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LECLAIR’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
MARCH 26, 2020
ORLANDO, FL AT WWE PERFORMANCE CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Michael Cole
-Michael Cole welcome the audience to the Performance Center after Smackdown’s standard introduction. He ran down the night’s lineup, including New Day vs. The Usos, Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka, a new episode of Firefly Funhouse, and a replay of Triple H vs. Roman Reigns from WrestleMania 32.
-Sasha Banks’ music played and she walked onto the stage. Bayley’s music followed. Greg Hamilton introduced the duo as they headed to the ring.Cole teased Bayley’s title match, now a Fatal-5-Way match, sans Dana Brooke.
Bayley said WrestleMania is the biggest night of the year. Sasha said it’s supposed to be a night where dreams come true, but she and Bayley’s night is going to be a nightmare. Bayley asked how it’s fair that she’ll have to defend her title in a 5-way elimination match. Sasha said it isn’t fair. Sasha laughed at the idea that her being in the match would pit the two of them against each other. They blamed Paige for their predicament. Bayley said there’s “no separation” between the two of them. Sasha appeared ready to express doubt, but Lacey Evans’ music cut her off.
Lacey stepped in the ring. She said Bayley’s mouth is as big as her hat. Sasha told Lacey to go preach to someone who cares, like her bratty little kid. Lacey laughed it off. She said it will, in fact, be a nightmare for both of them. She said she’d break Sasha’s jaw with the Women’s Right, and beat some respect into Bayley and take her title. Naomi’s music hit. She walked to the ring.
Naomi said she agrees with Lacey, at least until they’ve rid the match of Bayley and Sasha. She said she’d “snatch the blue wig” right off of Sasha’s head. Sasha was appalled. Bayley said this wasn’t going to be one of those nights where “everyone hits their music and gets to say something.” Tamina’s music hit.
“Actions speak louder than words,” Tamina said. She gave Naomi a headbutt, then dropped Lacey Evans. Sasha and Bayley stood back for a moment, then jumped Naomi together. They walked into Tamina. Tamina stared them down. Sasha and Bayley left the ring together, telling Tamina it was “nice to see her” and that she “looks awesome.”
(LeClair’s Analysis: This wasn’t a good segment. I presume they removed Dana Brooke from the match to keep within the confines of limiting congregations of people. If anyone was to be removed from the match, Tamina made the most sense, given her lack of TV exposure in recent months. Bayley and Sasha are trying their best here, but they’ve been asked to do a lot in the last few weeks with very little to work with in the way of fodder. In general, this has been a trying stretch for everyone on Smackdown, but the women in particular haven’t looked particularly strong.)
