It’s a SmackDown In A Nutshell kind of Friday, and the blue brand is big in Buffalo! It’s the go-home show as the roster gets set to head to Philly and Elimination Chamber. How big of a night is it for the blue brand? We get ourselves a gauntlet match as the main event, where the winning tag team gets to enter that Chamber match last! That is one heck of a way to close SmackDown in a Nutshell this week. If that wasn’t big enough for Buffalo, how about an appearance by the impending Hall of Famers, the New World Order. That sure sounds like a pretty loaded big blue show in Buffalo!Does it really live up to the idea of the blue brand being big in Buffalo? Let’s crack open this SmackDown In A Nutshell and find out!
Best Match of the night:
Hands down, the gauntlet match. It told a good story, each team got the exposure they needed to make fans feel invested come Sunday. You genuinely thought that Heavy Machinery would be going over, right until that last tag. Given the issues between Otis and Dolph, it would seem likely that neither team wins on Sunday. That frees those two men up for a grudge match at ‘Mania, as has been rumored.
Either way, solid match.
Worst match of the night:
Exclusive: Following a tough loss to @WWESheamus on #SmackDown, @WWEApollo appears to have had enough. pic.twitter.com/kaZuyjBmsX
— WWE (@WWE) March 7, 2020
Apollo Crews and Sheamus? What was the point? Seemed like a waste of time.
Star of the Night
Though they did not win, Heavy Machinery had an impressive showing. Having that pair nearly win the match should only allow for a raised profile. If other newer teams like the Street Profits can win tag team gold, I have to expect it’s a matter of when and not if, for Heavy Machinery.
Spot of the Night:
There were a few lesser spots that on many other shows wouldn’t even register. I’d say this week was a bit on the light side of things, but here’s some fun spots.
Jobber of the Night:
Apollo Crews certainly felt like a jobber
Upset of the Night:
Not sure that I buy it, but the announcers were being fed lines to convince people that the further Heavy Machinery made it, the more it felt like an upset. I don’t quite agree, but I get where they are going with that.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
New World Order playing around with Alexa Bliss and friends on her talk show. Was just really cool to see the Hall of Fame talent interacting with the current generation. Also, begs the question, are we seeing hints about a possible WrestleMania program?
Noteworthy Moment:
nWo is a big one.
Having Heavy Machinery do so well could be eye opening for the more causal fans.
Overall lowlights:
There were some awkward pauses in the nWo segment, maybe a little rust is showing? But nothing major.
Overall highlights:
All around, a strong enough show in the go home spot. Reminded fans of the big ticket matches this weekend, but also continued to hype the known matches for WrestleMania (like Cena/Wyatt). Was a decent way to spend a Friday evening.
Bray Wyatt just cut the promo of his career. Psychotic and subtle. The little things: his look when Rambling Rabbit reminded him, the explanation for the Fiend, “life is a circle”, the way he said bye. Nuances. This is going to be amazing! #LetHimIn #SmackDown
— #MrFretzlemania (@TheLegendaryJF) March 7, 2020
After the final bell:
All in all, I’d say a good bit to like on this show. Perhaps I’d like to see a bit more for guys like the nWo to do, so that any appearance feels less forced. Regardless, Elimination Chamber is just about here, and there is a lot to be excited for!
