Last night’s SmackDown from Fort Worth, Texas, kicked off with a familiar showdown. Roman Reigns, back as champion, is set to dominate both major WWE shows, and the Bloodline’s influence is felt across the board.
The episode started with Jacob Fatu challenging Roman for the title. The Usos tried to bring some sense to the heated situation, but the tension among family members was clear. Jey thought Jacob was past the point of following Roman and needed to brace for battle instead.
Solo Sikoa joined in, pushing for Jacob to recruit his own squad, the MFT. However, he reminded Jacob that he’s won every encounter they’ve had, which is a troubling statistic as Jacob gears up to face the top dog in WWE.
The main event pitted Jacob against Solo. In a surprising turn, Jacob secured a win, demonstrating his strength and making a strong case for his next steps in the company. However, the post-match chaos saw Jacob fend off multiple attackers, which painted him as a fierce competitor. It’s a promising image for anyone grappling with the challenge of facing the Tribal Chief.
This episode raised some eyebrows, though. Much of the content felt like filler material for Monday Night Raw’s main storyline, making it skippable for many viewers. Joe Tess mentioned a lot about the “After Mania” hype, but narratively, this episode felt like a side quest rather than a necessary chapter.
The broadcast did introduce us to the Fatal Influence trio—Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid—who made a bold entrance by disrupting a tag title match. They didn’t just make an entrance; they threw down the gauntlet by confronting Rhea Ripley, showing they mean business. Their reception was mixed, which is quite normal for newcomers, but it gave them instant heat with the crowd.
As the night progressed, Jacy went toe-to-toe with Rhea in a match that ended in disqualification due to outside interference. While predictable, this match showcased Jacy’s potential, emphasizing her position as a strong contender in the women’s division. This could lead to exciting story arcs for the women’s roster moving forward.
In another moment of interest, Cody Rhodes delivered a promo that hinted at some frustrations but lacked further direction—a missed opportunity for him to capitalize on the momentum he built at WrestleMania. It’s unclear if his recent eye injury is stalling his trajectory, but for now, he remains in limbo.
While on the men’s division side, the narrative is leaning heavily on existing storylines. The lack of fresh angles is somewhat worrisome, especially with no clear story developing post-Mania.
Shifting focus, Tiffany Stratton winning the United States title from Giulia adds an interesting dynamic. Although she’s the new champion, the path forward seems cluttered. The previous titleholder never garnered significant attention, which may change under Stratton’s reign if handled correctly.
Finally, Danhausen and Miz had a light-hearted segment that showcased the comedy aspect of wrestling. While not everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly added a lighter touch to the show.
In summary, while the women’s division showed promise with exciting new faces and intriguing story lines, the men’s segment lagged behind, feeling repetitive. The SmackDown After Mania could have leaned more into fresh ideas but instead stuck to the well-trodden paths. As fans, we hope for a dash of creativity as we dive into the upcoming weeks.
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