Shane McMahon was the one to kick things off on Smackdown. As always, his arrival received huge cheers from the crowd. The further announcement of NXT superstars performing on the show also got huge pops from the crowd. Meanwhile, it was a predicted decision that he and The Miz will compete at Fastlane PPV event for the tag team titles. The storyline around Miz and McMahon will continue just to culminate a one-on-one matchup.
Speaking of the NXT superstars, it is always great to see them in action. They bring the intensity in their performances that is missing from the main roster performers. But then again the question is whether it was necessary to bring them on both WWE Raw and Smackdown. It felt like some random bookings on the main roster shows just to give them some opportunity in front of the global audience.
Watch Charlotte showing off her wounds
They could have been a bigger attraction if debuting on the night after Wrestlemania. These sudden appearances might have ruined that surprise that was going to happen in the month of April. So at this point, the NXT superstars’ presence on Smackdown and Raw, do not look like much significant. But we can’t deny the fact that they indeed stole the show with their incredible performances on live TV.
Asuka was finally back on Smackdown TV demanding a new challenger. Mandy Rose appeared out of nowhere to pick up a singles victory against her. This is just a clear-cut setup for a title match at Fastlane. At this point, the Empress of Tomorrow does not have any opponent over her title. So Mandy Rose filled up that spot in the absence of Charlotte and Becky Lynch.
Smackdown Live could not have a better ending with a popular decision that the fans were looking forward to. They rooted for Kofi Kingston ever since last week demanding a title opportunity. Finally, WWE has given him the chance that he needed for a decade. At Fastlane, he will compete in his first-ever singles WWE title match in the entire career against Daniel Bryan. This should be a fresh main event match that the WWE Universe will be interested to see.
Apart from the Fastlane announcements, the show has some less significant matches. These fillers have made this week’s episode a below than average edition. Here are the Twitter reactions from the show,
Kofi just yelled STUPID STUPID STUPID after laying out Randy Orton.
That's a 10 year callback folks. #SDLive
— The Man of 1,004 Dad Jokes (@SeanNeutron) February 20, 2019
KOFIIIIII!
Seeing Kofi win just brings me so much joy. #SDLive
— Cageside Seats (@cagesideseats) February 20, 2019
"That's longer than Empire's been on air, and we all know they've been doing some crazy things to keep that show interesting."
BIG E WENT THERE.
Yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo#SDLive pic.twitter.com/7GsM7oq2wR
— GIF Skull – #SDLive Big E Said That (@GIFSkull) February 20, 2019
Ready for Challenges.. Who’s Ready for ASUKA..????? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/On5o5oygM1
— Michael Molina/マイケル・モリーナ (@mass_blaster2k2) February 20, 2019
2009 – Randy Orton going "Stupid Stupid Stupid" after the RKO.
2019 – Kofi Kingston with a callback to that after a closeline.#SDLive #KofiMania pic.twitter.com/9xfV07oRaS— Kelsey (@iAmKelsey91) February 20, 2019
14 years later @ProjectCiampa returned to #SDLive. pic.twitter.com/0YXRHHWmBp
— PWR (@PWRamble) February 20, 2019
Kofi defeating Bryan
Rollins defeating Lesnar
Becky defeating Ronda & Charlotte
3 incredible journeys to them moments and 3 amazing, heartwarming celebrations at #WrestleMania
Lightning in a bottle. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/sKWuABptNA
— R.Dream (@WWERDream) February 20, 2019
Guys…@WWE_MandyRose just defeated @WWEAsuka on #SDLive?!?! @SonyaDevilleWWE pic.twitter.com/NLPatf0xSK
— WWE (@WWE) February 20, 2019
Could of gave us Sonya vs Asuka, but instead we get Asuka vs Mandy Rose ?#SDLive pic.twitter.com/LYPwyPhRdq
— Brandon ✌ (@OBEYMordey) February 20, 2019
Will never get tired of this finisher. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/vXXoa6ZgTQ
— R.Dream (@WWERDream) February 20, 2019
Those battle wounds…@MsCharlotteWWE #SDLive pic.twitter.com/I3FLyiloGL
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 20, 2019
It's happening.
Per @shanemcmahon, #TheNew @WWEDanielBryan will defend his title against @TrueKofi at #WWEFastlane!!! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/okYjrSGYI0
— WWE (@WWE) February 20, 2019
Kofi Kingston vs Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at Fastlane! It may not be WrestleMania, but if Kofi wins, he'll defend the title at 'Mania! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/Pmo8wb8RBP
— Daily DDT (@FanSidedDDT) February 20, 2019
Fun fact that neither Gargano nor Ciampa are actually making their SmackDown debuts tonight #SDLive pic.twitter.com/f07ttAcG6x
— Big Heat (@BigHeat34) February 20, 2019