11/4 WWE SMACKDOWN TV RESULTS: McDonald’s “alt perspective” report on Gunther-Mysterio IC title, Morgan-Deville No DQ, Ricochet-Knight, final Crown Jewel hype

WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
NOVEMBER 4, 2022
ST. LOUIS, MO AT ENTERPRISE CENTER
AIRED ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

[HOUR ONE]

Check out the PWTorch 90’s Pastcast with myself and Patrick Moynahan on the PWTorch Dailycast lineup. This week we covered the horrors of Halloween Havoc ’92 and build for Survivor Series ’92 featuring Flair & Razor vs. Ultimate Maniacs and Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels five years before the infamous Montreal Screwjob. Take a trip back in time and hear a new perspective on PWTorch’s original issues.

-Pyro exploded on the stage to open the show. Michael Cole then hyped Crown Jewel tomorrow before introducing the audience to Smackdown.

-Liv Morgan made her entrance. Cole said Morgan recently said she’s “never felt more alive”. Cole then said it is a big fight night on Smackdown. He hyped the main event between Gunther and Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental title. Wade Barrett said he couldn’t wait.

-Sonya Deville made her entrance. Morgan waved at Deville from the ring. Cole said that anything goes in this match.

(1) LIV MORGAN vs. SONYA DEVILLE – No Disqualification Match

Deville hit a big punch then took Morgan down with a kick to the gut. Deville dropped to the outside and got a kendo stick. Morgan came off the steel steps and hit Deville with a Meteora before raining down strikes. Morgan entered the ring and ran the ropes but Deville caught her coming with the kendo stick. Deville attacked Morgan with the kendo stick, then bent over Morgan and pulled back on Morgan’s face with the kendo stick. Morgan dragged herself to the apron. The crowd chanted for tables. Deville broke the hold and dragged Morgan to the center of the ring. Morgan reared back and hit Deville with the stick. Morgan then hit Deville with the kendo stick repeatedly. It broke. Morgan went outside and got a table from under the ring. Deville hit a baseball slide that took out Morgan before she could pull the table out. Deville then shoved the table back under the ring. Morgan hit a kick through the ropes followed by a suicide dive. Morgan rolled Deville into the ring but Deville rolled out the opposite side. Morgan followed her and delivered another suicide dive. Morgan celebrated afterward. Morgan taunted Deville then tossed her into the steps. The crowd chanted for tables again. Morgan went under the ring and pulled out the table again. This time she was able to set the table up. Cole said that Morgan has proved she can “get extreme”. Deville came around the corner and took out Morgan with a kick into the table. Morgan got up and went to the apron. Deville pounced on Morgan’s back and tried to pull her towards the table. Morgan tried to elbow Deville off, but Deville wouldn’t let go. Morgan then fell back which drove both women through the table. Morgan smiled as she laid on top of Deville and the busted table. Cole said Morgan was happy about the move. [c]

Deville had Morgan in a headlock. Morgan fought up and threw Deville down. Deville recovered quickly and delivered a running knee. Deville went to the second rope and came off with a kick. She covered Morgan for a near fall. Deville went to the outside and got a chair from under the ring. She then continued to grab chairs and throw them into the ring. She entered with the final chair. Deville swung at Morgan but Morgan ducked and took Deville down. Morgan hit Deville with a dropkick while Deville was against the ropes. Morgan continued the attack then covered Deville for a near fall. Morgan then pushed the pile of chairs toward the corner. Morgan took Deville and placed her on the top turnbuckle. Morgan followed. Morgan set up for a superplex but Deville fought out. Deville hit a powerbomb into the chairs and covered Morgan for a near fall. Both women laid in the rubble of the chairs. The fans chanted “this is awesome”. Deville and Morgan got to their knees. Deville slammed Morgan’s head into the chairs repeatedly. Deville went for his finish, but Morgan countered into a rollup for a near fall. Morgan then hit a Code Breaker followed by Oblivion into the chairs for the win.

