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SmackDown was a show that epitomizes WWE - great and atrocious all at the same time. It was certainly a notable episode, but not in always the right ways, and with WrestleMania now less than two weeks away, let's go into the biggest winners and losers on the show.
Loser: The women's division
Yes, this was Asuka's biggest loss, but the division as a whole lost as well. Now, the women who were competing for an opportunity at WrestleMania won't get one, and all the build put into the SmackDown women's division in particular since December disappeared in one fell swoop.
The title would have been a midcard match, true, but other women would have gotten a chance at a WrestleMania spotlight instead of competing in a battle royal. Now, that won't be the case.
Not only was this a slap in the face to Asuka, it was a slap in the face to the entire division, Raw included, since most of their superstars have been cast to the wayside for this triple threat match as well.
And somehow, the SD title doesn't seem like it will even be on the line in that match. Incredible.
Charlotte Flair is a big loser as well, because she's now been put in a spot where fans are disgusted at her push. If her entry into the Becky Lynch match was unwelcome, this was downright insulting. It's the Roman Reigns situation all over again. It will be hard for her to wipe this stain away. Her push has dwarfed his as well.
Supposedly this decision was only made hours before the show as well, with the roster not pleased in the aftermath.
WWE is wondering why more members of the roster want to leave. They need look no further than what happened last night to find their answer.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Meanwhile, when it comes to the one WrestleMania match that actually feels like it really matters, SmackDown again hit it out of the park. Kofi Kingston's New Day brothers, Xavier Woods and Big E, fought to hell and back in order to ensure that their man got the shot he was denied last week.
They did so by winning another grueling gauntlet match.
Bryan vs. Kingston is now official for WrestleMania 35 and it's the sleeper hit. In all the ways that Becky Lynch's angle has turned into a complete mess, Kofi Kingston's is connecting organically with fans who want to ride the roller coaster and see a longtime veteran finally get his great moment of glory on the company's biggest stage.
This has been the best feud of 2019 so far and it isn't even close. Let's just hope that they follow through when it actually counts.
