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Tonight's SmackDown Live kicked off with The New Day throwing pancakes at the crowd and being their jolly selves, despite all the setbacks they have suffered over the weeks.
As the night progressed, we witnessed some shocking visuals inside the squared circle, and the landscape of WrestleMania 35 changed drastically, for the blue side of things. Let's take a look at 5 things WWE did right on tonight's SmackDown Live!
#5 A final chance
Vince McMahon and The New Day faced off inside the ring, with the trio contemplating on leaving the company for good. Surprisingly, Vince gave Kofi another chance at the WrestleMania shot. This time, Vince put The New Day in a Tag Team Gauntlet match, with Kofi getting his shot if his brothers win their match.
Tensions are building up as Kofi's destiny depends on his brothers' competence inside the squared circle. The intrigue for the eventual Mania match just reached a whole new level.
#4 A shocker!
Asuka and Charlotte competed in a SmackDown Women's Title match in a possible last-minute decision, with the duo going on to have an amazing match.
In an angle that no one saw coming, Charlotte Flair tapped out Asuka to win the SmackDown Women's championship. This might lead to a Women's Title unification match at WrestleMania.
#3 Angle and Styles face off one last time
The duo had a bunch of classic bouts over in TNA when Angle left WWE to join the promotion. Tonight, Kurt Angle went on to have one final dance with The Phenomenal One inside the squared circle.
It ended up being what one usually expects from an AJ Styles match. The match didn't last long as Randy Orton interfered and delivered a thunderous RKO to AJ Styles. This warranted an Angle Slam to him from Angle, as the former Olympic Champion and The Phenomenal One embraced in the ring.
#2 Shane-Miz get a worthy stipulation
Shane McMahon and The Miz are set to face off at WrestleMania 35. The Miz shocked the WWE Universe tonight when he demanded a Falls Count Anywhere match against Shane.
He was cut off by security and a bunch of WWE Superstars. Shane displayed the picture of him harassing Miz's father at Fastlane, as he accepted The Miz's demand for a Falls Count Anywhere! The Superstars went on to beat the tar out of The Miz, with The Hollywood A-Lister holding his own against the bunch.
Shane has transformed from this always smiling babyface to a ruthless heel, and the match at Mania would be one for the ages.
#1 Kofi FINALLY gets his shot!
The New Day kicked off the Gauntlet match by quickly eliminating Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The second team, Nakamura and Rusev, put up a good fight, but to no avail.
Woods and Big E next faced The Bar and even though they somehow managed to defeat the duo, Cesaro and Sheamus didn't take it lightly and put Big E through a table. The Usos came in next, and announced that Kofi deserves his shot at Mania, thus they are forfeiting!
Out came the final team in the Gauntlet match: Daniel Bryan and Eric Rowan! The duo battered Big E and Woods for a while, but The New Day ended up winning the whole thing by count out! Kofi Kingston finally got his shot at the WWE Title at The Show of Shows!
