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KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
AUGUST 20, 2019
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, David Otunga
Tonight after WWE Smackdown, join me live with guest cohost Rich Fans from the PWTorch Dailycast “Deep Dive” to break down the show with live callers, (maybe) an on-site correspondent, and the mailbag.
•STREAM LIVE HERE STARTING WITHIN 5 MINUTE AFTER SMACKDOWN
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[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with Randy Orton’s ring entrance. As he made his way to the ring, the announcers hyped the King of the Ring matches and Daniel Bryan’s promised reveal of who the culprit has been trying to hurt Roman Reigns. Then they aired clips of Orton and The Revival attacking New Day last night. Phillips noted Xavier Woods would not be on Smackdown because he is still recovering from the attack.
-Orton paced in the ring and showed intensity as he said Kofi Kingston is a liar, whereas he speaks the truth. He said Kofi ran from a fight from him two weeks ago in front of his wife and two children “because Kofi Kingston is stupid.” Boos. “Shut up, I’m not finished!” he yelled. He said last week he gave Kofi the opportunity to prove himself, but he got RKO’d twice “because Kofi Kingston is stupid.” More boos. He said they decimated New Day and shattered Xavier’s leg as Kofi watched “because Kofi Kingston is stupid.” He said every chance Kofi has to prove himself, he fails. He said he is proving that the power of positivity can be crushed with the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment, R-K… at which point New Day’s music interrupted.
Out came no one as Orton yelled toward the stage. Kofi then came up behind Orton and surprised him with a Trouble In Paradise. Fans chanted “Kofi! Kofi!” as Kofi celebrated. He leaned over and asked Orton who the stupid one is today. He grabbed a chair and returned to the ring. Saxton said Orton lit a fire in the WWE Champion. He put orton’s leg in the chair, angrily slapped Orton and said “this is for Woods,” and then climbed to the second rope. The Revival ran out to save Orton. Kofi took care of them with chairshots.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment that got a fired-up Kofi showing appropriate intensity getting revenge for Orton, with the Revival stopping Kofi from going so far as injuring him back.)
-They went to the announcers who threw to the Roman Reigns video package that also aired last week on Raw with clips of the attempts to injure Reigns.
-Andrade and Zelina Vega made their ring entrance. [c]
(1) APOLLO CREWS vs. ANDREADE (w/Zelina Vega) – King of the Ring First Round match
Apollo jump-started the match at the bell with a quick clothesline that took Andrade down for a quick one count. Andrade took over. Andrade sent Apollo into the ringside steps at 2:00 and they cut to a break. [c]
They stayed with the action on split-screen during the break. Apollo made a comeback and scored a two count after an Olympic slam. Otunga said Andrade has to be good to cause Rey to consider retirement. Apollo’s injured arm gave out when he tried to lift Andrade, which helped Andrade take over. He went for a double-knee in the corner, but Apollo moved. Andrade avoided another Olympic slam, but Apollo came right back with two kicks and a standing shooting star press for a believable near fall that popped the crowd. Saxton said Apollo is like a WWE version of a Marvel Superhero. (Isn’t that Ricochet now?) Otunga said he’s a “jack-ro-bat, a jacked acrobat.” Zelina held onto Apollo’s leg and then Andrade connected with a back elbow followed by a hammerlock DDT for the win.
WINNER: Andrade in 9:00 to advance to the second round of the King of the Ring tournament.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good match. Not sure if it helped Andrade to need help to beat Apollo, who is hardly portrayed as a top tier wrestler, especially if they believe in Andrade as a potential top tier act. Not every Andrade match has to end because of a Zelina distraction.)
-Backstage, Daniel Bryan and Erik Rowan walked a mystery person into a back room. This person was covered in a black tarp. Bryan said he knows what he did and the whole world will find out tonight, too. He told him not to even think of moving from that chair or he will be very, very sorry.
