This was an above-average episode of SmackDown: the matches were decent and a few storylines were advanced. The highlight of the show was the story between Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso. The match was good and the promo segment earlier in the night was great. The low point was the Grayson Waller Effect. It slightly advanced the Bayley-Shotzi story but wasn’t a great segment.
The matches were fine but most were around the good rating. The show structure was mostly good but was slowed by some above-average matches. The atmosphere was fine but not great throughout. A few storylines were advanced but nothing great aside from the Bloodline. Production was good but no theme to the show.
Tonight on Friday Night SmackDown: Jey Uso faces his younger brother ahead of Summer Slam. Will Uso go into the PLE with momentum? Bianca Belair, Asuka, and Charlotte have one more meeting before their title match. And the megastar, LA Knight, takes on Sheamus.
GOOD LA Knight vs Sheamus:
LA Knight got on the mic pre-match and talked down his fellow competitors in the battle royal. Not surprisingly, the other competitors entered the arena as the match went on. Sheamus hit LA Knight early in the match with White Noise on the ring apron. Later, Sheamus countered a BFT into a rollup for a near fall. The Celtic Warrior followed this up with White Noise off the turnbuckle but somehow, LA Knight kicked out. A brawl broke out amongst the spectators that resulted in Sheamus hitting the Miz with ten beats of the drum. This cost Sheamus, as he received a BFT that won LA Knight the match.
Results: LA Knight by Pinfall via BFT
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE the Brawling Brutes vs the OC:
In addition to fingers, Butch also has a thing for targeting ears and noses, apparently. This match had a lot of back and forth, but it wasn’t about either team. The Street Profits snuck into the ring and attacked both teams. The crowd chanted “Bobby” as Bobby Lashley patted his new allies on the back.
Results: the Brawling Brutes by DQ
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GOOD Paul Heyman and Jey Uso:
The wiseman passionately introduced a video package that documented the magnitude of the match between Jey Uso and Roman Reigns. After the video, Heyman looked to the camera and said Jey Uso will never be the tribal chief. Uso came to the ring and promised to bring the passion and spirit of his ancestors to his match with Reigns. He also made one last appeal to Solo Sikoa to reject Reigns.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Austin Theory vs Cameron Grimes:
Early on, Santos Escobar tried to enter the arena to get revenge for a cheap shot earlier in the night from Theory. This distraction left Theory susceptible to a cave-in from Grimes. Unfortunately for Grimes, his pin attempt forced Theory’s leg onto the rope. Despite this, Theory hit Grimes with his finisher to secure the victory. After the match, Escobar hit Theory with his own finisher.
Results: Austin Theory by Pinfall via A-Town Down
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
A video package for Asuka.
AVERAGE Damage Control on the Grayson Waller Effect:
Waller pranked Bayley by playing Shotzi’s maniacal laugh over the loudspeaker. Then, Shotzi’s tank arrived and but Shotzi snuck in the ring behind Bayley with a razor. Bayley ran out and Zelina Vega was revealed to be the driver of the tank.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.25 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Iyo Sky vs Zelina Vega:
Vega got a near fall after a Meteora. Later, Sky got the advantage after a backbreaker but got distracted as she saw Shotzi chasing Bayle. This allowed Vega to hit a code red to score the victory.
Results: Zelina Vega by Pinfall via Code Red
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.5 Stars
Video package for Bianca Belair.
GOOD Solo Sikoa vs Jey Uso:
Sikoa had the early advantage, looking to inflict pain and trash-talking his brother. Jey Uso then turned the match around when he escaped a Spinning Solo and super-kicked Sikoa. Later in the match, Solo Sikoa had his brother reeling after several Samoan Drops. The two traded super kicks after a failed Samoan Spike. Then, Jey Uso hit Solo with a spear and finished him off with a splash.
Results: Jey Uso by Pinfall via Splash
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Overall…
This was an above-average episode of SmackDown: the matches were decent and a few storylines were advanced. The highlight of the show was the story between Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso. The match was good and the promo segment earlier in the night was great. The low point was the Grayson Waller Effect. It slightly advanced the Bayley-Shotzi story but wasn’t a great segment.
The matches were fine but most were around the good rating. The show structure was mostly good but was slowed by some above-average matches. The atmosphere was fine but not great throughout. A few storylines were advanced but nothing great aside from the Bloodline. Production was good but no theme to the show.
Matches: 0.25/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 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
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
