Smackdown Live Review 08/27/2019

SMACKDOWN LIVE REVIEW 08/27/2019

Tonight after revealing to Roman Reigns his said attacker will the Big Dog believe Daniel Bryan and Rowan and deliver them their requested apology? Plus, The King of the Ring Tournament continues as Buddy Murphy takes on Ali and Shelton benjamin takes on Chad Gable. Which of these superstars will advance to the second round next week? Finally, will The Viper Randy Orton continue to try and wreak havoc on The New Day or can Kofi Kingston and Big E fend him off?

SmackDown Live comes to us from the Raising Cane’s River Center Arena in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

SmackDown Live kicks off with the recap of the Roman Reigns mystery attacker story that has developed over the past month.

Backstage Segment:
Kayla asks Roman Reigns if he has anything to say on how Daniel Bryan and Rowan demanded an apology from him. Reigns says he has a lot to say but it’d be better to do it in the ring. Reigns then walks off.

In-Ring Segment: Kofi Kingston
Kofi tells that Randy called him stupid but Randy did what he never wanted to do and that was he made it personal and he didn’t want that. He tells how the last thing we saw was Randy cowering with fear in his eyes. He tells that the match is now set for Clash Of Champions. He tells that he was ready then and he is ready now. He tells that he now gets to prove to Orton that he was wrong about Kofi all these years. He says Orton will find out exactly why he is the WWE Champion. Randy comes on the titantron and interrupts. He calls Kofi stupid and says there’s nothing he’d rather do then to come and show everyone how stupid Kofi is but he is going to wait until Clash Of Champions. Orton pulls out a fan mail letter that he says was slid under his hotel room door and starts to read it, the letter begs for Orton to stop hurting Kofi because it makes the fan cry himself to sleep every night. He then reveals that the letter came from Kofi’s son. Orton tells how he is staying in the same hotel as Kofi’s family and instead of becoming pen pals or writing him back he can go and pay him a visit. He then crumples up the letter and walks away. Kofi gets out of the ring and sprints to the back.
Backstage Kofi and Rany are brawling it out in the gorilla position. Kofi gets the upper hand as officials try to pull them apart. Orton turns things around and nails a DDT off the table. Orton is then backed away as Kofi is left laid out.
My Opinion:
Kofi seems like he thinks he can control Randy Orton but he is forgetting how dangerous Randy really is. Orton does these kinds of things and tonight Kofi let him get to him. Orton seems to be the one in control and Kofi continues to go down this road with him then Orton is going to take the championship. Kofi needs to fight fire with fire and get to the core of Orton. He has to do something that makes Orton ticked or Orton will continue to play these games and it won’t end well for Kofi as it hasn’t ended well for so many in the past.

Backstage Segment:
Kayla is with Big E and Big E informs that Kofi will be okay for his match at Clash Of Champions but he can’t say the same for Orton after their match tonight.

Match 1: Ali vs Buddy Murphy: King of the Ring First Round Match
The two shake hands to start. Ali gets in control and is able to land a big chop. The two begin to play mind games with each other before Ali is able to land a big hurricanrana to take down Murphy. Murphy then drops to the floor. Ali runs the ropes but Murphy runs back in and meets him with a big knee shot. Murphy tries a cover but gets a 2 count on the cover. Murphy is in control working the neck of Ali. the match continues and Ali lands a huge kick in the corner but it doesn’t lead to much s Murphy lifts him and throws him to the outside. Murphy flies and takes out Ali with a flying senton. Ali is able to work his way back in the match and goes to the second rope but is stopped in his tracks by a big kick from Murphy. Murphy then turns it into a huge powerbomb. Ali kicks out at 2 and is able to spin out. Murphy stays on him and lands a huge knee strike into a brainbuster. He goes for the cover but again Ali kicks out. Ali continues to try to fight back but Murphy again takes him down with a combination of strikes. He misses on the knee and Ali hits him with a heel kick. Ali lands a huge spinning DDT and Murphy is down. Ali goes up top and lands the 450. The cover and the 1 2 3 for the win. After the match, the two shake hands and Murphy raises Ali’s hand.
Winner: Ali: Advances to the Second Round of King of the Ring
My Opinion:
A huge win for Ali in a very hard-fought battle. You’re looking at two guys who have the potential to be big-time players but Murphy just hasn’t quite gotten to the level of finishing off matches yet. Ali was able to weather the storm and get a win that could get him back on track to reach the top of the mountain like he was supposed to do many times this year. He has a tough task ahead of him but if he keeps this toughness and grit he can definitely get there.

