The last SmackDown before Fastlane had the focus on the match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles which will be defended this weekend. Nia Jax took on Sasha Banks with the SmackDown Women’s Title on the line at the top of SmackDown. Prior to the match, Banks and her partner for this Sunday and opponent at WrestleMania, Bianca Belair, had some words backstage.
Belair was trying to understand why Banks would agree to have this match. Banks allowing Reginald to get into her head is something that Belair has constantly been concerned about as they need to be on the same page for Fastlane.
It is also clear that Belair wants to have the upcoming highly anticipated WrestleMania match against Banks and not Jax — which we can all agree with. The EST then let her know that she wouldn’t be coming out to bail her out but she did make an appearance during the match to hype up Banks.
Reginald was not present as he was treated to a “day at the spa.”
Sasha Banks (c) defeats Nia Jax to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship
It was all Jax on the offense in the first half of the match. Shortly after Belair came down to the ring, Banks started to gain some momentum.
After a failed sunset flip by Banks, Jax tried to capitalize with a standing leg drop but missed. Banks then executed a reverse Meteora but couldn’t get the three count.
Moments later, Banks tried to get Jax to the mat so that she could lock in the Bank Statement but she had to counter out of the strength of her opponent to deliver. After planting Jax, Banks was able to apply the submission in the middle of the ring.
Baszler and Belair then stir on the outside and the fight heads into the ring. Baszler went to deliver a kick to Banks but missed and nailed Jax instead. Belair tosses Baszler out of the ring for Banks to execute a jackknife cover to get the three count and retain her title.
After the match, Baszler tried to apologize to Jax who was concerned that they may be in trouble come Fastlane. She says she will face Belair later on in the night.
Shayna Baszler vs. Bianca Belair ends in a no contest
This match was rather quick and Jax left ringside as the match was considered a no contest when both Belair and Baszler were attacked by Natalya and Tamina. This shows even more why the booking is all wrong as we head into the last pay-per-view before WrestleMania.
Building up Natalya and Tamina is a solid thing for them. As veterans in the business and not seeing either one of them grabbing a singles title anytime soon them going for (and winning), the tag titles would be a nice thing to see. What doesn’t make sense is why aren’t they facing Baszler & Jax at Fastlane?
Banks and Belair could build-up to their WrestleMania match without being involved in the tag titles. They could have continued to use Reginald and Carmella who apparently can only be shown on Network Exclusives or short backstage segments as of late.
Speaking of Carmella, she was seen in a Network Exclusive discussing getting a new sommelier. Billie Kay was caught in the background eavesdropping as Carmella was being interviewed on what qualities she looks for in a sommelier. After Carmella walked away, Kay says she is updating her resume and wants to see #KayforSommelier start trending.
Prior to SmackDown airing, both Chelsea Green and Santana Garrett posted separate photos on their social media. They were each standing in front of the SmackDown sign backstage which had many hoping they would be used on last night’s show. Green is a member of the roster but went out with an injury from her debut match in November. Garrett was rumored to have been called up to the main roster but hasn’t been seen last July other than a Royal Rumble appearance.
This would have been a nice introduction to have two more women introduced into the roster but of course, we can’t have nice things.
Let’s get into the Winners & Losers of the week:
Please note that it was very hard to pick any Winners & Losers from this week and not in a good way.
WINNER: Sasha Banks
She retained her title, kept the one exciting thing I am looking forward to WrestleMania for intact. That’s the biggest win of the week for the blue brand. I am just ready for after this Sunday where she can start actually feuding with Bianca instead of them trying to be a team. Hopefully, they won’t win the tag titles because we don’t need a reason to not have the tag titles stand alone in a WrestleMania match.
WINNERS: Natalya & Tamina
Just add them to the match for Fastlane at this point and let them take the titles. Have Shayna face Asuka at WrestleMania and let’s move on. Please.
LOSER: Shayna Baszler
Old Shayna would have never apologized to Nia. Let’s please have them go their separate ways. This team has run its course. Shayna is definitely getting the short end of the stick out of everything as well.
What did you think of this week’s SmackDown? Who were your Winners & Losers? Leave your thoughts below.