WINNER: Liv Morgan in 14:00

-They showed Barrett and Cole at ringside. Cole threw to a recap of Ronda Rousey’s open challenge and victory over the returning Emma last week on Smackdown.

(McDonald’s Analysis: This was actually better than I thought it was going to be. I’m still not into the new Morgan character, but the spot where she drove Deville into the table was cool and fit what they’re going for. I could do without the pile of chairs in the ring, as the bumps into it don’t look or sound as impressive as they should. It looks cool visually, but some of that is lost when the actual moves are executed. I actually thought for a second they were going to throw Deville a bone and have her win after the powerbomb. Alas, they didn’t go that direction. I’m fine with it on the whole. WWE needs less 50/50 and more definitive wins. I don’t agree with the Morgan push, but I respect that they’re committing to it. They need to further this character in some way though. It has felt stuck in neutral over the past couple of weeks.)

-They cut to Megan Morant in the back. She welcomed Emma. Emma said it had been five years since she had been in WWE. She said that her heart was pounding when she accepted Rousey’s challenge, but she had something to lose. Xia Li appeared and clapped. She said the only thing Emma proved, was that she’s weak. Emma said number one, that was Rousey, and number two, then she shoved Li.

-They showed Rey Mysterio and Gunther arriving to the arena in a split screen. [c]

-They announced Jake Paul will be in Logan Paul’s corner tomorrow at Crown Jewel. They then showed a graphic for the match. Cole hyped the match and threw to a video package that recapped their feud and hyped the match for Crown Jewel.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Interesting that they’re acknowledging that Sami Zayn won’t be there. He wasn’t in the graphic. I’m so excited that Logan is bringing his equally douchey brother to Saudi Arabia. Let’s make sure they both can get some of that Saudi money. We know they need it as I think their Pokemon card collections are lacking.)

-They showed the graphic again as Cole hyped the match.

-Ricochet made his entrance. Cole called Ricochet the highlight of the night. They then showed a promo Ricochet cut earlier. He said that L.A. Knight loves to talk. He said it may be hard for him to talk after tonight as he will be missing a couple of teeth. Cole then hyped the match for after the break. [c]

-They showed camp fire and a woman’s hand picked up a goblet. They then showed Ivar and the woman spread paint on his face. The w0man then said that Valhalla awaits.

-In the arena, L.A. Knight made his entrance. He took the mic and said that the once in a generation star is walking down the aisle. He said the pop tart announcer couldn’t get his hometown right. He said her intro wasn’t good enough for the mega star. Ricochet leapt out of the air and took out Knight. Ricochet then tossed Knight in the ring and attacked him.

(2) RICOCHET vs. L.A. KNIGHT

Ricochet took Knight down and hit a flying elbow for a near fall. Ricochet hit an uppercut then came off the ropes but Knight took him down with an elbow. Knight then stomped away at Ricochet. Knight taunted then shot Ricochet off the ropes. Ricochet did a pair of flips then hit a headscissors followed by a dropkick. Knight then dropped to the outside. Ricochet tried to attack Knight on the apron but Knight hung him on the top rope. Knight got back in the ring and went for a springboard moonsault but Ricochet moved and hit a knee. Knight rolled to the outside again. Ricochet then ran the ropes and did a springboard moonsault of his own, but he landed on his feet into a pose in mid-ring. [c]

