10/1 WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS: Keller’s report and analysis of Draft Night One, Belair vs. Sasha, Edge returns

KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
OCTOBER 1, 2021
LIVE FROM BALTIMORE, MD. AT ROYAL FARMS ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON FOX BROADCAST NETWORK

Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

Ring Announcer: Greg Hamilton

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[HOUR ONE]

-They opened with a video package with a graphic stating, “The Wait is Over.” Then Michael Cole introduced the show and said, “Let’s shake things up!” as the camera panned the audience. Cole said the reshuffled roster will take effect in three weeks, the day after Crown Jewel. Pat McAfee said half the Raw roster is available tonight and the other half on Monday night, and the picks were determined by WWE officials from Raw and Smackdown plus officials from Fox and USA Network. They pivoted to hyping Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks main event.

-Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce walked out onto the stage and stood behind a podium. Pearce said the wrestlers of Raw and Smackdown were all present. Deville announced Smackdown’s first selection – Roman Reigns. McAfee blurted, “Yes!” He said he couldn’t sleep in fear that the Tribal Chief might be leaving Smackdown. “What a fantastic pick!” he said. Cole tried to calm him down. Pearce said Raw selected Big E. Deville then announced Charlotte was coming to Smackdown from Raw. Pearce revealed the final pick would be Bianca Belair going to Raw.

(Keller’s Analysis: They are doing the most sensible format for the draft, where it feels like they are actually picking in an order that officials with the interest of either show would pick. It’s always interesting to read the politics that are revealed in terms of sending the message to the audience who the most valued wrestlers are. However, they’re being sneaky by splitting the rosters in half so you don’t really know if Becky Lynch would have been drafted before Charlotte or Belair if they were all in the mix together – assuming Becky isn’t eligible tonight. They aren’t actually revealing which half are eligible, although through process of elimination we should be able to deduce some top names who will be in the mix on Monday who weren’t tonight.)

-Reigns made his ring entrance. Then a video package aired on the Extreme Rules main event with Finn Balor making a comeback once the lights went red, only to have the top rope snap once he was poised to land the Coup de Grace on Reigns. Paul Heyman handed Reigns the mic. Reigns let out a deep sigh. He said, “As the back of our shirt says, ‘We the Ones’ because I’m number one.” He told Baltimore to acknowledge him. He got some cheers and chants. Heyman said that wasn’t good enough. “That doesn’t surprise me from a room full of Baltimorons.” He said before Extreme Rules, you had to say “the undefeated Demon.” He said you can’t say that anymore because he ran into an exorcist named Roman Reigns. He said like a shark that circles around the island of relevancy, this shark only swims looking forward. He mentioned Crown Jewel. He said it won’t be held in Suplex City, but rather Brock Lesnar will face the Suplexorcist. Lesnar’s music then played. Heyman’s face went from sinister confidence to utter fear and shock.

Lesnar came out in his plaid vest. He marched around the ring. Cole said it could be one of the greatest matches in the history of WWE. He said they’ve been two of the most dominant champions in WWE history. He compared the number of days each have held the title. He said something has to give. Lesnar got up in Reigns’s face and had some words. Reigns didn’t flinch. Lesnar bounced up and down. Reigns attacked Lesnar. Lesnar gave him two suplexes in response. The Usos ran in, but Lesnar clotheslined them. Lesnar stared at Reigns, who backed away. Lesnar gave Jimmy an F5. Reigns told him not to touch Jey. Lesnar lifted Jey and gave him an F5 too.

(Keller’s Analysis: Hot segment. Lesnar not talking is an interesting choice. I get they’re selling this as a huge match, but it’d be nice to hear from Lesnar explaining his thoughts on Heyman and his desire to become Universal Champion again.)

-They showed Kayla Braxton getting ready to interview Charlotte backstage. [c]

(Note: WWE is advertising Big E & Riddle & Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley & A.J. Styles & Omos for Dec. 13’s Raw event in St. Paul, Minn at Xcel Energy Center.)

-A graphic on the screen advertised Reigns vs. Lesnar for Crown Jewel on Oct. 21 streaming on Peacock. McAfee said he has heard that is not the last they’ll see of Lesnar tonight.

-Braxton interviewed Charlotte, introducing her as the newest member of the Smackdown roster. Charlotte asked her to congratulate her on being the first overall pick of the Women’s Divisions. She said Fox knows who the real deal is. “Long live the Queen,” she said, before “wooo’ing.”

-A sponsored video package aired on the Kevin Owens-Happy Corbin angle during last week’s debut of the “Happy Talk” talk show.

-A soundbite aired with Corbin joking around with “Madcap” Moss. Corbin said Moss keeps him happy by telling him jokes. They obnoxiously laughed together.

(1) KEVIN OWENS vs. HAPPY CORBIN

Owens attacked Corbin at the bell. Moss tripped KO on the ring apron as they cut to an early break. [c]

KO landed a running cannonball for a two count a few minutes after returning from the break. Moss kept interfering, though. Corbin landed an End of Days for the win.

