This was a good go-home episode of SMackDown ahead of Crown Jewel. The show saw two great matches and a great promo with LA Knight and Roman Reigns. That segment was the highlight of the night. The low point of the show was the women’s tag match as there wasn’t a ton of story there.
Two great matches but neither exceeded a score of great. The show structure built up to the main event but not every segment was great. The atmosphere was very good at times but the crowd wasn’t constantly loud. A couple of storylines were advanced but not all in an exceptional way. The production value was high but no theme that separated this episode from others.
On tonight’s episode of SmackDown: a good old-fashioned Donnybrook between Pretty Deadly and the Brawling Brutes. Kevin Owens goes up against Austin Theory. And Logan Paul confronts Rey Mysterio ahead of their US Title match at Crown Jewel.
GREAT LA Knight calls out Roman Reigns:
The Megastar is on a mission to take over the WWE and take everything Roman Reigns holds valuable. Reigns came to the ring to remind LA Knight that he has advanced the business to new heights. He also told Knight that Knight is a redneck version of the Rock. LA Knight finished by saying Reigns is only a star because he is the champion, while Knight is a star without it.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GOOD Kevin Owens vs Austin Theory:
Theory ran away from Owens to start but took the upper hand by driving KO’s back into the ring apron and the announcers’ table. Later, Theory hit an athletic blockbuster but only managed a two-count. In the finish, Kevin Owens hit a pop-up powerbomb and a stunner to score the victory.
Results: Kevin Owens by Pinfall via Stunner
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
Damage Control attacked Bianca Belair mid-interview before the match between Belair and Bayley.
GOOD Piper Niven and Chelsea Green vs Shotzi and Charlotte Flair: (Make Subheading)
The tag team champions held the initial advantage through double-teaming Shotzi. However, the Queen tagged in and wore down her opponents with some chops. In the finish, Chelsea Green thought she made a surprise tag but Flair dropped her with a big boot to pick up the victory.
Results: Shotzi and Charlotte Flair by Pinfall via Big Boot
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
GOOD Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman call out John Cena:
Heyman threatens that Sikoa will end Cena’s ability to use his greatest asset: his voice. Sikoa offered Cena the chance to say goodbye to the fans while he still could. John Cena ended things by saying it will take a lot to take him out and Sikoa is not the one to do it.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis told Damage Control they are banned from ringside during Bayley’s match with Bianca Belair.
GREAT the Brawling Brutes vs Pretty Deadly in a Donnybrook Match:
Unable to wait, Ridge Holland and Butch attacked Pretty Deadly while the latter made their entrance. Once the bell rang, the Brawling Brutes opened with ten beats of the drum. Later in the match, Ridge nearly pinned Kit Wilson after an Alabama Slam into a trash can. Wilson dropped Holland with a Twist of Fate but failed to convert one on Butch. Nevertheless, Pretty Deadly picked up the victory after Spilt Milk through a table.
Results: Pretty Deadly by pinfall via Spilt Milk
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
Paul Heyman advised Nick Aldis to have plenty of medical staff on hand for LA Knight in his match with Roman Reigns.
Logan Paul attacked Rey Mysterio ahead of the title match at Crown Jewel.
GREAT Bianca Belair vs Bayley:
In a grudge match, Belair overpowered Bayley for much of the match. Bayley countered with a couple of holds that put Belair in a tough spot going into commercial. But with the crowd behind her, the EST regained momentum and nearly pinned Bayley with a spinebuster. Looking for anything to change the course of the match, the wily Bayley grabbed Belair’s braid and whipped her opponent into the ring post. Bayley followed that up with an elbow drop but Bianca Belair kicked out. In the finish, Bayley took a braid whip to the stomach and a KOD, securing the victory for Belair.
Results: Bianca Belair by Pinfall via KOD
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
Overall…
This was a good go-home episode of SMackDown ahead of Crown Jewel. The show saw two great matches and a great promo with LA Knight and Roman Reigns. That segment was the highlight of the night. The low point of the show was the women’s tag match as there wasn’t a ton of story there.
Two great matches but neither exceeded a score of great. The show structure built up to the main event but not every segment was great. The atmosphere was very good at times but the crowd wasn’t constantly loud. A couple of storylines were advanced but not all in an exceptional way. The production value was high but no theme that separated this episode from others.
Matches: 0.5/1 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. 3.25/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
