10 Ups & 4 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Jan 29)
Bryan and Becky provide the biggest highlights as SmackDown marches on.
WWE.com's SmackDown preview promised big things as the blue brand emerged from the Royal Rumble's fallout, and the writers delivered with two hours of quality pro-wrestling television bookended by the show's biggest stars.
Raw brought the news that Rumble-winner Becky Lynch will challenge Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 35. This threw her SmackDown future in doubt, but she was there to open the show, spiking the crowd's excitement within the first minute. Later, we heard from WWE Champion Daniel Bryan. His promise to "change WWE's climate" brought a brand new title belt, a Royal Rumble extrapolation, and major Elimination Chamber developments, as each of SD's main-eventers descended upon the sanctimonious brand-leader.
There were developments in the tag division as new number one contenders emerged, and The Miz enjoyed an emotional moment with his father at the conclusion of his and Shane McMahon's title-winning celebration. Elsewhere, R-Truth fought for the United States strap, the Mandy Rose/Naomi saga developed a new wrinkle, and Rey Mysterio was lured into a Zelina Vega-sprung trap.
Inconsistent execution hampered a handful of the night's segments, but SmackDown was full of good ideas. Let's hope WWE's best brand is able to continue this momentum along the road to WrestleMania...