Knight delivered a series of knees then covered Ricochet for a near fall. Knight took Ricochet to the corner. He stomped away. Knight backed off and the crowd booed. Ricochet fought out of the corner with big right hands. Knight recovered and sent Ricochet to the middle rope. Knight went to the apron and delivered a knee then a slingshot shoulder tackle. Knight taunted then covered Ricochet for another near fall. Knight put Ricochet in a neck vise. Cole called Barrett a Knight fan boy. Barrett said he was. Knight shot Ricochet off the ropes. Ricochet ducked a clothesline then hit a flying forearm, Knight recovered and sent Ricochet to the corner then hit a neckbreaker for a near fall. Knight dragged Ricochet to the corner then climed to the second rope. Knight taunted and Ricochet got up but Knight kicked him away. Knight told Ricochet to stay but. Ricochet recovered again and leapt up to deliver a frankensteiner. Ricochet got a near fall. Ricochet then delivered a headscissors that sent Knight to the corner. Ricochet hit a knee followed by a springboard crossbody. Ricochet delivered a standing shooting star for a near fall. Ricochet climbed to the top and jumped off but landed on his feet. Ricochet recovered and went for a rollup but Knight reversed it and pulled the tights and grabbed the ropes for the win.

WINNER: L.A. Knight in 10:00

(McDonald’s Analysis: I get trying to get over the heel tactics of Knight, but I wish he had just beat Ricochet. Ricochet doesn’t mean much and Knight has much more of a future. I guess since Ricochet is one of the only babyfaces they have to give him something, but I didn’t think this was the place to do it.)

-The Bloodline was in the back. Sami Zayn said they are rolling He said Roman Reigns, their Tribal Chief is going to handle Logan Paul and the Usos are going to handle the Brawling Brutes. Zayn said the Usos will be even closer to the record. Jey Uso then said that they’re going to go to the ring and tell the Brutes what they’re going to do to them. Zayn said that isn’t a good idea. He said they were making progress, and they didn’t need to do anything like that tonight. Jey said that Zayn thinks he can boss them around because of what Reigns said last week. Jey said they’re going to do what they want. He said they were Tag champions before Zayn and will be after Zayn is gone. Jey said they’re going. Jimmy Uso said that Jey has a point. He followed Jey. Zayn yelled after them not to go. When they disappeared he turned to Solo Sikoa and said they’re gone. Zayn called after the Usos “my dogs!”. [c]

(McDonald’s Analysis: Sami Zayn is a treasure. I love his look of exasperation. He just wants Jey to do what he asks so they can please Reigns.)

-They showed a graphic for Gunther against Mysterio. Cole hyped the match.

-Bray Wyatt was in the back. He said he doesn’t like to share his feelings. Wyatt said it’s a new concept to him. He said it’s hard for him and it’s even harder when people interrupt him. A crew member shouted at Wyatt and told him that they’re live. Wyatt went up to him. He said when someone cuts you off in traffic then passes you and smiles. He said you think about what you would do if you had that guy for thirty seconds. Eerie video shots were spliced in and out as Bray yelled at the crew member. He then said that he wants to take the crew member and slam his head against the wall for interrupting him. Wyatt said he doesn’t like that he feels this way now. He yelled at the crew member to apologize. The crew member said he was really sorry. Wyatt asked him to go away.

(McDonald’s Analysis: I don’t know what to make of any of that. I’m not even going to try to decipher what happened there.)

-They showed a graphic that said Wyatt will be at Crown Jewel tomorrow. Cole asked what his message will be.

-The Usos made their entrance. Jey said that the Bloodline is in your city. Jimmy said that they’re on their way. He said it starts tomorrow at Crown Jewel. Jimmy said they’re going to be the longest reigning Tag Team champions ever. They then said the Brawling Brutes are the twos, and they are the ones.

[HOUR TWO]

-The New Day made their entrance. Cole mentioned that they are the current record holders. Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston told the Usos to slow down. Kingston said they’re rooting for the Brutes. The New Day entered the ring. Woods said that if the Usos retain the titles, they will have the New Day waiting for them to protect their record. Kingston said they have next. The crowd chanted “New Day rocks”. The two teams stared each other down. The Brawling Brutes appeared and attacked the Usos from behind. The New Day and the Brutes teamed up and beat down the Usos. Zayn and Sikoa ran down the ramp and entered the ring to even the odds. Sikoa took out the Brutes. The Usos took out New Day with superkicks. The Usos hit a double superkick on Ridge Holland. The crowd chanted “Sami Uso”. The Usos went to the top but Butch appeared and hit the Bloodline with a shillegah. Sikoa recovered and delivered the Spinning Solo to Butch. The Bloodline regrouped and left.

