SmackDown In A Nutshell: Table Set For Fastlane

It’s our next to last SmackDown In A Nutshell before the PPV, and the table is set for Fastlane.

Daniel Bryan is set to have a proper shot at Roman Reigns and his Universal Championship. We can expect that contract to be made official this week.

Of course, Edge might have something to say about it. The Rated R Superstar is, of course, slated to challenge Reigns next month at WrestleMania.

That’s just some of the fun in store for this week’s SmackDown In A Nutshell. With just a week to go, there’s motivation to get the table set for Fastlane.

Outside of Bryan and Reigns, what else might we expect? Well, there’s a strong likelihood of Apollo Crews challenging Big E for the Intercontinental Championship.

We may see Nia Jax go after Sasha Banks and her title, too.

It’s a busy time around WWE as Fastlane comes in to focus. But that’s what Friday is for, right?

It’s time for…

SmackDown In A Nutshell: Table Set For Fastlane

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!

Best Match of the night:

Perhaps only by default, but how about Big E and Sami Zayn?

Seriously was the best of a rather empty feeling card. But it was also generally good.

Fresh, for sure, which was nice.

Worst match of the night:

Oh…so many choices here.

Cesaro and Murphy could have been good…but it was a vehicle to further Cesaro and Seth.

I didn’t hate that so much.

But having Tamina and Natalya win? Yea, that match wasn’t fun.

Star of the Night

For me? It was Daniel Bryan.

Loved his promo at the end of the show. Pushed the right buttons for sure, as he knows how to.

I know we have Reigns-Edge booked for Tampa. However, with all the talk of McMahon wanting to blow stuff up…could we honestly see Bryan added in?

It wouldn’t be the first time he crashed a WrestleMania party, after all.

Spot of the Night:

No one spot grabbed me tonight.

Jobber of the Night:

I have a hard time picking this one. Like, I kind of think I am going with Murphy here.

Upset of the Night:

Tamina and Natalya. Hands down.

Like, sure, you can further the wedge between Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks…but you can do it after they win, too.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

Not much for me, but will mention a couple.

One, can’t believe Tamina and Natalya won.

Two, we’ve got Sasha defending next week against Nia Jax. With Vince not happy…could we see that title change hands?

Also, one thought: Otis…could he be a long lost member of the Natural Disasters?

Botch of the night:

Not much to call out on this one. The only comment I could make was on Daniel Bryan’s running knee on Edge.

In the replay, it looked to be the best edition of it…but seriously, that is a brutally minor nitpick.

LOL Moment of the night:

Reginald and Nia. This might be the new comedy act.

Also did enjoy how Zayn snuck down and grabbed the title shot out from under Corbin.

Noteworthy Moment:

Well, we’ve got Jey Uso and Edge in a SmackDown ring next week. The stakes?

Winner gets to be the “special guest enforcer” for the Fastlane Universal Championship match.

It’s interesting stakes, for sure. I still have this odd feeling that Edge costs Daniel Bryan the win, and somehow WWE slides Daniel Bryan into the WrestleMania match.

That said, I honestly would not hate a Bryan win, giving us Edge/Daniel Bryan one on one in Tampa.

However…not sure how they get there, and if so, what they would do with Reigns.

Then again…if McMahon wants to shake up WrestleMania…Reigns and a certain former MMA Superstar…could be “big enough”.

Overall lowlights:

This one just felt like an odd show. Less wrestling, more talking and segments.

The talking worked, it filled a need, don’t get me wrong. I just would have liked to see more wrestling.

Overall highlights:

The big thing for me was Daniel Bryan’s segment at the end.

Next runner up? I’d say we had another strong Apollo Crews segment.

Could WWE finally have tapped into his potential? It seems like maybe.

After the final bell:

The major action is pretty much locked in for Fastlane. There’s just one more show left, so this week went a long way.

That said, next week is looking interesting, specifically with eyes on Jey Uso versus Edge.

The table is set for Fastlane…or at least, very nearly set.