Backstage Segment:
Bayley is looking at her women’s title as Ember Moon walks in. Moon tells Bayley that the next time they face she promises to beat her. Moon tells Bayley how no matter what Charlotte says she is not the face of the division and that Bayley is. She tells Bayley how the best women won their match before Lacey Evans interrupts. Evans mocks them and tells them that the whole division needs to step up. Evans tells that she is the real face of the division but Moon and Bayley just laugh it off. Evans says she will prove it in her match against Bayley tonight.

In-Ring Segment: The Miz
Miz tells how Shinsuke is the champion and Sami Zayn is a stage 5 clinger, a hanger-on. He says Zayn found himself on a losing streak and he latched on to someone else because he couldn’t hack it in a WWE ring. He says Zayn is riding Shinsuke’s coattails because he just couldn’t do it himself. He gives praise to Shinsuke and says he is the King of Strong Style and the Intercontinental Champion but if he thinks he needs Sami zayn’s help then he has a problem and if he thinks attacking him is his ticket to success then he has an even bigger problem. Miz says understand that he made the Intercontinental Champion the most prestigious and relevant title in all of WWE. He says that he took it to the main event and he can do it again and that’s why right now he challenges Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship, his championship at Clash Of Champions. Zayn then comes out.
Zayn tells Miz he clearly doesn’t understand the dynamic between Shinsuke Nakamura and himself. He tells Miz he can say anything he wants about him but he is a liberator. He says he liberated Shinsuke Nakamura and thanks to him he is feeling more free and stronger and better than he has in years. He tells Miz what he finds laughable is that Miz continues to talk about the Intercontinental title like it’s his. He says Miz associates himself with the title like it’s his but he has news, Shinsuke Nakamura is the Intercontinental Champion, he is the ing of Strong Style and if anything Miz is the king of soft style. He says he doesn’t expect someone as self-obsessed like Miz to understand someone as kind and as selfless as him but he thinks it’s about time Miz has a little respect beaten into him. Miz tells him to step in the ring and beat some respect into him. Zayn says we don’t just do things on your time to please these idiots, that’s not how it works around here. Miz says how about I come out there and beat some respect into you. Zayn tells him to calm down or he is going to make a mistake. Shinsuke then comes out of nowhere and blindsides Miz. he throws him into the barricade and then does it once more. Shinsuke then unloads with kicks. Miz is bounced off the apron and is attacked more. In the ring, Shinsuke finishes him off with the Kinshasa.
My Opinion:
The Miz is biting off more than he can chew right now and it’s time he gets some allies. Forget winning the title he isn’t going to even have more matches if he keeps being beaten down. Also, the way Sami has control of Shinsuke it seems like that’s exactly what is going to happen. Miz needs to regroup and take out Zayn first if he is ever going to get to Shinsuke. We’ve learned that this is a numbers game and Miz either needs to recruit or take them out one by one.

Backstage Segment:
Elias is playing his guitar in Shane McMahon’s office as Kevin Owens walks in. Owens then snatches the guitar from Elias. Elias tells him to learn how to knock. Owens says the door was open but asks what Elias was doing here. The two exchange words before Owens asks Elias where Shane is. Elias tells him that Shane isn’t here tonight.

Match 2: Bayley vs Lacey Evans
***Charlotte Flair is on the outside to watch Bayley in the match.
The two go back and forth to start the match. Evans is eventually able to work the arm of Bayley. Bayley goes to the ropes and goes to the apron. She uses this and is able to take control of Evans arm. She then wraps the arm around the ropes and gets her tied up. Bayley comes off the ropes and hits her with a dropkick. Bayley goes for the cover but Evans kicks out. Bayley continues to stay on Evans but she misses on the Bayley to Belly and this allows Evans to drop her to the mat shoulder first. Evans goes to the second rope and then springboards up to the top to hit the moonsault into the cover. Bayley kicks out. Bayley works her way back into the match and finally is able to hit the Bayley to Belly. She goes for the cover but Evans gets her hand on the bottom rope. Bayley grabs the arm of Evans but Evans hits her with a kick. She then hits a neck breaker but misses on her next move and Bayley hits her with double knees. Bayley grabs her and again connects with Bayley to Belly. Bayley goes up top and lands the big elbow. She goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3. Charlotte mockingly claps on the outside.
Winner: Bayley
My Opinion:
This is a big win for Bayley but she has to be careful over the next to weeks because Evans really got to her arm and Bayley does not want to face Charlotte at less than one hundred percent. She pulls off the victory but had to pull out a lot of tricks to do so and if it was so hard for her to beat Evans then Charlotte is going to be extremely difficult. I feel like Charlotte’s actions on the outside tell that she is fine with where she sits and looks poised to become the champion once again.