-Elias was strumming his guitar in the back, strolling around aimlessly. He ran into a referee disguised as a regular guy and asked, “Where is he?” The ref pointed to a travel crate. Out popped Drake Maverick. Elias grabbed Drake by his throat and insisted he read a note. Drake said the 24/7 Championship rules had been suspended for the entire night so Elias can concentrate on defeating Kevin Owens in the King of the Ring tournament. It was signed by Shane McMahon. Fans booed. Elias put Drake back in the crate, then took his guitar back from the referee. Drake popped his head out of the crate and pathetically said, “I just want to consummate my marriage.”
-Phillips plugged Chalotte appearing on “A Moment of Bliss” next. [c]
-A Moment of Bliss: Bliss introduced herself and Nikki Cross, calling her “my dear friend.” They showed off their Women’s Tag Team Titles. They introduced Charlotte. Charlotte admired the King of the Ring throne and said that’s her kind of chair. Bliss told Charlotte that her win over Trish Stratus at Summerslam could kind of be seen as a passing of the torch. Charlotte said Trish didn’t pass it, she took it. Charlotte said everyone knows she is the “queen of all eras and the face of the Smackdown Women’s Division.” Bliss said some people might say the face of Smackdown’s Women’s Division is the champion, who is Bayley. Bliss said she wouldn’t say that, but some people would. Nikki shrugged her shoulder. Charlotte said, “Bayley might be the champion, but I am the brand.” She said unlike Bayley, she’s marketable. She said that is why WWE sends her to do appearances on the red carpet, movie premieres, ESPN interviews, and international media. Charlotte said Bayley is an afterthought, which is why the Smackdown Division and Smackdown Title are afterthoughts. Bayley’s music then played.
Bayley walked out and said that’s enough of the same old bragging and insults. Bayley said it sounds like a bunch of excuses because at the end of the day, she is the champion, which means she is better than her. “And that just eats you up inside,” Bayley said. Charlotte asked Bayley if she knows how people feel about her and that title. Charlotte told her that everyone was talking about her and Trish at Summerslam, not Bayley vs. Ember Moon. She said she has to restore the prestige of the title at the Clash of Champions. Bayley said if that’s a challenge, she accepts. Charlotte eyed the belt. Bayley said she can’t wait to do everyone a favor and shut Charlotte’s mouth. She then shoved Charlotte over off her chair and into the table. Some chanted “Bayley!” as Charlotte regrouped.
(Keller’s Analysis: Bayley was doing well there, but the shove at the end felt juvenile.)
-Roman Reigns walked into the locker room and confronted Buddy Murphy. The crowd was a mix of cheers and boos. Reigns said he wants to talk man-t0-man and know if he’s lying to him or lying to Bryan & Rowan. Murphy said he’s pretty sure he saw Rowan. Reigns said he needs to know for sure. Murphy said he was only trying to help him. Reigns said he hopes so, because if he finds out he was lying, he’s coming to whoop his ass.
-Bryan and Rowan walked to the ring. [c]
-When Murphy walked into the ring, Bryan said now he’s saying he might have seen Rowan, but that makes Murphy a liar. He said later he and Rowan will revealed the real culprit. He said he will reveal later who the culprit and also that Murphy had something to do with it, too.
(2) DANIEL BRYAN (w/Erik Rowan) vs. BUDDY MURPHY
Murphy jump-started the match (that’s the thing in WWE this week) with a flying knee for a sudden two count. Murphy stomped away at Bryan in the corner. Bryan soon took over, slapping Murphy and yelling that he’s a liar. Otunga said Murphy knows what he’s doing because after the last two weeks, he noted on social media that now everybody knows his name. He flip dove over the top rope onto Bryan at ringside. They cut to a break. [c]
Phillips touted that this is the first-ever match between Murphy and Bryan. Bryan eventually applied a Labell Lock, and Murphy draped his foot on the bottom rope to force a break. Fans chanted “Let’s Go Buddy!”
