9/2 WWE SMACKDOWN TV RESULTS: McDonald’s “alt perspective” report on Reigns’ championship celebration, Rousey’s final judgment, Kross’ debut, New Day vs. Viking Raiders, Butch vs. Kaiser, Maximum Male Models debut

WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
SEPTEMBER 2, 2022
DETROIT, MI AT LITTLE CAESAR’S ARENA
AIRED ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

[HOUR ONE]

-The show opened with a crowd shot and Michael Cole introduced the show to the audience.

-The ring was littered with viking shields and other paraphanalia. Cole said that we’re getting ready for a Viking Rules match. They showed a weird CGI of a boat in the water. Cole acted like he was on a ship and Pat McAfee said he was sea sick. The Viking Raiders’ music played and they made their entrance. They stood on the boat positioned in front of the ring.

-The New Day made their entrance. The two teams stared each other down. Cole explained that the match has no rules and anything goes.

(1) VIKING RAIDERS (Erik & Ivar) vs. NEW DAY (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) – Viking Rules Match

The two teams brawled and New Day took the offensive. They hit a double dropkick on Ivar and knocked him into Erik in the corner. They then did a double unicorn stomp on both Raiders in the corner. Kingston then used a basement dropkick to the Raiders. The crowd cheered the New Day on. The Raiders rolled to the outside. The New Day danced to the crowd chants and then hit a double dive over the top and took out both Viking Raiders on the floor. New Day then threw both Raiders into the shields at ringside. Kingston held up a shield over the face of Erik. Woods ran up and dropkicked the shield into Erik. Kingston dove off the barricade and splashed Ivar. Kingston covered him on the outside for a near fall. [c]

After the break, New Day and the Raiders battled in the crowd. Woods leapt off the stairs and took out the Raiders. New Day got a near fall. Erik took out Kingston over the barricade. Ivar took over on Woods and splashed him against the barricade in the crowd. Ivar covered Woods for a near fall. Kingston tried to use a kendo stick on Erik but Erik blocked it and took the stick. Kingston rolled into the ring. Erik followed and went for a kendo stick shot but Kingston hit a kick. Kingston took the stick and hit Erik a couple of times. Kingston went for another shot, but Erik caught him with a big slam and covered Kingston for a near fall. Ivar entered the ring. Erik hit Kingston with the kendo stick. Ivar charged Kingston but Kingston moved and Ivar fell to the outside. Kingston hit a kick on Erik, then a kick to Ivar. Kingston went under the ring and took out a unicorn-horned sledgehammer. Kingston took it to the top rope and came off at Erik. The hammer broke on Ivar’s head. Kingston got a near fall. Woods reappeared and the New Day took out a pair of tables from under the ring. Ivar recovered and attacked both of them from behind. Erik tossed Kingston on top of the ship. Erik waited then took Kingston down. Erik slammed Ivar onto Kingston. Woods appeared and hit a tornado DDT on Erik and covered him for a near fall on the ship. The crowd chanted for tables. Woods went for a DDT on Ivar but Ivar fought him off. Woods hit a superkick. Ivar took Woods down and Erik appeared. Ivar sat on the top rope and Erik handed Woods over. Ivar slammed Woods from the top. Ivar made the cover but Kingston broke it up with a double stomp from the top rope. [c]

