8 Ups & 8 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Mar 26)

2. Kofi Kingston Is Going To WrestleMania

The New Day
WWE.com

Big E and Xavier Woods vs. Rowan and Daniel Bryan was another well-worked, well-booked gauntlet stretch that sent Kofi Kingston to WrestleMania 35 on the right note, and capped an outstanding pair of performances from his New Day stablemates, who, much like the former Intercontinental Champion in recent weeks, absolutely killed it throughout.

The action preceding the finish was strong, but the conclusion is all that really matters here. Woods and E were tossed all over the place, inside the ring and out, and the heels' decision to turn the match into a ringside scrap ended up costing them. Rowan's attempted claw Chokeslam was countered when Xavier put him into the post. E then clotheslined the big(ger) man over the announce table, then tipped the damn thing on top of him, preventing him from getting back in the ring to answer the 10-count.

Cue: jubilation in the bleachers, the ring, and at ringside. Kofi ran down to celebrate with his buddies. Soon, the SmackDown roster poured out, capping this big, celebratory moment ahead of next week's go-home.

The count-out keeps Rowan protected and prevented WWE from having to burn a pin on Bryan, too. They handled this perfectly.

Advertisement
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.