'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
From The Bella Twins appearing on "A Moment of Bliss" to Goldberg encountering "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt before their match at WWE Super ShowDown 2020, this week's episode of SmackDown featured several contrasting moments.
Before WWE's mega-event in Saudi Arabia next Thursday, this week's show utilized most of its runtime in a good way. Even the filler bits came across as a welcome change in an episode where a legend like Goldberg was scheduled to make a live appearance.
The show does have its faults, but the Blue brand mostly focuses on newsworthy feuds and matches, and that is why SmackDown feels relevant nowadays.
Here are the 5 Biggest News Stories from this week's episode of WWE SmackDown (February 21, 2020).
#5: Mandy Rose and Otis Dozovic's Valentine's Day drama was engineered by a mysterious third person
After WWE's highly successful Valentine's Day segment involving Otis, Mandy Rose and Dolph Ziggler, fans witnessed a fallout from all the "love triangle" drama on this week's episode.
Heavy Machinery's Tucker confronted Fire & Desire (Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville) in a backstage segment. Tucker pointed out how Mandy broke his tag team partner's heart on Valentine's Day.
Mandy Rose seemed a little confused. From her perspective, Otis never showed up on time, and Dolph running into her was merely coincidental.
But apparently, Otis received a text that Mandy was running late last Friday. Mandy Rose seemed confused because she was unaware of the text being sent in the first place.
So a mysterious third person might have engineered this whole fiasco all along. Dolph Ziggler and Sonya Deville seem to be the most obvious suspects. We know that Ziggler is the primary antagonist in this story, but it is no secret that Sonya wasn't as thrilled about Otis and Mandy's pairing in the first place.
This storyline continues to be an entertaining premise that has a lot left to give as of this moment.
#4: Braun Strowman and Elias defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro in WWE's second "Symphony of Destruction" Match
The Intercontinental Champion, Braun Strowman, has been embroiled in a heated feud with Sami Zayn's cohorts, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro. Elias tagged with Strowman in WWE's second-ever "Symphony of Destruction" match last night.
The two big moments of the bout included Strowman power-slamming Nakamura onto a piano as Elias delivered a top rope elbow to Cesaro through a table. The Monster Among Men pinned Shinsuke Nakamura to secure the victory.
Storywise, it doesn't look like there is anything more to add to the Intercontinental Champion's beef with Nakamura and Cesaro at this stage. Strowman has had the benefit of tagging up with Elias to keep things entertaining every week.
But with nothing new to add, WWE made a good decision by adding a gimmick stipulation to what could have been a very normal tag team match.
Like Roman Reigns and King Corbin's never-ending saga, the Blue Brand has to know when storylines have to end, and with WrestleMania 36 in April, Braun Strowman needs to move on to bigger things.
#3: The Bella Twins and Daniel Bryan were involved in ideal filler segments ahead of WWE Super ShowDown
The Bella Twins appeared on "A Moment of Bliss" during the episode.
Alexa Bliss introduced Nikki & Brie Bella as this year's Hall of Fame inductees, and in a small chat, the twins also revealed their pregnancies before Daniel Bryan came out with his daughter Birdie.
It's no secret that a certain section of fans aren't too excited about The Bella Twins being nominated into the Hall of Fame - even though they deserve the honour - as part of the Class of 2020. So WWE kept the segment sweet and short before Bryan entered the frame and made his way into the ring.
Ahead of the Super ShowDown event, Daniel Bryan's role in the Blue Brand has been toned down since his feud with The Fiend. Bryan won't be making the trip to Saudi Arabia next Thursday, so he doesn't have a major feud at the moment.
After Bryan's re-match with Heath Slater this week, we could be in for a minor showdown between Drew Gulak and Daniel Bryan. Gulak claims to know Bryan's in-ring weaknesses at the moment, and that could lead to a singles match soon.
#2: Naomi defeated Carmella to face Bayley for the SmackDown Women's Title in Saudi Arabia
Carmella vs. Naomi was the best match from last night's episode.
Although it may have been a little clunky during various instances, both women put on an entertaining match that felt as if Naomi and Carmella were battling for a big opportunity.
The opportunity is big indeed.
Naomi defeated Carmella to become the new #1 contender for Bayley's SmackDown Women's Championship. But the stakes are higher since, for the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia, a female wrestler will defend her title, and in this case, Bayley gets to be the one to make history in Riyadh.
Naomi is clearly the fan-favorite on SmackDown since her return, so it was the right decision to elevate her to the #1 contender position.
Whether or not the historic battle results in Naomi becoming the new SmackDown Women's Champion remains to be seen, but it would certainly be a nice surprise if WWE decides to move forward with Naomi as champion.
Bayley's title run hasn't been the most newsworthy part of SmackDown, and someone like Sasha Banks could be a great match for a babyface like Naomi on the Road to WrestleMania 36.
#1: Goldberg speared "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt in a dominant confrontation before WWE Super ShowDown
Goldberg got the upper hand in a confrontation with "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt before both entities collide in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia next Thursday.
As Goldberg returned in front of a live audience to talk about his upcoming title match, the legend was interrupted by Wyatt's Firefly Fun House on the TitanTron.
Bray Wyatt introduced all members of the Firefly Fun House, but Goldberg didn't give in to Wyatt's "mind games" that easily.
Before you know it, The Fiend came out to greet Goldberg in person, but the latter wasn't intimidated by Bray Wyatt's evil persona at all.
Goldberg speared his opponent immediately, and before they could brawl further, The Fiend disappeared right away.
This was a good segment that highlighted Goldberg's dominance in an efficient way. It is safe to assume that their match at Super ShowDown won't stretch for too long. With Bray Wyatt as the favourite to win from a logical perspective, it was important to show that Goldberg isn't as easily intimidated by him as The Fiend's previous opponents.
The short confrontation also left us wanting more, and that is ultimately a good thing since you never want to overdo a "Goldberg confrontation" before a "Goldberg match" in 2020.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
