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Last night's episode of SmackDown was all about previewing WrestleMania 31 this Sunday night, which means we were treated to hype videos for all the big matches on the card with frequent live cut ins to Axxess. If there's ever an episode of SmackDown to skip out on, this is it.
That said, they did offer a couple matches and gave the Divas a microphone and let them do their thing, so here's the quick recap of what we were treated to:
Fatal 4 Way: You know, I appreciate simple booking. Hey, here are four members of the four teams participating in the tag title match at WrestleMania 31, let's let them duke it out in a fun little match that can have a clean finish that won't do anything to hurt the pending match on the bigger show. Mission accomplished.
Divas promo time: Why is it that AJ Lee consistently sounds like she's out of breath when she talks? Anyway, I love how this segment was set up. Just as AJ and Paige are about to make up, making it official with a handshake, the Bella twins interrupt and the handshake never happens. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!? That said, they moved past it fairly quickly and went about spitting hot fire at each other. The best part? Everyone had an identity to stand up for, a reason to stand up for it, and now we pick sides. That's good build for the match they're just days away from having at WrestleMania. Sold.
WrestleMania Guys: They had the chance to edit the crowd noise here, and I'm sure they did to some extent, but what does it say that there were so many audible boos when Roman Reigns got in to clean house, even while saving Daniel Bryan? When Bray Wyatt set him up for Sister Abigail, that roof was ready to blow off. It wasn't quite as bad as spoilers indicated, though, again, that could have been editing. Either way, the babyfaces looked good here in a toned down showing from all involved. It was what it was supposed to be.
Shows like this are tough to grade because, well, they're barely shows. But what was presented outside of the endless preview videos and Axxess cut ins was entertaining.
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?