SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
HITS
Daniel Bryan vs. Andrade Cien Almas: These two put on a wrestling clinic. Secondly, it was stiff! Almas and Bryan beat the mud out of each other in this opening contest. Almas is beginning to separate himself from the rest of the heel roster with his in ring work. This was such a physical match against Bryan it showed another side of Almas. A lethal side. Bryan sold like a machine and shined up his opponent nicely. Almas sold an incredible high knee from Bryan for the three count clean loss. Great start for Smackdown Live.
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Promo: Arguably one of the best promos of Charlotte Flair’s career. It’s a cliche in the wrestling business that performers always perform at their best against their best friends. And this has been no different. Charlotte had that vigor and believeabilitity that she’s going into Hell in a Cell to destroy her best friend in Lynch. Lynch listened, took it all in, and had her comebacks. At one point Lynch called Flair delusional and has been handed everything because of her name. Flair’s rebuttal was that nobody knows what it’s like to live in a shadow as much her with Ric Flair being her father. Overall flawless exchange. Lynch was on fire as was Flair and it just clicked. Never an awkward moment or pause. Great work. Great build thus far.
Return of Asuka: Immediately following the Ilconics vs. Naomi match, the anticipated return of Asuka occured. Asuka came to the rescue of Naomi and cleared house. She looked tremendous and the crowd was into it as soon as her music hit.
Usos vs. Sanity vs. Rusev & Aiden English: Normally I’d show a disinterest in triple threat tag matches because most times too much is going on to really invest in the contest. Here, I thought each team got their stuff in and worked hard. The Usos were studs and showed again why they’re arguably the best tag team of the last decade in the WWE. Whether they’re heels or babyfaces the crowd is always vocal. Rusev and English were probably the most over of the three, however. English has really endeared himself to the fan base and his in ring work is highly underrated.
Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles Segment: Good promo from Joe leading to a total car crash of a brawl between Joe and the WWE Champion, Styles. These two worked stiff and it looked damn serious. It’s the same type of storylines we have seen since the Summerslam build but these two are really laying it in to each other now. Their matchup at Hell in the Cell could steal the whole show.
Miz vs. R-Truth: It was very gratifying to see Truth in a main event spot on Smackdown. Every time the man gets TV time it’s always entertaining and must-see. Just never know what he will say or do. He’s very l underutilized. The two had a solid match and the crowd was into it from the bell. The ending saw Truth roll up the Miz for a surprise win thanks to the distraction of Bryan. Bryan and Brie Bella sprinted into the ring and the attacks began. Things were looking up for Brie and Bryan until Almas and Vega arrived to create their own melee. As Miz and Maryse escaped Almas and Vega were together in highly compromising positions of their own, the ‘Yes Lock.’ That was how the show ended.
MISSES
Ilconics vs. Naomi: Bad bad bad. Naomi seems slower than she used to be in the ring. Every move seems choreographed. I’m not sure if that’s how she’s written to be or based off her opponents. Peyton Royce and Billy Kaye are not good in the ring whatsoever. They generate decent heat on the stick but other than that I just don’t see it.
NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: WWE SMACKDOWN HITS & MISSES 8/21: Miz & Maryse with Bryan, Becky Lynch promo, Styles-Joe altercation, New Day-Bludgeons, Lana & Rusev vs. Vega & Andrade
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