Courtesy of WWE
SMACKDOWN 4/5/24 REVIEW
- Rob Crowther, Editor In Chief
The final SmackDown and go home show one day before WrestleMania weekend kicks off, set the stage for the loaded card perfectly. The show featured a few mid-card matchups, straight forward promos, and even a few important moments.
The show opens with the fan favorite KO Show featuring Kevin Owens and guest, Randy Orton. Orton didn't get to say too terribly much before The United States Champion, Logan Paul interrupts and retreats across the way to Lincoln Financial Field, the home of WrestleMania XL. Paul who set out to send KO and Orton on a wild goose chase in a mini-thread throughout the first half of the show, only to result in the two US Title challengers keeping one step ahead and dropping the Champion with a Stunner and RKO combination later in the night.
The first match of the evening was The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Good pace for this battle royal which featured mostly WWE Superstars who are not currently booked on the announced WrestleMania XL card. The battle royal also featured more moments than in previous years. One half of Pretty Deadly was eliminated first, resulting in the other member of the team eliminating himself. Strong showings by Ricochet (who was eliminated by JD McDonagh) , Ivar, Otis, Akira Tozawa, and more. Bronson Reed would ultimately win, with a VERY impressive RVD style Rolling Thunder and eliminating Ivar. Nice moment for Reed and a well deserved career milestone for the big man.
Our next match was a solid one between the LWO's Zelina Vega and LdF's Elektra Lopez. Lopez won the match due to interference. A fight ensues from the two factions resulting in Andrade making the save for the LWO with a huge surprise moment. Rey and Andrade embrace, but there's a very emotional moment when Zelina and Andrade embrace. Absolutely love this.
Naomi, Bianca Belair, and Jade Cargil cut a promo against DMG CTRL essentially saying they are going to end DMG CTRL. Jade's entrance is a site to behold in person. This 6 woman match tomorrow should be a clinic.
Up next, a very solid match between The New Catch Republic against A-Town Down Under. Big win for Dunne and Bate here, but no time to celebrate as all of Judgement Day decimates both teams ahead of the 12 Man Undisputed Tag Team Championship Match at WrestleMania.
After the break, LA KNIGHT makes his way to the ring to a MASSIVE pop. Knight basically cuts a promo saying that the only thing that AJ Styles is phenomenal at is ducking him.
Our main event of the evening is Solo Sikoa VS his Jey Uso, another brother vs. brother match before the big Jimmy VS. Jey match tomorrow at WrestleMania. Not a bad match up, but didn't really have time to get going as Jimmy interfered causing the DQ.
Cue Cody and Seth Rollins coming to the ring with the blue Cody Weight Belt and decimating members of the bloodline before signing off with Cody standing tall pointing at the WrestleMania sign.
Is that final image before Mania a good omen or a bad one? My advice to you: sit back and enjoy the story. Keep it here for our on site WrestleMania XL coverage right here on BCP+.