WWE SmackDown Live : 3 things WWE got right and 2 things they got wrong (March 5th, 2019)

Another episode of WWE SmackDown Live is in the bag, and as we approach Fastlane, it's clear that things are heating up.

With so much on the line before the final pay-per-view before WrestleMania 35, everyone on team blue is hoping to impress, as they vie for a spot on the biggest show of the year.

This week, we saw a huge title change and a shocking return just days away from the last pit-stop on the road to the Showcase of the Immortals.

However, things weren't all smooth sailing, as this week's SmackDown Live had it's downs as well as ups.

Here are three things the WWE got right on the March 5th, 2019 edition of SmackDown Live, as well as two things that could have been a whole lot better.

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#3: Got it right- Kevin Owens is back!

The Prizefighter has vowed to shut 'The New' Daniel Bryan up at Fastlane.

When I heard the rumors that Kevin Owens was reportedly coming back as a babyface, I was worried.

Owens, who joined the WWE in late 2014, had been one of their best heels ever since, showing no mercy against his opponents.

So the idea of the former Universal Champion being a goody-two shoes didn't seem right to me.

Fortunately, those fears melted away when I saw Owens' promo this week, as he explained that he never intended to take Kofi Kingston's spot at Fastlane.

With the New Day star as popular as he is, it would've been easy for the crowd to turn on KO, but instead got behind him as he berated Daniel Bryan.

Hopefully we'll be able to see more of this side of Kevin Owens in the coming months.

#2: Got it wrong- R-Truth, the next John Cena

Dressed in a star-spangled jacket, Truth certainly had the look of a United States Champion.

R-Truth is a funny guy. He does comedy well and has the in-ring ability to still be seen as a legitimate threat.

And after over a decade toiling away in WWE, (bearing in mind this is his second run with the company), it was great to see Truth get a United States Championship reign.

Unfortunately, Truth's new character of honoring John Cena, just seems hokey.

Whilst Truth calling Cena his childhood hero may get a laugh from some fans, it certainly doesn't seem popular for the majority of the fans.

And now with Truth no longer the US Champion (though we'll get to that later), fans have to wonder what this means for his future, and whether the Bumblebee movie star will actually make his presence known.

#2: Got it right- The return of Mustafa Ali

Ali came to the aid of Kevin Owens in his war with Erick Rowan.

Mustafa Ali's time on SmackDown Live has been brief, but he has certainly accomplished a lot in his tenure.

The most impressive feat by the former 205 Live star is defeating Daniel Bryan not long after his debut, and many considered him a dark horse favorite inside the Elimination Chamber.

Unfortunately, a sudden injury derailed his momentum, as he was pulled from the Chamber match, and many worried he'd lose his shine.

Returning this week, Ali came to the aid of Kevin Owens, after the Canadian was assaulted by Erick Rowan and his Fastlane opponent, Daniel Bryan.

Ali definitely looked well in his return to the blue brand, and given his incredible in-ring skill and natural charisma, may find himself back in the WWE Title picture before the year is done.

#1: Got it wrong- Where was Kofi Kingston?

Kingston and the New Day were nowhere to be seen.

It's incredible that over just a couple of weeks, Kofi Kingston went from being one-third of the New Day, to arguably the most beloved star on SmackDown Live.

Impressing in a Gauntlet match, and inside the Elimination Chamber, Kingston was set to face WWE Champion Daniel Bryan at Fastlane, before he was replaced by Kevin Owens.

As The Prizefighter defended himself this week, saying he never asked to take the Ghanaian Superstar's spot, fans couldn't help but wonder, where was Kingston himself?

In fact, all three of The New Day were missing, as they were touring India as representatives of the company.

Whilst Kofi has put out a tweet showing his disappointment at losing his title opportunity, many fans won't have seen it. You can't have all your feuds on social media.

1: Got it right- Samoa Joe finally gets a title

After two years on the main roster, Samoa Joe finally has gold.

2018 was not the best year for Samoa Joe.

Despite being perceived as one of the blue brand's biggest stars, and featured in the main event on multiple occasions, Joe never held the WWE Championship during AJ Styles' year-long title reign.

The first man to hold the NXT Championship twice, many have seen the former TNA Star's lack of gold on the main roster as a worrying sign, and have wondered whether he would be better back in the developmental brand.

This week though, things changed, as The Samoan Submission Machine was able to upset Rey Mysterio, Andrade and former US Champion R-Truth to capture the Star Spangled strap.

With WrestleMania 35 drawing nearer, expect big plans for the new United States Champion as we approach The Grandest Stage of Them All.