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ELDER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
TULSA, OKLA.
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
[HOUR ONE]
-The show opened with highlights of Becky Lynch’s victory over Charlotte at Hell in a Cell to capture the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Philips then welcomed everyone to Smackdown Live after announcing that Becky Lynch will receive a coronation later tonight.
-They cut to Miz, who is standing in the center of the ring. Miz directed the crowds attention to the jumbotron where a graphic appeared stating that Miz will be fighting Daniel Bryan on October 6th at the Super Show-Down with the winner receiving a shot at the WWE Heavyweight Championship. Miz said that he will beat Bryan there, and move on to defeat either A.J. Styles or Samoa Joe for the championship.
-Miz then overhyped a very special guest before welcoming Maryse to the ring. Corey Graves stated that this may be the greatest guest in the history of Miz TV. As Maryse made her entrance, highlights were shown of their match against Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella at Hell in a Cell. Miz asked Maryse how difficult it was to defeat Brie Bella, to which she replied “Really? It was the easiest thing that I have ever done.” Maryse suggested that Brie just wasnt into it. She went on to suggest that Brie only married Bryan to get ahead in the company, and that it was a marriage of convenience. Miz asked what Maryse has planned next, and she announced that tonight will be her last night on Smackdown Live which garnered a large applause from the crowd.
-Miz suggested that they were cheering because they were happy that she could go back to being the best mother in the world. As he continued to compliment Maryse, the crowd began booing. Miz told them that if they want something to boo about, he will give them something to boo about. Miz said that he will beat Daniel Bryan right now.
-Daniel Bryan then appared at the top of the stage and said that Miz insulting his wife is where he draws the line before charging into the ring. As Bryan attacked Miz, he was pushed into Maryse who fell to the mat. Miz tended to her as Bryan looked on apologetically. As she was about to be helped out of the ring by EMTs, she stood up and smiled, showing that it was all a ruse. As Miz tried to take advantage of the situation, he went to grab Bryan from behind. Bryan anticipated this and hit him with some elbows. Miz charged at Bryan who moved aside, causing Miz to bump into Maryse who was still standing on the apron, causing her to fall down. Miz was distracted briefly, and as soon as he turned around Bryan clotheslined him over the top rope. The crowd popped for the moment and began a “yes” chant.
(Elder’s analysis: I don’t know how WWE can continue to promote itself the epicenter of the Women’s Revolution in wrestling. Another male-only event in Saudi Arabia is bad enough, but continuing to recycle this “fragile woman getting bumped into, causing everyone to be terrified that they broke her” trope that they continually come back to. Just two days ago, Maryse was participating in a match AS A WRESTLER. Tonight taking a minor bump requires EMTs to rush to the scene. While it happened to be a ruse tonight, its a routine that we’ve seen way too many times, and it is insulting to the women that put on exciting matches filled with high spots, power moves, and technical proficiency just as their male counterparts do. They can do better than this.)
-With the accompanying graphics on screen, Philips said that we would be hearing from A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe tonight, and Corey Graves reminded us that Becky Lynch will be receiving a championship coronation.
-Backstage The New Day, with Big E and Xavier Woods dressed up as safari hunters, walked around as if they were looking for their prey before they cut to their first commercial. [c]
-Back from the break, Bryan was intercepted by Kayla Braxton. She asked Bryan how he was so prepared for Miz’s attack. Bryan said that he knows that any time that Miz calls him out, he must be planning something. Bryan was fired up, and he told Braxton “In Australia, its not gonna be a double date, its gonna be mano a mano, and I’m not just gonna punch him in the face, I am going to punch his ticket to a championship match.”
-Sheamus and Cesaro made their entrance as Tom Philips plugged the Super Showdown on October 6th. The New Day then came out to the top of the entranceway. They said that at Hell in a Cell, they proved that there was only room for one “day” referring to their victory over Rusev Day. They entered the ring and exchanged a few insults with The Bar before they cut to commercial break. [c]
CESARO (w/ Sheamus) vs. KOFI KINGSTON (w/Big E & Xavier Woods)
The beginning of the match was shown in PIP during the commercial break. Cesaro was in control during the break but Kingston began to mount a comeback as the show returned to full screen. Cesaro landed a devastating European uppercut on Kingston but only managed a two count in a pin attempt. Cesaro then began to isolate Kingston’s left leg. Kofi caught Cesaro off guard with a tornado ddt but only managed a two count. Then, with Cesaro outside of the ring, Kingston bounced off the rope twice before flipping forward and landing on Cesaro. Nearby, Xavier Woods could be heard exclaiming “I don’t even know what that was. It was so good.” The competitors got back into the ring where Kingston caught Cesaro with an SOS. Cesaro then hit Kingston with an uppercut and finished him off with a Neutralizer before covering him for the three count.
