His promo fell flat and was among the worst of his historic career. Since he returned in RAW, Reigns should have explained his actions. Instead, he maintained his schedule of not appearing in important shows.