The two tables were stacked on the outside. Woods fought back against Erik in the ring. He then dropkicked Ivar through the ropes to the barricade. Woods hit a big kick on Erik, then swept the leg and hit a senton. Woods rolled to the outside and pulled a chair from under the ring. Woods brought the chair into the ring and set it up next to Erik. Erik fought back with a big right hand. Erik went for a slam but Woods countered. Kingston entered the ring. They hit a double facebuster into the chair and double covered Erik. Ivar broke up the pin attempt. Ivar took out Woods then hit a big spin kick on Kingston. Erik handed Kingston to Ivar on the top. Woods took Erik to the outside. Kingston fought back but Ivar shoved him to the mat. Ivar went for a moonsault, but Kingston moved. Kingston hit a splash off the top. Woods entered and hit a diving elbow drop off the top rope. Woods covered Ivar but Erik broke up the attempt. The Raiders rolled to the outside. The New Day jumped off the boat and took out the Raiders. New Day covered the Raiders for a near fall. The Viking Raiders took over and launched Kingston into the head of the ship. Erik then tossed a shield on Kingston. Erik threw Woods on top of the ship. Woods hit a kick to the gut of Erik. Woods set up for a powerbomb, but Erik blocked. Woods and Erik battled on the ship next to the tables. Ivar attacked from behind with a shield. Kingston tried to attack from the top but Ivar took him out with the shield. The Viking Raiders stood over the New Day, then picked up Woods. They hit a double powerbomb on Woods through the tables. Cole said the move was called the Ragnarok. Ivar covered Woods as Erik posed and they got the win.

WINNER: Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) in 23:00

-The Viking Raiders posed on the boat with the shield. They showed the replay of the finish. Cole put over the Ragnarok as the “end of the world”. McAfee asked who will stop the Vikings.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Wow. That was actually a fitting end to this feud. Both teams did a great job and this match had some fun spots. When the show started, I had very little hopes for this with all of the silly props. Color me pleasantly surprised. This could have been a comedic segment that ended quickly. Instead, we got a long match with some brutality that actually matched the way the feud has played out. The New Day kept fighting and never gave up, but eventually, the Raiders were just too much. That was excellent booking and a very solid match. This actually feels like an end to this. We haven’t had that for a feud like this in a long time, especially with the heels being the ultimate winners. Now, let’s hope that the Raiders move up, the New Day moves down, and wins and losses actually matter.)

-Cole and McAfee were shown at ringside. Cole said they will celebrate the two year title reign of Roman Reigns. They then cut to a video package narrated by Paul Heyman. The package detailed the Reigns’ title run. Heyman said that tonight we will celebrate and acknowledge the two year reign of Reigns. Back in the arena, they showed a graphic for Reigns’ celebration later in the night. Cole and McAfee hyped the segment. [c]

-They showed a graphic for the Reigns’ celebration. Cole hyped the segment. He then threw to a video package on last week’s main event segment with Sami Zayn against Drew McIntyre. The package then showed the Bloodline’s beatdown on McIntyre after the match. The package ended with the image of Reigns on the chair over McIntyre with both championships.

-Sami Zayn was in the back in a suit and his hair done. The Usos arrived. Jimmy greeted Zayn. Zayn said that his suit is tribal print. Jey informed him that it was not. Zayn said he had big plans for the celebration. He showed the Usos some pictures he had blown up. Jey said that Heyman should be here. Jey then asked why Zayn could set up a party, but not help him against Kevin Owens. Zayn said he’s doing his best. The Usos walked off.

-Kayla Braxton was in the back. She welcomed Shayna Baszler. Baszler said that in less than twenty-four hours she will be Smackdown Women’s Champion. She said she’s going to make Liv Morgan suffer and tear her limb from limb. Liv Morgan appeared. She said that no matter what Baszler says, she’s not afraid. Morgan said she won’t tap out and actually, she’ll tear off Baszler’s arm. Baszler laughed and said she’d like to see Morgan try. Morgan told Baszler to watch her.

-Karrion Kross was with Scarlett in a pre-tape in black and white. Kross said that McIntyre is going to use tonight to reflect. Kross then said that Reigns is going to commemorate his title reign tonight. Kross said that his opponent, Drew Gulak, will have a moment that will haunt him the rest of his life. Kross said the timelines are about to change, tick tock. [c]

(McDonald’s Analysis: That was a bunch of stuff packed into a short period of time there. Zayn and the Usos have a great dynamic. I love that Zayn is trying to make the party as lavish as he can. The fact that he’s taking it so seriously is a nice touch. 

Morgan is better in small doses and this was a good example of that. Typical Baszler promo, but at least she’s somewhat serious now. I hope this works out and she gets seriously rebuilt from this.

Kross, like Morgan, is better in small doses. This was solid. Quick and to the point and he did a solid job. Interested to see his match presentation.)

