Overall, this was a fine episode of Smackdown, with two good segments sandwiching some forgettable content. The Donnybrook was a barnburner as Drew McIntyre defeated Sheamus to earn a title match at Clash at the Castle. The lowlight of the night was the Aliyah versus Shotzi match. Not too much excitement but at least Aliyah actually had a match. The final segment was very entertaining as we got a Heyman promo, suplex city, and a claymore to Theory. This episode was fine but loses points for the inconsistent quality of matches.
On tonight’s episode of Friday Night Smackdown: Drew McIntyre takes on Sheamus in Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match. Who will earn a title shot at Clash at the Castle? The New Day takes on the vicious Viking Raiders. Will the New Day be able to withstand the new look raiders? All this and a whole lot more!
GREAT Drew McIntyre vs Sheamus in a Donnybrook Match: McIntyre hit Sheamus with a suplex and then threw him into a stack of barrels. Sheamus tried to White Noise McIntyre onto a pile of steel chairs but McIntyre reversed it into a future shock DDT. Ridge Holland hit McIntyre with a shillelagh to nearly give Sheamus the win but Drew kicked out. In response, Drew McIntyre suplexed Holland through a table that Sheamus had arranged outside the ring. Butch also helped Sheamus by absorbing a Claymore on Sheamus’s behalf. McIntyre put Sheamus through the table and landed a Claymore for the victory. Theory hit McIntyre with the Money in the Bank briefcase after the match.
Results: Drew McIntyre by Pinfall via Claymore
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Happy Corbin was in the front row to make fun of Pat McAfee. Corbin had a poster with McAfee’s mugshot on it.
Theory tells Kayla everyone is jealous of him before Paul Heyman interrupts and walks away with Theory.
ABOVE AVERAGE Shotzi vs Aliyah: Alliyah started off with a Thesz Press but Shotzi responded with a Boston Crab. Aliyah hit Shotzi with another Thesz Press off the edge of the ring. Shotzi won this one with a DDT.
Results: Shotzi by Pinfall via DDT
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
GOOD Ronda Rousey and Liv Morgan vs Sonya Deville and Natalya: Morgan and Rousey had the advantage but lost it when they started arguing about tagging in. Liv twice decided not to go for a needed tag and instead went for the pin. She finally tagged in Rousey who made quick work of Sonya Deville, finishing her off with an ankle lock.
Results: Ronda Rousey and Liv Morgan by Submission via Ankle Lock
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
GOOD The Usos, the Street Profits, and Jeff Jarrett: Jarrett tells each team that the only thing he is worried about tomorrow night is making sure two shoulders are on the match and counting to three. The Usos and Street Profits start brawling after this, with Jey Uso accidentally superkicking Double J. Montez Ford finishes the segment by jumping over the top rope onto the Usos.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 stars
Maximum Male Models unveiled their swimwear. Max Dupri is still part of the group.
RATING WORD The Viking Raiders vs the New Day: Ivar tossed Kofi Kingston into the barricade and then sandwiched him into it. Xavier Woods nearly got the victory after a Tornado DDT. The Viking Raiders finished off Kinston with a tandem powerbomb.
Results: The Viking Raiders by Pinfall via Powerbomb
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GOOD Paul Heyman: Heyman promises that Roman will be the first 700-day champion and be the last man standing. Brock Lesnar comes to the ring to confront Heyman but Theory sneaks up on Lesnar. Brock Lesnar fends off the attack before taking Theory to suplex city. Drew McIntyre hits Theory with a claymore as he leaves the ring. The show ends with Lesnar and McIntyre staring each other down.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 stars
Overall, this was a fine episode of Smackdown, with two good segments sandwiching some forgettable content. The Donnybrook was a barnburner as Drew McIntyre defeated Sheamus to earn a title match at Clash at the Castle. The lowlight of the night was the Aliyah versus Shotzi match. Not too much excitement but at least Aliyah actually had a match. The final segment was very entertaining as we got a Heyman promo, suplex city, and a claymore to Theory. This episode was fine but loses points for the inconsistent quality of matches.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.5/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 2.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
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