The 02/26/19 edition of WWE SmackDown Live, out of the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, just wrapped up. We’ve got the match results, as well as our overall thoughts on the show, for you to check out below. Let us know what you thought about episode #1019 of SmackDown by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
Contract Signing: Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston
"There are people who love @TrueKofi and there are liars." – @WWEBigE & @XavierWoodsPhD#KofiMania #SDLive pic.twitter.com/eKzVQPf2I3
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 27, 2019
Stephanie and Shane McMahon opened the show with the contract signing between Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston for their WWE Championship Match at Fastlane. Stephanie and Shane gave an overview of Kofi Kingston’s illustrious 11 year career with WWE. They admitted that he may have been overlooked up to this point, but they could see him clearly now.
After discussing his past accomplishments, they talked about more recent feats, such as winning the gauntlet match on SmackDown two weeks ago and nearly defeating Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship in the Elimination Chamber.
Daniel Bryan and his partner in crime, Rowan, sat patiently while they introduced Kofi Kingston and his New Day teammates, though neither man looked happy with all the fanfare around Kofi.
Kingston was welcomed to the ring with a massive “you deserve it” chant. After thanking the WWE Universe for their support, he turned his attention toward Daniel Bryan, telling the champ that as Fastlane, he was going to become the new WWE Champion.
Just as Kofi Kingston was about to sign the contract, he was interrupted by Vince McMahon. Mr. McMahon told Kofi that he appreciated all of his hard work over the past 11 years, but he had to replace him at Fastlane. This caused massive outrage from both the crowd and Xavier Woods and Big E. He said his replacement was more deserving than him, quite frankly, and introduced his pick – Kevin Owens, marking The Prizefighter’s return to WWE TV after
Owens marched straight to the ring, signed the contract, and sat glaring at Daniel Bryan as The New Day made their exit, Xavier and Big E still screaming about injustices, and Kofi Kingston silent, but looking anguished.
As they vanished into the backstage area, Xavier Woods and Big E promised to make it right for their friend.
Backstage, it was revealed that Stephanie and Shane McMahon had no idea that Kevin Owens was going to replace Kofi Kingston, they didn’t even know he was back from injury. Kevin told them that Daniel Bryan and Rowan looked a little too smug out in the ring, so he wanted to team with Kofi Kingston to face them later in the evening. Steph and Shane neither agreed with nor denied his request, but said they would think about it.
The Hardy Boyz vs. The Bar
The #HardyBoyz haven't missed a step. #SDLive @JEFFHARDYBRAND @MATTHARDYBRAND pic.twitter.com/y4ahpvUsqv
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 27, 2019
Matt Hardy made his in-ring return in this tag match against The Bar. With Matt and Jeff united once more, this was essentially a Hardy Boyz showcase, the brothers demonstrating why they are known as one of the most legendary tag teams in WWE history.
Sheamus and Cesaro were about to turn the tables momentarily, but just as they looked like they might be closing in on the win, Sheamus was hit with a Twist of Fate from Matt Hardy followed by a Swanton from Jeff, and the match was over.
Winner: The Hardy Boyz
R-Truth Issues an Open Challenge
CAN YOU SEE THIS, @JohnCena?!?! #SDLive @RonKillings pic.twitter.com/Ho4O6WVKWn
— WWE (@WWE) February 27, 2019
R-Truth came to the ring with Carmella and announced that, as he always wanted to be like his hero, John Cena, he was going to issue an open challenge for his United States Championship. After a quick dance break, he welcomed anyone to come out and face him. Unfortunately, the call was answered by two competitors: Andrade and Rey Mysterio.
This left Truth with a dilemma, who to choose? The question came with a simple answer: what would John Cena do? Carmella said John would face both competitors at once, of course! R-Truth was hesitant but accepted the triple threat challenge.
This match was awesome. All three men gave excellent performances, each throwing the most hard-hitting moves in their arsenals, determined to become (or stay) United States Champion. Mysterio hit an insane doomsday device hurricanrana from the top rope on Andrade, and at one point R-Truth nearly picked up the victory with a Five Knuckle Shuffle, just to make his hero John Cena proud.
