SmackDown In A Nutshell: Roman On The Road To…Goldberg?!

It’s time for another SmackDown in a Nutshell, and this week we can confirm that Roman Reigns is on the Road to Goldberg…and he is not alone.

In case you missed it, Reigns and his new/old friend, Paul Heyman, reunited on Saturday.

They did so in an effort that cost Brock Lesnar his WWE Championship.

Now, we know that Lesnar is in the Elimination Chamber to try and get that belt back. However, he also announced on RAW that he was challenging Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania.

Whether that becomes an actual title versus title clash remains to be seen.

Now, how does Goldberg fit in? Well…Goldberg popped up on this week’s opening segment to challenge Reigns.

As in…what we were supposed to get a couple years back, and never happened. Now…that appears set at Elimination Chamber.

Didn’t expect to see that, did you?

But, we know we won’t see Shane McMahon on SmackDown…but we will see Ronda Rousey.

The Baddest Woman on the Planet returned at the Rumble, and she will make official her intentions to challenge Charlotte Flair in Dallas.

So, there is a lot going on, and more than just Roman on the road to WrestleMania...so let’s dive in.

It’s time for…

SmackDown In A Nutshell: Roman On The Road To…Goldberg!?

Let’s crack this one open and go for a ride!

Best Match of the night:

The New Day versus Los Lotharios.

Now, this was a good match, absolutely.

But…it was the only good match on the night.

Worst match of the night:

Aliyah and Natalya.

Not that it was bad…just…I am tired of hearing about the b.s. “record” that someone was pinned in barely 3 seconds.

Or, Natalya’s six records.

Glad Aliyah is finally rolling on the main roster…just…not loving this program I guess.

For what it’s worth…most of the matches this week were disappointing.

Crowd Chants of the Night:

Not a chant, outside of the obvious…but they are into Goldberg…

Star of the Night

Goldberg? Reigns?

Heyman…since he did most of the talking.

Spot of the Night:

I am sure it can be painful, but Rousey’s armbar on Deville didn’t look all that painful.

Maybe it was just me?

Jobber of the Night:

Sonya Deville.

Someone had to take the attack from Rousey, and WWE won’t let Flair and her get too physical just yet.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

Saudi money makes Vince’s world go ’round, for sure. Goldberg and Reigns was lined up a couple years back, and we will finally get it in Jeddah.

Botch of the night:

It seems Ric Boogs had some guitar issues tonight. That’s unfortunate.

LOL Moment of the night:

Sonya Deville and Charlotte almost swerved us all and tried to convince us that Rousey had changed her mind, and would be challenging Becky.

I mean, she will be…next year.

Noteworthy Moment:

Given all the talk about “you can’t touch me when the jacket is on”, I wonder if Rousey taking out Sonya Deville at the end of the show will keep Ronda busy between now and WrestleMania.

Overall lowlights:

I take nothing away from Goldberg. Nothing at all.

Yes, I acknowledge he still generates a pop…and I admit that Goldberg-Reigns was supposed to happen two years ago and did not.

However…matches where there’s almost no build?

Or, matches for championships, where the challenger hasn’t really earned the shot?

Those kinda suck.

I mean, all WWE would have had to do is have Goldberg be like…hey remember that match we couldn’t have? It’s time.

Yes, the announcers did that for him…but there was no tease for it, just…bam, here’s Big Bill with a challenge for Roman Reigns.

Compared to how hard Reigns made Rollins work to get to the Rumble, this was like “meh, OK, as long as the check clears”.

Overall highlights:

Heyman’s promo.

Goldberg was good…but still also hits a lowlight, because he just showed up so randomly, and any other actually deserving Superstar has to just take t.

The main event tag match was good.

Rousey really could use a manager. She was not terrible…but she’s still not good.

I mean…of the three women in the ring, Deville was I think the best on the mic.

Still, there’s a lot that can come out of that final few minutes of SmackDown. For one, a WrestleMania main event.

For another, I think Deville and Rousey have unfinished business.

After the final bell:

So, before Roman can get on his Road direct to WrestleMania, he’s going to get on the road to Goldberg.

Actually, a plane or two will be involved, since the two will finally lock horns in Saudi Arabia…and it’s kind of hard to drive there from the United States.

But still….it’s a Roman road to Goldberg…since that’s who’s next, or rather, who’s before WrestleMania.

It wasn’t as strong a SmackDown as I’d hoped for. Big out of the gate, but most of the rest of the show dragged.

Interesting, too, considering that the blue brand is now up against the Olympics for a couple weeks.