Welcome to Ringside News’ coverage of WWE Friday Night SmackDown on FOX. Please keep refreshing throughout the show for constant updates once it kicks off at 8:00 PM EST.
WWE has two episodes of SmackDown to go until WrestleMania and tonight’s show could be an eventful one.
Roman Reigns did not perform at WrestleMania and he was replaced in his match against Goldberg. WWE should explain this big WrestleMania change on tonight’s show.
Bray Wyatt will have another Firefly Fun House. His match against John Cena received a Hollywood treatment at WrestleMania so this should be an interesting build.
Alexa Bliss and Asuka are in singles action. Bliss is still chasing the Kabuki Warrior’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
Drew Gulak also has a match against Shinsuke Nakamura. Last week a stipulation was set that if Gulak wins, Daniel Bryan will receive a WrestleMania IC Title match against Sami Zayn.
- Bray Wyatt opens the door to The Firefly Fun House
- Alexa Bliss and Asuka look to settle the score this Friday
- The New Day & The Usos put WrestleMania fate on the line
- Drew Gulak collides with Shinsuke Nakamura in a match with major WrestleMania implications
Bayley and Sasha Banks Promo
Bayley and The Boss came out. They said it’s not fair that Bayley has to defend her title at WrestleMania in a five-way. Bayley said their plan is going to backfire.
She trashed Paige and then pushed how close she is with Banks as Lacey Evans entered.
They called Evans a loser. Banks made fun of her daughter calling her a “bratty little kid.” Then Evans said Banks won’t be able to say her daughter’s name when she breaks her jaw. She will also take the title from Bayley.
Naomi came down next. She had some trash to talk. She will become the three-time Women’s Champion. “The Glow will shine the brightest once again on the grandest stage of them all.” Then out came Tamina Snuka.
Tamina just started taking all the babyfaces out after saying: “Actions speak louder than words.”
Then Bayley and Banks left before getting demolished by Snuka.
Drew Gulak vs Shinsuke Nakamura
If Gulak wins this match then he will secure a match for Daniel Bryan against Sami Zayn for the IC Title at WrestleMania.
Gulak took advantage early applying the boots. Then Cesaro pulled Nakamura out of the ring to save him from a beating.
Nakamura returned with a kick or three when Gulak went outside. Then Gulak took out Nakamura’s leg and started focusing on the leg to stop those kicks.
Nakamura landed a knee off the top rope for a two count. Then he started laying in more knee strikes on Gulak.
Nakamura went for a Kinshasa, but Bryan pulled Gulak away. Then Drew got a bridging pin for the win.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Dolph Ziggler was backstage. Then Otis ran up on him. People separated Otis from Dolph as he egged him on. Ziggler said that they’re going to have a match at WrestleMania. So that’s that and the match is booked. It will be a singles match apparently.
Elias was shown and he strummed his guitar and he played a song about King Corbin called “Kingdom Of Fools.” He stamped Corbin’s face on toilet paper. That’s a timely joke.
Corbin ran up on Elias and beat him down in the crow’s nest where Elias was. Then Corbin kicked Elias off the overlook balcony thing. They used post production editing to make it look better.
Asuka vs Alexa Bliss
Kairi Sane was not with Asuka. Cross was with Bliss. Cross jumped on commentary and Cole cried “social distancing.” Cross was very excited. She made this entire segment so much better.
The match carried on. Bliss laid in forearms, but Asuka no-sold them. Then Bliss nailed a dropkick for a two count. Nikki sat on the announce table and clapped away while cheering Bliss.
Asuka took Bliss down and danced a little. Then Nikki tried to rally fans by clapping. Bliss took Asuka out of the ring and mocked her. Then Bliss kicked Asuka off the apron to the floor and the brawled outside.
Bliss took a bump into the steps and then Asuka danced some more.
After the commercial, Bliss retained control after nailing Asuka with a kick after Asuka missed a hip attack through the ropes. Nikki cheered so hard she knocked her headset off.
The two battled on the apron and Bliss brought Asuka down hard on the ring apron. Bliss covered for a two count despite Nikki Cross’ cheering. “What is wrong with you? Seriously?” Cole asked her.
