Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown Live recap for February 26, 2019

The show starts with Shane and Stephanie McMahon moderating a WWE Championship contract signing for Kofi Kingston vs. "The New" Daniel Bryan at Fastlane. Daniel Bryan and Rowan are already in the ring. Shane and Stephanie McMahon introduce Kofi Kingston, and admit that Kofi was overlooked until he lasted over an hour in a gauntlet match and took Daniel Bryan to his limit in the Elimination Chamber. Due to this, and his victory over Daniel Bryan, Kofi Kingston has earned another opportunity at the WWE Championship at Fastlane. Kofi is then formally introduced, and he is accompanied by Big E and Xavier Woods. Kofi says all he wanted was a chance, and after eleven years, it is finally happening. He says it would not have been possible without Big E and Xavier Woods as well as for all the support from the fans. Kofi then says that at Fastlane, he will do what everybody has wanted to see him do for a very long time: beat Daniel Bryan and become WWE Champion. Kofi Kingston sits down, and Daniel Bryan signs the contract. Kofi is about to sign the contract when WWE Chairman Vince McMahon shows up. Vince tells Kofi that he has appreciated everything that Kofi has accomplished in WWE; however, he wants to give the highest caliber competition and biggest box office he can. As a result, he is replacing Kofi Kingston. Vince says that there is someone more qualified and more deserving than Kofi: Kevin Owens. Kevin Owens shows up, sits down and signs the contract. Big E and Xavier Woods become very vocal about their opposition to this before leaving with Kofi Kingston.

Backstage, Kevin Owens thanks Shane and Stephanie McMahon, saying that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has recognized his value to the industry. He then says that Kofi Kingston is just as deserving, and wants to tag with Kofi against Daniel Bryan and Rowan tonight. Shane and a confused Stephanie say they will take it under consideration.

Before the next match, The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) suddenly arrive, and it soon becomes the first match for Matt Hardy - who is no longer "woken" - in months.

The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) beat The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro).

In the locker room, Ricochet and Aleister Black are met by Lana, who says that Ricochet is nothing special and that Aleister is quite ordinary, and that they are just two more opponents for Rusev to crush. Ricochet says that he loves proving people who think he is nothing special wrong, and says Rusev can't crush what he can catch. Aleister says that a lot about it is written on his flesh, and tonight, Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura will fade to black.

It is announced that The Honky Tonk Man is part of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

Carmella and R-Truth show up. R-Truth says that ever since he was a little kid, he always wanted to be like his hero, John Cena. He plans to follow in his footsteps by continuing the U.S. Open Challenge, which starts right after the seven-second dance break. The challenge is answered immediately after the seven-second dance break by Andrade. Before Andrade and Zelina Vega can get in the ring, Rey Mysterio shows up and gets in the ring. The referee holds Andrade back, and R-Truth says he is at a crossroads and does not know who to face right now. R-Truth asks himself what John Cena would do, and Carmella says Cena would face both opponents at once. R-Truth says "Damn! He brave!," and is hesitant at first, then goes ahead with the idea.

R-Truth retains the WWE United States Championship against Rey Mysterio and Andrade after ducking the 619 and pinning Rey with a schoolkid pin. After the match, Andrade goes for a Hammerlock DDT on Rey, but Rey manages to escape it and force Andrade to flee.

Charlotte Flair shows up. Charlotte praises Vince McMahon, saying he made the main event of Fastlane better by replacing Kofi Kingston with Kevin Owens, which she deems almost as important as her being placed in the Raw Women's Championship match at WrestleMania. She says that Vince McMahon put her in the match because she knows her lane and stays in it; unlike Becky Lynch or "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey, she always does what is asked of her and she always delivers. Charlotte calls herself "the gold standard" and says she would never do what Ronda or Becky did last night, and says that Ronda and Becky fear her. She says that fear makes one do irrational things, and says Becky is afraid she will expose her for the fraud that she is while Ronda fears she will give her the beating of a lifetime like she did at Survivor Series. Charlotte says she fears nothing and that a true champion fears nothing, and after footage of what Ronda considers a true champion, Charlotte says the difference between her and Ronda is that she will not quit and lay down the title, which makes her the true champion. Charlotte says that she will be on Raw next week, when Vince crowns someone deserving of the title the new Raw Women's Champion: her.

WWE honors Black History Month and the "Bloody Sunday" march at Selma, Alabama.

Aleister Black and Ricochet beat Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. Styles says he is happy to hear that Roman Reigns is in remission, and that he sets the standards for himself in order to push himself to beat the best. Recently, however, he has not been at his best. He says he had his opportunity to beat "The New" Daniel Bryan and failed, but he will not stop trying, as it has taken him 15 years to get to WWE. From here, he will step up to the next challenger and keep fighting to justify that this is the house that he built. Suddenly, Randy Orton shows up and says "The House that AJ Styles...what?"

Lacey Evans shows up, walks down the ramp, takes her gloves off, then walks back up the ramp to the back.

Kofi Kingston and Kevin Owens beat "The New" Daniel Bryan and Rowan.

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!