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WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
OCTOBER 27, 2023
MILWAUKEE, WI AT FISERV FORUM
AIRED ON FS1
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Announcers: Michael Cole, Kevin Patrick, Corey Graves
[HOUR ONE]
-The camera panned the crowd and Kevin Patrick introduced the show. Patrick threw to Corey Graves to announce breaking news. Graves announced that John Cena would wrestle Solo Sikoa at Crown Jewel next week. They showed a graphic to accompany the announcement.
-Roman Reigns’ music played and he made his entrance with Paul Heyman to a loud mixed reaction from the crowd. Reigns posed at the top of the ramp, but before his pyro could go off, L.A. Knight’s music played and he made his entrance. Knight walked past Reigns without looking at him. Reigns looked on annoyed. Knight posed in the ring. Reigns walked to the ring and smirked at ringside. Michael Cole touted the length of Reigns’ title reign.
-There were chairs and a desk set up in the ring. Nick Aldis was waiting. The crowd chanted for Knight as he sat at the head of the table in the ring. Heyman pointed at Knight and told him to move. Heyman attempted to move the table. Knight told Heyman he wouldn’t move the table. Knight said he didn’t have all night and it’s time for Reigns to sign the deal and sign his title away.
-Nick Aldis welcomed the crowd to Smackdown and announced the contract signing. Knight told him they all know why they’re here. Knight said the contract states that Reigns is going to hand over the title to Knight. Knight signed the contract and slid it over to Reigns. Reigns smirked and backed away from the table. Heyman handed Reigns a pen. Reigns held the pen to his lips before he raised the mic. He called Knight an idiot. The crowd booed. Reigns said he was talking to Knight, not the crowd. Reigns said this was crazy and Knight must be stupid to just sign away. Knight looked at Reigns. Reigns asked if Knight ever had a contract signing. Reigns asked if Knight ever had a championship match. Reigns said he didn’t think so, which means Knight doesn’t know what he’s doing. Reigns said he’s going to go easy on Knight and make it easy for his first time. Reigns signed the contract. Reigns told Heyman the pen didn’t work. Heyman threw the pen and tested a second one. Reigns signed this time. The crowd chanted “Roman’s scared”. Reigns laughed and Aldis wished both men good luck at Crown Jewel. Reigns started to get up from the table. Knight said he’s the head of the table and asked Reigns to acknowledge him.
-Knight said that Reigns wants to talk about Knight’s firsts but Reigns shouldn’t underestimate him. Knight said if Reigns does, he’s already beat. Knight said he’s in this position after only one year. Knight said the climb was so fast, Reigns doesn’t know what hit him. Knight said at Crown Jewel, Reigns won’t know what happened when he loses the title. Knight said that while Reigns failed over and over again, Knight’s been out telling everyone whose game this is. Knight said there can only be one champion and only one Knight. Knight said there’s nothing Reigns can do about it and it’s a fact of life. Knight said he can’t stop the gravy train and he can’t stop being L.A. Knight.
-Reigns lifted the table and took Knight down. Reigns stomped on Knight in the corner. Reigns lifted Knight to his feet and threw him into the turnbuckles. Reigns dropped to the outside and got a table. He slid the table in the ring. The crowd booed as Reigns set up the table. Cole said that Reigns wants to make sure Knight doesn’t make it to Crown Jewel. Knight tried to get to his feet and Reigns walked up to him. Knight landed a punch then stomped away at Reigns in the corner. Jimmy Uso hit the ring and attacked Knight. Reigns rolled to the outside. Jimmy tried to check on Reigns. Knight recovered and back suplexed Jimmy through the table. Reigns tried to regroup at the top of the stage as Knight stared him down from the ring. Patrick called Crown Jewel the biggest night of Knight’s life.
(McDonald’s Analysis: I didn’t expect the segment to go this way. I assume Reigns will be on the show next week if they’re taping it tonight ahead of the travel to Saudi Arabia. I would imagine Reigns gets some measure of revenge then, or later tonight. That, or they’re going to give Knight the upper hand in every segment leading to his loss at Crown Jewel. Whether or not you agree with the decision, they’re going all in on Knight. I’m still not sure what Knight’s long term future looks like, but I give WWE credit for rolling with it for now. I wish they did that more often. Again, we all may be singing a different tune in a couple of months, but for now, it’s something new and fresh and the match actually feels like it matters. Reigns will win, but I’ll admit, I’m more interested in this than some other Reigns opponents. Finn Balor and Cesaro come to mind, for example. I’m excited to see how the match plays out and where everyone goes coming out of it.)
