4 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (6 Feb - Results & Review)
2. Cody’s Fire Helps Ease Concerns
Cody Rhodes jumped a grinning Drew McIntyre to kick off the show.
Some out there have, perhaps rightly, expressed concerns that these dudes just worked a ‘3 Stages Of Hell’ encounter and yet their feud is still going. That maybe should've been kept for the blow off, if anything. However, the fire Cody showed here on the mic and the fact that Drew eliminated him from the Royal Rumble without even being in it helps their argument for remaining rivals.
This was a good promo from Rhodes. There was no meandering, no suit and no stalling. He was straight to the point and delivered verbal venom to complement his physicality. Rhodes showed off heightened emotions because he fears missing out on WrestleMania for the first time since returning to WWE. He’ll be in a qualifier for Elimination Chamber next week. Wonder who’s winning that?!
Joking.
Jacob Fatu attacked Drew too, but his bit didn’t have the same gusto as Cody’s. This all eventually led to McIntyre emerging for a third time to jaw about being the best World Champion in the company. His proof? Everyone and their granny wants to face him at WrestleMania, whereas CM Punk needed Roman Reigns to choose him or he would've been watching it in catering. Hardly true, but this was nice trolling from the WWE Champ.
WWE managed to tell a decent story with Drew, Cody and Fatu without having any of them get involved in a proper match on Friday night. The writers deserve a pat on the back for that, because they are keeping everyone guessing about what's coming down the line at 'Mania 42.