Bayley defeats Lacey Evans

WWE Royal Rumble January 26: Smackdown Championship Match

The match started physical with Lacey getting the upper hand. Bayley feigned a knee injury to get a cheap shot on Evans and top rope elbow smash for a near fall. Bayley maintained the upper hand for the first six minutes of the match taunting her the entire time. Missing a cross body gave Evans an opportunity to build some momentum. Bayley rolled out of the ring, required Evans to chase, and Bayley tossed Evans into the barricade in front of Lacey’s daughter. Evans evaded the belly to belly suplex and hit a neck breaker, standing moonsault, and she hit Bayley’s knees on the springboard moonsault. Bayley rolled Lacey up for the pinfall victory. Quite a few missed spots in this one.

Match Ratings

Six dimensions combine to make up the overall rating. Matches score ratings of 1-10 only if the match lasts for a minimum of 5 minutes.

1. Match Quality– Was the match well wrestled or sloppy?
2. Audience Engagement– Did the live audience care about the match?
3. Competitiveness– Was the match competitive or one-sided?
4. Stakes – Did the match matter?
5. Finish– Did the match end in a satisfying manner?
6. Performance: (1) Poor (2) Below Average (3) Average (4) Above Average (5) Excellent