The 03/05/19 edition of WWE SmackDown Live, out of the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, 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 #1020 of SmackDown by tweeting us, @TheRumbleRamble.
Kevin Owens Confronts The Planet’s Champion
“Do we have a problem, redwood?” @FightOwensFight @ERICKROWAN #SDLive
— WWE (@WWE) March 6, 2019
YEP! 😉 pic.twitter.com/XLbEfoKGLc
Daniel Bryan opened the show with Rowan by his side, watching a video summing up the events leading to the WWE Championship match between himself and Kevin Owens before speaking on the issue himself.
Bryan initially struggled to get the words out, as the crowd was chanting “Kofi” as loudly as they possibly could. When he was finally able to be heard, he said that Kofi was a “supporting player” and therefore was exactly where he needed to be – out of the main event scene.
He went on to say Kevin Owens isn’t any better though. He’s just like the audience – he eats too many pancakes and isn’t all that impressive, so he doesn’t deserve to be in the match either.
When Owens had heard enough, he came to the stage. He said that while he was injured, he was no longer a performer, he was simply a fan. And Daniel wasn’t a hero, he was a bully who thought he was better than everyone, and there was nothing Owens hated more. Bryan deserved to have his mouth shut for him, and Kevin was there to do it.
Owens was about to tell Bryan to shove his carrots up his… but Bryan cut him off, saying that he was lowbrow, just like the audience. Owens said that he agreed he was much more like the crowd than Bryan, as he didn’t have a reality show or a 7 foot tall backup dancer. Bryan said Owens didn’t have a follower because he didn’t have any friends.
After hinting at past mistakes, Owens told Bryan he was going to take his WWE Championship at Fastlane on Sunday, and a brawl broke out. Unfortunately for Owens, he was crushed by Rowan, who wasn’t about to let anything happen to The Planet’s Champ.
The Miz vs. Jey Uso
YAASSSSSS FRIEND! Loving the sass, @WWEUsos. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Y7dUH7liVX
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 6, 2019
The Usos made their entrance first, cutting a promo about their Fastlane opponents. Jimmy and Jey listed the reasons they couldn’t stand The Miz and Shane McMahon (while doing some fantastic impressions), as well as the reasons The Usos would emerge victorious after the Tag Team Championship Match.
Shane O’Miz then came to the
Although Jey Uso held the upper hand for much of the match, Jimmy Uso tried to interfere when Miz began to gain steam and was tackled by Shane McMahon. Jey was distracted by the commotion and defeated by a Skull Crushing Finale shortly thereafter.
Winner: The Miz
R-Truth’s Second United States Championship Open Challenge
.@AndradeCienWWE is the future of #SDLive, but is he the future #USChampion? #USOpenChallenge pic.twitter.com/NEXHIyCyB6
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 6, 2019
Following in the footsteps of his hero John Cena, R-Truth issued a second United States Championship open challenge. He was less than confident, considering he was still exhausted from the triple threat against Andrade and Rey Mysterio, but with Carmella’s encouragement, called for an opponent anyway.
Lacey Evans strutted down the ramp, and R-Truth was more than ready to take her on, but she turned around and went back the way she came. Truth thought he was in the clear until his real opponent marched toward the ring – Samoa Joe… followed by Andrade and Rey Mysterio.
The moment the Fatal 4-Way was underway, Samoa Joe dominated the competition, beating down all three of his opponents, even throwing Andrade into the announce table with a dive from the ring.
Back from commercial, it appeared someone had managed to put Joe out of action momentarily, as he was laid out on the floor as Rey Mysterio and Andrade focused on each other. Andrade landed a dropkick on Samoa Joe once he was back in the ring, then went for his double moonsault on Mysterio, but Joe broke up the pin.
From here, R-Truth had his moment, laying out Joe and Mysterio, then hitting a Five Knuckle Shuffle on both men at once. Joe caught Truth in a Coquina Clutch, but Rey Mysterio broke it up with a 619.
While the referee’s back was turned, Zelina smashed into Truth with a hurricanrana, which earned her a superkick from Carmella. Truth was down for the count, however, and with only Joe, Andrade, and Rey left in the ring, the three went back and forth until Joe finally won the match and the United States Championship with a spinning uranage.
Backstage, Samoa Joe was interviewed regarding his capture of the United States Championship. Joe said that his title reign would be nothing like Truth’s. There would be no pandering or John Cena love, there would simply be disrespect and pain for anyone who dared face him.
