The 03/19/19 edition of WWE SmackDown Live, out of the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, 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 #1022 of SmackDown by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
The Miz Answers to No One
“@ShaneMcMahon, you are a conniving, vile, disgusting human being! You are rotten to the core, just like your father.” @mikethemiz is NOT holding back tonight! 😯 #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Seq3fVb0Ol
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2019
The Miz came to the ring to open the show and, after showing a video package depicting Shane McMahon’s heinous actions of the last few weeks, Miz talked about how much Shane’s friendship meant to him.
He went on to say that he couldn’t wait to be partners with Shane McMahon, even though everyone “warned him” about Shane’s true colors. Miz said Shane wasn’t the best in the world, he was the worst. And just because the McMahons are billionaires doesn’t mean they own him, or Kofi, for that matter.
Miz has had to fight for an earn everything he has, and all Shane has earned is a beating from Miz at WrestleMania.
Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. The IIconics
The #IIconics wanted @SashaBanksWWE? She’s here. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/jndCIWYPZn
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 20, 2019
After weeks of demanding a match with the Women’s Tag Team Champions, The IIconics got their wish, as Sasha Banks and Bayley finally made their way to SmackDown Live.
Bayley and Sasha were in the middle of putting the boots to Billie Kay when Lacey Evans’ music distracted the women. Using double team maneuvers, Billie and Peyton nearly put Bayley away, but the Huggable One kicked out.
The IIconics continued to wear Bayley down until Sasha Banks got the hot tag, immediately dishing out a little payback for her partner. However, after a big boot from Billie took Bayley out of commission, she gave Peyton just a little nudge toward victory and they were able to defeat Sasha Banks.
Winner: The IIconics
Rey Mysterio is Going to WrestleMania
.@reymysterio plans to win the #USTitle at #WrestleMania with his son watching ringside! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/EXwyYwRSP8
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2019
Standing proudly next to his son Dominick, Rey Mysterio announced that he would be facing Samoa Joe for the United States Championship at WrestleMania. His son then gave an adorable speech, declaring that his dad was going to the show of shows to do what he did best: take care of bullies and bring home the gold.
The KO Show: Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch
.@MsCharlotteWWE: I’m going to beat the holy hell out of @BeckyLynchWWE!
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2019
Becky, your retort?#SDLive #FightBeckyFight #FightCharlotteFight pic.twitter.com/6j6P4OknzJ
On the first Kevin Owens Show since the return of The Prizefighter, Owens had two very special guests: Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. In classic KO Show fashion, Kevin Owens conducted his interview in a seemingly professional manner while subtly dropping barbs between his guests until they were so angry, they broke out into a brawl.
Officials were eventually able to separate them, but there’s no denying tensions are at an all time high between the ex-best friends.
The Planet’s Champion Gives His Opinion
Injustice.
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2019
The New @WWEDanielBryan thinks it’s an INJUSTICE that “B+ Player” @TrueKofi might get an opportunity to face him at #WrestleMania. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/0EDLhEifkE
Daniel Bryan and Rowan came to the ring, appearing to have no motive other than to tear Kofi Kingston down before his gauntlet match.
Bryan said, despite The New Day’s ability to sell endless amounts of useless novelties, Kofi Kingston was nothing special and was undeserving of a single ounce of the spotlight he is currently receiving.
Before he could get too far along with his diatribe, The New Day’s music hit and Kofi Kingston, along with Big E and Xavier Woods, appeared on the stage. E and Woods gave Kingston a quick pep talk and sent him on his way to face the string of Vince McMahon’s appointed behemoths.
Kofi Kingston Runs the Gauntlet
Kofi Kingston vs. Sheamus
Statement made (x2). #SDLive #GauntletMatch @TrueKofi @WWESheamus @WWECesaro pic.twitter.com/z6GE9SFfO4
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2019
To make things as difficult as possible for Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods were banned from ringside, but they watched closely from a monitor backstage.
Kofi and Sheamus were stuck at a stalemate until Kofi crashed into Sheamus with a dive to the floor. Unfortunately, Sheamus came back immediately with a knee to the face of Kingston, then followed it up with his Beats Of The Bodhran clubs to Kofi’s chest.