-Back from break, Cole threw to another video package on Reigns’ title run. Heyman narrated all of the PLE’s that Reigns has main evented. Heyman said we will acknowledge the reign of Reigns.

-They showed a graphic for the celebration again. McAfee hyped the segment and said we won’t see a title run like this again.

-Karrion Kross’ music played and he made his entrance with Scarlett. No Spartan gear this time. Scarlett mouthed the words to the song with the black and white filter. The filter dropped when Kross entered the ring. Red light replaced the filter. Drew Gulak was in the ring waiting.

(2) DREW GULAK vs. KARRION KROSS (w/ Scarlett)

Cole said this is the Smackdown in-ring debut of Kross. Gulak went after Kross but backed off. Kross took Gulak to the corner and choked him. Gulak fought back with chops. Kross asked for more and allowed Gulak to chop him. Kross responded and took Gulak down with a big boot. Kross used a back suplex and dropped Gulak on his head. Kross used the Cross Jacket and got the quick tap out for the win.

WINNER: Karrion Kross in 2:00

-Kross kept the hold on. Scarlett entered the ring and laughed. Scarlett and Kross then posed. The black and white filter returned. Gulak was hung in the ropes. Kross and Scarlett posed next to him, then walked off.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Well, that’s a night and day difference in presentation compared to the first time. Wade may be right about Kross overall, but this is a much better idea to get him over. They’re doing a good job of hiding his weaknesses and making him seem like a big deal. That can go a long way. Kross is going to have to do his part and improve, but this can at least buy some time while he does that. I’ll reserve judgment until he has to perform in a big spot. As for now, this was a solid restart.)

-Cole threw to a video recap of Ronda Rousey’s appearance a couple of weeks ago. The package ended with Rousey’s arrest after her attack on the security guards. They then showed a graphic for Rousey’s appearance tonight. Cole hyped it for after the break. [c]

-Cole threw to the third part of the video package on Reigns. This segment was again narrated by Heyman and focused on Reigns’ defenses on Smackdown. Heyman said that tonight, we acknowledge the historic title reign of Reigns.

-They showed another graphic for the celebration. McAfee put over the run as unprecedented.

-Ronda Rousey’s music played and she made her entrance to a huge pop. Rousey entered the ring and asked for a mic. The crowd cheered. Rousey had a piece of paper. She said it was an official statement from WWE headquarters about her suspension. Rousey then asked for Adam Pearce to come out and read the statement.

-Pearce appeared and said that no matter what the statement says, it’s not personal. Pearce said that there are protocols to follow on the show. Rousey cut Pearce off and said he was doing his job like other spineless middle managers. Rousey told Pearce to read the letter. Pearce started to read and Rousey told him to read it out loud. It said that Rousey engaged in behavior that was unacceptable, but never approached the level of criminal and the arrest was unwarranted. Rousey taunted Pearce. Pearce continued, he said that Rousey will remain on probation, but will be reinstated and Rousey will resume in-ring competition immediately. Rousey asked Pearce to repeat the last part because she couldn’t hear him over the cheering. Pearce did. He then said he doesn’t agree with the letter. He said he wouldn’t have suspended Rousey, he would have fired her. Rousey asked if Pearce thought that the board would support him over her. Rousey called herself the most recognizable female star in history. Rousey dropped the mic. Pearce went off and said he runs the show every week, both shows. He said no one ever asks about him or says thank you. Pearce said that he doesn’t have a problem with the board or the directors, he has a problem with Rousey. Pearce said they call Rousey the baddest woman on the planet. Pearce said she’s the biggest bitch he’s ever met. Rousey started to walk towards Pearce. He apologized and said it was the stress speaking. Rousey took Pearce down and put him in the armbar. Pearce crawled into the corner. The crowd chanted for Rousey. Rousey stood over Pearce then walked off.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Yet again, they nail it with Rousey. This just proves that no one knew what or who she is or was over the past six months or so. Everything we’ve seen from her since Summerslam has been a complete and utter perfect one hundred and eighty degree turn in a positive direction. This version of Rousey rings true. I don’t want her to wrestle Pearce, but I do want her to be a badass who does what she wants and doesn’t care about consequences because she’s such a badass. Pearce’s outburst is interesting. I really hope there’s a follow-up to that and it leads somewhere instead of being a moment of weakness and frustration. That could be a good segue way to a draft and maybe even an excuse to separate the titles with said draft.)

