9/9 WWE SMACKDOWN TV RESULTS: McDonald’s “alt perspective” report on Women’s Fatal 5-Way, Strowman appearance, Street Profits/Hit Row vs. Lotharios/Maximum Male Models

WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
SEPTEMBER 9, 2022
SEATTLE, WA AT CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
AIRED ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

[HOUR ONE]

-The show opened with a replay of the end of the match between Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle. Afterwards, they showed a crowd shot in the arena and Michael Cole welcomed the audience to the show. The camera panned to ringside and Cole explained Pat McAfee’s absence. He then introduced Corey Graves as his partner.

-Sheamus’ music played and he made his entrance alongside Butch and Ridge Holland. They then showed a graphic for Solo Sikoa and Cole said he will officially join the Bloodline tonight. They then showed a graphic for Braun Strowman and Graves hyped his appearance. The graphic then moved to the Women’s Fatal 5-Way. Cole hyped the match.

-Gunther’s music played and he made his entrance with the rest of Imperium by his side. The two teams stared each other down in the ring.

(1) BRAWLING BRUTES (Sheamus, Butch, & Ridge Holland) vs. IMPERIUM (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, & Giovanni Vinci)

Vinci started against Holland. Vinci took the advantage and kicked at Holland, then pit on a headlock and tagged in Kaiser. Vinci hit a springboard splash off the middle rope. Kaiser then took over and hit a low elbow on Holland then covered him for a near fall. Vinci tagged back in and hit a European uppercut. Holland battled back and hit a hip toss followed by a shoulder tackle. He then tagged in Butch. Butch and Holland hit a double team, then Butch pulled at the fingers of Vinci. Vinci fought back, then tagged in Gunther. Butch attacked Gunther, but Gunther grabbed Butch by the throat then chopped him down with ease. Butch backed into the corner and tagged in Sheamus. Sheamus and Gunther went face to face and circled each other. [c]

Kaiser and Holland battled. Kaiser went down to a headbutt from Holland. Kaiser recovered and threw Holland into the corner. He tagged in Vinci and they hit a double team dropkick on a downed Holland in the corner. Vinci beat down Holland then hit a nice suplex into a cover for a near fall. Vinci brought Holland to the corner and tagged in Gunther. Gunther tried for a suplex but Holland blocked. Holland went for one of his own, but Gunther blocked. Gunther chopped Holland down, then knocked Sheamus off the apron. Butch tried to enter the ring but the ref held him back. Kaiser tagged in and took control. Holland recovered and took Kaiser down. Butch and Vinci tagged in. Butch took control and hit a German suplex, then stomped the fingers, then hit a big kick. He then covered Vinci for a near fall. Kaiser entered but Butch took him down with an armbar. Kaiser fought out. Butch was chopped down by Gunther and he rolled to the outside. Sheamus came around the corner and took Gunther down. Vinci and Butch battled in the ring. Vinci hit a big short-arm clothesline out of the corner to take control. [c]

Gunther took Butch down with an uppercut, then locked in a Boston crab. Butch reached for his corner. Gunther dragged Butch away, then shifted into a crossface. Butch fought Gunther off and grabbed his fingers. Gunther reversed into a big slam. He then taunted Sheamus and Holland. Gunther lifted Butch and delivered another slam then stomped him. Gunther knocked Holland off the apron then taunted Sheamus. Butch recovered and fought back. Gunther charged Butch in the corner but Butch moved. Gunther crashed down, but was able to tag in Vinci before Butch could make a tag. Vinci held Butch back. Butch hit a kick and took Vinci down. Both men crawled to their corners. Sheamus and Kaiser tagged in. Sheamus took Kaiser and Vinci down. Sheamus got the Ten Beats on Kaiser and hit him around twenty-five times. Sheamus took Vinci down then delivered White Noise on Kaiser on top of Vinci. The crowd cheered Sheamus. Sheamus taunted Kaiser and Vinci. Sheamus came in for the Brogue. Kaiser moved, so he hit Vinci. Kaiser got a roll up for two. Sheamus recovered and slammed Kaiser then tagged in Holland. Holland hit a lariat to the back of Kaiser and covered him. Gunther made the save. Sheamus entered the ring. He smiled at Gunther. They traded blows. Vinci and Butch then paired off. Sheamus and Gunther fell to the outside. Sheamus took Gunther down with a knee. Back in the ring Holland took out Kaiser. Vinci delivered a brainbuster to Butch. Kaiser sold his knee. Holland went for a slam, but Kaiser slid out and tagged Vinci. Kaiser and Vinci hit the Imperial Bomb on Holland and got the win.

