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The Miz gave Daniel Bryan a bit of advice about facing The Fiend backstage before the first WWE Broadcast of 2020. Sasha Banks kicked off SmackDown with Bayley and cut a short promo about being the best before Lacey Evans and Dana Brooke came out to oppose them. Alexa and Nikki came out next and the triple threat tag match was ready to begin.
Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke vs. Sasha Banks & Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross
Lacey and Sasha started the match and Nikki was tagged in early on by Banks. Dana came in next and Cross tagged in Alexa while the former champs had all the momentum. Alexa was dropped from the top rope by Bayley and Sasha hit the double knees for a near fall.
The heels were in control when we returned from a break and Banks got a near fall on Brooke before Bayley hit her with a suplex and Sasha another near fall. Evans hit the Woman's Right to Banks while Dana took out Bayley on the outside and then hit a senton on Banks for the win.
Result: Lacey Evans & Dana Brooke def. Sasha Banks & Bayley, Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross
Match rating: A
Rate this match here.
Backstage, Otis was mad about Dolph Ziggler ruining his mom's cake and told Mandy that his mom saw it.
The New Day were celebrating the new year with pancakes before they gave The Miz a little pep-talk. The Miz got angry and challenged Kofi to a match and the former WWE Champ accepted it.
Elias was out next and sang a song while dropping some truth on us at the same time. He also hyped Royal Rumble while backstage, Shorty G told the Revival not to lend a ear to the haters. They instead challenged him to a match.
Dash Wilder vs. Shorty G
Dawson was on commentary while Wilder stepped in the ring with Shorty. Shorty G got the Ankle Lock in and made Wilder tap out.
Result: Shorty G def. Dash Wilder
Dawson attacked Shorty from behind while he was celebrating and The Revival hit the Shatter Machine. Sheamus came out and chased the duo away before hitting the Brogue Kick on Shorty G.
Match rating: B
Rate this match here.
Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz
Kingston dominated early on but Miz picked up some steam with the 'it' kicks and running knees, but Kofi got back on top with a diving ax handle and hit the boom drop, but couldn't get the finisher. Miz was going for the Skull Crushing Finale but Kofi countered it into a rollup and got the win.
Result: Kofi Kingston def. The Miz
The Fiend's games had taken a toll on Miz's mind as he yelled at the crowd after attacking Kofi post-match.
Match rating: B
Rate this match here.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan said that he was the only one who hasn't been broken by The Fiend's mind games. He said that he would win the title at Royal Rumble and Roman said that if that happens, Bryan will face him at WrestleMania after Roman wins the Rumble.
John Morrison was hanging out with Miz backstage.
Otis vs. Drew Gulak
Drew Gulak came out and said Otis didn't have a chance with Mandy and Gulak had a 372 page powerpoint presentation to show it. Otis attacked Gulak and the match began. Mandy and Sonya were watching the match backstage.
Dolph Ziggler came in to distract Mandy while in the ring, Otis was tossing Gulak around. He hit the caterpillar and got the win.
Result: Otis vs. Drew Gulak
Match rating: B
Rate this match here.
Braun Strowman was out next to face Cesaro.
Braun Strowman vs. Cesaro
Both men managed to fend off the other early on but Braun tossed Cesaro across the ring before sending him into the barricades. Shinsuke and Zayn got involved before Cesaro locked in a sleeper hold.
Strowman reversed the Neutralizer into a Power Slam and got the win. Nakamura hit him with a Kinshasa after the match.
Result: Braun Strowman def. Cesaro
Match rating: B
Rate this match here.
Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan vs. King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler
Corbin unloaded on Roman as the match began but Reigns hit a Samoan Drop and then the drive by. Bryan and Ziggler tagged in and Daniel sent Ziggler outside when the lights went dark and we heard the Fiend's spooky laugh.
We returned from commercials and the match was back to normal as if nothing happened. Dolph was in control and taunting Reigns who took him down after taking a short breather.
Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan vs. King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler
Reigns was sent into the post and King Corbin was keeping him from making the tag. Bryan got the tag and hit the 'yes' kicks on Ziggler. Bryan got the LaBelle lock but Corbin broke it up. Roman hit the spear and Ziggler hit a superkick.
Bryan hit the running knee and looked to finish the match but the lights went fully dark and The Fiend appeared. Bryan attacked him and was met with the mandible claw before he was sent through the barricades for yet another mandible claw attack.
The screen went dark again and when we returned, The Fiend was gone and Ziggler and Corbin attacked Roman, before they handcuffed Roman again and brought out the dog food. The Usos returned and saved Reigns before the show ended.
Result: DNF
Match rating: A
Rate this match here.
Episode rating: A+
WWE fans had a great start to the year with the return of the veterans The Usos, John Morrison and Sheamus, while the Fiend made the main event exciting.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