Backstage Segment:
Kayla is with Daniel Bryan and Rowan and she asks them what they expect from Reigns after what he said earlier. Bryan says they presented Reigns with the man who tried to end his career last week and they won’t leave the arena until they get an apology from Reigns. The two then walk off.

Match 3: Randy Orton vs Big E
As the match begins Big E goes right after Orton. He brings it to the outside and bounces Orton off the ring post. He then sends him over the announcer’s table. He breaks the count and then comes back to continue to work on Orton. He sends him over the barricade before bringing it into the ring to get a two count on Orton. Orton fights back and eventually gets Big E in the corner and hits him with a stiff shot. He sends Big E into the corner but Big E comes out hot and it’s him with a clothesline and one more to follow. On the apron, Big E tries a splash but Orton moves and Big E crashes to the floor. Big E fights back into it and lands an overhead belly to belly and one more to follow. Big E then lands another belly to belly off the rope. He looks for the splash but instead out comes The Revival and Big E runs itno them on the apron. Orton tries to capitalize with the RKO but Big E shakes it off and looks for the Big Ending. Orton then shakes him off and sends him into the rope where The Revival take a cheap shot. Big E stumbles around and Orton hits the RKO.
*** After the match Orton tells The Revival to lift Big E. They bounce him off the ropes and lift him up for Orton. Orton then hits him with the RKO.
Winner: Randy Orton
My Opinion:
Big E went out swinging tonight and in a mood, we normally don’t see him in but even with all that Orton picking up this win continues to show how dangerous he is. He isn’t just about mind games but Orton also has always been about the numbers game and he has it once again. Big E fell victim to the trap and now you have to wonder if Kofi is going to be left all alone. Orton being able to pick apart such a strong group like The New Day show he is capable of anything and things do not look good for Kofi right now.

Backstage Segment:
Chad Gable is asked about the joke made at his expense and how people don’t think he is fit to be King of the Ring. he downplays the jokes and says after tonight it will be Shelton looking up at him. Benjamin then comes up and makes more jokes about Gable’s height. They then have a staredown as he walks away.

Backstage Segment:
Elias is back there walking around.

In-Ring Segment: Elias
Elias is in the ring wearing the crown and robe along with holding the scepter. Elias tells how in a few week’s time he will be crowned King of the Ring. He tells how many legends have worn this crown before, Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, Edge, but none of them can wear this crown like him. He says this is a sight to see. He tells that he is a king you can belive in. he then makes fun of the crowd for being a bunch of filthy swap people. Owens then comes from behind and attacks Elias. Owens brings him to the ring and Elias turns the table for a moment. Elias can’t get te title off and this allows Owens time to hit him with the Stunner. Elias is left laid out. As Elias is laid out R-Truth gets in the ring and tries to pin Elias but he is pulled out by Drake Maverick. Maverick gets in the ring and pins Elias for the 1 2 3. Drake Maverick is the new 24/7 Champion.
My Opinion:
Elias definitely may have jinxed himself sitting in the king’s throne tonight but more importantly, he loses the 24/7 title. In a way, this is good for Elias because he truly needs to focus on KOTR and not the title. He seems ready to win but obviously, there is a big task in front of him and it looks like Owens has a lot of unfinished business with him. For Drake Maverick this is huge and I can’t wait to see him trying to run with the title and all the funny segments that come with him being champion.

Backstage Segment:
Chad Gable is backstage warming up.