WINNER: Owens in 7:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: The over-the-top laughing by Corbin and Moss is obnoxious to a point of just being intolerable rather than contagious.)

-They replayed the Sasha Banks run-in during the Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair match at Extreme Rules.

-Next week is being billed as the Season Premiere of Smackdown with the King of the Ring and Queen’s Crown tournaments starting next Friday and continuing the following Monday. [c]

(Keller’s Analysis: It appears they’re going to have a mix of wrestlers from both brands for a few weeks before the roster re-calibration takes effect after Crown Jewel. It seems like a sneaky way to feature more top wrestlers on both shows for a few weeks to try to get extra ratings. I like the idea of the two tournament, and I’m curious how top level it ultimately feels in terms of who participates and who is booked to win.) [c]

-Pearce and Deville announced the next Draft Picks. Deville reminded everyone that only half the roster was available to draft tonight. She announced Drew McIntyre was drafted by Smackdown. Pearce announced RKBro being drafted to stay on Raw. Deville announced New Day to Smackdown. McAfee called it a dream come true. Deville then revealed Edge was heading to Raw.

-Braxton interviewed McIntyre. He had his sword with him. She said he “led the company through some very uncertain times” and was WWE Champion twice. She asked what his mindset is being on Smackdown. He said he’s very excited. He said he’s thinking of a lot of things. He said he’s proud of what he was able to achieve on Raw. He said he started on Smackdown his early 20s, “so immature and full of dreams, the Chosen One.” He said it didn’t work out and he’s always had a sense unfinished business. He said he’s going to flip the table on the Bloodline. He said his goal is simple. He pointed his sword at the camera and declared he wants the Universal Championship.

-Edge made his ring entrance next.

-A commercial for Raw hyped Goldberg. [c]

-Highlights aired of Seth Rollins’ promo last week declaring that Edge would appear on Smackdown tonight and admit he is the man responsible for ending his career or else he’ll beat it out of him in front of his wife and kids. He said it just dawned on him that he is the only wrestler there who was actually on the first episode of Smackdown. He said Smackdown has always felt like home, but he’s excited to be drafted to Raw. Some fans booed. He said he’s looking forward to a whole new list of opponents. Edge said Seth knows he’s not 100 percent and isn’t cleared yet. He said Seth also knows that he’s the type of man who has to answer a challenge. He said he won’t “admit” that Seth is better than him, so he challenged him to extract those words from his face.

Seth showed up on the screen and cackled. He said he’s impressed that actually showed up on Smackdown. He said he’s not really saying the things he needs him to say, such as announcing his retirement or telling the world that he is not Edge-lite nor is he answering his challenge. He said he doesn’t understand a word that comes out of his mouth ever.

Seth then revealed that he’s not at Smackdown this week; rather, he is at Edge’s home. Edge ran to the back in a panic when he realized where Seth was. Seth pounded on the front door and called for Beth Phoenix. The door was unlocked. He walked into their house. He said he knows they live in the middle of nowhere, but they should still lock their doors. Seth went into their fridge and pulled out some OJ and an apple. He sat at the table where there was some kids art hanging on the wall. He put his feet on the table and noticed the kids’ art. He said it’s truly awful and they won’t have a future in art. He danced his way through the front hall and discovered the backpacks for Edge and Beth’s daughters. Seth said he’s a lucky, lucky man. He noticed a photo of their family above a fireplace. He said their daughters are gorgeous. Seth laid back in a chair and made himself a little too comfortable. He turned on the fireplace with a remote. He said the home is so cozy, he could stay there all night.

-They cut to Edge who was on his phone telling his wife Beth to go to her brother’s because Seth is at the house. He said he’s calling her brothers and letting them know she’s on her way. He paced nervously afterward.

-McAfee said a psychopath is roaming through his house, so he should call the police.

[HOUR TWO]

-Carmella made her ring entrance. Then Liv Morgan headed to the ring.

(Keller’s Analysis: Morgan has a more distinct edgy look and has dropped the generic “headed to the ring for a wet t-shirt contest” mannerisms that were unbecoming of her last week.) [c]

(2) CARMELLA vs. LIV MORGAN

Back from the break, Morgan was in the ring and Carmella was standing at ringside. When she entered the ring, Morgan attacked her. Carmella retreated. She told Morgan she is a bitch and said that’s the last chance she’ll have to touch her face. She had two assistants put a protective mask on her face. Fans chanted, “You look stupid!” She entered the ring and attacked Morgan with a superkick. She slammed her face into the mat. Cole said the match never started. Carmella took off her mask.

WINNER: Never officially started.

(Keller’s Analysis: Why did the match never begin? It’s so annoying when WWE wants something a certain way, and just thinks they have no obligation to explain why.)

-Back to Deville and Pearce. Deville said Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss are staying on Smackdown. Then Rhea Ripley & Nikki A.S.H. were drafted by Raw. Deville announced all four members of Top Dolla from NXT were drafted to Smackdown. Then Keith “Bearcat” Lee was drafted by Raw. McAfee talked as if he was “going to Monday nights” as if he had been on Friday nights.

-Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods came out with The Street Profits. [c]

(3) DOLPH ZIGGLER & ROBERT ROODE & OTIS & CHAD GABLE vs. THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) & NEW DAY (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)

A crawler on the bottom of the screen showed the draft so far. They cut to a break a few minutes in with Ford knocked out at ringside and the other wrestlers yelling at each other. [c]

Back from the break, Gable gave Ford a suplex out of mid-air into a bridge for a near fall. Lots of big moves in rapid-fire fashion including Kofi almost slipping on the steps as he leaped at Otis at ringside which was followed by Roode setting up a Glorious DDT on Dawkins. Dawkins blocked it and tagged Kofi in. New Day then gave Roode a double-team move where Xavier leaped off the top rope with a double stomp for the win.

WINNERS: New Day & Street Profits in 10:00. [c]

-Fourth Round of the Draft: Deville announced Naomi was drafted to Smackdown. She said this obviously wasn’t her choice. Pearce announced Rey & Dominik Mysterio were headed to Raw. Deville announced Smackdown had picked Jeff Hardy. Pearce announced Austin Theory was headed to Raw. Cole called Theory a “sleeper pick for Raw.”

-Braxton interviewed Hardy about being drafted to Smackdown. Lesnar walked in and nodded at Hardy. Hardy just left. Lesnar asked, “Hi, are we live right now? My apologies for interrupting.” Lesnar said he wanted to thank Paul Heyman for making him a free agent. “All because of Paul, Brock Lesnar gets to do whatever Brock Lesnar wants to do.” He dropped the mic and winked at the camera.

(Keller’s Analysis: That clears that up, sort of. It does explain why neither show will end up drafting him. It also allows him to show up on Raw later to go after whomever he wants there once he is done with Reigns on Smackdown.)

-Heyman was crying as Reigns asked if he’s good friends with Lesnar. Reigns asked Heyman if they too are good friends. Heyman said he’s his Tribal Chief. Reigns said if they’re friends, he should be looking out for him. Reigns asked where the Usos will end up. Heyman said they’ll be drafted to Smackdown on Monday. Heyman assured Reigns, “I am the wise man.” Reigns turned to the Usos and laughed. Reigns then turned to Heyman and yelled, “You are the wise man if I say you are the wise man.” Reigns said they can stick to the strategy and the plan. He told Heyman to go to Raw on Monday and be sure his cousins are drafted to Smackdown. He asked Heyman if he understands. Heyman said he does. “Thank you, my tribal chief,” he said before leaving. Reigns said he wanted the Usos to go with him and make it very clear they are to be drafted to Smackdown. “If you are not, leave him for dead at Raw,” Reigns said. He glared where Heyman had been sitting.

-Bianca Belair made her ring entrance. Then Sasha Banks made her entrance. Cole noted that Becky Lynch will defend against both Sasha and Belair at Crown Jewel.

-Cole hyped that the WWE Draft would continue on Monday night on Raw next week. [c]

(4) SASHA BANKS vs. BIANCA BELAIR

As the ref was about to signal for the bell, Becky’s music played. She made her way to the announce desk. Becky complained about Sasha and Belair getting a title shot against her. She said she covered for Sasha when she couldn’t make it to Summerslam. Belair tried to press Sasha in the air, but couldn’t quite pull it off before dropping her. Becky said she does Crossfit too and flexed her biceps. Belair went for a Kiss of Death, but Sasha broke free. Belair checked Sasha hard to the mat next. Sasha rolled to ringside. Becky stood and looked down at her. She held up her Smackdown belt. [c]

Becky said she should be Becky Two Belts still since she never lost the Raw Title. Sasha landed a top rope frog splash for a two count. She later tried for a sunset bomb off the ring apron, but Belair avoided it. She got near Becky, who told her to watch herself. Belair shoved Sasha into the edge of the ringside barricade. Becky nonchalantly held onto Belair’s hair, and Sasha then sunset flipped Belair and leveraged her shoulders down with a jackknife cover for the win.

WINNER: Banks in 12:00.

-Afterward, Charlotte attacked Sasha with a boot to the face. Then she kicked Belair. Cole said they have both women’s champions on Smackdown.

(Keller’s Analysis: It’d be nice if WWE explained what happens when a champion from one brand is drafted to the other. Becky was a clear-cut whiny heel on commentary, further solidifying that she’s a heel and trying to work hard to get fans to boo her and stop cheering for her.)

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DRAFT TALLY

Smackdown: Roman Reigns (1st overall), Charlotte Flair (3rd), Drew McIntyre (5th), New Day’s Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods (7th), Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss (9th), Top Dolla (11th), Naomi (13th), Jeff Hardy (15th)

Raw: Big E (2nd overall), Bianca Belair (4th), Riddle & Randy Orton (6th), Edge (8th), Rhea Ripley & Nikki A.S.H. (10th), Keith “Bearcat” Lee (12th), Rey & Dominik Mysterio (14th), Austin Theory (16th).