[HOUR TWO]

-Zayn was in the back. A flower delivery appeared for Reigns. The flowers were black. Zayn smelled them and recoiled. He opened the note. The note read “tick tock”. Zayn set the flowers down in disgust. He then smelled his fingers and looked upset.

-Hit Row made their entrance. [c]

-Hit Row danced in the ring.

-Maximum Male Models made their entrance. Max Dupri introduced Mansoor, then Maxxine Dupri introduced Mace. Cole said he’s interested to see how they do in the ring. McAfee said they get the world talking. The group posed on the apron.

(3) HIT ROW (Ashante the Adonis & Top Dolla w/ B Fabb) vs. Maximum Male Models (Mace & Mansoor) (w/ Max and Maxxine Dupri)

Mansoor started against Ashante. Mansoor took him down with an arm drag and posed. Ashante hit a drop kick and knocked Mansoor to the floor. Mace entered and was taken down with a drop kick as well. Top Dolla entered the ring and posed. The Models assembled on the outside. Angel Garza and Humerto Carrillo appeared and distracted Hit Row. B Fabb hit Lotharios and they walked off. The Models attacked Hit Row from behind and took the advantage. They double teamed Ashante. Mace hit an elbow and covered Ashante for a near fall. Mansoor tagged in and the Models hit another double team move. Mansoor tried to pull Ashante toward the corner but Ashanta got away and tagged in Top Dolla. Top Dolla hit a big knee on Mansoor then knocked Mace off the apron. Top Dolla splashed Mansoor in the corner and tagged in Ashante. Hit Row hit the Heavy Hitter and Ashante made the cover for the win.

WINNER: Hit Row in 3:00

-Lotharios talked trash from ringside then entered the ring and attacked Hit Row. Hit Row fought them off but the Models attacked from behind and gave the heels the advantage. The Street Profits music played and they ran down the ramp and evened the odds. Hit Row and the Profits stood tall and shook hands in the ring. The heels regrouped on the outside.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Well, I got what I wanted, the Models wrestled in the gimmick, kind of. The arm drag into the pose by Mansoor at the beginning was funny stuff. Unfortunately, this was too quick to learn anything from. There wasn’t any problems with it, but there was a lot going on in this four minute segment. It’ll be interesting to see where they go from here. Hopefully, one of the heel teams can come out of this as somewhat credible as we need more teams that matter in the division. I would assume we’re getting to Hit Row against the Raiders at some point? After this and the last few weeks, I don’t know if Maximum Male Models are going to be anything more than fodder. Maybe Lotharios too based on association. That’s a shame as Garza has a lot of potential.)

-Cole threw to a video recap of Ricochet’s win over Happy Corbin last week. Afterwards, Corbin was in the back with Kayla. Corbin said he doesn’t want to talk about the last couple of weeks. He said he’s happy. He said when you’re on a string of bad luck, you need to double down. Corbin said he’s going to go to the ring and issue an open challenge. He said whoever answers the challenge and comes to the ring, will crawl back. Cole questioned the decision. [c]

-Part Four of the packages on Reigns aired. Heyman said that tonight we will acknowledge the title reign of Reigns.

-Corbin was in the ring. He shouted at the ramp to “come and get some”. Shinsuke Nakamura’s music played and he made his entrance. Corbin looked dejected. McAfee danced on the table. Cole said that Nakamura is responsible for the downward spiral of Corbin.

