WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from February 26

In just a few weeks, SmackDown Live has become Kofi Kingston's brand. Everyone has been talking about him as he prepares for his first singles match for the WWE Championship in his 11-year career.

This week, he and Daniel Bryan were set to sign the contract for their match. Both men would be in the same ring at the same time with a likelihood that Rowan, Big E and Xavier Woods would all be involved as well.

The NXT stars also continued to dominate both brands with matches booked for all four. Ricochet and Aleister Black would continue to team together, this time against Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura.

Meanwhile, Johnny Gargano would get a chance to stand out on his own, as he would fight Cesaro while Sheamus and Tommaso Ciampa watched from ringside.

Beyond that, there were certain big stories still hanging in the balance. Charlotte Flair was sure to have much to say on the events of Raw on Monday, when Becky Lynch was arrested and Ronda Rousey appeared to hand over her championship.

The February 26 edition of SmackDown had the potential to be a big statement show, particularly after a huge Raw, continuing the build to WrestleMania with Fastlane also approaching on March 10.

Kevin Owens Replaces Kofi Kingston as the No. 1 Contender to Daniel Bryan

Shane and Stephanie McMahon hosted the contract signing between Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston, going over the career highlights of The New Day member before he was introduced.

After the No. 1 contender thanked the fans for their support, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon interrupted to replace him with Kevin Owens.

The New Day left the ring frustrated as The Prizefighter made his return, sat in Kingston's chair and stared down the champion.

After signing the contract, KO found Shane and Stephanie backstage and asked for a match teaming with Kingston against Bryan and Rowan.

Grade

B

Analysis

The natural energy behind Kingston's push is breathtaking. He truly feels like a star now in a way he never has before. For that reason, this may just have been the perfect move. Why waste that momentum on a filler show like Fastlane? WrestleMania is just around the corner less than a month later.

Mr. McMahon continues to play favorites despite the wishes of his own family, and it is getting to a fascinating boiling point. Something has to give soon.

Owens did not exactly benefit from this spotlight. He was being built up as a babyface and a kind father for his return, but there is no way fans will accept him if he's taking Kingston's place at such a crucial juncture.

The Bar vs. The Hardy Boyz

Sheamus and Cesaro prepared for the expected clash of The Swiss Superman and Johnny Gargano when WWE threw another curveball in the form of The Hardy Boyz, who made their return together to fight The Bar.

Matt Hardy looked healthier than he has in months in his return to action, but Jeff Hardy managed to save him from The Bar's finisher.

Jeff hit a Twist of Fate on Cesaro, followed by Matt hitting the same move on Sheamus to set up a Swanton Bomb for the win.

Result

The Hardys def. Sheamus and Cesaro by pinfall

Grade

B-

Analysis

While this was far from the promised match going into the night, it was a nice surprise. Matt showed time off was what he really needed, almost looking like his old self even if he's still a step slower in the ring with multiple injuries weighing him down.

SmackDown's already-packed tag team roster did not need The Hardy Boyz as well, especially to push The Bar further down the ladder of contenders, but at least the division continues to grow in depth.

R-Truth vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade (United States Championship)

In honor of his younger hero John Cena, R-Truth issued a United States Championship open challenge. Andrade answered before Rey Mysterio ran right past him.

Truth decided to give them both a shot in a Triple Threat.

The champion was mostly the third wheel in this fight, as The Master of the 619 and El Idolo showed how much history they had with incredible counters back-and-forth.

However, after Mysterio caught Andrade with a 619, Truth rolled up the veteran for three to retain his title.

Result

Truth def. Mysterio and Andrade by pinfall to retain the United States Championship

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a ton of fun and was over far too quickly. While the two rivals did the heavy lifting, the champion was able to sprinkle in his brand of entertainment with some great sequences.

It's hard to say how long Truth will remain champ with so many worthy wrestlers ready for that opportunity, but he's done well whenever he has been given a chance.

If he wants to be the leader of the Cenation until Cena returns, he should be allowed to do just that.

Charlotte Prepares for Her Crowning Next Monday on Raw

Credit: WWE.com

Charlotte Flair explained why she was chosen by Vince McMahon for WrestleMania, saying she was the guarantee, while Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch were reckless and scared of her.

She called The Baddest Woman on the Planet a quitter for laying down the Raw women's title. She promised she would show up Monday and be handed the championship Rousey had given up.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This promo felt mostly unnecessary, just keeping Charlotte in the story. She recapped Raw and promised to appear on the red brand next week. The feud remains mostly on Raw with The Queen often left on the outside.

It was surprising that this was such an unremarkable night for The Queen in her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Better booking might have been to make sure Lynch confronted her and Charlotte being arrested in the aftermath.

Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Aleister Black and Ricochet

Credit: WWE.com

Backstage, Lana taunted Aleister Black and Ricochet, unimpressed by their work so far in WWE and saying they were completely ordinary.

They showed The Ravishing Russian she was wrong quickly in this match, as they survived Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura's best and kept rolling.

The One and Only got the hot tag to set up his team for victory before The Dutch Destroyer took the win with Black Mass to The Artist.

Result

Black and Ricochet def. Rusev and Nakamura by pinfall

Grade

B

Analysis

These teams are certainly talented, which helped make this work even if it was another contest that should not have happened so soon. Rusev and Nakamura are just finding their stride as a tag team, and they immediately lose to the upstarts.

It would have been far more interesting if time was spent building to this contest. Nakamura and Black could be a fantastic feud, and Rusev has chemistry with everyone.

There's no reason to stunt the development of everyone for the NXT stars.

Daniel Bryan and Rowan vs. Kofi Kingston and Kevin Owens

Credit: WWE.com

Throughout this match, Kofi Kingston did not get along with Kevin Owens, who just wanted to help his partner and take down Daniel Bryan.

After The New Day star got isolated too long by the heels, he was forced to let The Prizefighter spell him with the hot tag.

Running on fire after getting in the ring for the first time in months, Owens nearly got the win with a powerbomb, but it took a Stone Cold Stunner for KO to finally notch a victory and prove he also deserves this title opportunity.

Result

Kingston and Owens def. Bryan and Rowan by pinfall

Grade

B

Analysis

SmackDown Live was consistently good this week, and the main event lived up to that moniker.

There wasn't a lot here that will be remembered beyond this week, but Owens got in a good amount of offense and looks ready to get back to it.

While it will be interesting to see how WWE convinces fans to invest in the likely Fastlane main event, everyone did their job in this first episode to make it work.