Rey Mysterio went for a double 619 on Truth and Andrade, but Truth got out of the way, and Mysterio’s attack only hit Andrade. With Andrade laid out, Truth grabbed Mysterio from behind, retaining the title with a roll-up. R-Truth left with his championship, but Andrade was angry about the loss and attacked Mysterio. The two brawled for a few moments until Andrade had enough, and left Rey in the ring standing tall.
Winner: R-Truth
Charlotte Flair, The One True Queen
#WrestleMania-bound. #SDLive @MsCharlotteWWE #WWEFastlane pic.twitter.com/W8RasK6uLT
— WWE (@WWE) February 27, 2019
Charlotte Flair made her way to the ring to give an overview of the recent events leading up to her replacement of Becky Lynch in the main event of WrestleMania, and why she deserved such an honor.
She talked about Ronda Rousey laying the Raw Women’s Championship at Stephanie McMahon’s feet last night on Raw and said she would never have done such a thing, but she understood what was happening. Ronda and Becky both feared Charlotte, and Ronda would clearly rather give up the championship than face her.
And since Ronda Rousey doesn’t have what it takes to be queen, Charlotte will be going to Raw next Monday to claim her Women’s Championship.
Aleister Black and Ricochet vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev
Mind games, you say? @WWEAleister knows a thing or two about them. #SDLive @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/kY1U0hX3dG
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 27, 2019
Shinsuke and Aleister Black kicked things off, Black showing Nakamura exactly why he wasn’t someone to be taken lightly. He then tagged in Ricochet, who had slightly less luck against The King of Strongstyle. And once Shinsuke had roughed Ricochet up a bit, he let Rusev continue the destruction.
Shinsuke and Rusev made it clear very early that they had no problem using double team tactics to wear down their opponent, keeping Ricochet as far away from Black as possible. Unfortunately, they did not take Ricochet’s particular brand of athleticism into account, which allowed him to escape the pummeling and tag Black back in.
Rusev and Shinsuke continued their double team maneuvers on Aleister, but the momentum began to slip away from, and Nakamura was eventually brought down with a Black Mass after Aleister Black narrowly avoided the Kinshasa.
Winner: Aleister Black and Ricochet
AJ Styles Interview
Looks like "The House That @AJStylesOrg Built" just got a new intruder… #SDLive @RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/fKNaUKpvYa
— WWE (@WWE) February 27, 2019
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviewed AJ Styles, and wasted no time asking him the hard questions. She wanted to know how Styles felt being in the first “slump” of his WWE career.
Styles seemed less than pleased by the question, saying that even if Daniel Bryan was on top at the moment, SmackDown was still the house that AJ Styles built. At that moment, Randy Orton appeared on the scene, mocking Styles before walking away.
Kofi Kingston and Kevin Owens vs. Daniel Bryan and Rowan
Take it all in, @FightOwensFight! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/KqR40OYQhj
— WWE (@WWE) February 27, 2019
Despite being at odds over the WWE Championship Match at Fastlane, Kofi Kingston and Kevin Owens did their best to put their differences aside against to bring down their common enemies, Daniel Bryan and Rowan.
Bryan and Rowan had different ideas, however, double teaming Kofi for much of the match while Kevin Owens watched anxiously from their corner. Daniel Bryan did his worst to Kofi, at one point hitting a massive superplex on Kofi, but was unable to defeat him. Kingston had Bryan worn down, but was exhausted from his efforts, and allowed Owens to tag himself in as he rolled out of the ring.
Owens was forced to contend with both Daniel Bryan and Rowan, as Bryan’s partner made numerous attempts at preventing him from being pinned. Rowan threw Owens into one of the announce tables, but Kofi had managed to get his feet back under him, and took Rowan out, allowing Owens to hit Bryan with a Stone Cold Stunner to get the victory.
Winner: Kofi Kingston and Kevin Owens
What letter grade would you give tonight's show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) February 27, 2019