WINNER: Imperium (Gunther, Kaiser, Vinci) in 20:00

-Imperium posed after the bell. The Brutes backed up the ramp and looked on.

(McDonald’s Analysis: That was a great way to start a show. Match was great. Stiff and made everyone involved look important. No shock that Holland took the fall as he’s clearly the one they see the least in. With that said, even he got shine in the match. I didn’t expect them to go to this match so quickly. I’m all for this becoming a thing. This would be a great candidate for an elimination match at Survivor Series. After this matchup and the crowd response, I think it’s safe to assume that Sheamus and the Brutes are going to be faces moving forward. That’s a good thing as the Tag Division needs more face teams. I’m all for Butch and Holland against the Viking Raiders down the road.)

-They showed a graphic for the Women’s Fatal 5-Way. Cole said the winner gets a title shot at Extreme Rules. They then showed a graphic of Solo Sikoa. Graves said he will join the Bloodline after the break. Cole then threw to a graphic of Queen Elizabeth and put her over. [c]

-The Usos’ music played and they made their entrance with Sami Zayn. Zayn danced and played hype man. They posed at the top of the ramp. Cole said the Usos have been champions for 418 days. The Usos posed with the titles in the ring. Zayn asked for a mic. Zayn said that the Bloodline is in your city. He then asked the crowd to throw their ones up. Zayn and Jimmy did a handshake. Jey did not look impressed. Zayn stopped, he said there are some serious things that he needs to talk about. Zayn said that he grew up as a young, honorary Uce. Jey cut him off and told him to chill. Jey mentioned that Roman Reigns is still champion. He said that Reigns beat Drew McIntyre on his own turf. Jey said that McIntyre didn’t know how deep the Bloodline ran. Zayn said “deep A.F. my dog”. Jimmy laughed, and Jey looked annoyed. Jimmy then introduced their younger brother, Solo Sikoa.

-Sikoa’s music played and he made his entrance. Cole through to a video package on Sikoa. Sikoa hugged his brothers. Zayn outstretched his arms and Sikoa shrugged him off. Zayn then patted Sikoa on the back instead. The crowd booed. Zayn and Jimmy clapped for Sikoa. Sikoa took the mic. Sikoa said that if you come for his family, then he comes for you. He said if you create problems, he will finish them. He said that he is here to stay and the Bloodline just got bigger and stronger. Jey then said that you’re the twos, and they’re the ones.

-McIntyre’s music played and he made his entrance. The Bloodline exited the ring and left Sikoa alone. McIntyre came down with a chair. Sikoa tried to attack but McIntyre hit him in the gut with the chair. McIntyre swung the chair at Sikoa. Zayn pushed Sikoa out of the way and took the chair shot. McIntyre said he wanted Sikoa tonight. Sikoa said that McIntyre’s on. Cole said the match needs to be made official. McIntyre posed with the chair as Sikoa stared him down from the ramp. [c]

(McDonald’s Analysis: They are portraying Sikoa as an alpha within this group. The “street champion” gimmick is interesting and seems to be the same as what he was in NXT. The difference between him and the rest of the group could create an interesting dynamic. Is it possible that their plans center more around Sikoa then we know? If this match is made official, it will be interesting to see where it goes. I assume it won’t have a finish, but how much will they give Sikoa against Drew? That could be a very telling sign for the future.)

-They showed still shots of Clash at the Castle.

-Raquel Rodriguez’s music played and she made her entrance with Aliyah. Aliyah smacked Rodriguez’s ass as they posed with their backs to the camera. They then hugged in the ring.

-Toxic Attraction made their entrance. They showed a pretaped interview with Toxic Attraction. They called Rodriguez a beast and said that Aliyah is really pretty. They said that they would have defeated Aliyah and Rodriguez in the tournament if they weren’t removed due to injury.

(2) ALIYAH & RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ vs. TOXIC ATTRACTION (Gigi Dolin & Jaci Jayne) – Non Title Match

Rodriguez started against Jayne. Jayne took control. Rodriguez battled back and took Jayne down then tagged in Aliyah. Rodriguez threw Aliyah into Jayne. Aliyah hit a Thesz press off the second rope and punched away at Jayne. Jayne took Aliyah to the corner and Dolin tagged in. Dolin stomped at Aliyah in the corner then hit a big right hand. Jayne tagged in and they double teamed Aliyah. Dolin tagged back in and put Aliyah in a headlock, then kicked her in the back. Dolin grabbed at the arm of Aliyah then tagged Jayne back in. Jayne hit a running senton and covered Aliyah for a near fall. Jayne pulled Aliyah’s arms back with a sitting surfboard. Aliyah fought up and reached for Rodriguez but Jayne pulled Aliyah back and into the corner. Dolin tagged in. Aliyah fought away and rolled into Rodriguez and tagged her in. Rodriguez took Jayne and Dolin down then hit a fallaway slam on Dolin. Rodriguez got a side slam followed by a corkscrew elbow. She covered Dolin for a near fall. Dolin got a kick and Jayne tagged in. They went for a double team but Aliyah appeared and speared Dolin. Rodriguez hit the Tahana Bomb on Jayne for the win.