-They showed a graphic for Cena’s address later in the show. After that, they showed a graphic promoting the return of Bianca Belair. Cole then hyped a match with Carlito and Santos Escobar against the Street Profits as a graphic was shown.
-Carlito and Santos Escobar made their entrance. [c]
-They showed a graphic for Rey Mysterio against Logan Paul at Crown Jewel as Carlito and Escobar stood in the ring. Patrick hyped the match.
-Bobby Lashley made his entrance followed by the Street Profits, who have new music.
(McDonald’s Analysis: New music and a new entrance. Good stuff. It’s about time.)
(1) CARLITO & SANTOS ESCOBAR vs. STREET PROFITS (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
Dawkins started with Escobar. Dawkins grabbed a headlock right away and grinded Escobar to the mat. Escobar shot Dawkins off the ropes but Dawkins took Escobar down with a shoulder tackle. They traded some dips and flips before Escobar landed a big dropkick. Escobar went to the arm then tagged in Carlito. Carlito came off the second rope with a double axe handle to the arm of Dawkins. Dawkins landed a kick but Carlito took him down. Lashley provided a momentary distraction and Dawkins took advantage. Carlito recovered and landed a dropkick that sent Dawkins to the outside. Ford ran across the ring and Carlito dodged and sent Ford to the floor with Dawkins. Carlito ran the ropes and came over the top with a dive that took out the Profits on the outside. [c]
Back from break, Ford had Carlito in a nerve hold. Cole mentioned that Lashley coached the Profits during the break. Ford landed a big boot followed by a high standing splash. Ford made the cover for a two count. They showed Rey Mysterio watching on a monitor in the back. Graves mentioned that Lashley has changed the way Ford and Dawkins prepare. Escobar fought back against Ford. Ford took Escobar to the corner but Escobar fought back and knocked Dawkins off the apron. Ford landed a big kick then mounted Escobar and punched away. Lashley smiled at Ford’s aggressiveness. Escobar fought to his feet and landed elbows. Escobar landed a big punch and started to walk toward Carlito. Ford took Escobar down with a big clothesline. Dawkins tagged in and they double teamed Escobar. Dawkins talked trash and threw Escobar into the corner. Dawkins hit a turn around splash. Dawkins charged again but Escobar countered with a big knee. Carlito and Ford tagged in. Carlito took down Ford and Dawkins. Carlito hit Ford with a suplex. Carlito then hit Dawkins with a series of kicks before he slammed Ford with a modified spinebuster. Carlito made the cover for a two count. Carlito went for the Backstabber but Ford reversed into a pin attempt for a count of two. Carlito recovered and delivered a neckbreaker to Ford. Dawkins and Ford were tossed to the outside. Logan Paul attacked Mysterio in the back. Carlito and Escobar saw it on the big screen and Carlito sprinted to the back. Escobar went for a dive on Ford but Ford moved. Dawkins made a blind tag. Escobar came off the top rope but Ford moved. Escobar landed on his feet but the Profits hit the Revelation and made the cover for the win.
WINNER: Street Profits in 12:00
-They showed a replay of Paul’s attack on Mysterio and the finish of the match. Lashley and the Profits celebrated in the ring.
(McDonald’s Analysis: I don’t understand what Carlito is going to do to help Mysterio since Paul is already gone, but whatever. I don’t think they need to give Escobar and Carlito an out. They can just lose. The announcers were very heavy handed with their praise of the Profits new attitude and Lashley’s influence on them. I hope this goes somewhere that means something. They really need a program with a bigger act.)
-Reigns and Heyman were in the locker room. Heyman had a Green Bay Packers championship belt. Reigns asked what it was and Heyman explained. Reigns asked why. Heyman said he’s going to give it to Knight because it’s the closest him or the Packers will come to being champions. Jimmy came in and flopped on the couch. Reigns asked where Jimmy was. Jimmy said he was in the trainer’s room. Reigns asked Jimmy what happened. Jimmy said he ran the play. Reigns said it was the wrong play. Jimmy called it an audible. Reigns told Jimmy he needs to take care of Knight. Jimmy protested and said he was on the injured reserve list. Reigns glared at Jimmy. Jimmy said he was off the injured reserve list. Reigns demanded a match between Jimmy and Knight, tonight. Heyman said he would talk to Nick Aldis and walked off. Jimmy said “yeet” and Reigns reminded Jimmy that he doesn’t like that word. [c]
(McDonald’s Analysis: Reigns hating the “yeet” thing is unintentionally really funny. I didn’t care for the shameless plug for the NFL titles at the beginning. It feels out of place with a character like Reigns, and oddly, Heyman at this point. I figured we would get something with Jimmy and Knight in the next couple of weeks, so this makes perfect sense.)