WINNER: Cesaro via pinfall in 9:00.
(Elder’s analysis: These guys had an enjoyable opening match. Cesaro has just about perfected the art of the uppercut. Kingston held his own, and his athleticism was in full display with that springboard flip onto Cesaro outside the ring.)
-Backstage, Rusev was with Lana and Aiden English. English said that he knew that Rusev would win tonight, and Rusev agreed, but proceeded to tell him that he will win because English will not be out there with him. English was shocked and asked Rusev if he blamed him for their loss at Hell in a Cell. English told Rusev that he was doing his best at Hell in a Cell. Rusev responded by saying “If that was your best, it simply isnt good enough.” Rusev and Lana then appeared to walk off. English turned to an agent backstage and began yelling at him. “He cant be serious,” English exclaimed. “Everyone knows that Rusev Day is because of me.” English continued to blame Lana for all of their problems, going so far as suggesting that she be less of a manager, and more of a wife to Rusev. He continued until he realized that Lana was still right behind him, and heard everything he said. English tried to apologize, but Lana just yelled “stop” before saying that she was going to tell Rusev. The then walked off leaving a distraught English by himself.
(Elder’s analysis: Now that was fun. It came off natural and not heavily scripted. Rusev Day have finally crossed the rubicon. There’s no turning back now!)
-They then cut to graphics that highlighted Rusev’s upcoming match against Shinsuke Nakamura before they cut to a commercial break. [c]
-The first commercial was for The Marine 6 , the upcoming movie starring Shawn Michaels and Becky Lynch.
-Back from commercial break, Philips mentioned that there was commotion the the production truck. They cut to the truck where Randy Orton is standing over an employee, with his hands on the guy’s shoulders. Orton made him zoom in on a image of him twisting Jeff Hardy’s ear with a screwdriver. Orton asked the man if he knew what would happen if he did not do what he says, and the man responded by telling them that Orton was hurting him, as Orton tightened his grip on the man’s shoulders. Orton asked him if the image made him sick to his stomach, and continued to say that what he did to Hardy will pale in comparison to what he will do to his next victim. The man looked as though he was about to panic, while Orton calmly looked at the image of his attack.
-They cut back to the announcing team who discussed how sadistic Orton’s actions were at Hell in a Cell. They continued to discuss A.J. Styles’s match with Samoa Joe at Hell in a Cell. They threw to a video package where Corey Graves pointed out that while Joe was being pinned by Styles, the referee was unable to see that A.J. did in fact tap out before the three count, and that would give Joe a legitimate claim on the WWE Championship.
-Backstage, Kayla Braxton was with A.J. Styles. Braxton asked Styles how it felt to be so close to losing his title, and Styles responded by saying that losing the tile would be the worst thing that could happen after all he has done to his family. Styles added that he knows how Joe feels and that he will get his rematch at Super Show-Down in Australia, but tonight his focus on Andrade “Cien” Almas, or else he could be beaten in their match tonight.
-Shinsuke Nakamura made his way down to the ring. Philips described the ongoing conflict occuring in Rusev Day, and added that Nakamura will be facing Rusev next. [c]
-Back from break, the announcer’s plugged the upcoming Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia.
-Backstage, Lana ran up to Rusev and told him that she needed to tell him something. Rusev told her that it had to wait because right now he was focused on winning the United States Championship. Lana again said that she really needed to tell Rusev something, but again Rusev told her that it must wait. Rusev then asked English to do the honors, and English walked out to announce Rusev Day to the crowd. As they made their way to the ring, Saxton reiterated that Rusev still had no idea about the comments that English had made just moments earlier.
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA (c) vs. RUSEV (w/ Lana) for U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP
The match started off slowly and the crowd battled back and forth chanting both“Nakamura” and “Rusev Day.” Nakamura landed a dropkick and went for an unsuccessful pin attempt before they cut to a commercial break. [c]
Back from break, English began to chant “Rusev Day” into the microphone as Lana looked on unimpressed. Rusev began taking control of the match with a variety of kicks. Rusev landed a strong kick to the head of Nakamura and went for a pin, but Nakamura kicked out at two.
