Ups & Downs: WWE Smackdown Review (Feb 9)

Our WWE Smackdown review as Simon Miller recaps Triple H opening the show, Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn, Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles, Bianca Belair vs. Michin, Dakota Kai helping Bayley fend off Damage CTRL, Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate vs. #DIY and much more.
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[@Shadowslayer7109]

Can we take a moment to appreciate that Papa H is doing qualifying matches for the chamber? Huge step up from just announcing the entire match like Vince

[@johnshort5830]

The real mvp of the Styles/Drew match was the water bottle and how it lodged in between the pads and the video boards. Purely epic.

[@isaiahmorris4531]

I saw that too hahaha I was like of course La Knight does that

[@cliffordjackson3]

FACTS dude.

[@sujiks9517]

I noticed it too

[@SixWinsWrestling]

I thought WWE peaked when Sami hit Roman with the chair… but it has only gotten better. It’s a great time to be a wrestling fan!

[@JRR31]

DM HUNK😂😂😂 drew is on fire right now, give this man the world heavyweight championship at mania!

[@jaymars12000]

It was trending top 5 on X in the US like 5 minutes after he said it 😂😂

[@TheTony024]

Drew is doing some major cooking 🔥 He’s that relatable heel that only speaks hard truths and points out the obvious, DM Hunk is so over. I actually pop when his music hits these days

[@michaellombardi24]

Makes me think back to his promo with Big E where he called himself the Big D

[@tompatchak8706]

I spit my breakfast out!

[@cliffordjackson3]

FACTS😂.

[@ourladyofguadalupebotanica6732]

Could we give some type of award to R Truth and Paul Heyman - they know their roles and execute with precision time after time.

[@QAZ-OMEN]

Rtruth deserves the MVP award since his return. Maybe Awesome Truth will hold the Mizzies

[@Nivraeplayz]

Truth may end up causing Bloodline vs Judgement day if truth talks to Paul 😂

[@maitreyas.4902]

Rhea looks good when she isn't wearing all that makeup and lipstick.

[@thethedeanshow]

Heyman yes. Sick of r truth

[@cliffordjackson3]

FACTS

[@Will_Parker]

The fact he was introduced as Paul "HHH" Levesques was wild.

[@tompatchak8706]

Mind blown!!

[@thethedeanshow]

I thought his name was hunter. Kayfbe broken. Stupid

[@KHWrld999]

Isn’t that how he’s always introduced or am I misremembering because that’s how he’s introduced for the press conferences

[@cliffordjackson3]

FACTS makes the press conference feel like real and something that was not supposed to happen.

[@lornebuchanan3387]

Jackie addressed him as Paul after the WM Press conference

[@ejdolo]

I think Heyman interrupting Bron is hinting at him GM'ing for Bron and making him the next Lesnar type beast.

[@j_wild_80x62]

I was there last night! And let me tell you when Roman and Rock were announced everyone was pissed haha. Also R truth came out after the show and hit the 5 knuckle shuffle on Gunther after his dark match it was awesome haha

[@vegetamegadisk]

Drew being a funny bully heel is good stuff. A heel who can straight up whoopass without cheating is needed.

[@JustMNY]

anyone else thinks that this is the best usage (and cast) for the 2 roles of the GM for.. YEEEAAARS, maybe decades? besides teddy long and vickie guerrero (with edge)

[@wrecclessescobar6252]

​@@BryRobinson Can't call something bad if you haven't seen most of it

[@TsaicoGaming]

​@BryRobinson no she didn't. If she had go away heat, she wouldn't get big pops still to this day on the rare occasions that she shows up in the wrestling world. She was actually, objectively, very good in her role

[@JustMNY]

@@BryRobinson sorry, i wasnt meaning "good" or "loved", i was just meaning beeing used as a GM.She drew heat as she was supposed to do. Better then boring 2 minute backstage segments with talking to a wrestler as we get the last years from every "gm role" but its totaly fair if you dont like her and think she did horrible. only opinions here

[@cliffordjackson3]

FACTS

[@DocSalvatar]

Should do a "Wrestler points at wrestlemania sign" counter.

[@sumanchhetri1809]

Yea.... Would be really surprising

[@enothewonderdog]

Here's my booking. R-Truth takes the briefcase 'cause he's a part of the judgement day. He takes Seth's title. Hilarious chaos ensues..

[@kevinhuerta-ponce138]

He takes it but he loses and waste priest chance at a title.