With plenty of assistance from Cesaro, Sheamus dominated Kofi Kingston for much of the match. At the very end, however, Kofi Kingston was able to land a Trouble in Paradise, advancing to the second round.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston vs. Cesaro
.@TrueKofi looks to inch closer and closer to his #WrestleMania dreams! #SDLive #GauntletMatch @WWECesaro pic.twitter.com/ujzW7qn47z
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2019
Kofi Kingston had mere seconds to catch his breath after his match with Sheamus, as Cesaro had been standing at ringside throughout the entire match and jumped into the ring the second it was over.
With a similar game plan to his tag team partner, Cesaro used the biggest moves in his arsenal to dominate Kingston throughout the majority of the action.
And like the match against Sheamus, Kofi Kingston came back in the final moments with the best he had. Cesaro went for the Neutralizer, which Kofi countered into an SOS, winning the match.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston vs. Rowan
.@ERICKROWAN disqualifies himself, but the damage has been done to @TrueKofi. #SDLive #GauntletMatch pic.twitter.com/xti32Rq27K
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2019
Daniel Bryan’s righthand man, Rowan, came to the ring ready to destroy Kofi Kingston. In fact, he tried to attack Kofi before the match even started but was stopped by the referee.
Rowan had a slightly different tactic than Sheamus and Cesaro, using his size and strength to essentially crush Kingston. When Kingston refused to stay down, Rowan smashed a steel chair into Kofi’s back, disqualifying himself, but doing serious damage to his opponent.
And even after the match was over, he continued the abuse, ragdolling Kofi around the ringside area before using his Iron Claw to put Kofi through an announce table.
Winner: Kofi Kingston (via disqualification)
Kofi Kingston vs. Samoa Joe
In all honesty, @SamoaJoe scares us. #SDLive #GauntletMatch @TrueKofi pic.twitter.com/TQ1a7vrb4v
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 20, 2019
With a growing number of friends and colleagues gathering around the monitor with Big E and Xavier Woods backstage, Kofi Kingston moved on to his fourth opponent, Samoa Joe.
Showing absolutely no concern for Kingston’s well-being after the vicious attack from Rowan moments earlier, Samoa Joe pummeled Kofi relentlessly, alternating between submissions and devastating strikes.
Samoa Joe’s luck ran out when he tried to finish Kingston off with a muscle buster and lost the match when Kofi pinned him with a roll-up.
As expected, Joe did not take the loss well, doing his best to put Kofi to sleep with a Coquina Clutch. When he succeeded, he left Kofi lying in a heap in the ring.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton
Last but not least, and he’ll tell you that to your face. #GauntletMatch #SDLive @RandyOrton @TrueKofi pic.twitter.com/5dNeWkXabM
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 20, 2019
Down to the last shreds of his strength, Kofi Kingston did his damnedest to withstand The Viper’s merciless onslaught.
Fitting the pattern of the other matches, Randy Orton went for an RKO and Kofi Kingston countered with a Trouble in Paradise. Much worse for wear at this point, however, Kingston was unable to make the pin and Orton rolled out of the ring.
Frustrated by the near loss, Orton continued to brutalize Kingston, hitting a DDT then going for an RKO a second time, but Kofi Kingston was able to catch him in a roll-up, officially winning the gauntlet match.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Not So Fast, Kofi Kingston
.@TrueKofi DID IT!!!!! After beating five others Superstars, @TrueKofi survives the Gauntlet to go to #WrestleMania! #SDLive #GauntletMatch pic.twitter.com/HchksmIZgX
— WWE (@WWE) March 20, 2019
The bell had barely rung and Big E and Xavier Woods were already in the ring, lifting Kofi above their heads and pointing to the WrestleMania sign in celebration.
Vince McMahon interrupted the party to congratulate Kofi Kingston, and to add that Kofi would be going to WrestleMania… as long as he could defeat one final opponent. Without Big E and Xavier Woods.
Daniel Bryan, Kofi Kingston’s sixth opponent of the evening, made his way to the ring.
Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan
Fight, @TrueKofi, fight. #SDLive #GauntletMatch @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/M8AgkM2ljQ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 20, 2019
Caught off guard by the addition of yet another match, Kofi Kingston struggled to fend off the WWE Champion. Bryan smashed into Kofi with strike after strike, Kofi barely hanging on.
Kingston landed an SOS, but only got a two count. He did everything he could to bring down the champ, but after an hour in the ring, a worn down Kofi Kingston was no match for a completely fresh Daniel Bryan, and Bryan won the match with a knee to the face of Kingston.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) March 20, 2019
