This was a great episode of SmackDown. The highlight of the show was the return of the freaking Rock! The crowd exploded at his return and nobody can get the people amped up quite like the people’s champion. The low point of the show was probably the Bayley-Asuka match only because the finish was a disappointing way to end what was a good match.
Matches were mostly good but none rose above the level of great aside from the Miz-Knight match. I enjoy seeing a grand slam champion like the Miz putting on quality matches. The show was easy to watch, although things didn’t lead up to the main event. However, promos and matches were well distributed with very few low points. Several stories were advanced but again the Bloodline is by far the most compelling. Other stories have something to look forward to, but not in the same way, especially with the return of the Rock. production was good but no theme to the show.
On tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown: John Cena is the special guest on the Grayson Waller Effect. What does one of the greatest of all time have to say? In a Payback rematch, the Miz takes on LA Knight. Will the Miz avenge his loss? Bayley takes on Asuka. And, former bullet club members Finn Balor and AJ Styles face off.
MUST WATCH Pat McAfee, Austin Theory, and…THE ROCK:
Pat made a surprise return to WWE and was quickly interrupted by Austin Theory. Theory went after McAfee for not being around, threatening McAfee to leave his show. However, Pat responded that SmackDown is the people’s show and asked if Theory knew what that meant: IF YA SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING! The Great One has made his long-awaited return to WWE. While Theory stole one of the Rock’s catchphrases, it wasn’t long before the Rock had the crowd calling Theory an a-hole. This magnificent segment ended with the Rock hitting a people’s elbow and Pat hitting one as well.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles:
AJ Styles was in control for much of this match, having multiple chances to hit a finisher. Unfortunately, for the Phenomenal One, Balor countered a Styles Clash and a Phenomenal Forearm. The deciding factor in the match was Jimmy Uso as he caused a distraction, opening the door for Finn Balor to win on a rollup.
Results: Finn Balor by Pinfall via Rollup
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 2.75 Stars
The Rock shared a warm embrace with John Cena backstage.
After the match, Finn Balor made a sales pitch for Jimmy Uso to join the Judgement Day.
GOOD the LWO vs the Street Profits:
Rey Mysterio thanked the LWO for their love and support. Also, Santos Escobar credited Rey for winning the US Title but then challenged Rey to a title match. Then, the Street Profits came to the ring for a match with the LWO. There wasn’t anything to the match, as the Profits made quick work of Wilde and Cruz Del Toro. After the match, Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits attacked Rey Mysterio and the rest of the LWO.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
GREAT The Miz vs LA Knight:
The Miz took an early edge but LA Knight got back into the match with a big elbow. In a less-than-savory effort to take back momentum, Miz pulled the apron into the ring, forcing the referee to put it back in pace. With this distraction, the Miz poked LA Knight in the eyes. He tried to finish the Megastar with a skull-crushing finale, but LA Knight broke out of it. In the end, Knight landed BFT to score the victory. After the match, LA Knight announced he was coming for gold.
Results: LA Knight by Pinfall via BFT
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3.5 Stars
Solo Sikoa wants a piece of LA Knight but Paul Heyman told him only Roman Reigns can give him the order to do so.
Adam Pearce told Elton Prince he is close to getting medically cleared.
GOOD Asuka vs Bayley:
Asuka was in a tough situation after Bayley threw her into the turnbuckle. A stunner on the middle rope and a knee to the head only got Bayley a two-count. This was a hard-hitting match with a lot of back and forth. Late in the match, Bayley wanted to put Asuka through the announcers’ table, but Shotzi distracted her. This allowed Asuka to defeat Bayley with a backslide pin.
Results: Asuka by Pinfall
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
GOOD the Grayson Waller Effect with John Cena:
Not letting his guest do any talking, Waller told Cena he was stealing the thunder of real stars. Jimmy Uso then joined the show and told Cena nobody wanted to see him in WWE. Uso challenged Cena to do something or get out. Solo Sikoa joined his brother in the ring and after some hemming and hawing, he attacked Cena with help from Jimmy. AJ Styles came to Cena’s aid. Lots going on here but an entertaining segment.
Matt Cookson WR Star Rating – 3 Stars
Overall…
This was a great episode of SmackDown. The highlight of the show was the return of the freaking Rock! The crowd exploded at his return and nobody can get the people amped up quite like the people’s champion. The low point of the show was probably the match between the Street Profits and the LWO. The match started during a commercial break and didn’t have a ton of action.
Matches were mostly good but none rose above the level of great aside from the Miz-Knight match. I enjoy seeing a grand slam champion like the Miz putting on quality matches. The show was easy to watch, although things didn’t lead up to the main event. However, promos and matches were well distributed with very few low points. Several stories were advanced but again the Bloodline is by far the most compelling. Other stories have something to look forward to, but not in the same way, especially with the return of the Rock. production was good but no theme to the show.
Matches: 0.5/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.5/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