WINNER: Aliyah & Rodriguez in 6:00

-Rodriguez and Aliyah celebrated. Cole and Graves hyped their title defense on Raw this coming Monday. Cole hyped the Fatal 5-Way then threw to a video recap of the segment with Ronda Rousey and Adam Pearce from last week on Smackdown. After the video, Cole said that Rousey has been disciplined, but it won’t be revealed publicly. They then showed a graphic for the 5-Way. Graves hyped the match as being after the break. [c]

-They showed a graphic for Sikoa against McIntyre for later tonight. Graves hyped the match as being official.

-Xia Li made her entrance. Sonya Deville’s entrance followed. Graves talked up Deville’s background. Natalya then made her entrance. Lacey Evans’ entrance was up next. Cole said her attitude hasn’t changed. Rousey rounded out the entrances and the crowd popped loud for her.

[HOUR TWO]

-They showed Liv Morgan watching from high in the arena. She posed with the title.

(3) XIA LI vs. SONYA DEVILLE vs. NATALYA vs. LACEY EVANS vs. RONDA ROUSEY – Winner gets Smackdown Women’s Title Match at Extreme Rules

All the women ganged up on Rousey. Li and Natalya threw her to the outside. Li went for a rollup. Natalya put Li in the Sharpshooter. Evans appeared and took Natalya out with the Woman’s Right. Deville entered the ring and took Evans out. Rousey took Deville out then put Natalya in an armbar and made her tap.

NATALYA ELIMINATED in 1:00

Chaos ensued as all the women battled. Rousey had Evans in an armbar as Deville had a modified choke on Li. They both tapped.

XIA LI & LACEY EVANS ELIMINATED in 2:00

Rousey and Deville squared off. Rousey took Deville down and went for an armbar but Deville fought her off. They rolled through and Rousey went for Piper’s Pit but Deville reversed and attempted a choke. Rousey slammed Deville down but Deville wouldn’t let go of the hold. The two rolled to the floor and Deville still wouldn’t let go. Rousey slammed Deville into the barricade and she released the hold. Rousey took Deville back into the ring. She hit Piper’s Pit then teased the arm bar. Rousey used the ankle lock instead and Deville tapped.

SONYA DEVILLE ELIMINATED in 4:00

WINNER: Ronda Rousey in 4:00 to earn a Smackdown Women’s Title Match at Extreme Rules

-Morgan posed with the title in her perch. Rousey pointed at her and motioned for the title. Cole hyped their match for Extreme Rules.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Did they ever mention that this was an elimination match or was that a surprise? I understand the thought process, but having all of these eliminations in less than five minutes makes every woman involved look like a joke. Rousey looked like this was the easiest thing in the world for her. Deville got a moment of shine, but she was disposed of quickly as well. At least choose one of the women and allow them to have an actual match against Rousey after the others are eliminated. It would have made a big difference for Deville if she could have lasted against Rousey for eight or nine minutes before getting beat. They can’t keep doing this if they expect to have viable challengers for the current champion, regardless of who it is.)

-Sikoa was in the back with the Usos. The Usos hyped him up. They called him the street champion. Zayn was standing there. Sikoa said that Zayn was right. Sikoa told Zayn that he appreciated the help. Zayn said that Reigns knows what he’s talking about. Jey interjected. Zayn started to ask what Jey’s issue was. Jimmy told Zayn it isn’t about them, it’s Sikoa’s night. Sikoa said if he needed help he would ask Zayn. Zayn extended his hand to Sikoa. Jey smacked Zayn’s hand away. Jey said that they’re all going to go out there tonight to support Sikoa. [c]

-Rousey was in the back. Shayna Baszler appeared and congratulated Rousey. She wished her good luck against Morgan. Rousey said that she knows Baszler is upset about losing. She said that revenge is better. Rousey told Baszler to let her know when she wanted to break bones and take over. Rousey walked off.

