WWE SmackDown Results: Biggest Winners, Losers and Moments from February 5

Just days after his WWE World Heavyweight Championship opportunity at WrestleMania was put into jeopardy by The Authority, Roman Reigns was a guest on Miz TV Thursday night on SmackDown. Joining him was the man gunning for his spot in the biggest main event of the year, the leader of the Yes! Movement, Daniel Bryan.

Of course, it would not be WWE programming without a visit from The Authority, this week in the form of Seth Rollins and J&J Security. A brief verbal showdown led to the announcement by Mr. Money in the Bank that Bryan would have to face him, Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury in a 3-on-1 Handicap match later in the night.

Reigns, on the other hand, would accept the challenge of The Miz, whom he blasted with a Superman Punch upon entering the squared circle, clearly in no mood to listen to the so-called Hollywood A-lister babble on.

How would the top two contenders to the top prize in WWE fare in their separate matches this week?

Would The Authority get the last laugh after having their plans thwarted on Raw?

Most importantly, who would emerge from Thursday's broadcast as winners? Losers?

Fans found out as WWE presented the latest episode of SmackDown on the SyFy network.

Winner: Roman Reigns

After a bumpy start at Royal Rumble, where he was nearly booed out of the building upon winning the 30-man over-the-top-rope match, Roman Reigns has benefited this week from two instances of strong booking in which fans have been more receptive to him.

It started Monday night with a huge spear of Big Show and a Superman Punch that cost Seth Rollins his match against Daniel Bryan, then carried over to SmackDown as he shut The Miz up with another Superman Punch, then a spear in an official match later in the evening.

WWE Creative has, as Triple H stated on The Steve Austin Show podcast that aired exclusively on the WWE Network this past Monday night, put its finger on the pulse of the audience and figured out what Reigns needs to garner a specific reaction or, better yet, gain favor with the fans.

Beating up guys like Big Show and Miz, who fans cannot stand, will only help establish the juggernaut as the babyface WWE wants him to be.

At least until he heads to Fast Lane and beats Bryan. Then, all bets are off.

SmackDown, though, saw Reigns benefit from effective booking, and that earns him "winner" status on this week's show.

Winner: Paige

For the first time since her debut a year ago, Paige was finally allowed the opportunity to open up and show flashes of the Anti-Diva character that she perfected in NXT. Speaking with Renee Young, she admitted that she was not the Barbie doll or model type that the Bella Twins are, and that she was embarrassed by the sisters after being sprayed with tanner on Raw, but she will get the last laugh by embarrassing Nikki Bella when she beats her for the Divas title at Fast Lane.

It was a strong promo that was followed up by a solid match against Alicia Fox just moments later.

Allowing Paige to be herself, rather than some psycho stalker of AJ Lee, is the best way for her to get over with the audience. There is no reason she will not be the face of the Divas division for years to come. To accomplish that success, she must be allowed to be who she really is, rather than what WWE's crack creative staff wants to make her.

Thursday night was a step in the right direction.

Losers: Dolph Ziggler and Ryback

Two guys in the middle of impressive singles pushes late in 2014 now find themselves thrown together in a tag team because WWE Creative has nothing else better for them to do.

Dolph Ziggler and Ryback defeated Gold and Stardust Thursday night in a fairly entertaining match. The babyfaces showed strong teamwork and chemistry, but one could not help but feel for them. After all, they should be tearing it up in singles competition, challenging for midcard titles and making a push for the main event scene.

Instead, they have become lost in the WrestleMania shuffle.

There is still plenty of time for each Superstar to recover and partake in something meaningful in time for the Showcase of the Immortals. At this point, though, it looks like they may be stuck teaming together for the foreseeable future, as evidenced by the "Lil Guy" weight belt Ziggler now sports.