(McDonald’s Analysis: So, why is the New Day qualified for a title match? Is it because they beat Maximum Male Models? If so, where’s Hit Row’s title shot? Their actual accomplishment was years ago, so it shouldn’t have any bearing on them getting a title shot now. The previous year’s Super Bowl winner doesn’t get to defend their title against the team that won this year’s Super Bowl. The 1972 Dolphins won’t get to challenge the Philadelphia Eagles if they go undefeated. Why doesn’t that apply here? Otherwise, good segment to set up the Usos next couple of matches.)

-Mysterio was warming up in the back. Kayla Braxton appeared. Kayla said that winning the title will give Mysterio the fresh start that he needs. Mysterio said he gave his life to the business and he shared that with his son. He said he is now haunted by his son. He said he wants to show him that you can persevere even when things go badly. Mysterio then said he still feels the chop from Gunther last week. He said he’s going to use everything inside him to chop Gunther down to size and win the title.

-Shayna Baszler made her entrance with Ronda Rousey. They showed a graphic for Baszler against Natalya. Cole hyped the match for after the break. [c]

-Natalya made her entrance. Cole threw to a recap of Baszler’s attack on Natalya last week.

(3) SHAYNA BASZLER (w/ Ronda Rousey) vs. NATALYA

Natalya took Baszler down with a headlock takeover. Baszler rolled her into a quick one count. Baszler shot Natalya off the ropes but Natalya took her down with a shoulderblock. Baszler recovered and took Natalya down. Baszler tried to stomp the elbow, but Natalya moved. Baszler hit a big knee on Natalya in the corner then stomped away at her. Baszler went back to the arm and was able to hit the stomp on the elbow this time. Baszler but Natalya in a headlock and manipulated her arm. Rousey smiled at ringside. Natalya tried to fight back, but Baszler fought her off. Natalya finally hit a big elbow and then hit a basement dropkick on Baszler for a near fall. Natalya went for a suplex but Baszler countered into a rollup for a near fall. Baszler charged in the corner but Natalya moved and hit a discus clothesline for a near fall. Natalya went for a Sharpshooter but Baszler fought her off. Baszler got the Kirifuda Clutch. Natalya tried to counter into a pin, but Baszler didn’t let go. Natalya passed out.

WINNER: Shayna Baszler (w/ Ronda Rousey) in 4:00

-Baszler took off her knee pad and delivered a big knee to Natalya’s face. Natalya bled from the nose. Baszler and Rousey left.

(McDonald’s Analysis: Rousey being with Baszler was a nice surprise. I didn’t expect to see that. I really like the new Baszler and I hope this push continues and leads to something substantial for her. I always had high hopes for her character and I’ve been asking for a rebrand for a while. Hopefully, she stays in the forefront and doesn’t end up on the backburner any time soon.)

-They showed Cole and Barrett at ringside. Cole threw to a video package on the feud between Drew McIntyre and Karrion Kross. After the video, they showed a graphic for the cage match between McIntyre and Kross. Cole hyped the match.

-Braun Strowman was walking in the back. Cole said that he’ll face Omos tomorrow, but we’re going to see him after the break. [c]

-M.V.P. was in the ring. He said he was excited to hear that Strowman was going to be in action tonight, especially so close to his match with Omos. M.V.P. said he used his connections and he picked the five opponents for Strowman tonight.

-Strowman made his entrance. He ran down the ramp and took out all five jobbers. He smiled at M.V.P., who looked discouraged. Strowman entered the ring. M.V.P. tried to run away, but Strowman caught up. Strowman tossed him around the ringside area and into the barricades before tossing him in the ring. Strowman delivered a powerslam. The crowd chanted “one more time”. Strowman listened and hit another powerslam. The crowd chanted “one more time” again. Strowman listened again.  Strowman then ripped his shirt off and marched over M.V.P. before he posed for the crowd.

