The 03/26/19 edition of WWE SmackDown Live, out of the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, 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 #1023 of SmackDown by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
It’s a New Day, Yes It Is
Is #TheNewDay thinking of walking away from @WWE? #SDLive @TrueKofi @XavierWoodsPhD @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/TL85haHSlW
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 27, 2019
The New Day opened the show to massive applause; many thought they would be forlorn over the recent events surrounding Kofi Kingston, but they came with pancakes and positivity, as always.
They thanked the WWE Universe for the wild ride they’ve been on over the years, but said that WWE’s treatment of Kofi Kingston has made them consider leaving the company.
Xavier Woods and his tag team partners demanded that Vince McMahon come to the ring and explain himself, adding that they would gladly wait all night until he did.
McMahon did come to the ring, but before he could say anything, Daniel Bryan and Rowan appeared on the stage. Bryan launched into a vitriol-filled speech about The New Day being a stale, replaceable act and Kofi Kingston being a B+ player.
Vince McMahon allowed the two groups to argue for a moment, then cut in, positing that The New Day were never going to quit, they were simply using the threat to get what they want. And as much as he appreciated them, they would always be a B+ tag team, and Kofi Kingston would never be main event talent.
Daniel Bryan continuously attempted to interrupt Vince’s speech, but The Chairman persisted, eventually announcing that if The New Day were able to win a Tag Team Gauntlet Match later in the evening, Kofi could have his precious WrestleMania moment.
Becky Lynch is the Main Event
“What does that undeserving third wheel bring to this match? – the #WrestleMania MAiN EVENTER @BeckyLynchWWE on @MsCharlotteWWE #SDLive pic.twitter.com/672yTYy4SM
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 27, 2019
Backstage, Becky Lynch was interviewed regarding the main event of WrestleMania being confirmed as the Triple Threat for the Raw Women’s Championship. Becky said she brought the people, Ronda Rousey brought the title, but Charlotte Flair added nothing.
Charlotte clearly disagreed, interrupting Becky’s speech as she walked to the ring for her match.
Asuka (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
SmackDown Live Women’s Championship Match
Were you ready for THIS, @MsCharlotteWWE? #SDLive #WomensTitle @WWEAsuka pic.twitter.com/PvqPxcILhE
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 27, 2019
No one, not even the announcers, had any idea how Charlotte Flair obtained this Championship match, but since she had it, she was, of course, going to give her all to capture the title.
Charlotte went after her old rival with no mercy, working Asuka’s left leg throughout much of the match. The Empress was able to momentarily shift the momentum in her favor with a drop kick on the apron to the face of Charlotte, but The Queen quickly regained control.
After a barrage or two more of abuse, Asuka finally had enough and unleashed on Charlotte with every move in her arsenal, but became caught in the ropes and suffered a kick to the head at the hands of The Queen.
Charlotte attempted to finish Asuka with a moonsault, but was trapped in the Asuka Lock instead. Although she escaped, she looked slightly less dominant from here on out.
Asuka nearly won the match with a kick to the side of Charlotte’s face, then Charlotte gained a near fall with a Spanish Fly from the top rope, but neither woman was able to put the other away.
The Empress fought hard for her championship, but eventually succumbed to the Figure Eight, making Charlotte Flair the new SmackDown Live Women’s Champion.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles
An #RKOOuttaNowhere spells the end of @RealKurtAngle‘s FINAL #SDLive match…but @RandyOrton got an #AngleSlam for the inconvenience! pic.twitter.com/6c83elfF95
— WWE (@WWE) March 27, 2019
Prior to the match, AJ Styles spoke of how honored he was to be Kurt Angle’s opponent in his last match on SmackDown. When Styles arrived in the ring, he and Angle embraced as long-time friends before getting into the action.
Shortly after the match began, however, Randy Orton hit an RKO outta nowhere on AJ Styles, ending the match. Kurt Angle fired back at Orton with an Angle Slam before helping his old friend to his feet.
Winner: AJ Styles (via disqualification)
The Miz Makes Demands
United they purge. #SDLive #SAnitY @ShaneMcMahon @TheWWEWolfe @TheEricYoung @KillianDain pic.twitter.com/I8qNa17MiN
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 27, 2019
The Miz came to the ring to respond to Shane McMahon’s recent unkind words. He said that, after further thought, he had decided he wanted a Falls Count Anywhere Match against Shane McMahon at WrestleMania.
Guarded by no less than 13 men, Shane McMahon came to the stage, stopping Miz’s speech. Shane said that hurting Miz and his father gave him great pleasure, and now that he’s gotten a taste of blood, he’s out for more. Therefore, he would gladly accept Miz’s stipulation, because it would allow him to do maximum damage.
