The 01/22/19 edition of WWE SmackDown Live, out of the Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, 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 #1014 of WWE SmackDown Live by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
The Man, The Empress, and The Queen
Mission accomplished, Queen? 😉 #SDLive #RoyalRumble @MsCharlotteWWE @WWEAsuka @BeckyLynchWWE pic.twitter.com/khEkTsw94R
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2019
Becky Lynch opened the show with an important announcement: she planned to main event WrestleMania, beating down every woman who crossed her path on the way there, starting with Asuka.
Lynch went on to remind everyone that Asuka didn’t actually beat her for the title, and she wouldn’t be able to beat her at the Royal Rumble. This prompted Asuka to come to the ring to scream in Becky’s face.
Charlotte Flair interrupted the argument to say that, as “excited” as she was to watch Asuka and Becky’s match on Sunday, she was still the leader of the SmackDown Women’s division and the main event.
Asuka attacked Becky from behind while she was distracted, igniting a brawl around the ring while Charlotte made a quiet exit. The Man eventually overcame The Empress, leaving the champ screaming after her as she walked away.
After a commercial break, Lynch and Asuka were shown brawling again, this time backstage. The scuffle continued until they were pulled apart by officials.
Naomi vs. Mandy Rose
Keep up with the GLOW! #SDLive @NaomiWWE @WWE_MandyRose pic.twitter.com/GxCIFapXVX
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2019
After a video package straight out of The Bachelor was shown, Naomi made her entrance, ready to take vengeance on Mandy Rose.
Naomi was so ready, in fact, that she attacked Mandy before she made it to the ring. From there, it became a fun back and forth match with both women giving a strong performance. Naomi probably would have won if Sonya Deville hadn’t interfered, giving Rose the edge she needed to get a last-minute victory.
Jimmy Uso (Naomi’s husband) came to the ring to comfort her following the loss. Hopefully, Naomi finally gets her revenge when she and Mandy inevitably lock up in the Royal Rumble match.
Winner: Mandy Rose
The Miz vs. Cesaro
Forever and always the #SwissCyborg! #SDLive @WWECesaro pic.twitter.com/QXkQmhX31h
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2019
In preparation for their tag team championship bout this Sunday, one half of each team faced each other in one-on-one action.
Cesaro did a great job of cutting Miz off at every turn, and though Miz put up quite a fight, he was eventually taken down by a Neutralizer (after Sheamus helped his partner just a touch).
Shane McMahon was less than happy about the outcome of the match and attacked Sheamus the moment it was over. He then tried to put Cesaro through an announce table but was stopped by Sheamus, who beat both members of Shane O’Miz before laying Miz on the announce table and throwing Shane through it.
Winner: The Bar
Mustafa Ali: Future WWE Champion
The eyes tell the story for @MustafaAliWWE. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/wWN3EULNXH
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2019
Mustafa Ali absolutely destroyed a promo reminiscent of the videos he recorded and posted to Twitter himself (which were always awesome). Ali truly has it all: insane talent, off-the-charts levels of heart, and excellent mic skills. Don’t be surprised to see him snatch one of the top championships sometime in the (hopefully near) future.
AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan Face Off
“Vince, of course you don’t want to listen to this… because YOU and the baby boomer generation are PARASITES of this world!”
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2019
Be careful what you say to @VinceMcMahon, @WWEDanielBryan… #SDLive pic.twitter.com/hWqOmUdU9V
Vince McMahon came to the ring to mediate a face to face interaction between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan. Well.. it was supposed to be face to face, but Daniel refused to “get in the ring with a sociopath.”
Bryan then ran down AJ Styles, saying that Styles might be the people’s favorite, but Bryan was the Earth’s favorite. Styles disagreed, and the two continued to argue until Vince had enough and demanded that Bryan get in the ring.
Daniel not only denied his request but blamed him and his entire generation for the destruction of the planet. Once again, Daniel refused, continuing his eco-friendly rampage until AJ Styles decided they were going to have a face to face
A brawl broke out between Styles and Bryan, of which Styles almost came out on top, but Bryan hid behind Vince to avoid Styles’ devastating forearm, then laid Styles out before retreating back up the ramp.
Samoa Joe vs. Mustafa Ali
.@MustafaAliWWE will NOT be intimidated by @SamoaJoe! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/9I9Hdif5Wq
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2019
As we’re sure you would expect, these two had a killer match with one another. Samoa Joe held the upper hand for the start of the match but, with his boundless heart and perseverance, Mustafa Ali was able to give Joe a run for his money, going strike for strike with the Samoan Destroyer.
Unfortunately for Mustafa, once Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch, it’s very difficult to escape. After an impressive performance, Ali tapped out to Joe’s lethal submission.
Winner: Samoa Joe
The New Day Talks Royal Rumble
“Is @EdgeRatedR here? OH NO, HE IS NOT!” – @WWEBigE
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2019
No dice, @TonyChimelWWE. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/CCKtNsXgtO
Backstage, Kayla Braxton approached The New Day to ask how they felt going into the Rumble – and if they were willing to eliminate each other.
They refused to comment on their strategy and asked that people stop asking them about eliminating each other, as they are asked the same question every year. Even Tony Chimel was immediately shot down when he made a special appearance just to ask.
Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade
2-Out-Of-3 Falls Match
This match is already a classic.@AndradeCienWWE: 1@ReyMysterio: 0#2OutOf3Falls #SDLive pic.twitter.com/r3unDTAsOD
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2019
This match started off hot. Neither Rey nor Andrade was shy about throwing their best shots at the other right from the start. After a hard-hitting few minutes, Andrade scored the first fall with a massive powerbomb from the top rope.
Andrade quickly went for another powerbomb in an attempt to gain the second fall and win the match, but Rey somehow managed to reverse it into a Canadian Destroyer, stealing the fall for himself.
The action continued, each spot more impressive than the last, each man determined to prove himself better than the other. Mysterio nearly took the victory with an inverted
Grabbing a mic, Joe reminded everyone that he was there to make a statement. What they saw was simply a preview of what would happen at the Royal Rumble. Randy Orton got the last laugh, however, as Joe was abruptly cut off by an RKO outta nowhere.
Winner: Andrade (via disqualification)
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) January 23, 2019
