This was a good episode of SmackDown. The matches were decent and a couple of stories were advanced. The highlight of the night was the fatal four-way that saw Santos Escobar advance in the United States Championship Invitational. The low point of the evening was the match between Bayley and Zelina Vega. It was ok but the match was a backdrop for advancing Bayley’s feud with Shotzi.
The matches were pretty good but none of them surpassed the level of great. The show structure was good, but not perfect. The crowd was pretty good but not for the entire show. Several stories were advanced but nothing in an amazing way. The production was good but no theme to the show.
On tonight’s SmackDown: Asuka defends the Women’s Championship against former champion Bianca Belair. Will Belair win back the title she lost? Jey Uso grabs the mic one week after an emotional night for him and his family. An invitation to determine the next challenger for Austin Theory’s US Championship. And Sheamus and Ridge Holland take on Pretty Deadly.
GOOD Bianca Belair:
Belair lamented how difficult it has been to wait for a shot to win back the Women’s Championship. After saying she will win the title back, Charlotte Flair interrupted her. Flair told her that she wants to be next in line for the championship when Belair wins the title. The two women sealed it with a handshake and a woo from Charlotte Flair.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
GOOD Sheamus and Ridge Holland vs Pretty Deadly:
Pretty Deadly were in control against Ridge but that came to an end after a double backdrop from Ridge the Fridge. He immediately tagged in Sheamus and they each hit a member of PD with tens beats of the drum. Later, PD effectively double-teamed Sheamus and prevented Ridge Holland from tagging in. However, Sheamus countered a high attack from Kit Wilson with a knee and tagged in Ridge Holland. The defining moment came when Pretty Deadly removed the padding in the ring corner. Holland ran head first into the exposed metal, leaving him defenseless to a leg drop from Elton Prince.
Results: Pretty Deadly by Pinfall via Leg Drop
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Grayson Waller promised to win the fatal four way later in the light while referencing the Rock.
Charlotte Flair looked like she was leaving until Bayley hinted that Iyo Sky may cash in the Money in the Bank contract. Flair then said she’s going to stick around.
ABOVE AVERAGE Zelina Vega vs Bayley:
Bayley came to the ring carrying the piece of Shotzi’s hair that she cut off. In the match, Vega came out with a flurry of early offense, a meteora, and a twist of fate. The chancla came into play as Vega used it as a weapon, but the ref didn’t disqualify her for the use of a foreign object. It didn’t matter, as Bayley quickly landed a Rose Plant to score the win. After the match, Shotzi came on the titantron and shaved off her hair as she maniacally talked about how she wasn’t afraid of Bayley.
Results: Bayley by Pinfall via Rose Plant
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
GREAT Jey Uso:
Jey talked about the lifelong bond he and his twin brother have shared. He also talked about how he respects the family but he doesn’t respect Roman Reigns. Then Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa came to the ring. Heyman told Jey Uso that he and Roman Reigns will discuss the rules for their match next week. The Wiseman also told Jey that the injuries to Jimmy Uso are Jey’s fault because he instigated the revolt against Roman Reigns. Solo Sikoa then told his brother he will never forgive him for what he’s done. Jey Uso and Solo Sikoa then started fighting that ended with a superkick to Paul Heyman and a steel chair to the back of Solo Sikoa.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GREAT Butch vs Grayson Waller vs AJ Styles vs Santos Escobar in a Fatal Four Way for a chance at the US Championship:
Grayson Waller took a cheap shot at Butch but paid for it when he turned his back. As he got back his momentum, he simultaneously covered AJ Styles and Santos Escobar. Later, AJ Styles dropped Waller with an Ooshi Garooshi. The highlight of the match came when Santos Escobar hit a triple sunset flip powerbomb to the other three competitors. Some high-flying offense include Butch landing a moonsault on Waller and Escobar hitting a suicide dive on Butch. It looked like AJ Styles had the match in the bag as he prepared to hit a Styles Clash. However, Karrion Kross came on the titantron where he was seen assaulting the OC. capitalizing on this, Santos Escobar picked up the victory off a splash to Grayson Waller.
Results: Santos Escobar by Pinfall via Splash
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
Another leg of the US Championship Invitational is announced which includes Rey Mysterio, Sheamus, Cameron Grimes, and L-A-Knight! YEAH!
Bobby Lashley arrives in a limo and leaves with the Street Profits.
GOOD Asuka (champion) vs Bianca Belair:
With Iyo Sky and Bayley sitting in the front row, Belair tried to hit KOD early but the champion countered with an arm drag and then a codebreaker. Charlotte Flair also entered the crowd to watch the title match. Asuka tried a couple of times to lock in a submission move but was unsuccessful. Things took a turn after Bianca Belair KOD-ed Asuka into the announcers’ table. In an effort to help Belair, Charlotte Flair fought with Damage Control but accidentally speared Belair. Iyo Sky then tried to cash in on Asuka but Empress of Tomorrow hit Bayley with the mist as Bayley tried to hand the briefcase to the ref.
Results: Bianca Belair by Disqualification
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Overall…
This was a good episode of SmackDown. The matches were decent and a couple of stories were advanced. The highlight of the night was the fatal four-way that saw Santos Escobar advance in the United States Championship Invitational. The low point of the evening was the match between Bayley and Zelina Vega. It was ok but the match was a backdrop for advancing Bayley’s feud with Shotzi.
The matches were pretty good but none of them surpassed the level of great. The show structure was good, but not perfect. The crowd was pretty good but not for the entire show. Several stories were advanced but nothing in an amazing way. The production was good but no theme to the show.
Matches: 0.5/1 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. 3/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
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