SmackDown was live this past Tuesday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Last week, Kofi Kingston thought that he had punched his ticket to WrestleMania after going over an hour in a gauntlet match, only to have it ripped away by Mr. McMahon.

   What does Kofi Kingston have to do to get to WrestleMania? Also, where does this leave the New Day?

   SmackDown kicks  off with the New Day. They explain their journey over the last 5+ years as a collective unit. They gratefully thank the WWE Universe for being along with them on the ride every step of the way. However, they explain that they have discussed over the last week and they feel it is best to walk away.

   After the trials and tribulations put in the way of Kofi Kingston for the last 11 years is something that is not right. However, they want answers from Mr. McMahon on the issues that have surrounded the WWE and they will not leave the ring until the answers appear.

   Mr. McMahon made his way down to the ring to address the New Day. However, before he could address the group, the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan and Rowan come out. Daniel states that the New Day is nothing but a novelty act that can be replaced. Kofi can be replaced because all he is, is a B+ player. He states that Kofi lost his match and is not deserving of a match at WrestleMania.

   Xavier Woods responds to Daniel Bryan’s remarks calling him a hypocrite. He states that Daniel has become everything he used to fight against.

   Before Xavier could continue, Mr. McMahon states that in his eyes, the New Day was never going to quit. He still believes Kofi Kingston is a B+ player. He states that Kofi is done having opportunities. That is why he looked at Big E & Xavier Woods. McMahon states that if they want Kofi to get an opportunity at WrestleMania, they will have to run and win a tag team gauntlet later in the night.

Charlotte Flair v. Asuka: SmackDown Women’s Championship

   Before the match, Becky Lynch stated in a backstage interview that Charlotte Flair is the third wheel in the triple threat match at WrestleMania. As Charlotte made her way to the ring, she stated that she is going to show why she deserves the match at WrestleMania.

   Her opponent on SmackDown was the SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka. When Asuka made her way to the ring, ring announcer Greg Hamilton announced the match was for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

   In a shock to the entire crowd and the announce team, the WWE Universe wonders how Charlotte swindled a shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship?

   In a rematch from last year’s WrestleMania, these two duplicated that instant classic. These two tore the house down on SmackDown. Asuka fought with every bit of heart in her body. However, Charlotte was able to lock in the Figure 8 and win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Charlotte becomes the first woman in WWE history to win 8 Championships. How will this effect the Main Event of WrestleMania?

AJ Styles v. Kurt Angle

   The Kurt Angle Farewell Tour heads to the blue brand as Kurt Angle makes his final return to SmackDown for a match for the first time in 13 years. Kurt Angle’s final match is against one of his greatest rivals, AJ Styles.

   The match was off to a fast start as both man locked in submissions to try to end the match quickly. However, Randy Orton interfered from out of nowhere to RKO AJ Styles. He attempted to deliver one to Kurt, but ended up getting the Angle Slam.

   This was disappointing because this was a match that perfectly fit Kurt Angle’s last match on SmackDown. However, Kurt Angle still stood tall on his final appearance on the blue brand.

The Miz’s Proposition to Shane McMahon

   The Miz has been put through hell over the past few weeks by his former Tag Team partner and now WrestleMania opponent, Shane McMahon. This rivalry has become extremely personal to The Miz. Shane McMahon has gone out of his way to attack Miz from behind and put his hands on The Miz’s father in front of his face.

   That is why The Miz wants to make this match a Falls Count Anywhere match. He wants to show the WWE Universe the beating he is going to give to Shane McMahon.

   Before Miz could continue, out came Shane McMahon flanked by security guards and WWE superstars. He states that the security is out here was to protect himself from The Miz. He states that he continuously watches back the heinous attack from Fastlane, he feels euphoria. That is why he is going to enjoy the beating he is going to give at WrestleMania. Shane McMahon accepts the Falls Count Anywhere stipulation.

   However, he did not stop it there. He made it more personal by stating that The Miz was a “Miztake” when his father impregnated his mother. That statement infuriated The Miz which led him to attack the WWE superstars and security and take out each one of them. While all of this was happening, Shane scurried off to the backstage area.

The New Day Run the Gauntlet to Fight for Kofi Kingston’s Opportunity at WrestleMania

   Mr. McMahon stated that if Kofi Kingston wants to go to WrestleMania, his New Day brothers must fight a gauntlet to get him there.

   The first team in the gauntlet was Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows. The New Day fairly quickly defeated the Good Brothers with the Up Up Down Down for the pin. Phase 1 was now done of the gauntlet.

   The second team to challenge the New Day was Shinsuke Nakamura & Rusev. In a highly competitive contest, Nakamura & Rusev looked to put an end to The New Day. But, the two were unable to stop the momentum of the New Day as they were able to hit the Up Up Down Down once again to continue the gauntlet.

   The next team up was The Bar of Sheamus & Cesaro. The classic rivalry is renewed as this chapter is The Bar trying to stop Kofi Kingston from getting to WrestleMania. These two teams had a hard fought and lengthy match. The Bar wore down the New Day making the challenge even harder to try to get Kofi Kingston to WrestleMania.

   However, the New Day was able to find an opening as Xavier Woods was able to roll up Sheamus for the win. The New Day was on to the next challenge. However, after the match, The Bar attacked The New Day and put Big E through a table.

   The next opponents were the SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos. But, The Usos do not fight the New Day. They state that Kofi Kingston has earned the respect by every member of the locker room, especially from their greatest rival, The Usos. That is why they want Kofi to get to WrestleMania. They forfeit their match to the New Day. A huge sign of respect paid to The New Day.

   The last team that The New Day must face is Rowan and the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan. The New Day has endured hell over the past hour and now must take on a monstrous Rowan and the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan. Daniel & Rowan were the fresh men in the battle, but that does not ride off The New Day’s heart.

   Rowan tried to take down The New Day, but The New Day outsmarted Rowan. Big E was able to throw Rowan over the announce table. Then he flipped the table over to count out Rowan, meaning Kofi Kingston is finally going to WrestleMania to face Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship.

Conclusion

   Kofi Kingston finally has his date with destiny. In 12 nights, Kofi Kingston faces Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. But, that is not the only big news from tonight’s episode of SmackDown.

   Charlotte Flair is the SmackDown Women’s Champion out of nowhere. What does that do for Main Event match against Becky Lynch & the Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey? Why make Charlotte the SmackDown Women’s Champion when she has a Championship match at WrestleMania? Are they going to unify the Women’s Championships? All in all, it was yet another fantastic episode of SmackDown.

David Jacobus
Staff Writer