The Philadelphia crowd has been seeing a lot of wrestling for the past three days in the same arena. So, it was a bigger chip on the officials’ shoulder – to let the audience stick to the whole show for two hours of the gripping Smackdown fever.
The opening segment fell flat to a big extent considering that it was the same old story of a confrontation comprising AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn. Only, Shinsuke Nakamura was the fresh thing in the mix as the Royal Rumble winner.
Kind of a flat opener tonight, really interested to see how this Philadelphia crowd is for the next two hours after A LOT of wrestling the last three days #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 31, 2018
The fatal-4-way match was an entertaining affair. At this time, Rusev Day is the hottest thing going around the WWE Universe. So, he needed to get a push which was handed away by the officials.
It was a good call to let Rusev win the contest and emerge as the bonafide single competitor that he used to be, at one point, of his career. He will be getting a shot to the US title held by Bobby Roode.
In the women’s division segment, Charlotte was derailed by a fired-up promo by Ruby Riot. This heel is definitely getting a push around the Wrestlemania season.
Meanwhile, Carmella teasing the Money in the Bank cash-in was a good thing. She has not been a regular name on the show over the past few weeks. So, it reminded everyone of her presence on the blue brand.
I have to be honest: that promo by Ruby Riott left a lot to be desired, just sounded like someone remembering their lines really well, not completely her fault but man…it just sounded completely rehearsed, really enjoyed the tease of Carmella cashing in her briefcase #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 31, 2018
Baron Corbin was given a big win over Tye Dillinger continuing his momentum in order to set up himself as a strong heel on the roster.
However, it did not do any favor for the man with ‘10’ chants. The main event saw an interesting altercation between Owens and Zayn letting the crack between them out.
This might have been the first stage while splitting them up on Smackdown Live in the near future.
Overall, despite a really good main event and setting up some good matches for next week, this was a very average effort from #WWE tonight despite a really good #RoyalRumble this past Sunday, next week has been built very strongly so that is one positive #SDLive
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 31, 2018
The contest to end the show was a solid one, too. It was good to see for the fans to see Styles and Nakamura celebrating to end a long week from Philly.
Check out the Twitter reactions from an average episode of Smackdown Live:
And you can catch me every Tuesday stompin on chicks in a WWE ring near you ? #SDLiv #LIVisLIFE ?? pic.twitter.com/Ra9ECBQ5pE
— LIV Morgan ? (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) January 31, 2018
— Baron Corbin (@BaronCorbinWWE) January 31, 2018
They’re on the Road to @WrestleMania!#SDLive @AJStylesOrg @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/UsNT0CLCBa
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2018
Bobs calendar is definitely outdated. But you can fix that @REALBobbyRoode with this official #RusevDay one! pic.twitter.com/mDeIVvp6dy
— Rusev (@RusevBUL) January 31, 2018
Next Tuesday may be #RusevDay, but when you’re #USChampion, your schedule fills up VERY quickly…#SDLive @REALBobbyRoode pic.twitter.com/U4EDjWddv3
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 31, 2018
Another night..another loss. Now what? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/GgQioycsrJ
— Zack Ryder (@ZackRyder) January 31, 2018
We’re being graced with the presence of #SDLive #WomensChampion @MsCharlotteWWE… NEXT! pic.twitter.com/P5IrEqTJ1F
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2018
Dont touch the ?.#SDLive #Fatal4Way pic.twitter.com/6UWwU4xfQZ
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2018
PLAN BACKFIRES!
Ms. #MITB @CarmellaWWE just knocked the referee out of commission while attempting to cash in! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/hxCdfCH2ud
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2018
So are we just supposed to pretend Ziggler never came back Sunday? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/r8I7d0fEvN
— WWE Hot Takes (@prowrestlingHT) January 31, 2018
End the show with a Kinsasha on Styles please#SDLive pic.twitter.com/v3yjiz56bp
— Rachereen Dream. (@Its0nlyRachel) January 31, 2018
RUSEV DID IT! RUSEV DID IT! THE BOYHOOD DREAM HAS COME TRUE! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/NgIOvOzKfV
— Rumble Ramble (@TheRumbleRamble) January 31, 2018
One of the many reasons @AJStylesOrg is…PHENOMENAL! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/MGwZkUpH6x
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2018