Winner: Samoa Joe
The Bar vs. Aleister Black and Ricochet
6️⃣3️⃣0️⃣.
— WWE (@WWE) March 6, 2019
The human GIF-machine @KingRicochet gets the win for his team on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/3uEBJsB7to
Unable to capture the Raw Tag Team Championships last night, Aleister Black and Ricochet came to SmackDown to prove their tag team prowess against The Bar.
Black and Ricochet wasted no time showing off, and just a few moments after the match began, Black hit Sheamus with a brutal knee to the face. The pin was broken up by Cesaro, who quickly tried to pin Black, but failed to put him away.
Aleister hit a Black Mass on Cesaro but tagged in Ricochet instead of going for the pin so he could remove any chance of Sheamus interfering. Ricochet then landed his 630 on Cesaro, winning the match.
Immediately after the final bell, Rusev and Shinsuke ambushed Aleister Black and Ricochet. Luckily, the NXT duo seem to have made some friends backstage since their main roster debut, as they were saved by Matt and Jeff Hardy, who stood tall with them as Rusev and Shinsuke slunk away.
Winner: Aleister Black and Ricochet
Mandy Rose vs. Naomi
“Where’s @WWEAsuka?” Funny you should ask… #SDLive @WWE_MandyRose @SonyaDevilleWWE pic.twitter.com/IBY4D3AF39
— WWE (@WWE) March 6, 2019
Before her SmackDown Women’s Championship Match against Asuka on Sunday, Mandy Rose warmed up with a match against her least favorite person – Naomi. Unfortunately for Naomi, Sonya Deville caused a distraction and Mandy Rose quickly took the win with her Bed of Roses facebuster.
Sonya and Mandy were making their way back up the ramp when Asuka snuck up behind them, laying both women out before exchanging nods with Naomi and walking away.
Winner: Mandy Rose
AJ Styles’ Thoughts on Fastlane
“Are you seriously talking about how someone other than you deserves a title opportunity? I see why it took you 15 years to get here.” – @RandyOrton to @AJStylesOrg #SDLive pic.twitter.com/k9L2trCjVr
— WWE (@WWE) March 6, 2019
Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviewed AJ Styles regarding his thoughts on the WWE Championship match at Fastlane. He said that Kofi was absolutely robbed, but Kevin Owens wasn’t exactly in a good spot either, as he
Randy Orton approached, scoffing at The Phenomenal One for thinking of someone else’s championship match rather than getting one for himself. Styles’ soft heart was obviously the reason it took him so long to make it to WWE in the first place.
Kevin Owens vs. Rowan
Owens 3:16. #SDLive @FightOwensFight @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/oNUQjZT3HK
— WWE (@WWE) March 6, 2019
The brawl between Kevin Owens, Rowan, and Daniel Bryan earlier in the evening led to this match between Rowan and Owens, while Bryan sat at commentary, berating Owens the entire time.
Rowan was demolishing Owens when Bryan distracted him with his less than flattering commentary, and Owens attacked Bryan. Owens turned his attention back to
Bryan and Rowan continued their destruction of Kevin Owens until a returning Mustafa Ali ran down to make the save. Mustafa and Owens were able to run off the champ and his 7-foot tall
Winner: Kevin Owens (via disqualification)
Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch Have a Civil Discussion
🤘Battered
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 6, 2019
🤘Bruised
🤘Bad***#WWEFastlane #SDLive @BeckyLynchWWE @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/Gsxz4DpETr
Earlier in the evening, Charlotte Flair issued an invitation to Becky Lynch, as she wanted to have a “friendly discussion” with her Fastlane opponent. As The Man never turns down a challenge, she accepted.
Once in the ring, Charlotte led the crowd in a “Becky” chant to lure The Man out. Becky came to the ring and said that, although she isn’t 100%, she is more than ready to fight Charlotte. She knows that she’s in both Charlotte and Ronda’s heads and that alone makes the pain worth it.
Becky said she had nothing left to lose, which Charlotte responded to by smacking her in the face and throwing her to the mat. Charlotte began hitting Becky with her own crutch, but Becky caught her in the Dis-Arm-Her.
Officials did their best to pull the women apart, but Becky refused to let go and tried to chase after Charlotte even after she escaped. Charlotte angrily walked back up the ramp, never taking her eyes off of Becky, clearly thinking of all the things she planned to do to The Man at Fastlane.
What letter grade would you give tonight’s show? #SDLive
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) March 6, 2019
