‘Friday Night Smackdown’ Review (Mar 22nd 2024)
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Santos Escobar def. Rey Mysterio
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis barred all members of LWO and Legado del Fantasma from ringside during the highly-personal showdown pitting Rey Mysterio against Santos Escobar, a mystery assailant wearing a Rey Mysterio mask emerged to interfere in the contest. The attacker revealed himself to be none other than “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio, as he paved the way for The Emperor of Lucha Libre to pick up the victory over the legendary luchador.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Austin Theory & Grayson Waller def. The O.C.
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In the height of a tournament qualifier with major WrestleMania implications, the official did not see Austin Theory put his feet on the ropes to steal the win from The O.C. The victory moved Theory and Grayson Waller one step closer to the Six-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title at WrestleMania.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #3: IYO SKY def. Naomi
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After IYO SKY took out her WrestleMania No. 1 Contender Bayley backstage prior to her match against Naomi, interference from Damage CTRL allowed the WWE Women’s Champion to ultimately overcome her opponent with Over The Moonsault.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: The Street Profits def. Authors of Pain
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In the final moments of the second Tag Team Tournament qualifier of the night, Montez Ford locked in the inside cradle out of nowhere to give himself and Angelo Dawkins a hard-fought victory over the dominant Authors of Pain. As a result, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins now move on to face A-Town Down Under in the hopes of earning a spot in the Six-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title at The Showcase of the Immortals.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Another week, another super-long closing promo featuring Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. THAT seems to be the focus for WWE these days and not putting out consistently great wrestling. Instead, we get average wrestling, too much talking and a focus on Wrestlemania that TOTALLY detracts from the weekly product. And if you’re not a fan of Rhodes & Reigns, or are getting tired of all this build then woe betide you. What I will say about this week’s promo(s) is that they felt so damn forced, there was no passion, no heart behind ANY of it. This seems to be the case the more and more these two face off week after week. Disappointing.