With both competitors on the apron, Rusev attempted a suplex only to be gauged in the eyes by Nakamura. The act went unseen by the referee but managed to give Nakamura the upperhand. In the ring Nakamura went for a Kinshasa but was met with a Machka Kick from Rusev. As Rusev was about to finish Nakamura off, English jumped onto the apron and yelled ‘Rusev Crush” into the microphone. This action caught Rusev by surprise, and Nakamura rolled him up for the pin to retain his title.
WINNER: Nakamura via pinfall in 12:00.
-After the match, English suddenly attacked Rusev with the microphone as Lana looked on helplessly. As English stood over Rusev, he raised his microphone and exclaimed “Happy Rusev Day” before walking out of the ring. Lana went to Rusev’s aide as the announcing team highlighted the upcoming championship coronation for Becky Lynch and the matchup of A.J. Styles and Andrade “Cien” Almas.
(Elder’s Analysis: Well, with all that build-up, it was kind of weird how they went about it. While many of the previous distractions by English seemed like reasonable accidents, him climbing onto the apron to yell into the microphone which caught Rusev’s attention was just odd. Still, having Aiden English make the first move was a great choice. His final somber recital of “Happy Rusev Day” over a defeated Rusev was a nice touch. Their lack of a title run is still disappointing but they still made the most out of their run as teammates.)
-They then plugged WWE 2K19 which will be available October 9th.
[HOUR TWO]
-Back from break, Andrade “Cien” Almas made his way down to the ring accompanied by Zelina Vega. Philips plugged TLC which will take place on Dcember 16th. A.J. Styles then made his way down to the ring.
A.J. STYLES vs. ANDRADE “CIEN” ALMAS (w/ Zelina Vega)
Before the match began, Almas attacked the unsuspecting Styles. Visibly shaken, the referee asked Styles if he could continue to which he yelled “yes.” With the match officially under way Almas pounced on Styles again to take control as they cut to a commercial break with the match continuing in PIP.[c]
Back from the break, Vega slapped a seated A.J. While the ref was distracted by Almas. Styles managed to lift Almas up and drop him shoulder first onto his knee. Styles followed with a strong forearm before he did a kip up and removed his shirt. Almas attempted a moonsault but landed on his feet and proceeded to flip again onto Styles who lifted his knees up in defense. Both men were down for a bit before Styles went for his Phenominal Forearm but was blocked by Almas. Styles wound up stuck in the ropes, and Almas landed a stomp from the top rope which sent them both crashing to the ground. With Almas back in the ring, Styles made it to the apron at the referee’s eight count, only to be knocked back to the floor by Almas. With Styles outside, they cut to another commercial break. [c]
Back from break, Styles regained the upperhand. Graves informed the audience that Styles had locked Almas in a calf crusher during the break, which caused some damage to Almas’s leg. Styles hit a seated Almas with a huge forearm to the back of the head. Styles attempted a Styles Clash but Almas fought out of it. Almas then landed a springboard dropkick and followed with running knees to Styles in the corner. Almas went for the pin but Styles kicked out at two. With both men exhausted, Almas went for a hammerlock ddt but Styles reversed it first into an unsuccessful pin attempt and then into a Styles Clash. Styles then covered Almas for the pin.
WINNER: Styles by pinfall in 15:00.
-Before Styles could celebrate, he was blindsided by Samoa Joe. The action spilled outside and Joe could be heard yelling “You will never be safe” to A.J. Styles then reversed Joe’s attempt at slamming him into the ring steps. A.J. Then went on the attack, landing a few blows before Joe gouged Style’s eyes. Joe then retreated through the crowd as A.J. returned to the ring and raised his belt to the crowds delight.
(Elder’s analysis: Almas and Styles have some good chemistry together. Style’s reversal to finish the match was really well done, and they both execute their strikes flawlessly. I hope these two continue a feud beyond this angle with Samoa Joe. Meanwhile, its interesting how Styles once again got the upperhand on Joe, and how Joe resorted to an eye gouge before retreating from the fight.)
-The announcers then plugged the Super Showdown in Melbourne, Australia where Joe with challenge A.J. in a no-disqualification match for his WWE Heavyweight Championship.
-Backstage Naomi and Asuka were getting themselves hyped up as Philips announced that Asuka will be facing Billy Kaye after the break. [c]
-Back from break, The IIconics were in the middle of the ring. They threw a few insults in the direction of Naomi and Asuka before being cut off by Naomi’s music. Naomi made her entrance and was followed by Asuka. “Philips described them as an odd couple that have a common enemy in The Iiconics.
