WWE SmackDown results, winners, grades and reaction: Bray Wyatt challenged John Cena in an empty arena

WWE SmackDown results, winners, grades and reaction: This week’s SmackDown was always going to be a big talking point, apart from John Cena and Bray Wyatt meeting.

The show was shifted to the WWE Performance Center due to the coronavirus but no fans were allowed in the arena.

It was weird seeing the empty chairs as the wrestlers did their thing, but this show had a lot to talk about.

It’s Boss Time

Paige was expected to make a return and speak to Bayley, the SmackDown Women’s Champion, however, the former WWE Divas champion was nowhere to be seen.

That got Bayley and Sasha Banks irate and they demanded to know what was going on. Triple H was one of the guest commentators as Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross came out to fight.

That's a "W" for your ROLE MODELS @SashaBanksWWE & @itsBayleyWWE on #SmackDown!

They're so cool. pic.twitter.com/kHX3Jaj9vn

— WWE (@WWE) March 14, 2020

Bayley and Banks did a good job early on and it was the intervention of Asuka that had a huge role in the outcome.

Wait. What is @WWEAsuka doing here?! #SmackDown @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/WImAV1zWJ3

— WWE (@WWE) March 14, 2020

She hit Bliss which allowed Banks to get the win over Cross.

Bayley and Banks beat Cross and Bliss

Grade B

Paige not returning to the ring was a damper but this was possibly due to flight issues etc.

The match was solid nonetheless, and Asuka taking out Bliss could be the start of a rivalry for the Women’s tag team titles.

Reigns makes a statement

Roman Reigns was speaking to Michael Cole and spoke about him challenging Goldberg for the title at WrestleMania.

The former champion claimed he was ready to reclaim the title again, and got the shot thanks to a lot of hard work over the years.

Grade C

The rivalry between Goldberg and Reigns already didn’t make sense and this added nothing to that.

It was a little weird how Reigns easily got to be the No.1 contender and this promo just didn’t do anything.

Elimination Chamber flashback

WWE replayed the Elimination Chamber match between the SmackDown tag team titles with the Miz and John Morrison ending up as victors.

Miz and Morrison retain SmackDown tag team titles

Grade C

The match was decent at Elimination Chamber but replaying that wasn’t the best move. Of course, the sudden decision to switch venues would have hurt the roster and WWE didn’t have a lot of people, but they could have used some of the lesser-known stars to give us something new.

Ok.

We want a Miz & Morrison Variety Hour now. Don't @ us. #SmackDown @mikethemiz @TheRealMorrison pic.twitter.com/4qRtCF3Oa7

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2020

Daniel Bryan has a new mentor

Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak tore the house down at Elimination Chamber, and the former champion asked Gulak to be his mentor/manager.

He was up against Cesaro who came to the ring with Shinsuke Nakamura and Sami Zayn. Zayn won the IC title at Elimination Chamber with the help of his friends.

The show and The YES! chant must go on!@WWEDanielBryan (w/ @DrewGulak) faces @WWECesaro (w/ @ShinsukeN & #ICChampion @SamiZayn) NEXT on #SmackDown, LIVE from the @WWEPC! pic.twitter.com/NgYSEPxLR5

— WWE (@WWE) March 14, 2020

Bryan dominated most of the match as he countered a lot of what Cesaro threw at him. He picked up the win but was attacked by Nakamura and Zayn.

Gulak came in to make the save but was beaten up before Bryan saved his new mentor.

Bryan beats Cesaro

Grade A

Bryan and Gulak as a pair is interesting and it was great seeing them team up, given their technical abilities.

The lack of a crowd didn’t stop this from being one of the highlights of the week, while Cesaro also was great in the clash.

Hardy is back

Jeff Hardy was speaking about his return to WWE but was cut off by King Corbin.

The pair then battled in the ring and it was the Charismatic Enigma picked up the win over Corbin. Elias, who was on commentary, got the assist by a distraction.

Just like old times.@JEFFHARDYBRAND snags the victory over King @BaronCorbinWWE with a #SwantonBomb! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/geSuDkw6Da

— WWE (@WWE) March 14, 2020

Hardy beats Corbin

Grade E

This match might not have been scheduled if the SmackDown show wasn’t from the Performance Center.

There wasn’t really much going in the match and the pair didn’t seem to have a lot of chemistry. It was also surprising how easily Hardy beat Corbin, who is one of the top heels in WWE.

Cena vs Wyatt

John Cena was speaking to Michael Cole about his clash against Bray Wyatt and claimed the Fiend isn’t the future of the company.

Let him in, @JohnCena.#WrestleMania #SmackDown @WWEBrayWyatt pic.twitter.com/V0HcAW74OM

— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) March 14, 2020

Wyatt wasn’t pleased with this insinuation and came out to challenge Cena. The pair had a lot of words for each other before Wyatt claimed he would destroy Cena as The Fiend.

Grade B

This was a good promo as Cena and Wyatt showed off their microphone skills. There might not have been fans in the arena, but you could feel every word the pair ended up saying.

More WWE news

• Why did The Undertaker make a surprise appearance at Elimination Chamber 2020?

• Paige agrees that Asuka is the greatest NXT Women’s Champion of all-time

• What happened to Daniel Bryan’s wardrobe during his Elimination Chamber fight against Drew Gulak?

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