This was a good episode of SmackDown. The matches were good and the Bloodline story took an unexpected twist. Instead of Jimmy fully rejoining, he explained that he did what he did to prevent Jey from becoming like Roman. That segment was easily the highlight of the night. The low point was the match between Charlotte and Asuka which ended in a draw.
The matches were decent but none of them quite reached the level of great. The show structure was very good but a title change ahead of the Bloodline segment made stole some of the main event’s thunder. The atmosphere was good at times and ok at others. The Bloodline story was great and a few other stories advanced as well but not in an amazing way. Production was good but no specific theme.
Tonight on Friday Night SmackDown: we find out the current status of the Bloodline after Jimmy Uso’s shocking betrayal of his twin brother. Austin Theory defends the United States Championship. And AJ Styles faces off against Karrion Kross.
ABOVE AVERAGE Charlotte Flair vs Asuka:
After knocking Flair off the turnbuckle, Asuka went for a kick and then a cover but the Queen kicked out. Later, Charlotte Flair hit a spear and then looked to finish off Asuka with a figure eight but was distracted by the arrival of the new women’s champion, Iyo Sky. Asuka nearly won via roll-up but the match ended when Sky drop-kicked Flair and Asuka simultaneously.
Results: Draw
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
Austin Theory attacked Santos Escobar backstage ahead of their title match.
GOOD AJ Styles vs Karrion Kross:
Styles went for a submission move early on but Karrion Kross quickly turned the match around with hard-hitting offense. He later countered a kick by AJ Styles into a Death Valley Driver on the announcers’ table. The key to the match was the conflict outside the ring between Scarlett and Michin. After Scarlett moved Kross’ leg onto the bottom rope, Michin attacked Scarlett, eventually gaining the upper hand. Despite continued interference from Scarlett, Styles finished off Kross with a Styles Clash.
Results: AJ Styles by Pinfall via Styles Clash
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Outside the room where Santos Escobar was being medically evaluated, United States Champion Austin Theory showed faux concern and said Escobar had no shot to defeat him.
GREAT Edge and Sheamus:
Edge surprised us all by showing up on SmackDown one week ahead of his 25-year anniversary. Then, the Rated R Superstar stated his desire to have a match with someone he has never faced, Sheamus. Edge thanked Sheamus for helping him get back into ring shape prior to his Royal Rumble return. Sheamus then came to the ring and the two traded embarrassing pictures and videos. The Celtic Warrior thanked Edge for the encouragement he gave early in his career and accepted Edge’s offer for a match next week.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
GOOD LA Knight vs Top Dolla:
Top Dolla took advantage against the Megastar with plenty of help from B-Fab and Ashante Thee Adonis. Despite the interference, LA Knight managed to turn things around and hit an elbow drop. A BFT and LA Knight picked up the victory.
Results: LA Knight by Pinfall via BFT
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Santos Escobar told Adam Pearce he is able to wrestle against Austin Theory.
Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits toast the formation of their alliance.
GOOD Rey Mysterio vs Austin Theory for the United States Championship:
Theory again attacked Escobar as the latter made his way to the ring, this time incapacitating him. However, Pearce ended Theory’s hope of escaping the title defense when he announced Rey Mysterio would challenge for the title. In the match, Mysterio hit Theory with a 619 to the back and then followed that up with a second 619. In the finish, Rey Mysterio splashed Theory to become the new United States Champion.
Results: Rey Mysterio by Pinfall via Move
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
AMAZING Roman Reigns and the Usos:
After Paul Heyman admitted to not seeing Jey Uso at all today, Jimmy made his way into the ring to a chorus of boos. Roman Reigns offered Jey a reward for helping him retain but JImmy responded that his actions had nothing to do with Reigns. Jey Uso then came to the ring and demanded Jimmy explain himself. Jimmy explained that if Jey had won, he would have acquired power that corrupted him the way it corrupted Roman Reigns. Reigns then told Jey no one cares about the Usos anymore and demanded Jey acknowledge him. Jey super-kicked Roman Reigns and then super-kicked his brother Jimmy. Before leaving through the crowd, he looked into the camera and said he was done with the Bloodline and WWE.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
Overall…
This was a good episode of SmackDown. The matches were good and the Bloodline story took an unexpected twist. Instead of Jimmy fully rejoining, he explained that he did what he did to prevent Jey from becoming like Roman. That segment was easily the highlight of the night. The low point was the match between Charlotte and Asuka which ended in a draw.
The matches were decent but none of them quite reached the level of great. The show structure was very good but a title change ahead of the Bloodline segment made stole some of the main event’s thunder. The atmosphere was good at times and ok at others. The Bloodline story was great and a few other stories advanced as well but not in an amazing way. Production was good but no specific theme.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
