WWE continued to build Edge's WrestleMania storyline carefully on the latest instalment of SmackDown.
The Rated-R Superstar is set to challenge a world champion at the company's show of shows in April, with many fancying it'll be a match against Universal Champion Roman Reigns that gets the nod.
The tensions between the two have been simmering beautifully over the last few weeks and Friday was no different - Edge appeared to be getting inside the mind of the blue brand's incumbent, confronting him at the start of the show.
Throughout the night, Edge traded words with the likes of Daniel Bryan, Cesaro and Kevin Owens, and was on commentary for the evening's main event, a six-man tag team match pitting that trio against King Corbin, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn.
A very watchable match, won by Bryan's team after he forced Zayn into a submission, transitioned into a festival of finishers to close the show - each star nailing a signature move with Reigns' Spear to Edge being the last, and a chance for the champ to gain the upper hand for now.
It all builds nicely to this Sunday's Elimination Chamber match which will play a huge part in just where Edge goes for WrestleMania.
Slightly more predictable but nonetheless enjoyable is the build-up to what appears to be the obvious match between Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair and Smackdown Women's Champion Sasha Banks.
The pair appeared to form an unlikely partnership alongside Reginald as they beat Bayley, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, before it was later confirmed that they'd even challenge the tag team champions to a match at Elimination Chamber at the weekend. A swift implosion of this team - with or without the titles along the way - looks as likely as a heel turn by one or the other.
Another standout moment on SmackDown was the continued development of Apollo Crews, who has emerged as an unexpectedly good heel character. Continuing his crusade against Intercontinental Champ Big E, Crews was less than happy to lose a match to Shinsuke Nakamura and took his frustrations out on the former tag team specialist, eventually nailing him with a set of steel steps.
Elsewhere, it continues to be a thankless task for Billie Kay to find herself a friend, partner or kindred spirit on SmackDown - her latest attempts only ended up costing The Riott Squad a match against Tamina and Natalya, before the latter ended up leaving the Aussie laying post-match.
Seth Rollins, a recent returnee, appeared in-ring for a promo segment and said he'd taken "legal action" after Cesaro and others ruined his big comeback last week, while Otis took his frustrations at losing a tag team match with Chad Gable against the Mysterios on the elder of his opponents, flattening Rey with several big splashes.
Image - WWE
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