PWP Nation’s Caden Moran details five things we learned from the February 19th, 2019 edition of Smackdown Live
The February 19th edition of Smackdown Live is in the books, and much like the past few weeks, it was a fun show.
Smackdown Live is simply the more fun and easier show to watch on a weekly basis. Pure action, easy-to-listen commentary, and fun matches make the blue brand more tolerable than Monday Night RAW.
As the Road to Wrestlemania continues, we learned a few new things from last night’s episode of Smackdown Live.
#5 – Asuka is Simply a Placeholder
I could be wrong about this, and I hope I am wrong about this. Considering the Smackdown Women’s Champion Asuka has not been seen on TV since the Royal Rumble event, it was nice to finally see her back. However, losing to Mandy Rose in a way that was as strange as it seemed was not nice to see.
If Asuka was truly seen as a focal point for WWE, she would be on TV all the time, and dominating in the process. She would not be off of TV for three weeks and then lose to Mandy Rose due to a roll-up. That is not a knock on Mandy, by the way. I am a big fan of hers.
However, Asuka is not a focal point for WWE. She never truly has been. At this moment, Asuka is merely a placeholder until someone who WWE actually likes comes along.
#4 – The Miz is Proving His Worth as a Babyface
When The Miz began his second babyface run last year, I was not too sold on it. Considering how poor his first babyface run was many years ago, I did not think he could pull it off, especially since he is such a great heel. But, fast forward to now, and The Miz is a wonderful babyface.
His ability to pull off the emotions and show he truly cares is something we did not see during his first run as the good guy. We all know where his saga with Shane McMahon is heading, but with the story that has already been told, The Miz is destined to be a great babyface post-Wrestlemania.
Last night on Smackdown Live, The Miz gave arguably the most heartfelt promo of his career that did not end in insulting someone or boasting his ego. That, my friends, is called character development. It is a wonderful thing.
#3 – It’s Maybe More Than One-Night Only
On Monday Night RAW, we saw the “debuts” of NXT’s finest superstars. I claimed that is was for one-night only to boost ratings. However, considering the same superstars appeared on Smackdown Live last night, it appears to be more than just a one time deal.
The landscape of WWE is changing, and with a huge announcement to be made on NXT later tonight, one can wonder what the future holds for WWE’s third brand. From what we have seen in the last two nights, we could very well be seeing NXT stars being implemented on the main roster as well as NXT, and vice-versa.
It would be a refreshing change, and allowing NXT stars to compete on the main roster, and main roster stars on NXT, would be great for everybody involved. The landscape is changing, and it will become more fun in the future.
#2 – Kofi Kingston is Getting What he Deserves
Eleven years. It has taken eleven years for Kofi Kingston to receive a one-on-one match for the WWE Championship. After eleven long years, Kofi gets his shot against Daniel Bryan at WWE Fastlane.
Kofi Kingston has had an electric two weeks. After lasting an hour in the gauntlet match and winning all of our hearts during the Elimination Chamber, Kofi deserves every bit of glory that is coming his way.
I do not know if Kofi Kingston will win the big one next month, but I have no doubt that, eventually, Kingston will be standing atop the mountain in WWE.
#1 – City Location is Crucial
New Orleans is greater than Lafayette. Not that we did not know this already, but last night confirmed it.
On RAW, we witnessed a dead crowd that did not react to a single thing they were given, even when the show was good. Last night in New Orleans, however, it was a completely different vibe. From the moment the show aired, the crowd was loud and ready for anything. They were energetic, fun, and they actually knew who the NXT guys were.
This is why city location for big matches and debuts are crucial. Big cities like New Orleans, Chicago, or Brooklyn will be loud all night and they will care. Cities such as Lafayette, however, will not. City location is important. They failed on Monday, but as always Tuesday got it right.
The Road to Wrestlemania continues, and it is sure to be a wild ride heading into Fastlane in a couple weeks. Buckle up, everyone.
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