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WWE Wrestlemania is in the books and the Granddaddy of Them All didn’t disappoint. In the first WWE Smackdown since the big show, all eyes are pointing in the direction of the blue brand. The tag team titles were on the line, in addition to Roman Reigns speaking his mind.
Every match on WWE Smackdown will include highlights, what the storyline progression is, and a final analysis. Each match will be given a star rating and be ranked from worst to best.
Matches Ranked from Worst to Best
5) Natalya d. Shayna Baszler
Highlights: Natayla gets Shayna Baszler on the ground earlier before she heads outside. Nia Jax serves as a distraction to Natalya allowing Baszler to get a cheap shot in the middle of the ring. Natalya goes for a sharpshooter before Jax gets on the apron. A miscue between Baszler and Jaz allows Natalya to get the roll-up victory.
Safe to say it's not over between @NiaJaxWWE & @QoSBaszler and @NatbyNature & @TaminaSnuka. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/IW5DmL09ve
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 17, 2021
Storyline Progression: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defeated Natalya and Tamina Snuka at Wrestlemania. In a mini form of revenge, Natalya had the shot to one-up the women’s tag team champions.
Final Analysis: Not much to see here. This felt rushed, especially going at it without any entrances. Take a Pass. DUD
WWE Smackdown: Mysterio back on track
4) Rey Mysterio d. Otis
Highlights: Otis gets the early advantage with his power before Rey Mysterio connects with a top rope sitting senton. Rey attempts a springboard splash but is caught by Otis into a powerslam. Otis attempts a second rope splash but Rey moves and hits the 619. Rey leaps from the second rope and connects with a crucifix pin for the win.
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1383217691477958656
Storyline Progression: In recent weeks, Rey Mysterio and his son Dominik have been challenging for the tag team titles. Otis and his partner Chad Gable have been doing the same. Rey and Otis met one on one in an attempt to position their respective team ahead.
Final Analysis: Fun but quick match as Rey Mysterio and Otis have good chemistry together. Not much to see due to the length but you can Skim It. **
WWE Smackdown: Wrestlemania rematch
3) Kevin Owens d. Sami Zayn
Highlights: They brawl outside to start before Kevin Owens throws Sami Zayn into the ring. Owens bounces out of the corner with a stiff closeline to Zayn before crushing him with a senton. Zayn bails outside before getting the better of Ownes on the apron and unloading with right hands in the middle of the ring. Owens regains the advantage with a drop suplex on the top rope before setting Zayn on the top turnbuckle.
We thought @FightOwensFight had it there! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/8kLzwychLr
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 17, 2021
Zayn fights Ownes off with a sunset flip powerbomb for a two count at the commercial. Back from the break and Zayn misses a splash from the top before eating a superkick from Owens. Owens heads up himself and gets a two-count off a Swanton bomb. Zayn bails outside but upon returning to the ring, he falls into a cradle neckbreaker for a near fall. Zayn heads to the outside again and up the ramp as he’s counted out. After the match, Owen drags Zayn back into the ring and lays him out with a stunner.
Storyline Progression: After losing his match at WWE Wrestlemania, Sami Zayn appeared on WWE Smackdown to vent his frustration. Kevin Owens appeared to accept Zayn’s challenge in a rematch from the big show.
Final Analysis: As expected, this was another quality effort from both guys. Not quite as good at their Wrestlemania match, but a solid effort nonetheless. Worth the Watch. ***1/4
WWE Smackdown: Main Event
2) Cesaro d. Jey Uso
Highlights: The action starts quickly before Cesaro catches Jey Uso off the rope and into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Uso fires to fight back on the apron but is booted to the outside before landing a superkick on Cesaro heading into commercial. Back from the break, Uso is in control working the arm until Cesaro makes a comeback with a crossbody from the top rope for a near fall. Uso regains the advantage with a low-angle superkick and a corner avalanche for a two-count.
BERSERKER BARRAGE by @WWECesaro #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/wIE66PgEwm
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 17, 2021
Both men head to the top, as Cesaro lands an uppercut and a gut-wrench suplex that gets another close count. Cesaro then bounces off the ropes with a corkscrew elbow. Uso goes for a backdrop before altering it into a neckbreaker onto the Swiss Superman. Cesaro makes another comeback and gets yet another near fall following a tornado closeline. After Cesaro puts Uso in the Big Swing, Seth Rollins heads to the ring for the attack causing the DQ.
https://twitter.com/WWEonFOX/status/1383238579036426241
Storyline Progression: Roman Reigns kicked off WWE Smackdown to gloat about his win at Wrestlemania. After running down Edge and Daniel Bryan with Paul Heyman by his side, Cesaro came to the ring to challenge the Universal Champion. In the locker room, Heyman declined Cesaro’s challenge but offered up Jey Uso instead.
Final Analysis: Solid main event that puts Cesaro in the main event picture where he belongs. Involving Rollins again to prolong their feud is an interesting decision so we’ll have to wait and see what happens next on WWE Smackdown. Worth a Watch. ***1/4
Tag Titles on the Line
1) WWE Smackdown Tag Team Title Match: The Dirty Dawgs vs The Street Profits
Highlights: Dolph Ziggler and Angelo Dawkins start things off before Montez Ford gets a quick tag and two-count off a dropkick. The Street Profits exchange tags before Ziggler breaks free to tag in Robert Roode. The Street Profits quickly regain the offense with a double team on both men before the action heads outside before the commercial. Back from the break as Roode hits a spinebuster on Dawkins to get a two-count. The Dirty Dawgs work over Dawkins using frequent tags until Ziggler is caught and catapulted into the corner. Ford gets the hot tag and cleans house on Ziggler and Roode who head outside. Ford takes out both men with a flipping plancha before a frog splash gets a near fall back inside on Roode. Ziggler makes a blind tag who hits a zig-zag on Ford for the win.
TAKE BACK SZN has been canceled. #ANDStill SmackDown Tag Team Champions: @HEELZiggler & @RealRobertRoode! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/JNdhiuBKnh
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 17, 2021
Storyline Progression: The Street Profits have been one of the key teams to push The Dirty Dawgs for the titles in recent weeks. On the first WWE Smackdown after Wrestlemania, the Street Profits got their chance.
Final Analysis: I thought The Street Profits would get the titles here but this was a very good match from start to finish. Ford and Dawkins have a bright future but Ziggler and Roode don’t get enough credit for evolving into a solid tag team. Worth a Watch. ***1/2