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From Edge's unhappiness over the Universal title scenario to Apollo Crews' intriguing character development, this week's edition of WWE SmackDown featured many contrasting moments.
Even if some booking decisions don't make sense, SmackDown feels like a very important show nowadays. This week's episode felt important and entertaining, despite a few issues.
What will SmackDown's card look like at Fastlane, in your opinion? Which show was better this week, RAW or SmackDown? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Here are the five biggest news stories from this week's episode of WWE SmackDown (February 26, 2021).
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#5 King Corbin seemed unhappy with Sami Zayn's documentary crew on WWE SmackDown
King Corbin and Sami Zayn aren't babyfaces on WWE SmackDown, but they're not the best of friends either.
During this week's episode, Zayn pitched the idea of teaming up with Corbin to make an impact. After all, they defeated Rey and Dominik Mysterio on SmackDown together, not too long ago. Zayn and Corbin's tag team could work if they succeed in putting aside their personal differences on television.
Corbin was annoyed by Zayn's documentary crew filming him backstage. This would later come into play during their tag team match against The Street Profits.
The tag team contest between the aforementioned teams was exhilarating. Corbin felt distracted from the task at hand whenever Zayn's documentary crew got too close to him.
By the way, why did Zayn's camera crew feel the need to document everything from an uncomfortably close distance? As Corey Graves theorized, that's what happens when someone hires filmmakers from Craigslist.
In the end, The Street Profits were able to pick up the victory. Corbin and Zayn argued after the match was over. If WWE wants to go ahead by teaming up Corbin and Zayn together in the foreseeable future, it wouldn't be a bad idea by any means. There is no room left for them in SmackDown's singles title scenarios at the moment, and the Blue brand's tag team division could benefit from the inclusion of entertaining sub-plots.
Perhaps this could even lead to a bizarre heel vs. heel feud between Zayn and Corbin. Corbin is one of the most unlikeable heels in WWE today, and Zayn excels at annoying people, on purpose. Either way, there are a lot of possibilities for a potential storyline between the two on SmackDown.
#4 Seth Rollins' plan to brainwash Cesaro failed on WWE SmackDown
Seth Rollins wanted everyone to embrace his vision in WWE, even though we still don't know what that vision is.
On this week's WWE SmackDown, Rollins talked about being treated unfairly upon his return. Before SmackDown's Saviour could preach another one of his self-absorbed ideas, Cesaro interrupted the segment.
The Swiss Cyborg was about to beat up Rollins as a form of payback for when the latter had ambushed him before Elimination Chamber. However, The Messiah wanted Cesaro to hear him out.
Once again, Rollins tried to encourage Cesaro to embrace his vision. He even complimented The Swiss Superman in order to manipulate him. Instead, Rollins got trapped in one of the best Cesaro Swing attempts the viewers have seen in a while.
Clearly, the feud between the two stars has just begun. Cesaro vs. Rollins at WWE Fastlane could be a possibility. Perhaps their feud may extend beyond the upcoming pay-per-view. If so, a WrestleMania program between the two sounds ideal. As a result, Cesaro could get his big WrestleMania moment at The Show of Shows this year.
#3 The "real" Apollo Crews emerged during WWE SmackDown
Apollo Crews cut an incredible promo on this week's WWE SmackDown, which added further to his gradual character transformation.
Big E was nowhere to be seen during this episode after Crews brutalized him last week. The latter touched upon his ancestry in a way that no one expected him to.
Crews talked about his history as an African American. Apparently, his great grandfather was an influential man in Nigeria and had five wives. The green and white colors of his attire showcase wealth, dominance, and power.
Apollo Crews even changed his accent at one point to send a dominant message, which is when Nakamura arrived for a one-on-one match against Crews. Unlike last week, Crews was able to pick up the victory this time around.
It seems like the stakes have significantly increased in the WWE Intercontinental title picture. In the past, no one really talked about Apollo Crews when it came to the best personalities in professional wrestling. Judging by his change in character, Crews could very well enter that conversation soon.
#2 Bianca Belair chose Sasha Banks as her opponent for WWE WrestleMania 37
Bianca Belair was advertised to make her decision for WrestleMania on this week's WWE SmackDown, and the choice became clear.
Belair talked about the importance of choices, as she firmly believes that choices can define a person in a significant way. If she made the wrong choice on the Road to WrestleMania 37, she would be defined by that mistake in WWE's history books
Carmella's sommelier, Reginald, entered the scene and agreed with Belair's philosophy. He believed that if Belair chose Banks as her WrestleMania opponent, it would be the wrong choice. At this stage, there seem to be two possibilities behind Reginald's motivations:
- He is completely infatuated with Sasha Banks, or,
- He is manipulating Sasha so that Carmella can enter the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship picture.
In the latter case, his manipulation tactics aren't working at all, as evident by Banks' demeanor in this episode. When The Legit Boss and The EST of WWE faced-off against each other, Belair made her decision.
She wanted to face Banks at The Grandest Stage of Them All, and the challenge was accepted from the champion's side.
At least Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair were on the same page about one thing — They don't want Reginald to interfere in their proceedings.
#1 Daniel Bryan and Edge's WWE Universal title pursuits created some conflict between them
Roman Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan at WWE Elimination Chamber, but their feud is far from over.
Bryan confronted Reigns at the beginning of this week's WWE SmackDown. The Yes Movement's leader highlighted how Reigns had manipulated the circumstances at Elimination Chamber. Since Bryan was fatigued after winning the Elimination Chamber match, he didn't have a lot of energy left to fight Reigns at the pay-per-view. As a result, Bryan asked for a proper Universal title rematch at Fastlane.
Bryan wouldn't get a title shot right away, as Jey Uso stepped up to face him in the main event. The stipulation was that Bryan had to defeat Uso in the main event to earn a title match against Reigns. Later backstage, it was implied that some shenanigans would occur. Bryan had to "win" against Uso to get a title shot, and a draw/tie technically wouldn't work in Bryan's favor.
This simplified Uso's job in the main event, as his clash against Bryan conveniently ended in a double count-out. Reigns and Uso brutalized Bryan after the main event was over.
Here are a few questions after the ending to this week's WWE SmackDown:
- How will Daniel Bryan manage to earn a title shot now?
- Why didn't Edge arrive to defend Bryan, even though the former was present backstage?
As far as the second question is concerned, it was hinted this week that there are traces of Edge's self-absorbed persona that still exists in 2021. When it was announced that Bryan could possibly enter the Universal title scene, Edge shouldn't have objected to it. However, The Rated-R Superstar felt insecure about this decision to a certain degree. Edge and Bryan even entered into a small conflict when the latter said he didn't believe that Edge could realistically dethrone Reigns from the top.
A lot of WWE fans disliked what happened after the main event. However, the aforementioned events could lead to Edge vs. Daniel Bryan at Fastlane.
After all, Bryan's direct line to a Universal title shot was cut-off by Uso and Reigns this week. To earn a title match against Reigns, he may have to challenge the current No. 1 contender, Edge, instead.
Do catch Rick Ucchino and Sid Pullar III (SP3) on 'Smack Talk' in the video linked above, as they share their thoughts on all that went down during last night's WWE SmackDown.
Vince Russo answers who killed WCW HERE