(McDonald’s Analysis: I’m sorry, I just don’t care about Strowman at all. Nothing can fix it at this point. I have zero interest in his match with Omos tomorrow. Since I’ll be watching the show later in the day, I think I’ll attempt to make dinner during that match. If it’s even long enough.)

-Kayla Braxton was in the back. She welcomed Gunther. Gunther appeared with Imperium. Ludwig Kaiser took the mic and handed it to Gunther. Gunther said that he’s going to successfully defend his title with dignity, respect, and honor. He said Mysterio has no honor and that’s why his son turned his back on him. Gunther said one thing will never change, and that is him being the WWE Intercontinental Champion. [c]

(McDonald’s Analysis: I know he’s a heel, but how do you not like and respect Gunther? His sole purpose is to give prestige to the Intercontinental title and defend it with honor and dignity. What’s wrong with that?)

-They showed a graphic New Day against the winners of the Tag Team title match at Crown Jewel for next week on Smackdown. Afterwards, they hyped the beginning of the Smackdown World Cup next week.

(McDonald’s Analysis: What is the Smackdown World Cup? I hope it’s a cool tournament concept and not something as lame as their last few attempts at King of the Ring. I also hope the winner isn’t Shane McMahon.)

-Legado Del Fantasma was in the back. Santos Escobar said he always thought Shinsuke Nakamura was an intelligent man, but last week’s actions means Escobar has to make an example of him. Zelina Vega said next week will show why their empire can’t be stopped. They said they’ll drink to that. They then cheers’ed some glasses.

-Rey Mysterio made his entrance.

-Gunther made his entrance. Formal ring introductions took place. Cole said the title has been held by a dozen WWE Hall of Famers over the years.

(4) REY MYSTERIO vs. GUNTHER (c) (w/ Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) – Intercontinental Championship Match

Gunther and Mysterio stood face to face, kinda. Mysterio ducked under Gunther and tried to run away but Gunther tossed Mysterio into the corner. Mysterio ducked under but Gunther stopped Mysterio in the other corner. Mysterio got a quick dropkick but Gunther grabbed Mysterio and put him on the top rope and chopped him. They went to the outside and Gunther slammed Mysterio on the floor. [c]

Gunther tossed Mysterio under the bottom rope and to the floor. Gunther followed then picked up Mysterio and powerbombed him on the apron. Gunther got back in the ring and told the ref to count out Mysterio. Barrett said that Gunther has barely broken a sweat. Mysterio got into the ring at a count of nine. Gunther grabbed him immediately and delivered a slam. Gunther stalked Mysterio. Gunther slammed Mysterio again. Mysterio crawled toward the corner and Gunther stalked him some more. Gunther went for another slam but Mysterio blocked it. Gunther tried again, but Mysterio blocked again. Gunther tried one more time and Mysterio blocked yet again. Mysterio transitioned to the back fo Gunther and brought him down with a crucifix. They both got up and Mysterio kicked at the legs of Gunther. Mysterio ran the ropes and went for a springboard moonsault but Gunther caught Mysterio. Mysterio transitioned to Gunther’s back and locked on a sleeper. Gunther tried to fight it off and eventually tossed Mysterio. Mysterio recovered and jumped on Gunther’s back with another sleeper. Gunther slammed Mysterio into the turnbuckles, but Mysterio held on. Gunther dropped to his knees. Gunther recovered and climbed the ropes with Mysterio on his back. Gunther dropped back and slammed Mysterio which broke the sleeper. Both men were down as they cut to break. [c]