ASUKA (w/ Naomi) vs. BILLIE KAYE (w/ Peyton Royce)
Asuka took conrol early only to be stopped in her tracks by a big boot from Kaye. As Kaye moved in to capitalize, Asuka reversed into a chokehold which caused Kaye to quickly tap out.
WINNER: Asuka via submission in 2:00.
-The announcing team mentioned that Becky Lynch’s championship coronation will be next. They then sent their good will to those affected by the flooding in the Carolina’s due to the recent hurricane, and urged people to donate to the Red Cross before cutting to a commercial break. [c]
-Back from break, Smackdown Live GM Paige was in the ring. Paige welcomed the new Smackdown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch down to the ring where she was presented with the belt. A “You deserve it” chant emanated from the crowd. Becky said that she just needed one woman to be there for the coronation, adding “Charlotte Flair, where are you?” Flair made her way down to the ring as Paige told them both to stay cool, and that they were not to do anything tonight. Flair said that she was not there to fight or to steal her spotlight, but to show her the respect that she wasn’t shown at Summerslam. Charlotte proceeded to tell Becky that she was the better woman that night, and congratulated her for her victory.
-Flair added that it cost Lynch a steep price to win that title. More than their friendship. Charlotte added that she is looking forward to her rematch at the Super Showdown in front of 60,000 people, and that it took Lynch two years to become champion, but will take only one night for Charlotte to get it back.
-Lynch said that at Hell in a Cell, she didnt want Flair to steal her glory and raise her hand. Lynch told Flair that she wanted her not to raise her hand in victory, but to put the title around her waist. Lynch then added that she just wanted Charlotte to call her “queen.” Charlotte smirked and turned around when Lynch called her a bitch. That caused Flair to turn around and attack Lynch. Lynch soon got the upperhand as the fight made its way outside the ring. Lynch threw Flair into the announcer’s table and then tossed her back into the ring where she applied her Dis-arm-her. Lynch then began to leave the ring before turning back around and going back for a little more ground and pound. Lynch then made her way to the top of the entrance way and raised her belt high as Charlotte looked on while recovering in the ring. Before the show went off the air, Graves exclaimed “get used to it, theres a new queen on the block, and her name is Becky Lynch. [c]
(Elder’s analysis: I absolutely love that they pulled the trigger and put the title on Lynch. She more than deserves it, but this heel turn is so forced that it is cringe worthy. There are plenty of so-called “tweeners” that can play both sides, but Becky is too damn likeable. It doesnt sound natural when Becky berates the crowd, and even after trashing the crowd, they still continue to cheer her on as she viciously attacked Charlotte. If they just let her win it outright after putting in two years of hard work, the payoff would have been so much more satisfying. As of now, it’s clear that the crowd just doesn’t feel comfortable with Becky being a villian. If they just decide to let Charlotte and Becky play to their own strengths, this could be a fantastic feud with some really rewarding payoffs down the line.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: Some fun segments tonight. I really enjoyed Aiden English’s attack on Rusev, and I am intrigued by A.J. Styles’s newfound ruthlessness that he has displayed recently. I also have to reiterate how much I have enjoyed Andrade “Cien” Almas’s ring work. His final NXT matches were nothing short of classics, and he will impress an even larger audience going forward if they give him the time to do so. However, right now, it just feels like there are too many things cluttering up the horizon. Just 48 hours removed from Hell in a Cell and we are already knee deep in rematches scheduled for the Super Showdown in Australia. Adding that, together with the Crown Jewel, Evolution, and the Mixed Match Challenge, its a little hard to keep track of, and it greatly diminishes the importance of each show individually, in my opinion. Wasn’t it just last year when WWE declared that they were cutting down on the number of ppv’s to be held each year? Well, they did knock a few B-shows off the schedule, but then replaced them with a slew of network specials that feel an awful lot like pay-per-views to me. That, and with everything being co-branded, means that each show constantly has another big event right around the corner. I just don’t feel like there is enough time between these events for fans to develop much anticipation for each special, nor for the dynamics of each rivaly to advance much between the big shows. Unfortunately, these specials will only get more and more frequent as WWE continues expand itself into new markets around the world.
NOW CHECK OUT KELLER’S REPORT: 9/18 WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS: Keller’s report including Styles vs. Almas, Nakamura vs. Rusev, Miz TV with special guest
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