Smackdown Live Review 08/29/2018

Hello Misfits. It is time for this weeks Smackdown Live review. Last week the tone was set as we head towards Hell in the Cell. It was announced that Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan will be facing The Miz and Maryse at Hell in a Cell so I am intrigued to see how the build up continues heading to the event. Samoa Joe attacked the WWE Champion AJ Styles and one again taunted his wife which I am sure Styles will be looking for retribution for. The New Day became the new tag team champions overcoming the Bludgeon Brothers. Will the Brothers be getting a rematch or will there be new contenders for the belt? Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair got into a pull-apart brawl last week but will the Paige be able to keep them apart this week while Carmella gets her Women’s Championship rematch against Charlotte Flair? Lets find out.

Smackdown comes to us live from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

–  Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are on commentary.

The New Day Celebrate 5-Time
The New Day come out to kick of Smackdown. Big E is holding a replica Stanley Cup with pancakes in it, since they are the new tag team champions and they’re in Canada. Xavier Woods says last week they did what they do best: become the Smackdown Live Tag Team Champions. Kingston says the Bludgeon Brothers are tough but they took them out. Big E. says he has been waiting for too long to say this. Big E. tries to refer to themselves as the five-time champion but former five time WCW World Champion King Booker interrupts them. Booker says he is the ruler of Smackdown world. Kingston, Woods, and Big E. all drop to a knee for the king. Booker gives Woods and Kingston new regal names. Booker skips over Big E. Big E. asks why? Booker says Big E. already has his name: “Big”. Big E. tells Booker that he went full Saxton and Booker T does his classic “tell me you just didn’t say that.” Booker welcomes New Day into the Five Time Champions Club. New Day begs Booker to do the spinarooni. Booker takes off his crown and robe and does the spinarooni. Each member of New Day does it as well. Big E. flopped around like a turtle as Woods and Kingston spun him by his legs.
Opinion
What an awesome segment to kick off Smackdown Live. As a Canadian myself, I marked out a tad bit inside when I saw the Stanley Cup. I did not expect Booker T or should I say King Booker to show up. I loved how they had him show up because they are now five time tag team champions. This didn’t really lead to anything but it doesn’t bother me at all that it didn’t because it was fun and really entertaining.  I was disappointed last week that the New Day beat The Bludgeon Brothers last week but I became aware later on that Rowen was hurt again, so the decision made total sense.

The Bar def. The Club & The Colons
In a competitive match The Bar defeat The Club and Colons when  Epico and Primo land a double backstabber on Gallows but Cesaro tagged himself in and obliterated Primo with an european uppercut and gets the pin on Gallows to move on in the number one contender tournament.
Opinion
YES! The Bar are once again in the run to become the number one contenders for the tag team titles. They lost the opportunity last time to the New Day so if they make it all the way, that feud will come full circle. I wish The Club got more opportunties or their own separate storyline but I’m happy for The Bar. I’m guessing next week is Rusev Day vs. The Usos vs. ???. I can’t remember what other teams are on Smackdown Live.

– Backstage, Paige tells Rusev Day that they are going to be in the triple threat tag team match for a potential shot at the Smackdown tag team titles. Rusev thanks Lana for getting them the shot. Lana tells Rusev it wasn’t her. Aiden English is the one who advocated for the title match. Rusev thanks English.

Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy says since he has been back on Smackdown Orton has had a sick obsession with him. Orton has infected Hardy’s mind, so much so, last week Hardy said he thought he could fly. Footage of Hardy hitting a Swanton onto Orton last week is shown. Hardy says he felt alive after putting Orton through that table. This is just the beginning. Hardy yells for Orton to come out to the ring so Hardy can finish what Orton has started. Orton walks out on the stage. Orton congratulates Hardy for being awake again. Orton thanks Hardy for giving him the credit.
Orton says he isn’t finished working on Hardy yet. This version of Hardy is the one that Orton is going to end. Orton realizes he has to leave Hardy a heap of broken bones in the middle of the ring. Orton isn’t dumb enough to get into the ring on Hardy’s terms. Hardy challenges Orton to a Hell in a Cell match. Orton drops the mic and walks away.
Opinion
It’s so crazy to think its 2018 and we’re getting a Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton feud. It has been good but I wonder how they’re going to end this rivalry. I mean they’re both legends in their own right and have cemented their legacy so nobody really needs the win. I think that is what makes it kind of intriguing because regardless how it goes, you can’t really be upset about it. I’m enjoying heel Orton though and its nice to Brother Nero involved in something rather then floating around aimlessly.

– Renee Young is backstage with Carmella, asking if she’s afraid of the buzz leaving her and going to Charlotte Flair or Becky Lynch. Carmella isn’t worried and points out how Flair never pinned her at SummerSlam. Carmella says she’s defeated Flair twice and will complete the trifecta tonight. She goes on and says Becky and Charlotte are chump change but Mella Is Money. She walks off and in comes R-Truth, still looking for Carmella for a match. Tye Dillinger walks in and tries to stop him. Truth says when the time is right, The Truth will set Carmella free.

