This week’s SmackDown in a Nutshell has a simple theme, because it’s just about Elimination Chamber time!
Officially, this show was recorded last week. That was necessary because there is no way for the roster to get from the United States to Australia in seven hours.
It’s a long trip, and yes, seven hours AFTER this show is off the air, the 2024 edition of the Elimination Chamber will kick off.
So, it’s going to be all about the final hype for the big show in Perth. It’s a big show, because it will help lock in our WrestleMania card.
Two participants in the men’s Chamber clash will battle, with LA Knight taking on the potential favorite in Drew McIntyre.
Bron Breakker will make his big blue brand debut. We also get to see the Street Profits battle the Authors of Pain.
The last bit of pre-show teaser? Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate take on Dom Mysterio and JD McDonagh before they chase down the other tag team within Judgement Day.
With mere hours between now and the next big premium live event, let’s get things going.
SmackDown In A Nutshell: Just About Elimination Chamber Time!
Let’s crack this one open before things heat up Down Under!
Best Match of the night:
Dollars to donuts, has to be the main event.
The match between LA Knight and Drew McIntyre was good enough.
But it was the ending and the activities after that did it. Nice way to wrap up action before the Elimination Chamber.
Worst match of the night:
Nothing bothered me tonight.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Crowd was into it, which is a testament to their stamina, watching two straight shows.
Of course, I felt as though things went a bit heavier on the vignettes, so perhaps things could be kept shorter…but still.
Star of the Night
I enjoyed Bron’s blue brand debut. Simple as that.
A perfect example of when squashes work.
Spot of the Night:
I mean, not a wrestling spot…but how about Drew McIntyre, walking into the medical area.
Looks at Lashley and says…”I’ll pray for you”.
Superb heel work from Drew.
Jobber of the Night:
Dante Chen.
The poor Singapore Superstar got squashed by Bron Breakker.
Upset of the Night:
For the sake of this Nutshell, I am going to consider Tiffany Stratton over Liv Morgan an upset.
But…clearly WWE wants to build up Stratton, and also clearly it was not a clean win.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Dakota Kai was apparently attacked back stage…hmm.
Roman Reigns wanted to talk to Grayson Waller…also hmm.
The Tribal Chief told Waller that he had something to tell him, but for his ears only.
Could that be some heads up about the special Grayson Waller Effect in Perth on Saturday? Perhaps a special visitor?
Botch of the night:
Wade had a botch, no? During the voice over of talent arriving in Perth, it sounded like he called Triple H the CEO, not CCO.
Maybe CCO, but it sounded too much like CEO.
Commentary of the night:
I give the announce team kudos, because minutes after calling a live show for February 16th, they had to call a taped show.
And, they called it as though it was the 23rd. Every time they do this, it impresses me because how easy would it be to screw up?
LOL Moment of the night:
Ashanti The Adonis giving fashion tips to Cedric Alexander.
I don’t know fashion, but it sure seemed like the outfits got worse, not better.
Noteworthy Moment:
After a long time on the shelf, it surely seems like Dakota Kai has been cleared. She will be returning to ring action on next week’s SmackDown.
It will be a tag team match with Bayley, facing their former Damage CTRL mates.
Overall lowlights:
In years past, I would complain about the taped shows. Spoilers were out there, but I was good enough (and busy enough) that I missed them, and that would have been my only complaint.
Overall highlights:
For a taped go-home show, this worked. Elimination Chamber time indeed!
Crowd was hot, so they deserve credit for that. Longer show and all, it did not come across as going on too long.
Pre-recorded or not, this was a really nice go-home show. Hit all the right notes for me.
After the final bell:
Finishing this one up with like seven hours until the Elimination Chamber kicks off is wild, but it also gives me hope for more major events.
I will say it again, not that WWE reads this, but they’ve done multi-site WrestleMania events before…imagine doing another?
Make it like the LiveAid concert. Parts in Europe, parts in America, and make it from like noon till 11pm or something like that.
Yes, it would end the two nights…but imagine selling big tickets to three massive venues, with three huge main events?
But I digress…it is nearly Chamber time!
