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Here's a thought that occurred to me while catching up on last night's episode of SmackDown: No match at WrestleMania 31 has received more attention in main event TV spots as Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins, arguably the fifth match down on the card.
Why?
It's likely due to the fact that most of the top wrestlers on the show simply aren't showing up on a weekly basis, like Brock Lesnar and Sting. But even on a night when Lesnar and Roman Reigns were in the same building, the main event was all about Orton putting a beating on Rollins.
Frankly, I'm baffled by it.
The storytelling has left a lot to be desired -- the old "keep him out of the building" but of course he gets in the building at the last minute only for his opponent to escape bit from last night is further proof of that -- but the performances from all involved have justified the positioning, no? Orton has been fantastic. And while Reigns is widely regarded as the king waiting to take his throne, Rollins has been carrying WWE on his back for six months now.
Might we be looking at a Reigns vs. Rollins feud coming out of WrestleMania?
One can only hope.
Here's what SmackDown gave us last night:
Paige vs. Brie Bella: Actually really enjoyed this for how aggressive both women were, not to mention they managed to work a roll up finish that didn't feel like a cop out way out of a short, garbage match. Just Paige taking advantage of an overly confident Brie with a sound pinfall. Also, that video package hyping the tag match at WrestleMania? Highest marks for that.
Gauntlet: The booking here was about as good as you could expect from a match that dictates five guys would have to take a loss. R-Truth is the joke character, so his getting beaten so quickly worked fine. Luke Harper looked outstanding eliminating Dean Ambrose before giving it a go but falling short against Daniel Bryan via a submission you wouldn't normally see. We need more finishes like that, and they only happen in matches like this. Finally, Ziggler and Bryan were absolutely outstanding. Like, it will be disappointing if they aren't given a three PPV program with a series of escalating stipulations. I can't think of a better way to make the Intercontinental title feel like it's worth so much more than it is.
Interspecies: I cringe at this interspecies nonsense, but I absolutely loved how they used Natalya in this match. Popped huge for the crowd's shock at El Torito executing on arm drag on her followed by awe at the sit out powerbomb into a pinfall. How could we go this long without knowing how much we needed The Brass Ring Club in our lives?
Baby Henry: Mark Henry is a heel. That they would turn him babyface after that bit with Roman last week, which was brilliantly done, is incredibly short sighted.
Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins & Kane: Really enjoyed the sequences they put together for Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins in the main event, enough so that it's a real shame they didn't get a proper pay-per-view match like was planned at Night of Champions last year. Rollins is one of the best wrestlers in the world right now but Reigns was right there with him the entire way. Excuse me while I put myself over here and feel just a bit vindicated in how well Reigns performed in this main event. Meanwhile, this was exactly the kind of 2-on-1 "make Roman look strong" kind of booking I can get down with, mostly because it meant pinning Kane. Rollins is great, sure, but even in kayfabe land Kane is basically useless at this point.
This was good.
Grade: B
That's it from me, Cagesiders. Now it's your turn to sound off in the comments section below with all your thoughts on last night's show. How did you like it, if you liked it at all?