WWE SmackDown: Sheamus Wins the Royal Rumble for a Filler Match at WrestleMania

The March 23 edition of SmackDown wasn’t necessarily a bad show from a quality standpoint, but it was hideous from a booking standpoint.

The main event pitted CM Punk and Sheamus against The Miz and Daniel Bryan.

Guess who was pinned in that one?

The Miz and his quest for a match at WrestleMania has been booked sufficiently from the get-go, but apparently that angle’s more important to book than your world title story line—which arguably doesn't even have a story line.

I love the A.J./Daniel Bryan angle, but it has absolutely nothing to do with the grandest stage of them all WrestleMania—which is in a little more than a week.

Sheamus won the Royal Rumble: a phenomenon won by The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels. An event won by Steve Austin, The Rock, Vince McMahon, Edge, The Undertaker, and the biggest names in WWE.

The winner of the Royal Rumble is promised a main event at WrestleMania.

But, WWE is doing nothing to build up this supposed “main event” other than providing a few confrontations.

Last week when Bryan cost Sheamus his match, I thought they were finally taking this somewhere. But, this past Raw and SmackDown, we were given nothing other than Miz jobbing—an angle WWE’s been focusing on more than their once-advertised “main event.”

Look, I understand WrestleMania doesn't need this match to get a massive buy-rate.

The fans have CM Punk vs. Jericho, John Cena vs. The Rock, Team Johnny vs. Team Teddy, but this match was generated from the traditional Royal Rumble match. This is for the World Heavyweight Championship, and WWE is making this a filler match while WWE builds up a losing streak and an Intercontinental title program.

WWE needs to do something this Monday night.

That’s the one show they have before WrestleMania—considering they do another Fan Axxess special for SmackDown next week.

Now, onto the rest of the show.

The tag-team main event was alright, but not spectacular. I would have preferred a main event that wasn’t solely for entertainment and more as a main event to build angles up. …

I dug Dolph Ziggler vs. The Great Khali tonight. It was a perfect way to build up Team Johnny vs. Team Long at WrestleMania and the best part about it was nobody looked weak by the end of it. …

R-Truth jobbed to Mark Henry in a short match. I’m glad WWE hasn’t totally forgotten about Henry, but I’m upset WWE has forgotten R-Truth. Truth is back to where he was a year ago. His career completely resembles the slope of a mountain. …

Zack Ryder defeated Jack Swagger in a dirty-finish after being distracted by a bickering Vickie Guerrero and Hornswoggle. I don’t know why this had to end unfairly, it’s not like Jack Swagger will look any weaker with a clean loss. …

Kane vs. Big Show was effective in continuing the Cody Rhodes/Big Show angle but was lackluster in further-developing Kane vs. Orton. We get it, Randy you’re able to RKO monsters. …

Brodus Clay defeated Heath Slater in less than two minutes. I like how, in the ring, his intensity rises. But, when the match is over, Clay turns back into the dancing giant. Hopefully he’ll be the final member of Team Teddy so all this wasted TV time will actually be effective. …

Zack Ryder and Khali were announced for Team Teddy. I feel good for Ryder, but Khali gets the same old “urgh” from me. …

A.J. defeated Brie Bella in a victory that was celebrated by Daniel Bryan. I had no idea what WWE was trying to establish with the post-match Bella segment. …

On an entertainment standpoint, I thoroughly enjoyed the opening segment with Daniel Bryan, AJ, and Sheamus. 

The best parts of the entire segment were A.J.’s reactions and facial expressions. She is so talented, as I said in a devoted article towards her.

Actually, A.J. read my article herself and she had the following to say to me on Twitter:

"

@CoryCoolson Thanks so much, you are very kind. Appreciate the support.

"

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