This was one of the best SmackDowns of recent memory. The main event between Sami Zayn was the highlight of the night. The action was good in and out of the ring, plus the reveal of Kevin Owens as the final participant in the Wargames match was great. Other highlights were the LA Knight-Bray Wyatt segment and the Ali-Ricochet match. The lowlight of the evening was the match between Shotzi and Shayna Baszler. It was an ok match but the ending wasn't the best. The only reason this show loses points is that the Shotzi-Baszler match weighed the overall down and none of the matches got into the 4-star category.
On tonight’s Friday Night SmackDown: Butch takes on Sami Zayn in the SmackDown World Cup. Who advances to the next round? Shotzi goes one on one with Shayna Baszler. Will Shotzi get revenge for last week’s attack? And Ricochet faces off with Mustafa Ali in another SmackDown World Cup match.
GREAT the Brawling Brutes and Drew McIntyre:
Sheamus said he was happy to have McIntyre by his side as they take on the Bloodline at Survivor Series. McIntyre concurred and said he was looking forward to going to war with his brother, Sheamus. Sami Zayn then told the group that the Bloodline doesn’t care who the fifth member of the opposing team is. Sheamus promised Zayn that he would be shocked by the fifth member of his team.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 stars
GREAT Ricochet vs Mustafa Ali:
Early in the match, the two men exchanged pin attempts. Later, Ali landed a codebreaker off the corner of the ring, hurting his back as well. In the end, Ricochet won off a shooting star press to advance to the next round.
Results: Ricochet by Pinfall via Shooting Star
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
Jey Uso and Sami Zayn argued until they were separated by Jimmy.
The New Day challenged Imperium to a match.
GOOD Madcap Moss vs Karrion Kross:
Moss started with a lot of speed and intensity. Later, Scarlett got in a cheapshot while the referee was looking away. In the end, Kross submitted Madcap Moss with a sleeper hold.
Results: Karrion Kross by Submission via Kross Jacket
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
GREAT Bray Wyatt makes amends:
Bray Wyatt talked about how he used to view fear as a way to earn respect. Wyatt apologized to LA Knight who came to the ring and slapped Wyatt across the face. Bray Wyatt offered a handshake to Knight but received a slap instead.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.75 stars
The Usos asked Karrion Kross if he was the fifth member of the Brawling Brutes team, but he denied it. Bray Wyatt was seen in the background yelling.
ABOVE AVERAGE Shayna Baszler (w/Ronda Rousey) vs Shotzi:
Rousey distracted Shotzi early, allowing Baszler to seize momentum. Later, Shotzi allowed herself to get distracted by Rousey, her opponent at Survivor Series. This led to a German Suplex from Baszler. In the end, Raquel Rodriguez showed up and distracted Shayna Baszler. Shotzi won on a roll-up.
Results: Shotzi by Pinfall via Rollup
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
LA Knight was found buried under a pile of debris after apparently getting attacked by Uncle Howdy.
GOOD The New Day and Braun Strowman vs Imperium:
The two teams brawled after Strowman was revealed as the New Day’s partner. Later, Strowman charged through Giovanni Vinci and Ludvig Kaiser before giving Gunther a spinebuster. In the finish, Woods made the pin after a Daybreak.
Results: The New Day and Braun Strowman by Pinfall via Daybreak
Matt Cookson Name WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
GREAT Butch vs Sami Zayn in the SmackDown World Cup:
Early in the match, Zayn countered a move with a powerbomb, nearly getting the pin. Later, the Honorary Uce pushed Butch off the ring corner and into the barricade. In the finish, Butch won on a Bitter End. After the match, the Brawling Brutes clashed with the Bloodline, as Roman Reigns entered the arena. Finally, Kevin Owens showed up, revealing himself as the final member of the Wargames Match at Survivor Series.
Results: Butch by Pinfall via Bitter End
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Overall…
This was one of the best SmackDowns of recent memory. The main event between Sami Zayn was the highlight of the night. The action was good in and out of the ring, plus the reveal of Kevin Owens as the final participant in the Wargames match was great. Other highlights were the LA Knight-Bray Wyatt segment and the Ali-Ricochet match. The lowlight of the evening was the match between Shotzi and Shayna Baszler. It was an ok match but the ending wasn’t the best. The only reason this show loses points is that the Shotzi-Baszler match weighed the overall down and none of the matches got into the 4-star category.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