-Logan Paul was in the back. An interviewer appeared and asked why Paul took out Mysterio. Paul said they can never know your next move. He said his fist is bigger than Mysterio’s head and that’s why boxing has weight classes. Paul walked off and past Kevin Owens. Owens was wearing a Mysterio shirt and Paul called the shirt “whack”. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller appeared. They joked about Owens saying they had punchable faces. Aldis appeared and broke them up and shuffled Owens away. Theory and Waller continued to talk and laugh. Owens appeared out of nowhere and took them both down with punches.
-Kayla Braxton was in the back and welcomed Dragon Lee. Lee said he’s happy to be on Smackdown. Cedric Alexander appeared and introduced himself. Alexander said that Lee reminds him of himself. Alexander said seeing Lee lights a fire in him. Alexander challenged Lee to a match. Lee said it would be his pleasure.
-Shotzi made her entrance. They showed a clip from earlier today with Aldis and Shotzi. Shotzi thanked Aldis for letting her host Halloween Havoc. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven appeared. They talked trash about Shotzi, then Shotzi asked Aldis for a match with Green. Aldis made the match official. Green said it was strike two for Aldis and walked off. In the arena, Shotzi finished her entrance as they showed a graphic for Shotzi against Green. Patrick hyped the match for after the break. [c]
-They showed a graphic for Dragon Lee against Cedric Alexander and Patrick promoted the match.
-Shotzi waited in the ring as Chelsea Green made her entrance with Piper Niven at her side.
(2) SHOTZI vs. CHELSEA GREEN (w/ Piper Niven)
Green landed a dropkick then celebrated. She went after Shotzi but Shotzi rolled her up for a two count. Green threw Shotzi into the corner and charged. Shotzi countered and used the ropes for a submission headscissors. Green dropped to the outside and Shotzi took her down with a dive. Shotzi stared down Niven on the outside. Back in the ring, Shotzi went to the second rope but Green followed her and delivered a Russian Leg Sweep off the ropes. Green took Shotzi down with a clothesline. Green choked Shotzi with her foot then kicked at her. Shotzi knocked Green to the apron and then pulled her to the second rope. Green recovered and delivered a faceplant suplex that sent Shotzi to the mat. Green came off with a dropkick. Green celebrated and made the cover but Shotzi rolled up Green for the win.
WINNER: Shotzi in 3:00
-Niven hit the ring and looked concerned as Green was in shock. Shotzi celebrated on the stage.
(McDonald’s Analysis: That was absolutely horrible. How is Shotzi still employed by this company? She seems to get worse every time we see her. At least Green is somewhat entertaining with her character. Neither can work and working with each other made that significantly worse.)
-They showed a graphic for John Cena’s appearance. Cole promoted it for after the break. [c]
-They showed post card shots of Berlin. Patrick hyped the upcoming PLE in Berlin called the Bash in Berlin. Cole said that 2024 is shaping up to be a great year for WWE internationally.
-They showed a graphic for Jimmy Uso against L.A. Knight. Graves promoted the match for later in the show.
-John Cena made his entrance. They showed a graphic for Cena against Sikoa at Crown Jewel. Patrick called it one of Cena’s greatest challenges.
-Cena was in the ring. The crowd cheered. Cena said this is what a sold out Smackdown looks like in Wisconsin. Cena said there’s a special excitement in the building as they are one week away from Crown Jewel.
[HOUR TWO]
-Cena said the energy is different for him tonight. He said it’s special, but it’s serious. He said it hasn’t been this serious since twenty years ago when WWE wanted to fire him. Cena said he dug in deep and turned it around and now he shares it with the fans. Cena said he’s always given his all and the fans give it to him. Cena said the fans give him noise, whether he likes it or not. He said the fans have given him support when he’s needed it the most and they’ve given their respect. Cena said Crown Jewel is serious to him because he feels like he’s in jeopardy of losing the crowd’s support and respect. The crowd chanted for Cena and he thanked them. Cena said they can’t ignore the math. The crowd chanted “you still got it”. Cena asked the crowd “what if I don’t?”. He said they can’t ignore the data and he needs to deliver. He said he wants to keep the support of the crowd. Cena said he has to win at Crown Jewel. Cena said WWE uses terms like “must-see” all the time. He said they’re not lying and Crown Jewel is a must-see. Cena said that for him, it’s also a must-win. Cena said it’s time to knuckle up and deliver.