[@jamesbriggs6489]

I like the ideas very funny to imagine 😂

[@thethedeanshow]

Might as well retire the title as a stupid toy then

[@Kevmaster2000]

@@thethedeanshowThey’re all toys.

[@bigddan11]

Simon, slight error. It was Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles, not LA Knight vs. AJ Styles.

[@stuntmanpatalexander4093]

Those qualifying matches last night were CRAZY. They were all title level matches on their own.

[@tomseville2345]

Yes; Drew and AJ ended the EC in 2021. Probably the best final two of a Chamber match since Triple H and Taker in '09 and it had no live fans...

[@ramboluib2752]

Triple H, Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce looks like a formidable authoritative stable to be honest.

[@ziggafy]

Was thinking the same, if only trips could get cleared

[@nickcasey6144]

They really do though. A united front was a great thing to see. Basically all 3 of them telling the Rock to F off. 🤣

[@benjaminjones5083]

Agreed! I don’t think it’s in the future at all but I’d love to see Aldis wrestle again

[@cliffordjackson3]

FACTS

[@travishoward9950]

I’m digging the fact they’re use HHH is using his actual name

[@thethedeanshow]

Breaks kayfabe so no

[@cliffordjackson3]

FACTS

[@panicark148]

@@thethedeanshowdude kayfabe died long ago let it go 😭😭

[@brooklynnrichardson1149]

He just wants to be called by his passport name

[@therobinx20]

​@panicark148 Punk killed kayfabe tbh

[@stickydoodle8198]

As soon as I saw the blue thunder bomb, I knew what was coming 😂😂😂

[@isaiahpavia-cruz678]

“Did it work? Of course it didn’t, never does!”

[@mlevo1011]

Every time I see it now also, that's what I say in my head.

[@iamdallasforte]

Rita the ring post, Alan the announce table, Barry barricade, Timmy the timekeeper, Tina the turnbuckle, Simba the Steel Steps lol

[@tomseville2345]

Timmy the Timekeeper! He's a stationary object? 🤣🤣

[@PremiumAli]

I would like if Dakota stays loyal to Bayley.

[@Nivraeplayz]

It would be nice, but maybe they'll be going with an angle where Dakota betraying Bayley at WM and helping IYO win

[@bryangray936]

Na the japs need a mouthpiece so ain't gonna happen

[@Barry80Elms]

I’ve got some bad news…

[@MurphyAKA]

i agree, a double betrayal is honestly just trite and would undermine the feud imo

[@anthonydavis191]

I feel she wants Bayley to win the title than she just attacks the life out her, kneeling down telling her she's next in line for the title

[@ayeimjustabackup]

Dakota Kai is pretty af 😍

[@mlevo1011]

I've always thought that as well.

[@V1LL1N]

This was one of my fav Smackdown episiodes ever. I almost forgot about all the drama outside the ring.

[@jaqdax2401]

The Truth segment was hilarious, he was worried Nick (SD) who he thinks is Adam (Raw) would get after Miz (Raw) who was actually KO (SD) for being on the wrong show 💀

[@kennyhall9117]

SIMON IS THE BEST, SIMON NUMBER ONE 👏👏

[@suplexorcist3646]

I didn't have time to watch Smackdown so thank you Simon for the always great ups and downs. Filled me in on what went down.

[@ronald-xs7sp]

Good morning Simon!

[@poja101]

we need to start the "we want simon" chant

[@thethedeanshow]

They'll not know what you mean

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the review Simon ❤

[@rayzasrant6192]

By far the best wrestling news channel thanks guys

[@ChrisLT]

DM HUNK Really enjoying the Damage Control drama. Wonder who Bayley's other partner will be for a 3v3 (maybe at EC?). And great match with Bate/Dunne and DIY. Expected nothing less.

[@tomseville2345]

I can see LA's water bottle landing smack upright between the mats and the barricade in a split second becoming some kind of TikTok challenge or something.... 🤣🤣

[@TeamWolfmountain]

that smack to the floor of AJ was brutal

[@dylanogg347]

Bayley and Shirai should Main Event WrestleMania XL. Damage CTRL is the second longest-running storyline in WWE at this time. It should be capped off in the biggest way possible, and Bayley deserves a huge Mania Win for being one of the MVPs of the Pandemic Period.

[@dewyorkciti532]

Pretty Deadly is R Truth x2. Lol these guys are hilarious.