-Maximum Male Models was in the ring posing. Los Lotharios were also already in the ring. Hit Row made their entrance followed by the Street Profits. Cole threw to a video recap of the paint incident that led to this match.

(4) MAXIMUM MALE MODELS (Mace & Mansoor w/ Max & Maxxine Dupri) & LOS LOTHARIOS (Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo) vs. HIT ROW (Ashante the Adonis & Top Dolla w/ B-Fabb) & STREET PROFITS (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)

Mansoor started against Adonis. Adonis took Mansoor down then shot him into the corner. He tagged in Dawkins who splashed Mansoor then tagged in Top Dolla. Top Dolla attacked then tagged in Ford who hit a clothesline on Mansoor. Mansoor rolled to the outside and the heels hopped off the ring apron. The faces stood tall in the ring. Dawkins taunted the heels. [c]

Mansoor had Adonis in a headlock. Adonis fought up, but Mansoor threw him down then tagged in Mace. Mansoor and Mace hit a double team, then posed. Mace hit an elbow. He tagged in Garza. Garza kicked Adonis then tagged in Carrillo. They ran across the ring and attacked Top Dolla. Carrillo took Adonis down and knocked him to the outside. Carrillo went for a baseball slide but he hit Garza and sent him into the announcers. In the ring, Dawkins tagged in and took out Mansoor. Mace tagged in and charged Dawkins who hit the Silencer and covered Mace for a near fall. Adonis flipped off the apron and took out Garza. Ford went for a splash but Carrillo caught him with a kick. Dawkins entered and knocked Carrillo to the outside. Top Dolla teased a dive, but Maxxine jumped on the apron and stopped him. B-Fabb pulled Maxxine off the apron. Max got in between them. He was knocked down from behind. In the ring, Hit Row hit the Heavy Hitter on Mace for the win.

WINNER: Hit Row & Street Profits in 9:00

(McDonald’s Analysis: This was here, I guess. The Models have been positioned at the bottom already and any hopes we had for them are dead. I wish we could see these teams in actual storylines with matches so build some depth in the Tag Division and possible future challengers for the Usos. This wasn’t that. It was a time filler. There were too many people involved in this for anyone to shine through.)

-Cole and Graves were shown at ringside. Cole said he wanted to see Top Dolla do the dive. He then threw to a video recap of Braun Strowman’s past destructive acts. The video then shifted to Strowman’s return this past Monday on Raw. After the video, they showed a graphic for Strowman’s return. Graves hyped his appearance for after the break. [c]

-They showed more still shots from Clash at the Castle.

(McDonald’s Analysis: WWE can show all of the stills they want from their PLE. They didn’t have to suspend anyone and pretend like parts of the show didn’t happen.)

-Alpha Academy’s music played and they made their entrance. Gable took the mic. He said that he’s back on Smackdown where the Academy was born. He said he can tell they were missed. He then said thank you. The crowd booed. Gable then shooshed the crowd. He said they’re there to ruin Strowman’s return since he ruined their shot at a Tag Title match. Gable said they had the match won before Strowman attacked them from behind. Gable said that Otis would have taken Strowman out if he had seen him coming. Gable called Otis a superior athlete. Gable said the people of Seattle don’t know about superior athletes because they couldn’t even keep their own basketball team. The crowd booed. Gable shooshed the crowd again. Gable called the crowd idiots.

-Strowman’s music played and he interrupted Gable. Strowman walked down the ramp and then posed. Gable hyped up Otis in the ring. Otis stared at Strowman. Strowman entered the ring and posed for the crowd. Otis charged and Strowman caught him with a right. Gable begged off. Strowman attacked Otis and Gable attacked from behind. Strowman no sold him then took Gable down. Otis took the advantage and splashed Strowman in the corner. Strowman shoulder tackled Otis down then powerbombed Gable. Strowman then powerbombed Otis, as well. Strowman posed and the crowd cheered. Cole marveled at the powerbomb on Otis.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Remember what I said earlier about building challengers for the Usos? There’s another one down the drain. Why is everyone allowed on both shows now? Can we please stop that? Strowman isn’t anything special. They’re going to give him another shot, but honestly, what else can they do with this guy? This is the first big mistake Levesque has made. Strowman doesn’t offer much and most likely, won’t matter much within a few months.)

-Kayla Braxton was in the back with McIntyre. She asked what it would be like to get redemption against Sikoa. McIntyre said Clash should have been the biggest moment of his life and he should be champion. He said he’s not champion because of Sikoa. McIntyre said he’s sure his Head of the Table is happy with him, but actions have consequences, and tonight, Sikoa won’t like the consequences of his actions. [c]

(McDonald’s Analysis: That was good stuff. That’s how McIntyre should be acting. He looked like a joke after the match on Saturday. If that match meant so much to him, why did he want to party when he lost? After this, I think he knows that was a mistake. This had the perfect tone. McIntyre is somber, disappointed, pissed, and ready for vengeance. He got a lot across in a short promo. Good stuff.)