=Paul Heyman appeared on the stage. The crowd booed. Heyman introduced himself. He said he’s out here with no hustle and no loyalty to anything but the truth. Heyman said he’s out here with respect. The crowd chanted “you suck”. Heyman said he deserves that based on his past actions. Heyman asked Cena if he could get in the ring. Cena obliged. Heyman entered the ring and extended his hand to Cena. Cena shook it after thinking for a second. Heyman said they’re sold out tonight. Heyman thanked Cena for the house and twenty-one years of sold out arenas based on his name. Heyman mentioned that it started when he ran Smackdown and asked for Cena from OVW. Heyman said he raised his kids to be more like Cena than himself. He said Reigns proved that Cena wasn’t the greatest of all time in the ring anymore. Heyman said it’s not a bad thing. Heyman said Cena is the greatest of all time at communication in WWE. He said Cena has a bond with the crowd he can never have. He said Cena can talk like no one else can. Heyman said he’s been doing this for a hundred years and he’s still on top. Heyman said Cena could have been him, until he pissed off the Bloodline. Heyman said the order came down from the top, Reigns. Heyman said if Sikoa hits Cena with the Spike, then Cena can’t talk anymore. He said Cena’s best ability could be taken away from him. Heyman said Sikoa takes away Cena’s voice and the Bloodline takes Cena from the fans. Heyman said that Cena said he must win, he can’t win. Heyman said it’s not a prediction, it’s a spoiler.
-Solo Sikoa hit the ring and took down Cena from behind. Sikoa landed a Spinning Solo on Cena and posed. Sikoa motioned for the Spike but Cena tried to block. Sikoa landed the Spike anyway. Cena was down as Sikoa stood over him. Heyman and Sikoa left the ring. Cena laid on the mat and gasped for air.
(McDonald’s Analysis: I mentioned when Cena came back that I wanted to see him against Sikoa more than anything else on this run. I’m glad this is the direction they’re going. With that said, I have a bad feeling that Cena is going to beat Sikoa, which is a terrible idea. This is one of those situations where they could do a lot for Sikoa. Sikoa should destroy Cena and send him out of WWE for a while. They can go back to it when Cena eventually comes back, but Sikoa should win definitively and make it look easy. That’s the only way this can go. Like when Yokozuna took Hulkamania out of WWE in 1993, Sikoa should do the same to Cena. No, not Harvey Whippleman and a camera and a fireball, but the attack after the fact. The good part. That’s what this needs to be. Anything other than that is a big mistake.)
-Knight was in the back. He said Heyman talks about pissing off the Bloodline, but the Bloodline needs to worry about who they piss off. Knight said that he’s going to grab Jimmy by the pigtails and ride him around the ring until he says it’s Knight’s game.
-Dragon Lee made his entrance. They showed a graphic for Lee against Cedric Alexander. Patrick said the match will be after the break. [c]
-Cedric Alexander made his entrance. They showed a video package on Alexander to remind everyone who he is.
(3) DRAGON LEE vs. CEDRIC ALEXANDER
They rolled around on the mat for a few seconds. Lee went for a hurricanrana but Alexander landed on his feet. They took each other down then kipped up at the same time. Patrick mentioned that Alexander made the roster after the Cruiserweight Classic. Alexander went to the arm and Lee tried to flip out but Alexander cranked on the arm some more. Lee got to his feet and took Alexander down. Lee went to a leg lock. Back on their feet, Alexander landed an armdrag back into the armbar. Lee fought to his feet and took Alexander down with a kick. Lee went to the arm but Alexander got free with a right hand. Lee and Alexander traded chops in the corner. Alexander backdropped Lee to the apron. Alexander landed a kick then dropped to the apron and charged. Lee caught Alexander with a knee. Lee slammed Alexander to the floor from the apron. Both men were down on the outside. [c]
-Belair was in the ring. The crowd cheered. Belair said she’s excited to be back on Smackdown. She said she’s just getting started. Belair said she had one thing on her mind and it kept playing in her mind like a horror story. Belair pointed to the screen and they showed a video recap of Damage Ctrl’s attack on Belair weeks ago. Belair said it was hard to watch. She said that getting attacked and taken out of the game two weeks after losing the title, did something to her. She said it affected her physically and mentally. Belair said she was at home alone with her thoughts. She said she wondered how she was going to make Damage Ctrl pay. Belair said she couldn’t let it go this time. She said that for the first time in her life, she was consumed with vengeance. She said that’s what got her up and out of bed and to train like a beast to come back. She said it was vengeance that helped her come up with a plan that she took to Aldis earlier. Belair said she’s going to face Sky for the Women’s title at Crown Jewel. Belair said that’s not it. She said that next week, she’ll face Bayley. Belair said her vengeance isn’t complete until she takes out Damage Ctrl and reclaims the Women’s Championship.
