SMACKDOWN 3/29/24 REVIEW

The second to last SmackDown before WrestleMania XL emanated from The Mohegan Uncasville, CT. The star studded show featured some memorable matches and moments, but really served as a platform to round out the final match card for the showcase of the immortals. 

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The final tag teams for the multi-man Undisputed Tag Team Championship Ladder Match were determined as The New Catch Republic defeated Angel and Humberto, while Austin Theory and Grayson Waller were able to defeat the Street Profits thanks to a distraction from Kross and Scarlett. The Final Testament members attacked Bobby Lashley in the back also setting up for a possible faction vs faction match. 

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Faction-ism continued to be at the forefront as Rey Mysterio and the LWO confronted Dominik Mysterio, Santos Escobar, Humberto, and Angel. Mysterio challenged Santos and Dominik to a match at WrestleMania against himself, and the newest official member of the LWO, Dragon Lee. This match is going to be insane. 

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I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the show's opening with Randy Orton and Kevin Owens taking on Pretty Deadly. Orton took his time going to the ring signing autographs and high fiving kids. I love this new incarnation of Orton, who has grown in so many ways. Watch his A & E WWE Biography if you get the chance. I can't recommend it enough. Anyway, Logan Paul shows up from under the ring and interferes with the brass knuckles, costing Owens and Orton the victory. Orton pursues Paul. 

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Interesting Segment with AJ Styles, playing up the fact that LA Knight was asked not to come to the arena by GM Nick Aldis. Styles was very wary of his surroundings while cutting a promo in the ring, and checking out his surroundings. Eventually LA Knight shows up dressed as a WWE staff member in a really well shot scene. This should be a solid match on the grandest stage of them all. 

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Our main event of the evening is Bianca Belair vs Damage CTRL's Dakota Kai. Solid match with Bianca winning with the KOD. The Kabuki Warriors immediately rush the ring and attack Belair. Naomi makes her way to the ring to aid Bianca. A full out brawl ensues until Damage CTRL takes full control with the three on two advantage. Much to the delight of the capacity crowd, Jade Cargil, who already had an impressive entrance earlier in the evening, walks deliberately to the ring and absolutely decimates all three members of Damage CTRL in the ring. The show ends with a powerful image of Naomi, Belair, and Cargil standing tall.  

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Again, tons of WrestleMania implications tonight, with only a few potential matches waiting to be made official. With two nights of WrestleMania in Philly, I'm hoping everyone gets their spotlight and their flowers.

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We'll see y'all next week at WrestleMania! 

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