Then Bliss nailed another kick on Asuka and moved out of the way to avoid Asuka’s charge. Bliss hit a clothesline and a few punches. Then she hit a senton and Asuka rolled outside.
Bliss sent Asuka into the ring post, rolled her inside and got two two counts. Nikki Cross kept hitting Cole and annoying him.
Asuka grabbed Bliss and she backed the Empress Of Tomorrow into the ropes. Then Bliss nailed a DDT and got the win.
Winner: Alexa Bliss
The Usos cut a promo on The New Day. They said it wouldn’t be Mania unless the Usos battled New Day again. Usos said it’s a lockdown. I wish they weren’t serious about it.
They played Triple H vs Roman Reigns from WrestleMania 32
After the match, they cut to WWE Hall Of Famer Triple H backstage. Michael Cole asked Triple H about what it’s like facing both Reigns and Goldberg. Then he hyped their WrestleMania match that we all know isn’t happening.
The New Day cut a promo on The Usos backstage. They can’t wait for WrestleMania, they have to get through their boys The Usos first.
Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville were talking backstage. Then Mandy walked up and asked him why he’s facing Otis at Ziggler. She wanted to know if he had to rub it in Otis’ face with their pictures. She refused to let them wrestle over her like she’s some sort of a prize.
Firefly Fun House
Bray Wyatt was looking at a photo from Cena beating him at Mania XXX. Wyatt then turned on the charm. He’s super duper excited to see us. He tried to teach us something, but The Fiend’s decapitated head lamp was there.
Wyatt said that the lantern failed against Cena, but “he” won’t. Abby The Witch asked Wyatt if he has the secret recipe to beat John Cena.
He added disappointment, self loathing, hot sauce (for flavor) and rage and resentment in a blender. Then Ramblin Rabbit suggested a carrot so he can “see” John Cena. Then Wyatt put Ramblin Rabbit in the blender with his recipe and well. That’s it for Ramblin Rabbit this week.
Wyatt took a big drink and said that it went straight to his head. Then Wyatt said that their match isn’t going to be ordinary at all. They made it A Firefly Fun House match at Mania.
The New Day vs The Usos
These two teams fit so well. They started off evenly matched. Then the Usos got frustrated and took a walk on the outside. Miz and Morrison were on commentary.
Big E and Uce hammered it out in the ring and traded shots. Big E landed an elbow to the nose and tagged Kofi to maintain control with a double team move for a two count.
The Usos got a blind tag and hit Kofi with a double team move hanging his neck up in the ropes. 1-2- kickout.
Morrison isn’t putting the thought out there that they might lose the titles at Mania. The Miz said that winners don’t talk about losing. All of the Marine movies are highly acclaimed he said.
Big E started hitting throws in the ring and dragged Uce on the apron to pound away at his chest with forearm. He counted out loud, but there was no crowd to help him keep track. The Miz mocked him for counting out loud.
Then Big E landed a splash on the apron.
Big E was taking damage when we came back from commercial. The Usos were keeping Big E down with quick tags. Then Uce hit a hip attack in the corner on E Then Big E returned fire with a uranage and tagged Kofi.
Kofi missed a Trouble In Paradise. The Miz and Morrison mocked Kofi for clapping for the crowd who wasn’t there.
Uce locked in a half crab as Miz and Morrison continued to mock them. Kofi hit an SOS for a two-count. Morrison and Miz started “fight forever” chants just for fun.
Kofi hit a back elbow and tagged E. Then Big E picked Uce up and Kofi missed a stomp off the top. Uce nailed E with two superkicks for a two count.
“This is awesome” chants from Miz & Morrison.
The Usos kept a fresh man in. They double teamed Big E in the corner and set him on the top rope. Then Big E pushed them off. Uce nailed a kick and E fell to the floor.
Kofi grabbed Usos’ legs as they went for suicide dives on Big E. Then the Usos ended up on the floor. Kofi Kingston nailed a trust fall dive on Usos.
Finally, The Miz and Morrison beat up The New Day and the referee called for the bell.
Winners: New Day via DQ
After the match was over, Miz and Morrison beat everyone in the ring down. Then Michael Cole made it official that Miz and Morrison will face both the Usos and New Day at WrestleMania with the titles on the line in a triple threat ladder match.
Then the New Day took out the champs as the show ended.
