SmackDown In A Nutshell: Blue Brand Capitol Chaos On Friday!

It’s time for our usual SmackDown In A Nutshell, and this week we have Blue brand Capitol Chaos on Friday!

Blue brand is simple enough, and we get Capitol chaos because, well…the show is in Washington, DC.

And the chaos comes from? We are just a month away from WrestleMania.

Plenty of matches left to be made, some of them pretty important.

On top of that, we are finally getting Cody Rhodes face to face with Roman Reigns, ahead of their main event tilt.

Lots to go through, lots to take in, hence Capitol chaos on the blue brand.

So, no point in dragging things out further, it is time for…

SmackDown In A Nutshell: Blue Brand Capitol Chaos On Friday!

Let’s crack open this Nutshell!

Best Match of the night:

I dug the opening promo between Roman and Cody. Roman was just about as harsh as Heyman was a couple weeks back.

The main event between Sami and Solo was strong, but it was as much about the surrounding drama as anything else.

Honorable mention, and this one was sneaky good? Dom and Santos.

Worst match of the night:

If the goal is Baszler and Rousey to challenge for the women’s tag titles…this match didn’t help.

Rousey coming out with an arm injury, we got Shayna destroying Tegan Nox and it didn’t do much for any WrestleMania plans.

Star of the Night

Cody Rhodes…Roman Reigns. Kicking the show off strong.

The Bloodline story carries on, and it’s strong.

Sami Zayn caps it off.

Spot of the Night:

I thought for a moment this might be when we learn Uncle Howdy’s true identity…

Jobber of the Night:

I suppose Tegan Nox gets this nod?

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

The sheer chaos of that segment where, I thought we’d finally get Sheamus and Drew against GUNTHER.

It was certainly hinted at-it was why Drew came out first.

Except after Sheamus, we got LA Knight, New Day and Karrion Kross…and as much chaos as there was, I probably missed someone.

It did give us a fatal five way next week to battle GUNTHER…so how do we get a funky finish giving us a triple threat?

Also, Roman is angry that Jey is still MIA, and he’s given Jimmy a week to fix it…or else.

Botch of the night:

As much as I might enjoy face Bobby Lashley, and as much as I admit heel Lashley (especially in the Hurt Business) was good work…he needs someone doing his talking.

He can talk…but he’s not known for cutting great promos. There were  a few cringe moments for me tonight, and for me, he was perfect with MVP.

LOL Moment of the night:

Not much tonight, but the best for me was probably the exchange between New Day and LA Knight.

Except, is it just me, or is LA Knight getting cheers? I like that.

But, since I believe he is from the area (Baltimore-ish), it could be a regional thing?

Noteworthy Moment:

Lashley and Wyatt takes a step forward.

We inch closer to who gets a shot at GUNTHER, but it’s a crowded five-way match. Honestly, as Superstars poured out of the back, I was expecting a ‘Mania Money In The Bank ladder match.

That would be pretty sweet…but unlikely.

Overall lowlights:

My main complaint is not loving the “direction” or speed with which we get there, for Baszler and Rousey and what comes next.

Otherwise, I can’t complain about much of anything tonight.

Overall highlights:

Loved the touches with the opening segment. Sending the Bloodline to the back, Roman putting the belts down knowing it would bother Cody.

Cody going through his history, including his non-WWE efforts (and the success he had).

Reigns bringing up Dream, and hitting Rhodes hard. This whole build does not need to get physical until WrestleMania, and I’d bet that is the plan.

Given the ultimatum, will we finally get Jimmy and Jey on the same page and in the Bloodline? I assume so, in order to set up the expected tag title match.

After the final bell:

We definitely had a bit of Capitol chaos, but the march toward WrestleMania continues.

Still a few big matches pending, but it would seem likely that by the time next week wraps, we will have more clarity.