This was a very strong show match-wise, as all the matches were enjoyable and did well in what they were meant to do. The US Champion losing on a weekly show to a potential challenger is confusing, but it adds some legitimacy to Santos, so I’ll allow it. Dominik Mysterio vs Burch felt out’ve place for me, as neither Dominik or the North American championship are SmackDown staples, but the shows in NXT’s home, so that could justify it. Charlotte vs IYO was great, love the platform that the women have been getting on SmackDown recently. The constant use of NXT talent in backstage segments was good, and really helped create a theme/feeling for the show. Along with this, the crowd was great throughout, with the best pops coming from Shawn Michaels and LA Knight, who they erupted for. I personally was underwhelmed by the main event segment and the opener, although the rules of engagement did well in building to Roman vs Jey.
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6.5
It’s a big night of SmackDown, with this weeks episode taking place on FS1! There will be the rules of engagement between Roman Reigns and Jey Uso. In women’s division action, Charlotte Flair takes on Miss MITB, IYO SKY. Along with this, we will see the second part in the US title invitational, as LA Knight, Sheamus, Cameron Grimes and Rey Mysterio, take part in a fatal four-way to progress towards a shot at the United States Championship.
Unsurprisingly, the incredibly over LA Knight gets the biggest pop when entering his match. Before the match LA Knight cuts an entertaining promo, which is what you’d expect from him. It was nothing great, but it’s always nice to hear the megastar speak, and subsequently build to the potential future match with Theory.
GOOD LA Knight vs Sheamus vs Rey Mysterio vs Cameron Grimes
In terms of the match itself, it’s a fun four-way where everyone is able to get their stuff in. The pacing is quite slow for the majority of this match, which stops it from being great. This is a good platform for Grimes, which I appreciate, as he’s in there having a good showing against three men who are much more popular than him. Mysterio sends Grimes into Theory, causing a moment of confrontation between the two. Mysterio seemingly has the match won, after a West Coast Pop, but Theory pulls him out’ve the ring and attacks him, until Santos comes out to save him. LA Knight once again does not win, and Rey Mysterio is able to get the pin over Cameron Grimes to give us a Mysterio vs Escobar next week. While it’s unfortunate for Knight, who is getting increasingly loud reactions, it’ll be good for the LWO for them to be competing for a championship, as they desperately need some legitimacy as a group.
Result: Rey Mysterio by Pinfall via. Running Dragonrana
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating: 3.00 Stars
GREAT Charlotte Flair vs IYO SKY
Bayley joins us on commentary here, which is always a fun presence when she’s with Michael Cole. IYO does well in showing off her great athleticism in this match, with her hitting a springboard dropkick, and a hurricane on the outside (which Charlotte sells poorly). After IYO gets a nearfall from an impressive powerbomb, a creepy video of Shotzi screaming Bayley’s name appears on the titantron, which cause Bayley to leave the match. I really like this new, crazy direction for Shotzi, and I hope they manage to tie this character in with Alba & Isla, as they have similar personas. This match continues to be well worked, as the in-ring action has no faults besides the hurricanrana sell. They really do well in attempting to establish IYO here, as she seemingly takes Charlotte to the limit, which is great to see for the MITB holder. The natural selection that Charlotte hits for the win, does look a bit dodgy however.
Result: Charlotte Flair by Pinfall via. Natural Selection
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
Asuka attacks Charlotte after the match, building towards their encounter at Summerslam, which I see no problem with, although it would also be nice to see Bianca involved aswell.
Jey Uso is seen walking backstage, and he interacts with Tony D & Stacks, along with the Creed Brothers, teasing some very intriguing future match-ups.
New NXT North American Champion, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio is challenged during his interview by Butch, as he’s in the home of NXT. Dom initially turns down the challenge, but Shawn Michaels enters the conversation and makes the match official. Fun segment to build to the match later on, always nice to see Shawn Michaels, and he (obviously) got a massive pop too.
We then cut to the Bloodline, sitting ominously in the backstage area. Roman is staring at this Tribal Chief necklace, before turning his head to Solo, with a concerned face. This is great storytelling, as the constant intrigue of when Solo Will step up to be next Tribal Chief really keeps me invested in the Bloodline story.
When we come back from the break, Damage CTRL are fleeing the arena. As Bayley turns around her suitcase, she sees a picture of her nailed into it by some scissors. I like how this story is going, I’m assuming it’ll end with some sort of hair vs career match, if I had to take a guess.
GOOD Santos Escobar vs Austin Theory
It’s all Santos before the break, as he gets the best of the US Champion, and has hightailing before commercial. Santos really gets people behind him, as Theory does really well in selling his suicide dive. We even gets a “Let’s go Santos” chant, which is awesome to hear. Santos also hits an avalanche hurricanrana, where he changes direction mid-air, which was mad. This is followed by a Phantom Driver, and somehow Santos has upset the US Champion. This match did very well in legitimising Santos and making him a genuine US title challenger.
Result: Santos Escobar by Pinfall via. Phantom Driver
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
After his interaction with the Street Profits last week, we now see Lashley seemingly conducting “business” with Trick & Melo. Interested to see where this goes, this also adds some unpredictability to Melo’s match against Ilja, as he may be getting called up to join Lashley’s new faction soon, so he may drop the belt.
AVERAGE “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio vs Butch
This is an enjoyable match here, nothing great, but Butch is obviously good enough in the ring to have a decent, competitive match with Dom Dom. The real highlight of the match for me, was Kit Wilson being wheeled out, on a wheelchair, by his partner, with subsequently both men running away from Ridge & Butch. Dom wins through Rhea cheating and Butch not taking an actual finisher, which was stupid. Something else which is stupid, is Raw Superstar, Dominik Mysterio defending his NXT championship against SmackDown Superstar, Butch. Really de-legitimises the draft.
Result: Dominik Mysterio by Pinfall via. Throwing Butch headfirst into a ringpost
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating – 2.50 Stars
GREAT Rules Of Engagement
This is presented as pretty much a contract signing. Roman does very well in showing how upset he is throughout this segment, through very well done subtle mannerisms. Jey rips up the contract in the ring, and tells Roman that it’s “Tribal Combat”. After they Jey says this, the two grab hands and connect foreheads, showing respect. Roman turns heads out the ring, but Solo goes for the Samoan Spike. Roman grabs the thumb before Solo can connect, and Solo eats a superkick. The mic work was good here, I like all of Roman’s mannerisms, and I like the storytelling in Roman stopping the spike, very interested to see what effect that will have. They’ve also seemingly established the stipulation as “Tribal Combat”, although that may just be a tagline, so we’ll have to wait and see. In terms of Bloodline segment, this isn’t high tier, as due to its length I can’t really give this that much. It did convey what it wanted to in the time it took place so I’ll give them credit for that however.
Bailey Higham WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Overall…
This was a very strong show match-wise, as all the matches were enjoyable and did well in what they were meant to do. The US Champion losing on a weekly show to a potential challenger is confusing, but it adds some legitimacy to Santos, so I’ll allow it. Dominik Mysterio vs Burch felt out’ve place for me, as neither Dominik or the North American championship are SmackDown staples, but the shows in NXT’s home, so that could justify it. Charlotte vs IYO was great, love the platform that the women have been getting on SmackDown recently. The constant use of NXT talent in backstage segments was good, and really helped create a theme/feeling for the show. Along with this, the crowd was great throughout, with the best pops coming from Shawn Michaels and LA Knight, who they erupted for. I personally was underwhelmed by the main event segment and the opener, although the rules of engagement did well in building to Roman vs Jey.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 1/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.5/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.5/1 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
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