5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (7 Feb - Results & Review)
Solo Sikoa returns; Alexa Bliss shakes off ring rust; WWE mocks their own Transfer Window.
According to WWE, Tiffany Stratton should be begging for Charlotte Flair to choose her as an opponent at WrestleMania 41. That's...certainly a way to format the story and make someone in a power position look weak. Triple H has bigger problems than one SmackDown promo when it comes to Charlotte though. Things just aren't clicking. Her Royal Rumble win fell flat, and there are genuine fears that she's about to strangle a promising young star on the grandest stage.
Surely not.
SmackDown's booking was a tad spotty overall. The writers appeared to make a mockery of their own Transfer Window strategy by bringing Raw talents to the blue brand without being backed into a corner. One match, whilst logical after events at the Rumble, just wasn't essential. Then, there's the curious case of Drew McIntyre and where he fits into the puzzle surrounding 'Mania.
WWE gave Drew some of the weakest material in living memory to work with during his first promo on Friday nights. Then, in typical fashion for someone so skilled, McIntyre showed why he's a money player when the bell rings. The big Scot was involved in one of several Elimination Chamber qualifiers on this week's episode.
Alexa Bliss wrestled a singles match for the first time since the 2023 Rumble, Cody Rhodes worked a masterclass in selling injuries after a huge title defence, Jey Uso lived up to his nickname, Jacob Fatu looked like a star, and Solo Sikoa returned for what appears to be more of the same from him.
Here's all the good and bad from a so-so edition of SmackDown.