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WWE SmackDown recap and reactions: Biggest WrestleMania match of all time?

The latest episode of WWE SmackDown was a decent episode of TV anchored by a brilliant main event angle. Check out the recap here.

By Shayne Dias | Feb 26, 2022 | 4 Min Read

The latest episode of WWE SmackDown came our way from the city of Hershey, Pennsylvania. And this was, in many ways, a decent show until the main event segment. Then it became a very good show.

Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns are not only two very good pro wrestlers; they’re also very comfortable in their characters. And that made this contract signing work.

Lesnar as a loveable goof is way more fun than it has any right to be. But he can flip the switch and go into “Brock Smash” mode at any second.

Reigns, meanwhile, is in his element every single time he’s on TV. The Tribal Chief is easily the most compelling full-time character on WWE TV and he was at his best here.

But Lesnar has been a man freed ever since he’s had to do his own promos. Him calling the security “skid mark security” was funny, but his threats to The Bloodline felt all too real.

And his destruction of said security was fun to watch because, well… it’s always fun to watch Lesnar wreck stuff.

#TheBeast is UNLEASHED! #SmackDown @BrockLesnar pic.twitter.com/hjfSm12bTn

— WWE (@WWE) February 26, 2022

Two more points of note: WWE are billing this match as the ‘biggest WrestleMania match of all time’. This might be hyperbolic in the eyes of many but, for once, there’s a genuine case to be made of it being true.

Lesnar is a once-in-a-lifetime performer. Reigns is at another level. It isn’t that far fetched as far as branding goes.

Secondly, this match was constantly being referred to as a “title unification” bout. Does that mean we’re back to having one world champion only? It would seem so.

The Rousey repair job begins

One of the biggest issues with Ronda Rousey’s return to WWE is the fact that she’s being presented as a babyface. That’s not a complaint, as she’s been pretty over with fans since the Royal Rumble.

However, there is also some degree of resentment still in her – and some fans who probably won’t be as welcoming. In that sense, WWE is needing to rebuild Rousey as a good guy.

.@RondaRousey is LIVE on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/T8T1lcdMYp

— WWE (@WWE) February 26, 2022

And this opening segment did accomplish that to a degree. She spoke of wanting to be a role model to her new-born daughter and thus wanting to return to the company.

It helps, of course, that in Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville, she has two solid heels to work with. Flair promised to tap out Rousey, while Deville ate another beating at Rousey’s hands.

Also read: Ric Flair has THIS bit of advice for Cody Rhodes ahead of WWE return

The Rowdy one will have the chance to do that again next week, seeing as she’s been booked against Deville in a single’s match.

So far, so good. The key will be to keep Rousey this over until it’s WrestleMania time.

WWE SmackDown – best of the rest

New Day beat Los Lotharios in a tag team match. How many times have these two faced off in recent episodes? The match was good but again, the booking of both teams is frustratingly inconsistent. Also, promo segments set up Ridge Holland and Sheamus feuding with Big E and Kofi Kingston, as well as The Viking Raiders beating up The Usos. Something tells me a five-way tag title match is brewing for WrestleMania.
Xia Li beat Natalya in a match that saw the crowd chanting for Hershey’s chocolate. Really. At least they cheered Li in the end.
Sami Zayn’s promo was interrupted by Jonny Knoxville, who demanded an Intercontinental title shot. Zayn responded by giving him a Helluva Kick. It’s happening, folks. Also Zayn will defend his title against Ricochet next week. Unlikely that Zayn loses but that should be a banger of a match.
Sasha Banks is back on WWE SmackDown! And she beat Shotzi in a quick match. Afterwards, Naomi – who was on commentary – said she and Banks will be chasing the women’s tag titles. On one hand that is great. On the other, Banks was main eventing WrestleMania last year. Talk about a drop-off.
Drew McIntyre beat Madcap Moss in another match that has seemingly been done to death at this point. The moment McIntyre teased an Alabama Slam and Moss freaked out – a nod to Moss’ recent horror bump – was quite amusing though.