Back from break, Gunther stalked Mysterio. Gunther used his feet to wrench the neck of Mysterio. Mysterio backed off and went to the apron. Gunther grabbed Mysterio and ripped at his mask. Gunther broke at the five count. Mysterio dropped to the corner. Gunther kicked at Mysterio. Mysterio fought out of the corner with chops. Gunther took him down. Gunther set up a powerbomb but Mysterio fought out and took Gunther down. Mysterio got a springboard bulldog. Mysterio knocked Gunther into the corner then charged. Gunther lifted Mysterio but Mysterio landed on the apron. Mysterio landed a kick followed by a senton. Mysterio then hit a springboard moonsault for a near fall. Mysterio sent Gunther to the second rope to set up the 619. Gunther got up, but Mysterio dropkicked Gunther back into position. Mysterio hit the 619 and then went to the top rope. Gunther recovered and shoved Mysterio off the top rope. Gunther climbed to the top himself. Mysterio met him there and delivered a series of headbutts. Gunther tossed Mysterio off. Mysterio recovered and charged again. He used a headbutt to the gut of Gunther. Gunther set up a super powerbomb but Mysterio countered into a hurricanrana and covered Gunther for a near fall. The crowd chanted “this is awesome”. Mysterio went to the top and came off but Gunther caught him. Gunther went for another slam but Mysterio countered into a sunset flip for a close near fall. Cole touted Mysterio’s ability to survive. Mysterio went to the top and went for a frog splash but Gunther moved. Gunther hit a big dropkick that sent Mysterio to the corner. Gunther caught Mysterio coming out and delivered a big powerbomb. Gunther covered Mysterio for the sure win, but Mysterio kicked out. Mysterio fought out and Gunther went for another powerbomb but Mysterio countered again. Gunther caught Mysterio coming in with a big boot. Gunther then delivered a big clothesline for the win.

WINNER: Gunther (w/ Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) in 19:00 to retain the Intercontinental Championship

-Gunther celebrated with the title. Cole hyped Crown Jewel for tomorrow.

(McDonald’s Analysis: That was good stuff. Gunther always delivers in matches like this and they’ve done a great job of selecting his opponents thus far. Mysterio looked good here and this is the best Mysterio has been used in a long time. He put up a fight, and for the most part, his flurries of offense felt logical. Mysterio was able to use his speed and experience to keep up with Gunther, but eventually, the power was just too much. That’s how this should have been booked and both guys played their part well. Gunther continues to dominate and he’s been the highlight of these pre-PLE episodes of Smackdown. It’s a good spot for him and the IC title as they rebuild the credibility of that title. Gunther and his style are the perfect way to do that. I assume they’ll go back to this at some point, but I hope they don’t rush to it. The Gunther story is a good one, but he needs to have a steady stream of interesting challengers or his title run will fall flat. I’m interested to see who they choose next. My vote would be Butch.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: WWE has had quite a few episodes of Smackdown taped this year, and all of them have been pretty good. This was no exception. The wrestling on this show was all very good and there were hardly any wasted segments on this show. The Emma and Xia Li segment felt out of place and probably won’t lead to much of anything. I’m all for building depth for the Women’s Division, but I don’t think those two are what most of us had in mind. The Bray segment was weird and felt disconnected from the other things he’s been doing so far. Maybe someone can explain it in a way that makes me change my mind, but, for right now, it felt odd and out of place. I hope his segment tomorrow night will make up for it a little bit. Other than that, everything on this show had purpose and built things for the future. All of that is a very positive sign moving forward. Smackdown has so much more depth than it did a few months ago. We went from tired matches to a lot of new faces. Now, we just have to hope they’re all featured and no one is lost in the shuffle. If WWE and Paul Levesque can accomplish that, the future of Smackdown is bright.

Check out the PWTorch 90’s Pastcast with myself and Patrick Moynahan on the PWTorch Dailycast lineup. This week we covered the horrors of Halloween Havoc ’92 and build for Survivor Series ’92 featuring Flair & Razor vs. Ultimate Maniacs and Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels five years before the infamous Montreal Screwjob. Take a trip back in time and hear a new perspective on PWTorch’s original issues.