WWE SmackDown Live Recap, Grades & Opinion: April 23, 2019

SmackDown Live: April 23, 2019

A.K.A. The One With “Rount Mushmore”

SmackDown Live this week was focused on establishing it’s feuds moving forward. It did a great job this week. The women’s tag titles and women’s championship have their feuds. Roman Reigns looks like he’ll be entangled with Shane McMahon.

Results:

• Finn Balor def. Andrade w/ Zelina Vega
• Kairi Sane w/ Asuka & Paige def. Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay
• Chad Gable vs Jinder Mahal never happens due to Lars Sullivan attacking both men.
• Charlotte def. Bayley
• Kofi Kingston def. Shinsuke Nakamura by DQ

Match of the Night: Charlotte def. Bayley via Spear

Bayley showed a ton of fire tonight in interrupting Charlotte Flair. When Charlotte kept repeating how she was next in line, but Bayley came out to stake her claim. Bayley was on fire in her promo, telling Lynch that she’d beaten her zero times. When Charlotte said Bayley wasn’t worth her time, Bayley slapped the mic right out of her hand. It lead to a hot match where Charlotte won with a spear. While Charlotte versus Lynch is a re-run, it could lead to a great Bayley-Charlotte program if the latter wins the blue title back from Lynch.

Three Thoughts:

Elias & Reigns is a Smart Pair

Roman Reigns looks like his first SmackDown Live feud will be against Elias and Shane McMahon. Having Reigns go up against McMahon is great for two reasons. One, Shane and Elias both get enough heat to ensure that Reigns continues to get cheered. The second is that having Reigns in the WWE Championship picture right away could make the audience turn on him once again. Reigns could also give Elias his first real standout feud.

Can The IIconics Win?

It doesn’t feel like too much to ask to have the IIconics win some matches. Kairi Sane is a new talent who should be protected, so that win wasn’t likely for Peyton Royce. Surely there are members of the roster Royce & Billie Kay can beat, even through devious means, to establish themselves.

Say It Ain’t So, K.O.

The “Prizefighter” Kevin Owens is back. His days as an honorary New Day member were numbered, we knew that. His turn on Kofi Kingston this week confirmed that and established Kingston’s first challenger for his WWE Championship. It was great to see Xavier Woods leap to Kofi’s defense, only to get powerbombed onto the ring apron in brutal fashion. Kingston versus Owens at Money in the Bank adds to an impressive looking card.

Grade: B+

Just like RAW this week, SmackDown Live did a good job setting up fresh angles and feuds coming out of the Superstar Shakeup. Balor and Andrade had a stellar matchup that was just edged out by Charlotte and Bayley’s tussle. Owens turning on the New Day was the evil cherry on a solid show.

One Last Thing:

Heavy Machinery introduced themselves to the SmackDown Live roster the best way they could: steaks and weights, baby!

– Evan Gomes is the Managing Editor of Pro Wrestling for Full Press Coverage. Like and follow on Follow @EvanGomes_ Follow @FPC_Wrestling and Facebook.