Winners & Losers: SmackDown 04.17.20

Another SmackDown is in the book and again we have been treated with many of our favorite women from the blue brand. All eyes are set on Money in the Bank and we need to start building the women of SmackDown for the event.

There were two matches tonight. The first was Naomi vs. Dana Brooke, the winner joins the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. The second match was Tamina vs. Sasha Banks. If Tamina wins then she gets as SmackDown Women’s Championship match against Bayley.

As previously reported, Dana Brooke walked away with a surprising victory. I would go on record by saying that most people expected Naomi to win this. She has been in two prior ladder matches compared to Brooke’s one. However, perhaps with her being removed from the WrestleMania SmackDown Women’s Title match has allowed her to get this OPPORTUNITY.

Another reason why some may have thought she wasn’t going to qualify was because she also has a Women’s Tag Team Championship match next week. Her and Carmella will be facing the champs – Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss. Could Brooke maybe actually be getting a push towards getting her first gold in some form?

The second match as stated above was between Tamina and Sasha Banks. The match itself wasn’t much, but it did serve its purpose. Lacey Evans coming out to provide the assist made sense to continue her rivalry with Banks. More than one storyline intertwining is nice to see.

Tamina was able to pick up the win and get her shot one-on-one against Bayley at Money in the Bank. This will be her first one-on-one title shot in recent memory.

It was also announced that Evans vs. Banks will take place next week to take the second blue brand spot for the MITB match.

Now let’s take a minute to talk about the masterpiece that is Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose. This storyline is probably one of the most entertaining across the board. I am truly heartbroken that this isn’t happening in front of a crowd, because the reactions would be amazing.

The purpose of this segment was for Deville to explain to Rose why she has done what she has done. She starts with the tears and how much she loves Rose and how she is a sister to her. This turns once she says, “you are the most selfish human being I have ever met in my entire life.”

Deville opens up to flood gates on who she feels is an eye candy with no talent. According to her, Rose is a dime a dozen who looks like she was created in some sort of lab just like any other typical blonde.

The range of Deville here was amazing. Rose bounced off of it great as well. This broke down when Ziggler and Otis came out, but I feel that this should lead to Mandy vs Sonya at MITB. I am pretty sure it will be a mixed tag match, which is fine, but I really want the women to go one-on-one.

Here are my Winners & Losers of this week’s SmackDown:

WINNER: Dana Brooke

Everything may be coming up Dana. I know I shouldn’t count my chickens before they hatch, however, I have a good feeling about this. I think it would be an utter shock if Alexa and Nikki lost the titles this early next week to Carmella and Dana. Then again, The Kabuki Warriors had a long title reign and this may have just been the quick way to transition the titles. Either way there isn’t a solid tag division so that still remains the problem.

Dana has more of an odds at winning the tag titles then winning MITB. With Shayna and Nia in that match, I am not expecting an underdog to win.

WINNER: Sonya Deville

Sonya freaking Deville gave me my life and something I didn’t even realize I needed. Her mic work has improved leaps and bounds to what it used to be. The levels she was able to portray. I also love how it built up. She started low with her voice and then she built that volume up. As I have mentioned earlier, THIS should have been in front of a crowd, but I am glad it is happening.

Mandy sold it as well, and the fact they are such good friends in real life gives me big hopes for the future of this storyline. I hope WWE doesn’t mess it up.

LOSER: Naomi

Although Naomi will be fine from her not making it into the MITB match, it will be a miss for the fans. She thrives in these types of matches. I am very glad that Dana is in it, but Naomi should be as well. With Shayna and Nia in the match we need every athletic person we can get to make sure it doesn’t stay slow. With that being said, the way they are doing the match this year makes me excited regardless.

Final Thoughts:

Overall it was another good SmackDown highlighting the women. In fact, for the past several weeks, all shows have done a nice job for the ladies and given us all a lot to talk about.

The “climb the corporate ladder” version of the MITB match this year intrigues me. I am looking forward to it. My big fear is that it may open the gates for Shayna Baszler to dominate much like she did at Elimination Chamber. If that is the case, then that will make this a waste of time. Regardless, I am very impressed with these alternate ways WWE is planning to do matches without having a crowd.

What were your thoughts on SmackDown this week? Who were your Winners & Losers? Leave what you are thinking in the comment section below.