[HOUR TWO]
Bryan threw a barrage of Yes Kicks at him and yelled at him to stay down. Murphy got up and spin kicked Bryan. Bryan hung him upside down in the corner and kicked away at him. Then he landed a basement dropkick to the upside-down Murphy. Bryan then gave Murphy a top rope back suplex for a two count. Murphy came back with a running powerbomb for a two count. They exchanged rapid-fire strikes mid-ring. Murphy backslid Bryan into a two count, then delivered a brain buster for a near fall. Bryan draped his foot on the bottom rope to stop the count. Rowan stood on the ring apron to yell at the ref. Murphy didn’t like that Rowan lingered. Bryan then rolled up Murphy from behind. Murphy shoved Bryan into Rowan. Murphy superkicked Rowan. Bryan rolled up Murphy. Murphy kicked out and hit a high knee strike after ducking a kick and then landed his Murphy’s Law for the win.
WINNER: Murphy in 12:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Well, that was fun. Another really good showing by Murphy. Nice to see Bryan putting him over at a time when it helps Murphy a lot more than it hurts Bryan, whose in a different place right now on the roster.)
-They plugged the King of the Ring match between Kevin Owens and Elias. Then they showed the guy under the black tarp sitting backstage. They also showed Revival heading toward the entrance tunnel. [c]
-As Kayla Braxton began to interview Murphy, Bryan and Rowan attacked him. Bryan yelled that he’s a cowardly piece of trash and a liar. Rowan slammed him onto a crate. Officials ran in to check on Murphy.
-The Revival made their entrance, clutching their ribs and selling injuries from last night. They said New Day are cowards. Dash said he thinks Big E is still at Raw trying to help Xavier Woods walk out of Minnesota. Dawson told them to stop their whining and crying and heal up before Clash of Champions. They officially challenged Big E & Xavier to a Smackdown Tag Team Championship match. Dawson vowed to restore the tag division. He was interrupted by the Heavy Machinery music.
(3) THE REVIVAL (Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson) vs. HEAVY MACHINERY (Otis & Tucker)
HM dominated early and cleared the ring of The Revival, celebrating together as they cut to an early break. WWE stayed with the action on split-screen. [c]
The Revival took over at ringside. Back from the break, Dash had Otis in a headlock mid-ring. Otis got the hot-tag and did his Caterpillar. Saxton was excited that Otunga got to see it in person. When they set up their Compactor finisher on Dash, Dawson dropkicked Dash onto Otis and then Dash rolled up Tucker for a leverage three count.
WINNERS: The Revival in 7:00.
-Backstage Kayla approached Chad Gable to ask how he responds to people calling him an underdog. Gable said he agrees with it. He said his first coach called him stupid and told him to find another sport. Ion the background, Shelton Benjamin leaned out of the locker room and looked around and made a strange face, then snuck out. Gable continued to talk about how his life’s work has been to prove other people’s expectations of him don’t need to be his reality. Shelton, meanwhile, sneakily taped a piece of paper to the door and walked away. Gable said he wants to open some eyes in this tournament. He turned around and saw that the sign said, “You must be at least this tall to participate in the King of the Ring tournament.” Gable dryly said, “Funny.” He entered the locker room.
-They showed the guy under the black tarp again.
-Miz made his ring entrance. [c]
-The announcers acknowledged the news earlier that NXT moves to USA Network in four weeks. They showed Tweets from Becky Lynch, Shawn Michaels, Roman Reigns, and many others acknowledging the news. Triple H’s statement talked about how proud he is and “we’re just getting started.”
-Miz stood mid-ring as his music faded. He introduced his guest, Sami Zayn. He said Sami required this forum and he’s as curious as they are as to why. Saxton told Otunga to sit down as Sami’s music played. Sami said he doesn’t care about Miz or his show, but he needed some TV time. Miz said he’s done a lot of losing lately, so he’s had time to think lying on his back staring up at the lights. Sami said for once in Miz’s life, he’s right. Sami said he has been losing match after match, but last night he had an epiphany. He said he is caught up in the trap that people like him often are and the parasites in the crowd. He said it is the WWE trap of greed and ambition. He said his success has always come from fighting for causes bigger than himself and what is right. He said the path to redemption for him is through altruism and other people. He said there are so many people on Smackdown who need his help. Miz asked who. Sami said one of them is ready to come out right now. Shinsuke Nakamura’s music played and he made his entrance with his Intercontinental Title. (How many of you forgot he was the IC Champ? Be honest.)
