WWE SmackDown put RAW on notice with certified bangers in 2019. The blue brand popped multiple match-of-the-year contenders despite facing great competition, in terms of storyline and in-ring quality from Triple H’s NXT and 205 Live.
From Andrade’s certified classic with Rey Mysterio to Adam Cole’s terrific NXT title defense against Daniel Bryan, SmackDown proved again why it had always been the better show on the main roster.
With that in mind, let’s revisit some of the best outings from the blue brand in 2019:
Six-Person Tag Team Match (WWE SmackDown October 25, 2019)
WWE SmackDown, before premium live events, has always been treated like a monumental occasion. This was the case when six of the meanest superstars collided in this six-person tag team main event of the blue brand before Crown Jewel.
Roman Reigns, Mustafa Ali and Shorty G (Chad Gable) were accompanied to the ring by Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart. Cesaro, King Corbin and Shinsuke Nakamura had Ric Flair and Sami Zayn in their corner.
For those unaware, Hogan and Flair had picked their teams for 10-man tag team match at Crown Jewel and the SmackDown main event was a preview of the action to come. The babyfaces emerged as the victor in this solid multi-man outing.
Four-Way Elimination Tag Team Match (December 6, 2019)
The four-way elimination tag team match carried this otherwise underwhelming edition of WWE SmackDown. The match featured The Revival, Mustafa Ali and Shorty G, Heavy Machinery, and The Lucha House Party.
All men brought their game to the match. The Revival looked strong in their attempt to gain an opportunity at the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at TLC. Ali and Shorty G were crisp in their moves. Heavy Machinery brought their strength, while Lucha House Party got the crowd on their feet with their amazing aerial offense.
Buddy Murphy vs. Roman Reigns (WWE SmackDown – August 13, 2019)
One of the best matches on SmackDown in 2019 came courtesy of Roman Reigns and Buddy Murphy. The Big Dog was mocked by the Best Kept Secret on the August 6 episode of the blue brand and proceeded to beat the life out of him.
Murphy arrived in less than great shape the following week, but ended up giving Reigns the best singles match of his career in 2019. Reigns’ powerhouse style complemented Murphy’s stiff yet athletic move set.
The former Cruiserweight Champion sold the top star’s offense to the best of his abilities. Moreover, the closing stretch turned out to be superb as Reigns turned Murphy upside down with a vicious spear for the win.
Adam Cole vs. Daniel Bryan (NXT Championship Match – November 1, 2019)
The build to Survivor Series 2019 gave fans some excellent moments and matches on WWE SmackDown and RAW. One of the best matches during this time featured Adam Cole and Daniel Bryan for the NXT Championship.
Cole had proven his worth as the workhorse of NXT with classics against Johnny Gargano and Ricochet. The Undisputed Era leader squared off against a fellow best in the world in Daniel Bryan, in the main event of SmackDown.
The pair popped moves the main roster fans weren’t used to seeing. The American Dragon pulled out creative strikes from his arsenal to keep the champion at arm’s length. The match had Triple H and Shawn Michaels on their feet.
Andrade vs. Rey Mysterio (WWE SmackDown – January 15, 2019)
Rey Mysterio and Andrade came to create a five-star classic on the fly. Such is the level of their chemistry inside the squared circle. The pair put on a clinic on the blue brand in one of the first episodes of WWE SmackDown in 2019.
The match started off with some basic mat wrestling. The Underdog went for a beautiful armdrag and followed it with a classic luchador chain wrestling style sequence. The pair increased their pace as the match went longer.
Rey got momentum in his corner with a picture-perfect 619. However, a distraction from Zelina Vega allowed Andrade to pick up the win with a hanging hammerlock DDT from the top rope.
The pair would run it back with an excellent 2-out-of-3 Falls Match that would eventually make it to WWE’s list of 25 best matches from 2019.
Also read: Best WWE SmackDown Matches Of 2020