[@mattTHEEgreat]

I wasn't ready for trips to cut a promo on the rock. That wasn't on my bingo card

[@TheRealRehman]

I can always tell WM is around the corner when i see Simon with a beard....also I wonder if there is somebody out their named "Russell Mania" 😂

[@QAZ-OMEN]

That should be a superstars gimmick name

[@frankhoward6645]

That stare down between McIntyre & Orton was cool I think that would make for a awesome feud I also think Dakota Kai might turn on Bayley next week's qualifying matches for the Chamber looks to be good overall it was a fun show

[@myhandlewastaken]

Wasn't that WM 35?

[@quailmantc3918]

HHH is underrated on the mic. I think it has to do with a lot of the terrible DX promos, but when it's just him, he can make anything feel huge and that he doesn't give a **** if someone doesn't like it.

[@Former_Employee]

Reported

[@quailmantc3918]

@@Former_Employee Noted

[@nikwalters1029]

The Blue Thunderbomb brings out Heel Miller, at least for a moment 😂

[@quanmfsanchez411]

It’s only a brand split when they want it to be🤷🏾‍♂️😂😂😂

[@pt5728]

I wish they were less selective

[@SamuraiFoochs]

It's always really fluid this time of year.

[@flippineck2825]

The ghost of Queen Liz in the clouds was wild 😂

[@MrPauljayburke]

Tag titles give me a throw back to the best Mania tag match with the most athetlic yet sports entertainment match possible - TLC: Street Profits, Pretty Deadly, Creed Brothers. Tell me that isn't MOTY potential...

[@grantg610]

If they can turn the AJ story into a version of the lone wolf persona I can get behind him not being in the OC but I think he needed to have a true blowoff with the OC to kind of start it instead of just mentioning it

[@thethedeanshow]

Waiting for "wwe have come to terms on the release of the OC"

[@jonesyjones74]

The amount of words Simon fumbled is hilarious, he works so hard! Keep on keeping on good fella!

[@flippineck2825]

Iyo, Asuka & Kairi with the gold making their entrance was so cool. Orton shouldve hit the RKO on Zayn off the suivide dive.

[@jasperhoward1045]

You have some of the best T-shirts! Are they available for purchase?

[@pfunk420d]

Ko n dom is gonna be entertaining as hellll

[@JJsnake30]

How do you buy tickets for the whatculture live show?

[@Former_Employee]

Reported

[@Former_Employee]

Ho how are your?

[@JJsnake30]

@@Former_Employee huh?

[@frankrappa4765]

Drew is a trooper. He hurt his knee & still finished & won the match

[@richardedwards9044]

I just now truly got “We are not in Toto anymore, Kansas.” Geez, I am naive sometimes. I thought you were just being silly.

[@timhnic6823]

Simon gets an up every week. His reviews are better than the show

[@KingTodd4626]

I am turning 36 years old

[@Draven_X_23]

It sucks that Gunther can't go to Australia. I would have enjoyed seeing him in the Chamber

[@down-timegaming]

Love the complete tonal shift regarding the LEAST DEVASTATING MOVE IN ALL OF SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT 😂

[@kevingeorge2458]

Simon 👍

[@akashkhanbangladesh]

Smackdown was on fire last night

[@justanotherperson5770]

Simon the counter didn’t go up for the Pretty Deadly promo. Love the videos btw ☺️☺️☺️

[@riotd.r.8363]

I hear what you're saying, Simon, but i actually have performed a Moonsault off of the back of my friend.

[@uwaeliteprowrestling9570]

This is one of those episodes that makes me think Simon doesn't actually watch the shows. AJ told The OC he was done with them the week after he returned to TV. That's over a month ago now. "Gallows and Anderson are never on TV"... they were on Smackdown last night... and they were on Smackdown last week.

[@thegravleys]

Matches have become more predictable than wondering if you're going to get wet if you go outside during a storm😊

[@justindegerness1927]

You forgot about fancy back after the super plex

[@robertmcdiarmid4921]

Sammy's turn to have the "I can't win anything and have to start doing whatever it takes" heel turn

[@skimgettinkindamoney]

I wonder if the Fatus are gonna push up too to support heel Rock

[@Bbws4ever]

The road to WM is going to be 🔥

[@iblackfeathers]

i am guessing i missed the press conference. i saw the kickoff and smackdown but no press conference… you know, with a question and answer session with the press about wrestlemania.