(4) HAPPY CORBIN vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA

Corbin took Nakamura to the corner and kicked at him. The ref pulled Corbin away and he yelled at her. The crowd chanted “bum ass Corbin”. Nakamura recovered and took Corbin down. Nakamura kicked at Corbin in the corner then choked him with his foot. Cole said that if Corbin loses it will be rock bottom. Corbin recovered and took the offensive. He went for a suplex but Nakamura reversed then kicked Corbin. Nakamura charged and Corbin caught him with a Deep Six for a near fall. Corbin yelled at the ref as the crowd chanted “Corbin sucks”. Corbin went for End of Days but Nakamura slid through. Corbin went for his under the rope clothesline, but Nakamura caught him with a Kinshasa for the win.

WINNER: Shinsuke Nakamura in 2:00

-Nakamura celebrated. Cole said that Corbin has hit rock bottom. Corbin slunk up the ramp.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Interesting pace to tonight’s show. We got a really strong, long match to open the night, but everything since has been kept very short. This match was fine for what it was. A win for Nakamura that probably won’t mean much, and yet another loss for Corbin who seems to be headed for a character change. I hope that comes sooner rather than later. I’m sure Corbin will put his all into whatever they give him, so I’m interested to see what it is. Corbin is probably too damaged to properly rebuild, but hey, you never know. JBL was a thing for some reason.)

-Corbin threw to a video recap of the Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament finals from Raw on Monday. Cole congratulated Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah on being Women’s Tag Team Champions.

-Butch made his entrance with new theme music. He was dressed in traditional Pete Dunne gear and was flanked by Sheamus and Ridge Holland.

-Cole and McAfee threw to a video package on Connor’s Cure. [c]

-Corbin was in the back. A voice came from a limo, that sounded like JBL. Corbin entered the limo and it drove off. Cole asked if it was JBL.

(McDonald’s Analysis: The JBL thing I said before was totally a joke. I swear I had no idea that was a thing.)

-Ludwig Kaiser’s music played and he made his entrance with Gunther.

(5) BUTCH (w/ Ridge Holland & Sheamus) vs. LUDWIG KAISER (w/ Gunther)

Butch attacked Kaiser and took him down. Butch pounded at Kaiser. Kaiser begged off and ducked between the ropes. Butch changed and Kaiser took him down with a knee. Kaiser stood on the hair of Butch and posed. Butch recovered and took over. He bent the fingers of Kaiser and Kaiser writhed in pain. Butch posed in the corner and Kaiser attacked him from behind. Kaiser came off the top with an uppercut but Butch caught him with a right. Butch came off the apron to outside with a big uppercut and both men were down. Gunther and Sheamus stared each other down. [c]

Kaiser punched at Butch, but Butch fought back. The two traded blows but Butch got the better of the exchange and set Kaiser to the corner. Butch slammed Kaiser’s arm into the mat. Butch slammed the fingers of Kaiser, then covered him for a near fall. Butch mounted Kaiser’s back and rained down elbows on the back of Kaiser’s head and neck. Kaiser recovered and slammed Butch’s head into the turnbuckles. Kaiser propped Butch up in the ropes and delivered a running dropkick. Kaiser used a modified front slam and covered Butch for a near fall. Butch hit a kick, but Kaiser came back with an uppercut. Butch hit a huge kick to the side of Kaiser’s head. Kaiser recovered and slammed Butch, then covered him for a near fall. Butch charged Kaiser and Kaiser set up for a DDT. Butch pulled at the fingers of Kaiser then hit him with the Bitter End for the win.

WINNER: Butch in 10:00

-Gunther entered the ring and so did Sheamus. They both removed their gear. Kaiser entered and held Gunther back. Cole said it was a smart strategy. Gunther and Kaiser exited the ring. Holland and Butch stood with Sheamus in the ring. Sheamus talked trash to Gunther.

-Part Five of the Reigns’ packages was shown. Heyman ran down the other champions that had long title reigns. The video then shifted to Reigns’ latest challenge, McIntyre. Heyman said that tonight we acknowledge the title reign of Reigns.

