WWE SmackDown Results: Biggest Winners, Losers and Moments from February 4

The simplicity and effectiveness with which the rematch between AJ Styles and Chris Jericho was set up on the February 4 episode of WWE Smackdown helped make those two grizzled veterans of the mat game the biggest winners from this week's broadcast.

Styles was fresh off a strong performance against The Miz, securing the victory following the first appearance of his Calf Crusher submission hold, when Jericho approached him. He applauded Styles on his recent string of wins but also said the only way to prove himself was to beat the former WWE world champion for the second straight time.

Suddenly, there was a motive for Styles to accept the match, and Jericho looked like the manipulative heel who played the newcomer like the proverbial fiddle.

There was no interjection from The Authority, and no one's legacy was called into question. Instead, two professional wrestlers told a story that has been around for years but has also been conspicuous in its absence as writers have gotten too cute for their own good, reaching for overly complicated storylines and angles rather than taking what is right in front of them.

With a huge rematch between Styles and Jericho slated for next week's broadcast, fans have a match they can look forward to seeing.

On SmackDown.

That is hardly a sentiment typically reserved for the blue brand.

The Phenomenal One and Y2J were not the only big winners from Thursday's show. There was the announce team, who have jelled over the last month to deliver the best calls in WWE, and two breakout Divas from NXT who suddenly find themselves allies in the battle against Team B.A.D.

Not everyone was so lucky, though.

A former NXT champion had his credibility as a lead heel further diminished via an unnecessary loss, hurting his chances of earning a sustained main event push.

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Winners: Jerry Lawler, Mauro Ranallo and Byron Saxton

The SmackDown commentary team has been a gift to wrestling fans since debuting on January 7. Mauro Ranallo brings with him a sense of legitimacy that does not exist elsewhere in the company. He calls every match as if it was a true sporting event, and the result is a much more pleasurable viewing experience than on Monday Night Raw.

Jerry Lawler has rediscovered the snarky heel edge that made him so entertaining during the height of the Attitude Era. He may not be quite as controversial as he was at his height but has appeared more comfortable and invested with his new broadcast partner than he has in years.

Even Byron Saxton is more effective, which is a revelation given how useless he has become on Raw.

The chemistry that exists within the team has helped make SmackDown a much easier watch, the ridiculousness of the not-so-witty banter that damns Raw's broadcasts nowhere in sight.

Loser: Kevin Owens

There were many ways to handle the match between Kevin Owens and Kalisto that would not have resulted in Owens' suffering another pinfall loss. There is the go-to disqualification; the rarely used count-out, even.

Unfortunately, Owens was beaten again, his character's credibility again hurt by the incompetence of WWE Creative. 

The distraction finish, which was in full force Thursday night as Dolph Ziggler interfered on behalf of the United States champion, is overused and has done more to hurt the heat of many a Superstar. Owens, though, is better than most. He is a compelling talker and wrestler, someone who should be at the top of the card, waging wars with Roman Reigns in pay-per-view main events.

Instead, he is stuck in the muddled midcard mess, trading victories with guys who have taken up residency in that area of the card for years. It is a major waste of talent and the type of mistake WWE Creative has been made too often.

Owens has the charisma necessary to crawl out of that position, but the more he is booked like any other Superstar on the roster, the more he'll lose the aura that sets him apart from his peers. A winning streak, restored intensity and viciousness and strong performances against top Superstars will generate the momentum necessary for the Canadian athlete to excel.

Winners: Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch

The former friends-turned-enemies in NXT once again find themselves in a situation where they must join forces, this time to combat Banks' former Team B.A.D. mates Naomi and Tamina.

Thursday night, The Boss and Lynch engaged in a backstage promo segment with Renee Young that laid the foundation for a "partners who hate each other" story that was once prevalent during the Attitude Era. A favorite of former writer Vince Russo, it made for quality television, at least the first 10 or so times it aired.

Occasionally, WWE will test the waters with that story, but more times than not, it ends the story prematurely. Thus, it feels more fresh and interesting than it would have been had it been used as frequently as it was in the past.

Banks and Lynch will benefit from it, taking a back seat in the coming weeks while Brie Bella challenges WWE Divas champion Charlotte at Fastlane. The result? They are not overexposed in the title hunt, leading to a fresher, more exciting program between them and the current titleholder at WrestleMania.

The chemistry between them is strong, as seen in Thursday's promo, and the dynamic between the characters will only make for a more enjoyable program.