Billie Kaye w/ Peyton Royce def. Naomi
In a quick match Billie Kaye defeated Naomi when Royce kicks Naomi in the head while the referee has his back turned and Kay rolls up Naomi for the win.
Opinion
Its great to see the IIconics picking up victories again. Its a shame it was at the expense of Naomi who hasn’t really done much since her dance-offs with Lana. I hope the IIconics continue to build momentum. I’d still love to see them connect with Carmella to build a mini stable.

Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella
Bryan says Miz and Maryse came to the ring and mocked his retirement. Miz came out here and acted like he didn’t cheat at SummerSlam. Just like with everything else, Miz is a terrible actor. Miz couldn’t even act like a tough guy. Miz pulled his wife in front of him like a shield. Then Brie came to the ring and took care of business. Brie says it felt so good to come to the ring and punch Miz in the face. Andrade “Cien” Alams and Zelina Vega interrupt. Vega gets in the ring and says it’s an honor to stand in the ring with two legends: Brie Bella and Andrade Almas. Vega challenges Bryan to a match. Bryan says he would love to make the match official right now but he isn’t the GM anymore. If only there was someone in the back who could come out and make this match. Paige doesn’t show. Bryan says that was embarrassing. Paige runs out on the stage. Paige said she had to run from one side of the building to the other. Paige books the match.
Opinion
This was a good way to have Brie and Bryan address their match at Hell in a Cell this week as well as set up the next match. Its weird that Brie is in one angle on Smackdown Live and then having matches with her sister on Raw but I guess the Bellas are free agents similar to how John Cena is. I was glad to see Almas and Vega interrupt Bryan and Brie meaning they moved away from being stuck in an angle about Rusev Day and a Bryan and Almas match is something a lot of fans have been waiting for.

Daniel Bryan w/ Brie Bella def. Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega
In a solid back and forth match Daniel Bryan defeated Andrade Almas by DQ when Vega gets on the apron. Brie attacks Vega. Maryse appears behind Brie. Maryse sends Brie into the ring post. Miz attacks Bryan from behind to cause a disqualification.
After the match, Almas Hammerlock DDTs Bryan. Maryse holds Brie in the corner as Vega hits Meteora. Mayrse DDTs Brie as Miz has Bryan in the crossface. Miz drops Bryan with the Skull Crushing Finale.
Opinion
This was an awesome match which I’m glad finished with a DQ finish. The match we got was fun for Smackdown Live and I would love to see them face each other again in a longer match when it matters more. It protected everyone involved and continued the angle between The Miz, Maryse, Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan. I loved the heel couples attacking the babyface couples. Its crazy how many powerful male/female duos we have on WWE television. I wonder what is next for Almas, I’m sure we’ll see a tag match with Almas and Vega vs Bryan and Brie before Hell in a Cell. I’m curious if anything from this angle will continue during Bries match teaming with her sister next week on Raw.

– Backstage Charlotte Flair says Becky Lynch feels like she is owed something. Flair refuses to apologize for who she is.

AJ Styles
Styles says the match is official. Styles is going to defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe at Hell in a Cell. Joe brought Styles’ family into it because Joe knows he isn’t man enough to defeats Styles. Styles says he is the champion and he makes the rules. Styles demands Joe comes to the ring. Styles is going to knock Joe’s teeth down his throat. Joe appears on the ‘tron and says he isn’t coming to the ring.
Styles is just proving Joe’s point. Joe says he isn’t done playing daddy yet. Joe pulls out his phone and calls Styles’ wife Wendy. Joe asks how their daughter is. Joe says he knows why Wendy is upset. Joe wants to know if they are still on for the back to school BBQ. Joe says maybe he will stop by next Tuesday. Styles runs to the back.
Opinion
They continue to make this personal and thats exactly what they need to do. The weeks leading up to Hell in a Cell, we get to anticipate Styles getting his hands on Joe before the match. Its something to look forward to because the way Joe has been talking about his family. I’m drama and I’m enjoying it.

Smackdown Women’s Championship
Charlotte Flair (C) def. Carmella
In a great championship main event, Charlotte Flair defeated Carmella after catching her with spear, followed with a natural selection and forcing Mella to tap out to the Figure Eight.
After the match, Becky Lynch attacks Flair. Lynch grabs a mic and says she is going to take back her title. Lynch calls Flair a bitch and walks away.
Opinion
This was a solid match that gave Carmella her rematch she deserved after losing the championship at Summerslam. It really sucks that Carmella is most likely officially out the Women’s Championship picture for the time being because I really enjoyed her reign and her character prospered while she was the champion. I still believe that “Mella is Money.” Charlotte Flair retained the championship and Becky Lynch came out to attack Charlotte with cheers from the crowd. I said it last week and I’m going to say it again. If they think for any reason, Becky Lynch is going to get heel heat here, they’re totally wrong. The fans in Brooklyn weren’t just behind Becky Lynch but the fans in Toronto were too.

Final Thoughts
Smackdown Live has done it again with another awesome show. This is two weeks in a row where they have put on action packed shows which focused on the character and storyline development rather than giving us too many multi-segment matches which can be saved for the PPVs. Every segment and match had a purpose and nothing felt like filler or pointless. It did a great job making me more excited for Hell in a Cell. The two hours fly be every week and I’m looking forward to see what happens next week with the way things have been heating up on the blue brand. If you missed Smackdown this week, definitely check it out.
Rating – 8.5/10