-They showed a graphic for the Women’s Tag Team Title match on Raw. Graves hyped the match. Cole then hyped a Fatal Four Way Tag Match to determine the number one contender’s for the Tag Team titles.

-McIntyre made his entrance.

-Solo Sikoa made his entrance with the Bloodline behind him. Sikoa practiced strikes in the ring, then posed. McIntyre stared him down.

(5) SOLO SIKOA (w/ Jey & Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn)   vs. DREW McINTYRE

McIntyre charged Sikoa and stomped on him in the corner. Sikoa recovered and put McIntyre in the corner and peppered him with strikes. McIntyre recovered and took Sikoa down with a big clothesline. McIntyre charged Sikoa in the corner but Sikoa caught him with an elbow. Sikoa was sent to another corner and McIntyre charged. The Usos pulled Sikoa to safety on the outside. McIntyre stopped and looked on in frustration. [c]

Sikoa had a nerve hold on McIntyre. McIntyre fought to his feet and chopped Sikoa. Sikoa recovered and sent McIntyre to the corner then delivered a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Sikoa stomped at McIntyre. Sikoa choked McIntyre on the middle rope. Sikoa raised a finger and posed. The Usos did the same on the outside. McIntyre fought back with chops. Sikoa delivered a belly to belly and covered McIntyre for a near fall. Sikoa stalked McIntyre as he dragged himself to the corner. Sikoa hit a running butt smash to the face of McIntyre. Sikoa posed again. He taunted McIntyre. McIntyre fought to his feet. Sikoa sent McIntyre to the opposite corner but McIntyre shot out with a clothes line. McIntyre hit another clothesline, an elbow, a belly to belly throw, then a neckbreaker. McIntyre kipped up and set up a Claymore. The Usos jumped on the apron and McIntyre chased them away. Sikoa rolled up McIntyre for a near fall. McIntyre knocked Jimmy off the apron. McIntyre teased a dive but Zayn grabbed McIntyre’s foot from the outside. McIntyre grabbed Zayn and pulled him into the ring. McIntyre counted down and went for a Claymore on Zayn. Sikoa stopped him with a big superkick and covered McIntyre for a near fall. McIntyre and Sikoa traded strikes. Zayn distracted the ref. McIntyre came off the ropes and the Usos pulled the rope down which forced McIntyre to the outside. The Usos attacked McIntyre. The Street Profits appeared and attacked the Usos. Zayn came over to help. Ford took out everyone with a big dive over the top. Back in the ring, Sikoa went for a Samoan Drop, but McIntyre wriggled free. McIntyre hit a Claymore and knocked Sikoa to the outside. Karrion Kross appeared and attacked McIntyre from behind. The ref called for the bell.

WINNER: No Contest in 11:00

-The screen changed to a black and white filter and the video slowed down. Kross choked McIntyre. McIntyre tried to fight out but Kross maintained the hold. Scarlett knelt next to Kross and McIntyre. The screen faded to black as Kross cinched in the hold even more.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Smackdown continues to be a solid show. The opening match was really good and was the highlight. The show ended with a hot angle and a decent match, even though it was marred by constant interference. Despite the solid bookends, there were a lot of issues in the middle of this show. The chief among them was the booking of the Women’s Fatal 5-Way. The eliminations were way too fast and made everyone in the match look like a joke. None of the women are anywhere near a position to challenge whoever the champion is moving forward. That’s a problem. Once Rousey and Morgan are done with each other, who do they wrestle? The only women who weren’t defined down here were Shotzi and Baszler because they weren’t involved. I guess that’s your answer for the next pair of challengers. WWE needs to be careful booking this way. The eliminations need to take slightly longer and the match needs to take a little more time. If there isn’t time for it on the show, don’t book it, or don’t do the eliminations. The other issue was in the completely useless eight man tag. No one benefitted from it and in the end, it was a way to fill time. Given the issues with the Women’s match, the eight man tag didn’t need to happen. That time could have been used more wisely and may have actually helped forward someone. Instead, all the participants were left treading water and none of the teams have a clear direction moving forward. Two match show, and there’s still a lot of reason for optimism, but Smackdown needs a draft and some fresh feuds moving forward. The more characters on the show have clear feuds and directions, the better.