This was a good episode of SmackDown. While most of the matches were average to good, the Bloodline segment at the end saved the show. The drama and tension continue to build within The Bloodline as the feud between Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns has boiled over. The low point of the show was the Grayson Waller Effect. It was chaotic and there was too much going on.
The matches were ok but there wasn't a match that stood out as great. The show structure built up to the main segment but some in the middle of the show slowed things down. The atmosphere was good in a lot of places but not perfect throughout. The Bloodline story continues to build but not every storyline was that good. Production was good as usual but no theme to speak of.
On tonight’s episode of SmackDown: Roman Reigns celebrates 1,000 days as champion. How does the drama with the Usos factor into the festivities? LA Knight and Montez Ford in a Money in the Bank Qualifier. Who advances to the ladder match? On the women’s side, Zelina Vega takes on Lacey Evans. Will Vega overcome the former soldier? And Grayson Waller hosts his talk show.
ABOVE AVERAGE Austin Theory and Pretty Deadly:
The United States Champion acknowledged Roman’s title reign but said his own reign will last forever if he doesn’t get better challengers. Theory then invited Pretty Deadly to the ring, who told Theory he is a champion the people deserve. With that, the Brawling Brutes made their entrance.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
GOOD Austin Theory and Pretty Deadly vs the Brawling Brutes:
The two sides traded blows early on but the crowd was roaring for Sheamus to enter the match. With a distracted referee, Austin Theory held Butch in the corner with a headlock while Elton Prince threw punches. Later on, Sheamus wanted ten beats of the drum on both members of Pretty Deadly but Theory countered with a roll-up. Shortly after Sheamus kicked out, the Brawling Brutes hit triple White Noise on their opponents. Wilson and Prince saved Theory after a Brogue Kick but the trio received a couple of aerial moves from Sheamus and Butch. In the end, Pretty Deadly hit Spilt Milk and Theory made the pin.
Results: Austin Theory and Pretty Deadly by Pinfall via Spilt Milk
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Paul Heyman stressed to Solo Sikoa how important it is that the Usos don’t ruin the celebration of Roman’s 1000 days as champion.
ABOVE AVERAGE Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs Hit Row:
Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis hit Anderson from behind right as the bell rang to pick up the early advantage. Karl Anderson tagged in Luke Gallows after hitting a spinebuster and it was all OC from there. A couple of big boots from Gallows before he and Anderson hit the Magic Killer to score the win. Top Dolla was upset about the loss and attacked Gallows and Anderson after the match. AJ Styles put him in his place with a Phenomenal Forearm, however.
Results: the OC by Pinfall via Magic Killer
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Adam Pearce told Paul Heyman that he made every effort to make sure the Usos don’t cause any problems tonight.
AVERAGE Asuka and Others on the Grayson Waller Effect:
Waller complimented Asuka on her victory over Bianca Belair while reminding everyone that Money in the Bank is right around the corner and there are several challengers out there. A flurry of potential challengers made their way to the ring. Notably, Iyo Sky and Asuka called each other out in Japanese. The segment then got chaotic as all the aspiring MITB participants started bickering in the ring. Meanwhile, Asuka snuck out of the ring and got attacked by Bianca Belair.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.25 Stars
Cameron Grimes warned that Baron Corbin has Grimes to deal with next time Corbin is on SmackDown.
ABOVE AVERAGE Lacey Evans vs Zelina Vega in a Money in the Bank Qualifier:
In the aftermath of the last segment, Evans attacked Vega leaving her defenseless for this match. Lacey Evans threw Vega around like a rag doll for much of the match, fighting off much of her opponent’s offense. Despite this, Zelina Vega managed to win the match after hitting code red.
Results: Zelina Vega by Pinfall via Code Red
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
GOOD LA Knight vs Montez Ford in a Money in the Bank Qualifier:
Ford had LA Knight in a tough spot early but LA Knight got some momentum after countering a standing moonsault. Montez Ford quickly got the momentum back and nearly advanced after hitting LA Knight with a Rock Bottom. Later, Ford went for his trademark Frog Splash but the megastar moved out of the splash zone. Ford tried to roll up LA Knight but KNight countered to gain the pinfall victory while using the rope for leverage.
Results: LA Knight by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
AMAZING Roman Reigns Celebrates 1000 Day as Champion:
Triple H opened the segment by putting Roman in the category of athletes who redefine greatness in their sport. The game unveiled a new undisputed WWE Championship belt and presented it to Roman Reigns. Then the Usos music hit, indicating Pearce’s extra security measures were ineffective. Roman demanded that Jey Uso kick Jimmy in the face but Jey refused. Jimmy then ripped into Roman for the way he manipulates and abuses his family members. Warning Solo Sikoa that it is only a matter of time until Roman does the same to him. Reigns then gave Sikoa a chance to speak for himself, who acknowledged Roman Reigns but also expressed loyalty to his brothers. Finally, Roman Reigns rejected the final olive branch from the Usos as Solo Sikoa hit Jimmy Uso with a Samoan Spike. As they walk off, Roman tells Paul Heyman that Jey Uso will fall in line.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 4 Stars
Overall…
This was a good episode of SmackDown. While most of the matches were average to good, the Bloodline segment at the end saved the show. The drama and tension continue to build within The Bloodline as the feud between Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns has boiled over. The low point of the show was the Grayson Waller Effect. It was chaotic and there was too much going on.
The matches were ok but there wasn’t a match that stood out as great. The show structure built up to the main segment but some in the middle of the show slowed things down. The atmosphere was good in a lot of places but not perfect throughout. The Bloodline story continues to build but not every storyline was that good. Production was good as usual but no theme to speak of.
Matches: 0.25/1 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. 3.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
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