Miz said, “I’ll bite. Why would you need to associate yourself with Sami Zayn.” Sami told Miz what language does he expect him to answer him in. He said Shinsuke is Japanese and he’s a poet and an artist, but he can’t articulate what is in his heart and soul. He said he understands because he, too, is an artist and poet. He said he and Shinsuke have a bond and always have. “We are two sides of the same coin,” he said. From now on, he won’t have to experience the pain of not being able to articulate his thoughts because from now on he will speak for Nakamura. Miz asked “Shin” if he’ll really let him speak for him. Nakamura pointed at Sami. Sami said Miz doesn’t get it. Nakamura hit Miz from behind with the IC Title belt, then delivered a series of knees to Miz’s head. Sami pulled Nakamura off of Miz, but Nakamura pushed past him and went back on the attack. Sami told Nakamura that was perfect, but it’s enough. Sami then looked down at Miz and smiled. He helped Miz up, at which point he winked at Nakamura. Nakamura then charged with a Kinshasa.
(Keller’s Analysis: I like Sami being the spokesperson for Nakamura.) [c]
-Kevin Owens walked up to Shane McMahon and asked why he wanted to see him. Shane said he hasn’t apologized for putting his hands on a WWE official. KO apologized. “That fair,” KO said. Shane said he is reconsidering his judgment and the fine. He said if he ever intentionally puts his hands on a WWE official, he will be immediately fired. Shane said he wanted to be sure he was clear. KO said they are clear. KO seemed very conciliatory. When KO offered a handshake, Shane said he’s not quite there yet.
(Keller’s Analysis: The fans seemed deflated, but KO is up to something.)
(4) ELIAS vs. KEVIN OWENS: King of the Ring First Round Tournament match
KO hit a cannonball in the corner at 2:00 for a two count. Suddenly Shane’s music played and he made his way toward the ring. KO looked concurred. They cut to a break. [c]
Shane watched at ringside as Elias dominated for a long stretch. KO landed a cannonball off the ring apron onto Elias on the floor. KO hit the ringside steps to get psyched up. When he tried to throw Elias into the ring, Shane stood and told KO to take his hands off Elias. Shane then took off his jacket and revealed he is a referee for the match. He began counting KO out. KO was fuming. Shane rolled into the ring when KO did. Elias hit KO from behind, but KO fired back with a super kick. When KO went for a Stunner, Elias shoved him off. KO almost ran into Shane, but stopped short. Elias then caught KO with a roll-up and Shane made a lightning-fast three count. “This is absolutely ridiculous,” said Phillips. Saxton said KO was cheated out of another opportunity. Otunga asked how he was cheated.
WINNER: Elias in 12:00 to advance to the second round of the King of the Ring tournament.
-Backstage Reigns walked in and asked Bryan and Rowan if this was the guy. Bryan, in a crazy rage, said he found the man who nearly ended his career. He revealed it to be a Rowan look-alike. Reigns looked confused as the show ended.
(Keller’s Analysis: Well, that explains Murphy’s confusion.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: Eventful episode. A lot to talk about. I’m off to host the live podcast, the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show.
Tonight after WWE Smackdown, join me live with guest cohost Rich Fans from the PWTorch Dailycast “Deep Dive” to break down the show with live callers, (maybe) an on-site correspondent, and the mailbag.
•STREAM LIVE HERE STARTING WITHIN 5 MINUTE AFTER SMACKDOWN
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•SEARCH “WADE KELLER” TO DOWNLOAD THE SHOW A FEW HOURS AFTER RAW
The Buddy Murphy Show. Everything else is tired or boring.
Bryan was clearly struggling to keep from busting out laughing there at the end. This is “Black Scorpion” level nonsense.