(McDonald’s Analysis: We talk a lot about mission statements and how wrestlers should have them. This is exactly what that was and it was well done. Belair has unfinished business with Damage Ctrl and she wants to solve that problem. She has matches with both healthy members next week. I liked what Belair said here and she came off well. With that said, I really hope this is the end of this feud. It feels like this is all Belair has done for the past year. I know she had the small detour with Charlotte and Asuka, but everything around that has been Damage Ctrl related, and they were even involved in some of that. I’m just ready for this to be over one way or the other.)
-Damage Ctrl looked on from a monitor in the back.
-Patrick threw to a video recap of the opening segment with Knight and Reigns. The video showed Jimmy Uso getting involved and getting put through the table.
-Jimmy Uso made his entrance. The announcers hyped his main event match against Knight for after the break. [c]
-They showed post card shots of Milwaukee and a couple members of the Milwaukee Bucks in the crowd.
-They previewed next week’s Smackdown including a weigh-in with Logan Paul and Rey Mysterio as well as the previously advertised match between Bayley and Bianca Belair.
-L.A. Knight made his entrance.
(4) JIMMY USO vs. L.A. KNIGHT
They circled each other then locked up. Knight shot Jimmy off the ropes but Jimmy took Knight down with a shoulder block. Jimmy laughed as Knight got to his feet. They locked up again and Jimmy took Knight to the corner. The ref separated them. Jimmy went for a punch but Knight blocked and landed a couple shots of his own. Knight took Jimmy down with a shoulder block and then took him down again with a slam. Knight made a quick cover and Jimmy kicked out. Knight went to an armbar and Jimmy talked trash. Back on their feet, Jimmy landed a headbutt. Knight fought back and took Jimmy down with a clothesline. Knight landed a low dropkick and charged. Jimmy lifted Knight over the top rope to the apron. Knight hit a sunset flip backbreaker to Jimmy. Jimmy recovered and took Knight to the apron. Jimmy suplexed Knight on the apron and celebrated with Knight down. [c]
Knight took down Jimmy with a shoulder block. Knight made a cover for a two count. Jimmy took Knight down with a big uppercut. Jimmy stalked Knight and punched away at him in the corner. Jimmy went to the opposite corner and charged with a running butt bump to the face of Knight. Knight writhed in pain. Jimmy backed off and charged again but Knight exploded out of the corner and took Jimmy down with a clothesline. They traded punches. Jimmy tossed Knight into the ring post. Jimmy chopped Knight in the corner. Jimmy went for a slam but Knight slipped free and delivered an inverted DDT. Knight got to his feet and stalked Jimmy. Knight landed a series of punches then took Jimmy down with a clothesline. Knight hit a Russian Leg Sweep followed by a DDT. Knight made the cover for a two count. Knight stomped Jimmy in the corner. Knight charged and Jimmy rolled to the outside. Knight followed and slammed Jimmy into the announce table repeatedly. Knight rolled Jimmy back into the ring and climbed to the top rope. Knight came off but Jimmy ducked. Knight rolled through but Jimmy hit a Samoan Drop and made the cover for a two count. Jimmy climbed to the top rope but Knight got to his feet and cut Jimmy off. Knight followed Jimmy up and set up for a superplex. Jimmy knocked Knight off and came off the top rope to hit a splash. Jimmy made the cover but Knight kicked out at two. Jimmy went back to the top rope but Knight crotched Jimmy. Knight followed Jimmy up and Jimmy knocked him off again. Knight ran and leapt up to the top rope into a superplex. Knight followed up with the BFT and covered Jimmy for the win.
WINNER: L.A. Knight in 13:00
-Knight posed as they showed a graphic for Crown Jewel. Reigns tried to attack Knight from behind but Knight moved and Reigns hit the turnbuckles. Knight delivered a BFT and stood over Reigns. Knight talked trash to the fallen Reigns.
(McDonald’s Analysis: I said it earlier, but they’re really putting it all into Knight right now. He gets another clean win over a Bloodline member and yet again, gets the upper hand on Reigns to close the show. I assume Reigns will get some sort of revenge on next week’s show, but at this point, I’m really not sure. With the exception of maybe Brock Lesnar, I can’t think of anyone who has gotten this much on Reigns during this title run. That’s saying something. Solid episode and a nice building block on the way to Crown Jewel.)
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