WWE visited the O2 Arena in London, England for WWE SmackDown. The major attraction on the show was the contract signing between Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins. The US Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championships were on the line in a stacked card for the show. Let’s delve into the details of the show and take a look at WWE SmackDown March 28 Results.
Future Challenges for Cody Rhodes
The show kicked off with the American Nightmare, Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes. The crowd was red hot for the champion and they chanted “Cena Sucks” as well. Before Cody could say much, Randy Orton made his way to the ring. The Viper acknowledged Rhodes as the face of the company in this era. He said that he’ll kick Owens in the head at WrestleMania and Cody will beat Cena.
Orton said that he’ll be eyeing the world title after WrestleMania. Drew McIntyre interrupted, calling himself the champion of the UK and calling Randy and Cody as nepotism babies of WWE. McIntyre told Randy to get back in line as he’d challenge Rhodes after WrestleMania 41. Cody couldn’t stand the disrespect and delivered an uppercut to Drew. Randy tried the RKO but McIntyre escaped.
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a fun segment to begin the major SmackDown show from London. They teased future showdowns with Rhodes against McIntyre and Orton. However, it’s that time when these three should be more focused on their WrestleMania opponents.
Street Profits (c) vs Pretty Deadly – WWE Tag Team Championships
Pretty Deadly started strongly in the match. Prince delivered back suplexes to Ford for a two-count. It was a fast-paced match with a couple of rollup nearfalls. In the end, Wilson got caught in a Doomsday Blockbuster by the champions for the victory.
Winner: Street Profits
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was a good tag team action at the beginning of the show. Street Profits are looking fresh as champions and Pretty Deadly got a good TV time and a reaction from the UK crowd.
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance vs Piper Niven and Alba Fyre
Niven and Fyre landed a quick flurry of offense. Chelsea Green was at ringside and the crowd chanted unique lines for her. Kayden and Katana delivered the Kickstand to Niven but Fyre broke the pin. In the end, Green’s distraction allowed Niven to deliver a Piper Driver for the win.
Winners: Alba Fyre and Piper Niven
Grades: C-
Analysis: It was a segment to fill the time slot on SmackDown. The women’s midcard division lacks proper storylines which has fans forgotten about the newly introduced Women’s US Championship.
LA Knight (c) vs Braun Strowman – WWE United States Championship
Strowman started in typical fashion and dominated Knight, delivering a big boot at ringside. Knight got a life with a bulldog in the ring. The champion landed a suplex and an elbow drop for a two-count. In the final moments, Jacob Fatu crashed the Strowman Express and laid out the Monster at ringside as the match ended in disqualification. Fatu delivered a statement with a hip attack and two moonsaults in the ring.
Winner: LA Knight by DQ.
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a short match and an interruption by Jacob was expected. It looks like a triple threat is being set for WrestleMania for the US Championship. Solo Sikoa’s role is concerning as he should be rewarded for good work in the last year.
Charlotte Flair vs Michin – WWE SmackDown March 28 Results
Before the match, Naomi talked about her attack on Jade. She said that Cargill came between her and Bianca’s friendship. Cargill wants to destroy Naomi as she sees her. Michin and B-Fab agreed to Jade. This infuriated Naomi who attacked Michin and B-Fab during the entrance. Cargill made the save as Naomi escaped through the crowd.
In the match, Flair laid out Michin with a big boot. Charlotte dominated for the most part with boos from the audience. Michin bounced back with a kick to the face of The Queen and the powerbomb for a nearfall. Michin even delivered the Eat Defeat but Flair got her foot on the bottom rope for the save. In the end, Flair made Michin tap out on the Figure Eight submission maneuver.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Grades: B-
Analysis: This segment was bearable but not very pleasing. The storyline progressed well between Jade Cargill and Naomi but there was nothing in the build to Flair vs Stratton.
Randy Orton vs Drew McIntyre
The stuff in the opening segment led to this match. Orton delivered mounted punches and a couple of back suplexes on the commentary desk. McIntyre targeted Orton’s lower back, sending him into the barricade. Kevin Owens’ arrival on the ramp distracted The Viper. This allowed McIntyre to grab a win with a Claymore Kick. KO wanted to attack Randy after the match but The Viper’s comeback allowed him to retreat.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Grades: It was a good battle until Owens interrupted. The week-by-week progression has been excellent in RKO and KO story. McIntyre got a match in the UK show which was expected too.
Jimmy Uso vs The Miz
After quick attacks by Jimmy, The Miz took down Uso in the center of the ring. The A-Lister applied a chinlock for a long time. Miz landed IT Kicks but Uso replied with an enzuigiri. Jimmy landed a Superkick mid-air followed by an Uso splash to beat The Miz. Big Jim wowed to beat Gunther on the upcoming WWE RAW.
Winner: Jimmy Uso
Grades: C
Analysis: Yet another filler match on the card. WWE’s booking has been questionable on the blue brand in recent weeks with multiple dull segments. This was one of many on tonight’s show. Jimmy was slated to be in the US Title picture at WrestleMania a couple of weeks ago but it looks like WWE nixed those plans as there is currently no progress in that particular direction. He tagged with Jey Uso on March 24th episode of WWE RAW and will battle Gunther on next week’s RAW.
Backstage: Drew McIntyre took pride in a win over Randy Orton earlier on the show. He labeled Damian Priest as a “Temu Undertaker”. The former Judgment Day member attacked The Scottish Warrior as both engaged in a parking lot brawl. Priest delivered a South of Heaven chokeslam on a car’s windshield before telling McIntyre to “Rest in Peace”. CM Punk smirked over a laid out Drew McIntyre as we were headed to the final segment of the night.
Contract Signing with Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins
Nick Aldis introduced The OTC Roman Reigns who entered alongside the Wiseman Paul Heyman. Reigns demanded acknowledgment from the London crowd and sat at the head of the table. The crowd chanted OTC and sang his name’s rhymes. Reigns signed the contract.
Seth Rollins entered and reminded Reigns of their history. Reigns said that he made WWE so valuable that it’s on Netflix now but Rollins did nothing. CM Punk signed the contract as well and it was official. Roman told Heyman to give Punk the good news. Heyman obliged and announced that the match would main event WrestleMania and gave Punk what he always wanted. Punk had tears in his eyes and he thanked the fans.
Rollins was not happy as he said that Punk didn’t deserve this. Reigns told Punk to thank his Tribal Chief. The Best in the World thanked the OTC and jokingly called him the Big Dog. Punk still ended the segment at a cliffhanger as he said that this was not the favor he owed. It is clearly one of the biggest feuds heading into WrestleMania 41.
Grades: A
Analysis: A solid segment in the main event. We have our main event of WrestleMania 41. The tensions were high in the whole segment and the crowd’s energy made it more exciting. The favor thing is still mysterious and it looks like they have bigger plans to reveal that.
Overall, a decent WWE SmackDown show on the Road to WrestleMania. What’s your take on WWE SmackDown March 28 Results?