Shane then told Miz that his father’s biggest mistake was impregnating his mother, which incensed Miz to the point that he threw caution to the wind, running straight into the barricade of security guards, tossing them left and right on his way to Shane.
Miz made it past most of the hired security, but was finally stopped by the three SAnitY members, Eric Young, Killian Dain, and Alexander Wolfe. Though Miz was unable to reach Shane, he brawled with SAnitY through the arena until he was the only one left standing, then glared at Shane O’Mac, who had been watching from the stage.
Tag Team Gauntlet Match
If The New Day Wins, Kofi Kingston Gets a WWE Championship Match at WrestleMania
IT’S OVER 9000!!!#SDLive #GauntletMatch @XavierWoodsPhD pic.twitter.com/0d1azX7IZc
— WWE (@WWE) March 27, 2019
With Kofi Kingston banned from ringside, forced to watch the match with his fellow superstars from a monitor backstage, his New Day brothers, Big E and Xavier Woods, went to war for him. If Big E and Woods could defeat all the tag teams thrown at them, Kofi Kingston would get
The New Day vs. The Club
The New Day kicked off the gauntlet against The Club. After a few short moments, Big E and Xavier Woods defeated Gallows and Anderson with their Up Up Down Down finisher.
The New Day vs. Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura
Xavier Woods started things off against Shinsuke Nakamura. Woods hit a few big moves, but Nakamura gained the upper hand, tagging in Rusev to continue the beatdown. When Xavier began to pick up steam, Lana interfered, allowing Rusev and Shinsuke to gain control once again.
Big E eventually tagged in, and appeared to be getting close to defeating Rusev, but Nakamura was right there to prevent it. Moments later, Nakamura went for the Kinshasa on Big E, but E dodged the attack, and he and Xavier Woods landed another Up Up Down Down, advancing to the third match.
The New Day vs. The Bar
A little worse for wear after their hard-fought battle against Rusev and Nakamura, Big E and Xavier Woods struggled to gain momentum against Sheamus and Cesaro. When they did, however, it went downhill quickly for The Bar.
Xavier Woods went after both Sheamus and Cesaro, taking them out with a dive to the floor before throwing Cesaro back in to pin him, and would have won if Sheamus hadn’t broken it up.
Back from commercial, Sheamus looked to be trying for a Brogue Kick on Big E, who caught him in mid-air, slamming him down with a powerbomb.
Shortly after, Big E pulled Cesaro from the apron to prevent any interference while Xavier Woods took the victory with a roll-up.
The Bar did not go quietly, however, beating down both Big E and Xavier before putting E through a table set up in the ring.
The New Day vs. The Usos
The Usos marched to the ring while Big E was still incapacitated, wearing their usual aggressive demeanors, but did not attack The New Day. Instead, they each grabbed microphones and said that The New Day were worthy adversaries in the past, and all the history between the teams had given Jimmy and Jey an immense amount of respect for Woods, Big E, and Kofi Kingston.
They went on to say that no one deserved a WWE Championship match more than Kofi, and they, therefore, refused to fight, forfeiting the match and making The New Day the winners of the gauntlet
Winner: The New Day
One More Match
You deserve it, @TrueKofi. #WrestleMania #SDLive #GauntletMatch pic.twitter.com/T5bRvrSQkM
— WWE (@WWE) March 27, 2019
Daniel Bryan had been watching the match with Rowan from a locker room backstage. When he saw the ending, he absolutely lost it, kicking the television from its stand and throwing furniture around the room, nearly nailing Rowan in the face with a flying chair.
One more hurdle for The New Day to overcome, Big E and Xavier Woods were forced to fight one more tag team: Daniel Bryan and Rowan.
Bryan and Rowan were ruthless. Daniel Bryan pummeled Big E in the ring while Rowan
From there, Bryan and Rowan became desperate, Bryan ordering Rowan to use an announce table in their assault of The New Day. This plan backfired when Big E threw Rowan into it instead, then flipped the entire table on top of him for good measure.
Rowan unable to escape from beneath the table, and Bryan laid out at ringside after being thrown into the barricade by Xavier Woods, The New Day won via count-out.
Overjoyed by his teammates’ victory, Kofi Kingston sprinted down the ramp to join the celebrate. Backstage, Vince McMahon was climbing into his limo when Kayla Braxton caught up to him and asked, once and for all, if Kofi Kingston would be going to WrestleMania.
Reluctantly, Vince said that Kofi had won his WrestleMania moment, but made sure to add that he still didn’t think Kofi had any chance of winning the title.
Back in the arena, the entire roster flooded the ring to celebrate with Kofi Kingston, whose story has been nothing short of a fairytale come to life.
Winner: The New Day
What letter grade would you give tonight's show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) March 27, 2019
