12 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Feb 12)

7. Kofi Scrapes Past Joe... Kind Of

Kofi Kingston Samoa Joe
WWE.com

Kofi Kingston's warrior soul really started to emerge as he faced Samoa Joe in the gauntlet's third segment, and he was forced to withstand a hefty barrage from the first moment. Joe battered, bludgeoned, and bruised him. He had a 40-minute advantage on the New Day man, and it showed, with the 'Destroyer' largely reducing his opponent to hope spots early doors, before Kingston pulled off a shock one-count kickout halfway through.

The struggle continued for Kofi. Though the commentators were putting him over heavily, he was being ground down by his brutish opponent, who twisted and contorted his neck against the mat. Then, finally, Joe went for the kill. He had the sleeper, and looked to be transitioning into the full-on Clutch. This was his downfall, as Kingston flipped against the ropes, got Joe to the mat, and pinned his shoulders for a shock three-count.

Another well-scripted piece of in-ring storytelling, and it continued after the bell. A raging Joe downed Kofi with a Uranage, then put him to sleep with the Clutch on the outstanding, prompting AJ Styles arrival to chase him off. More on that later....

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.