[@brandonsorensen7216]

You really are enjoying wrestling because I don't remember a time you messed up the names that bad lol, and I don't remember hearing the AJ is out of the OC, interesting to see if they just drop that

[@jjreichner4554]

We should do the rock vs la knight at mania

[@superstarcomedy956]

Simon low key hating on dudes with beautiful hair is hilarious 😅

[@0PhillMC0]

You called "Paul 'HHH' Levesque" hunter. Ps: was this the first time they called him Paul levesque?

[@HalliwellRichard]

They called him that on NXT this week first

[@timwright3218]

I'm so looking forward to Kai vs Bayley after Kai finally betrays her. That's gonna be so much fun.

[@VirgoDurai90]

Punch out shirt nice

[@gregmalenky]

Love the Ups & Downs Simon!! But what was with the lighting?? It looked like you ate a pallet of Cheetos 🙂

[@djmistiso]

Please oh please give me Pretty Deadly as the hosts of Wrestlemania…

[@CJApps87]

I hope Sami has something on in the Perth show. I want to be there to see him!

[@michaelmartinez3893]

Bring back the Bayley buddies at WrestleMania

[@munawwarmerchant713]

Someone had a good tweet: Team Authority vs Team Bloodline.

[@mlevo1011]

Am I the only one who noticed how much Randy was holding his lower bad back? Hopefully it was just selling, not his injury back to put him out for good. Take care of yourself Randy O.

[@Qwazaar919]

Sami is great at making you forget that he damn near always loses.

[@TheMoonlockPodcast]

"Did some wiggling" has potential dont you think?? lool

[@PMuAce1898]

Not in Toto Kansas? 😅😅😅

[@rh9477]

I like how when Simon says “commentary” it sounds like “common tree”

[@thethedeanshow]

He says it normally

[@tomseville2345]

The idea of *Triple H and The Rock* doing a power struggle angle on WWE TV in 2024 is HUGE; because *three nights ago* , we all thought *Paul and Dwayne* were having one FOR REAL...

[@DJDoubleCee]

I’m surprised we didn’t see The Rock on SmackDown. I thought he would have further developed his heel gimmick there.

[@xxDubZeroxx]

next friday you know wrestlers give a response a week later

[@groverrogers6916]

He's in Vegas for the super bowl

[@Mr.HootieHooRDK]

Ups and downs! I don't even have any time to watch WWE TV so I just watch ups and downs

[@tomseville2345]

Think they took the piss a little bit out of that crowd, though; announcing Roman/Rock, Tiffany, Naomi, KO/Dom and Logan/Miz for *next week*, which is a double taping to boot...

[@evanmino]

Prediction for Bayley: Dakota turns on her at WM, costing her the match, but she gets (and wins) rematch at Summerslam. That'll give us at least one big "disappointment" at WM but still keep it within good/efficient storytelling.

[@thecoolfrost]

I hope they do something with sami for wrestlemania. Maybe set him vs Logan for the the US title

[@RedHoodFH]

Orton v rock at mania would go really well

[@numero1superfly393]

WWE Rematch Counter: 18

[@raymondherrera3324]

We need Nick Aldis to come to the rescue against the Bloodline at WM.

[@jollyrouger2945]

I thought Logan was getting a New Challenger for his title will he have to pull double duty or will he be paully two belts

[@DavidYesUCan]

Fans love Sammy… WWE starts digging the grave. Now they are burying him.

[@chasechaney3055]

We finally going to get Rock vs Triple H at Wrestlemania? I don’t want Triple H to risk his heart health but I’ll never get over the fact we didn’t get that or at least a final HHH match

[@TheZubin66]

3’10.. ‘Emilation Chamber’ ?

[@BlakeMcCringleberry]

That's Pete Dunné, Simön.

[@awesomo925]

I hate how the blue thunderbomb has fallen. It looks so cool visually, but it has NEVER gotten the job done.

[@chadridge4947]

I think I know a new drinking game. We should all play every time the wrestler's point or look at the WrestleMania. Signwe should take a shot man, we'd be so drunk.

[@groothewanderer9757]

The first match was AJ Styles vs. LA Knight??? Lol

[@GLJosh]

I would love to see a wrestler in NXT have the Blue Thunder Bomb as a finisher. Then when he makes it to the main roster, beats Sami with the BTB, and then begins the spiritual enlightenment quest for Sami to learn the true power of the BTB.

[@mattlastname5384]

omg its gonna be rock vs HHH

[@kevrimney738]

Check out your AEW video? hahahahaha the funniest thing I've heard in a long while. thanks for making me laugh Simon, you're the best.