WWE returns to FOX once more with a billed “Retro” themed episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Over the years, we have seen a number of throwback episodes; whether it be the oft-used “Legend’s Night”, “RAW 1000” or the most recent “SmackDown 1000” in 2018. With tonight’s episode being dubbed a “Retro” night, it remains to be seen what this entails. Could we perhaps see the return of the SmackDown fist? Or what about the less-appreciated, though equally iconic “Oval Dome”? Hopefully we get one of them, as it would truly add to the occasion. In typical WWE fashion, we have just the one match announced for tonight’s show. Let’s dive right in and take a look at what’s on offer from Throwback SmackDown!
Seth Rollins vs Cesaro
Cesaro has been on fire these past few months. At long last, at WrestleMania 37, he received a singles opportunity at a WrestleMania show. After ten long years of poor booking; being overlooked and often regarded as the most underrated talent in all of wrestling, Cesaro defeated Seth Rollins in one of the matches of the night at Night 1 of the annual wrestling phenomenon. If you thought the Swiss Superman was going to stop there, you were poorly mistaken. With Roman Reigns now seemingly without a contender, after Daniel Bryan was banished from SmackDown following his defeat to the Tribal Chief last week, Cesaro looks set to be Roman’s next challenger. In the meantime, however, he has the threat of a humiliated Seth Rollins to contend with. Seth was humiliated at WrestleMania. Just like the Universal Champion, Rollins believes Cesaro is beneath him. A perennial underachiever who should never have been able to defeat a multi-time former world champion. Cesaro must prove one more time tonight that not only was his WrestleMania victory not a fluke, he is a capable threat to Reigns’ tight hold over SmackDown.
Not Announced But Expected For Throwback SmackDown
– Bianca Belair and the Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) defeated Bayley, Dolph Ziggler, and Bobby Roode last week. Bayley is clearly being billed as the heel underdog in her feud with Belair. The Street Profits, meanwhile, are edging closer to the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
– Tamina and Natalya pinned the Women’s Tag Team Champions (Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler) last week. With a title shot looming as WrestleMania Backlash draws near, expect this feud to continue.
– Big E defeated Intercontinental Champion, Apollo Crews, by disqualification last week. In a match that saw interference from not only Azeez but also Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, a fatal four-way match between Crews, E, Owens, and Zayn looks set for WrestleMania Backlash. Expect the fallout from last week’s match and a build towards the PPV.
– Lastly, expect lots of references and tributes to our fallen leader of the YES! Movement, Daniel Bryan.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network and Peacock.
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