This was a decent episode of Friday Night Smackdown. The highlights of the show were both promos. The issues between Sami Zayn and Jey Uso are causing a divide within the Bloodline that has created heat between Jey and Roman Reigns. In addition, the Bray Wyatt storyline is moving along as Uncle Howdy identified himself and we got to see some more real emotion from Wyatt. Maximum Male Models vs the New Day was the lowlight of the evening as the match wasn’t terribly exciting nor did it have a lot of story to it. However, there are things to look forward to including the issues within the Bloodline, Roman Reigns and Logan Paul, the return of former NXT star Emma, and continuing development of Bray Wyatt’s story.
Tonight on Friday Night Smackdown: Roman Reigns returns. Ronda Rousey issues an open challenge for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Who will answer the challenge? Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa take on Butch and Ridge Holland. Will the Bloodline pick up the win? And Hit Row partners with a mystery opponent to take on Legado Del Fantasma.
ABOVE AVERAGE Butch and Ridge Holland vs Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn:
Butch and Holland combined for ten beats of the drum on Sami Zayn. Later, Solo Sikoa nearly got the pin after a superkick and a Samoan Drop. Sami Zayn and Jey Uso argued after Uso attempted to interfere in a way that Zayn didn’t like. This opened the door for Butch to pick up the win by rolling up Zayn.
Results: Butch and Ridge Holland by Pinfall via Rollup
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GOOD The Bloodline:
Jey Uso rejected Sami Zayn’s attempt at making peace. During a heated exchange with Zayn, Jey Uso said he didn’t care that the Tribal Chief said to make peace with Zayn. Reigns then told Jey that if he didn’t fix his behavior, Sami Zayn would be made an official member of the Uso family.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25
Another Viking Raider video package.
ABOVE AVERAGE The New Day vs Maximum Male Models:
Xavier Woods hit Mansoor with a senton and then taunted Mace with an MMMesque pose. Later, Kingston splashed Mansoor on his back. In the end, Woods and Kingston combined in a tandem move to beat MMM.
Results: The New Day by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
Liv Morgan attacked Sonya Deville backstage.
Braun Strowman said while Omos is bigger, Strowman is still stronger.
GOOD Ronda Rousey vs Emma:
Rousey tried to land Piper’s Pit but Emma broke out of it after Rousey tried to trash talk. Later, Emma went for a pin after a tarantula sleeper hold and a crossbody. In the end, Rousey retained the title on an armbar.
Results: Ronda Rousey by Submission via Armbar
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Jey Uso tried to talk to Roman Reigns but Paul Heyman intercepted him.
Natalya tried to confront Ronda Rousey but Shayna Baszler choked her out.
GOOD Legado Del Fantasma vs Hit Row and Shinsuke Nakamura:
Hit Row started the attack before the bell rang. Later, Top Dolla power slammed both Del Toro and Wilde. In the finish, Nakamura made the pin after a Kinshasa.
Results: Top Dolla and Shinsuke Nakamura by Pinfall via Kinshasa
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Paul Heyman warned Roman Reigns not to underestimate Logan Paul.
Richochet tried to tell LA Knight to stop being so arrogant.
ABOVE AVERAGE Karrion Kross vs Madcap Moss:
Early in the match, Kross got frustrated after Moss clotheslined him out of the ring. Later, Karrion Kross nearly got the pin after a Northern Lights Suplex and a clothesline. Kross later won the match after a blow to the back of Moss’s head. After the match, Karrion Kross choked out Madcap Moss and called out Drew McIntyre.
Results: Karrion Kross by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Gunther, Ludvig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci attacked Rey Mysterio.
GREAT Bray Wyatt:
Bray Wyatt told the fans he isn’t hiding behind a mask. He promised to do spectacular things in WWE. The masked figure, identified as Uncle Howdy, called Bray Wyatt out for falsely saying he no longer hides behind a mask.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 stars
Overall…
This was a decent episode of Friday Night Smackdown. The highlights of the show were both promos. The issues between Sami Zayn and Jey Uso are causing a divide within the Bloodline that has created heat between Jey and Roman Reigns. In addition, the Bray Wyatt storyline is moving along as Uncle Howdy identified himself and we got to see some more real emotion from Wyatt. Maximum Male Models vs the New Day was the lowlight of the evening as the match wasn’t terribly exciting nor did it have a lot of story to it. However, there are things to look forward to including the issues within the Bloodline, Roman Reigns and Logan Paul, the return of former NXT star Emma, and continuing development of Bray Wyatt’s story.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.5/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 2.75/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
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