-The Usos were in the back with Zayn. Zayn checked off a list. The Usos started to leave. Zayn said that they should wait for Reigns so they can all go out together. Zayn said it’s the entire Bloodline. Jey asked what that meant. He said that Zayn is getting too comfortable and he’s not blood, yet. Jimmy calmed everyone down and said they should all go out there and put the spotlight on the big uce. [c]

-The Usos’ music played and they made their entrance with Zayn. Zayn danced behind the Usos. There were blown up pictures of Reigns’ moments in the ring. Cole said that the Usos have been Tag Team champions for 411 days. Zayn took the mic and introduced the championship celebration for Reigns. He asked Jimmy if it was ok if he hosted. Jimmy said that he could do his thing. Zayn said he didn’t want anyone to accuse him of being too comfortable. He took a side glance at Jey. Zayn said for two years, then Jey cut him off. Jey took over and talked about Reigns’ two year title reign. Zayn played hype man and responded every time Jey paused. Jey then asked everyone to stand and cheer to welcome Reigns. Jey then introduced Reigns. Jimmy, Jey, and Zayn all said Reigns’ name together.

-The video board showed a black SUV pulling up in the parking lot. Reigns emerged. Reigns was taken out by a Claymore out of nowhere. McIntyre was revealed. His music then played and he made his entrance in the arena. Zayn charged McIntyre and McIntyre took him out with a Glasgow’s Kiss. The Usos then attacked and McIntyre disposed of them. McIntyre entered the ring and destroyed the pictures. McIntyre exited the ring and tossed a bunch of chairs in the ring. McIntyre took out Zayn with a chair. McIntyre then suplexed Jimmy through the announce table. McIntyre stalked Jey. McIntyre mimicked Reigns’ taunt then speared Jey through the barricade.

-McIntyre took the mic. He said he will never, ever stop. He told Reigns to look around him at the Bloodline torn apart and GOD mode de-activated. McIntyre said that he’s going to kick Reigns’ head off and win the title. Cole speculated on the match tomorrow. He said that without the Bloodline, Reigns is mortal. Cole asked if McIntyre will end the historic reign. They did one last push for the PLE then went off the air as McIntyre posed on the middle turnbuckle.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Great segment. With all of the awesome video packages, I actually had a feeling we wouldn’t actually see Reigns. They celebrated his title run with those, there wasn’t much more he could add besides his awesome presence. Zayn was absolute gold. He was spot on in every sense. The dance behind the Usos and the hype man act. He even through in some nuance with the not so subtle shot at Jey when he asked Jimmy if it was alright for him to MC. Just really good stuff. McIntyre’s attack on Reigns came out of nowhere, but why did the big, bad babyface attack the heel when he wasn’t looking and was getting out of his car? How was that fair? Otherwise, he looked like a million bucks here and came off like a force to be reckoned with. I hate to say it, but there is zero chance he’s winning tomorrow with how Smackdown ended tonight. I wish the ending had been a little more ambiguous. I know Paul Levesque is in charge now, so the old tropes may not matter, but, this was almost too much in the favor of McIntyre. I have very little doubt left as to the outcome.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: Really good episode of Smackdown from top to bottom. There was a little more fluff on this show then I would have liked, but it didn’t hurt the show in an overall sense. The opening match was really good and felt like a true blow off to a Tag Division feud. I feel like we haven’t seen that in a long time. I actually feel like the Raiders got defined up from this. That’s also been a rarity. On top of that, we got a small something for the Women’s title match, which was fine for what it was. Neither woman is great on the mic, so it was probably smart to keep it short the way they did. Karrion Kross came off well in his re-debut and looks like he has a shot at making a difference. His true test hasn’t come yet, but I’m interested to see how he does when it happens. The new/old Butch is a good step in the right direction and could be a great sign for his future with the company. Corbin may be getting another makeover and maybe, just maybe, JBL can rehab him to being a true contender. I mean, it worked for JBL. He went from lower card nothing to WWE champion seemingly overnight. The ending segment was strong, and while I don’t think it helped create doubt about the finish, it definitely built interest in the title match tomorrow. I’m actually eagerly anticipating the event. I won’t be able to make the 1:00 PM start time, but I can avoid spoilers until the end of the work day, for what should be a very solid show.

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