Match 4: Chad Gable vs Shelton Benjamin: King of the Ring First Round Match
Benjamin starts off the match with a big slam and quick cover but Gable kicks out. Benjamin continues the offense and trash talks Gable. Gable comes back with a big slap to the face. Gable uses a series of uppercuts and knees to fight of Benjamin and then hits him with a kick tot he midsection. Gable then lands a spinning leg drop. He comes off the ropes lands a spinning neck breaker. Off the ropes, Gable lands a huge german suplex. Benjamin though comes back with a big clothesline. Gable is able to get around on him and tries another suplex but Benjamin fights it off with a back elbow. He then lands a big takedown and goes into the ankle lock. Gable is able to fight it off and send him to the outside. Gable goes to the apron and lands a kick. He flies but is caught. Benjamin then sends him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Benjamin has Gable on the top turnbuckle and meets him up there. Gable fights him off and tries the moonsault but Benjamin moves and Gable lands on his feet. Benjamin then hits him with a huge knee. Benjamin picks him up and tries a powerbomb but Gable turns it into a pin. Gable gets the 1 2 3. Andrade and Zelina Vega are then shown watching the match backstage.
Winner: Chad Gable: Advances to the Second Round of KOTR
My Opinion:
Wow, a gutsy performance by Gable and there is no doubt he proved a lot of people wrong tonight. He took some of Benjamin’s best moves and overcame them to get the crafty win. For Gable, he has a huge task ahead having to face Andrade but momentum can be a huge thing and he might have a chance if he can ride this into next week. For now, he should be proud of this and definitely go and smarten up because if he makes any mistakes with Andrade it’s going to be over faster than it started.

Backstage Segment:
Roman Reigns is back there walking.

In-Ring Segment: Roman Reigns
Before Reigns can speak Bryan and Rowan appear on the screen. Bryan tells Roman it’s very simple, two words, just say I’m sorry. Reigns asks the crowd if he should apologize and gets a big no. He then asks, again and again, they say no with a no chant starting. Reigns then says how bout we check out this video and if he still needs t apologize he will, sound good? He tells Bryan they are going to check out this video and he should too. The video plays and we see the clip of Reigns walking about to Kayla backstage with the equipment falling on him. In the background, you can see Rowan appear and walk away with his hood up. Bryan asks what is that to Rowan. Rowan says I don’t know. Bryan slaps him and tells him to shut up and asks again what he did. Rowan says I didn’t. Bryan tells him he hates lairs and he knows he hates liars. He continues to slap Rowan and tells him to get out of here. Bryan goes to the ring and says he didn’t know anything. He claims that Rowan has lied to him and he has betrayed him. He tells Reigns that somebody has told Rowan to do this and it wasn’t him. He says Rowan has lied to him this whole time but as Bryan gets in the ring Reigns hits him with a spear.
My Opinion:
It does seem now we got our answer but then again there still seems like there is so much more to this and more that we are going to find out. Bryan says how someone put Rowan up to this and maybe that is the case. This story seems like it is going to continue to unfold until we finally get the answer to why. For Reigns, this mystery still somewhat continues and it is something he has to put to rest before he can move on and go back to being the Big Dog.

Final Thoughts:
Tonight I really loved the KOTR matches that we got. Ali and Murphy did amazing in there’s and Gable and Benjamin went out and hard a very hard-hitting contest. I love seeing guys like that get opportunities and not just that but thrive when they get them. The tournament is starting to take shape and I love the way it is playing out with a lot of interesting matchups. I really enjoyed Randy Orton tonight, he has always been one of the best heels and even today he continues to shine and show how it’s supposed to be done. It’s not just mind games, but also a numbers game and he has plotted his plan perfectly. He keeps using the anty and I can’t wait to see how Kingston battles back. Drake Maverick winning the 24/7 title back was also a good moment, he has brought us very enjoyable segments as champion so I can’ wait to see what he does next. Sami Zayn and Shinsuke seems to be killing it together. Whatever they got going to working out very well and once again they leave Miz laid out. Miz really needs to reset after this one ut for Zayn and Nakamura if they added one more guy they could take everything over with how things are going. Finally, to end the night I liked how we left off with Roman Reigns. We got answers but still have a lot of questions. We finally have a storyline again where it isn’t rushed and it’s given time to breathe and play out. This continues to intrigue me each week with every little bit of info we get and I can’t wait to see it continue to play out!!!
Overall Rating: 6.5/10