Smackdown Live Review 10/02/2018

Hello Misfits. It is time for this weeks Smackdown Live review. Its the go-home show before Super Show-Down. I think we should talk about what we’re all looking forward to this week which is WHAT HAPPENED IN MILWAUKEE? This week Aiden English will share to the world this big secret of what happened in Milwaukee with Lana. Also, what happened when Samoa Joe showed up to AJ Styles house? Will we find out this week? How will Styles react? Last week Becky Lynch attacked Charlotte backstage. Will Charlotte be looking for redemption this week? What final words will Daniel Bryan and The Miz have for each other this week before heading into Super Show-Down? Lets find out.

Smackdown comes to us live from the Moda Centre in Portland, Orgeon.

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

Paige and AJ Styles adress Samoa Joe’s actions
Smackdown kicks off with Paige in the ring. Paige talks about how when she took this job she was told it was going to be exhilarating, emotional and exhausting. Paige said what Samoa Joe did last week was the most dastardly crime and plays a replay of what happened last week. Paige tells us that the Styles family is fine, Joe didn’t make it inside the house and charges for trespassing have been filed against Joe. Paige spoke with WWE management and Joe should be fired. Before Paige fired Joe, she gave Styles a call to check in and to give him the news. Styles dropped the charges against Joe and Styles begged Paige not to fire Joe. Styles said termination would be too good for Joe and he wouldn’t be able to get his hands on him. Styles said he wants to hand out the punishment to Samoa Joe. The WWE title match between Styles and Joe is on. Paige says Styles has a message for the WWE Universe. Styles says he is at home with his family and isn’t sure he would be able to perform tonight if he were at the show. Styles talks about his family and says his kids need him. He says he needs to be at his before he goes to Australia. He says for the past week his daughter Annie has been waking up at night looking under her bed and closet looking for her uncle Joe. Styles tells Joe that this is going to end and it needs to end. Styles says Joe isn’t coming back from the land down under. He said he’s not talking about putting him in a casket and putting dirt on it but burying Joe alive.
Opinion
This opening was fantastic. It covered everything we needed to know with how Smackdown Live went off the air last week. Styles promo felt real and driven by emotions. I dont think anyone believed Joe was going to be fired or anything but this was a good way to address the fact that he must be punished for his actions last week showing up at Styles house. The end of Styles promo made it feel like there was going to be a buried alive match but of course that isn’t the case and would make no sense. Imagine that? LOL

R-Truth & Carmella def. Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega
In a very entertaining mixed tag match, Carmella and R-Truth defeated Almas and Vega when Carmella made Vega tap out to the code of silence.
Opinion
This was a very fun match like most mixed tag matches these days. There were Truth TV chants which I got a kick out of. There was a dance break, there was Zelina mocking Carmella’s moon walk and face off between Tranquilo and double splits. In the end Carmella countered pin attempt into a code of silence making Vega tap. I was glad Truth and Mella won since they’re in the mix tag tournament. However, I wish Almas and Vega were doing more. Why doesn’t Almas go after the United States Championship? At least Vega took the fall I guess. At the end of all of this though…MELLA IS STILL MONEY!

– Paige is walking backstage when she’s approached by Tye Dillinger. Dillinger wants Randy Orton and Paige tries to defer his choice for his own safety. Paige said she’ll never understand men and says she does like this new fire in Dillinger and grants him his match.

– The New Day makes their way out with Mister Bootysworth as well. They’re wearing chef hats and aprons while dumping pancakes on people.

The New Day Cooks
There is a red mat and table set up in the ring for making pancakes. They promote their match this Saturday. The New Day admits that they know The Bar has their number and thats why this week they need some positivity. They introduce Mister Bootyworth and say he’s the one who has been making the pancakes every week that they have been distributing. Tonight he will show the world their secret recipe. Right before Mister Bootyworth could penetrate the ears of the fans, The Bar interrupts them. The Bar mocks the New Day for acting like children and rather than preparing for their match they’re playing with their food. Woods said this pilot was going straight to Guy Ferrari and these guys are ruining it. Cesaro said they are here to help. Sheamus reminds that Cesaro is back from Switzerland and the Swiss are known to make great pastries. Cesaro says back home his friends call him chef and Sheamus said he knows how to make the baking process better. Sheamus flips the table over ad a brawl ensues between the two teams. Sheamus throws flour everywhere and The Bar beat up The New Day. They realize that Mister Bootyworth is still in the ring. They dump the pancake mixture into his hat and put it back on his head. As Bootyworth tries leaving the ring Sheamus stops him while Cesaro spills more mixture on him. The Bar stands tall.
Opinion
This was a solid segment to progress the feud between the two teams. I didn’t want to see another match combination this week so this was a creative way to progress the feud. I was worried to see The Bar standing tall at the end though. As much as I enjoyed it, they have had the momentum for the last three weeks which makes me worried they won’t be walking out tag champions this Saturday. I really want to see The Bar become Smackdown Live tag team champions.

Tye Dillinger vs. Randy Orton
This ended up being a fight rather than a match. Dillinger attacked Orton before he can even make it to the ring. They brawl outside with Dillinger continuously finding a way to get the upper-hand. Orton finally catches Dillinger with a hangman DDT off the barricade. Orton ends up snapping one of Dillinger’s fingers between the metal turnbuckle connector is violent fashion. Referees come to break things up.
Opinion
I enjoyed the fight. I didn’t expect Dillinger to get that much offence but boy they’re making Dillinger look strong these past couple of weeks. Orton again does something vicious and hard to watch but really has never been done before. Its always these cringeworthy attacks. I wonder if this will continue or will we move on to find out who Orton’s next victim is.

– Backstage, we see Shelton Benjamin backstage preparing for his match with Daniel Bryan. Miz shows up and tells Benjamin to thank him for getting the match. Miz lists all Benjamin’s accomplishments and asks Benjamin if he’s going to beat the Goat Boy. Benjamin says yes. Miz tells Benjamin that he needs to make a statement. Shelton says that he’s been waiting to make a statement and remind everybody exactly who he is. Miz says thats the Shelton he wants to see and he’ll be watching from commentary. They shook hands as Miz walks away. Ahh classic heel friendships just because they’re bad. It feels like Gotham.

– Backstage, Aiden English is preparing for One Night in Milwaukee.

One Night in Milwaukee with Rusev, Lana and Aiden English
Rusev and Lana make their way out to find out what this big secret English has about Milwaukee. Rusev talks about everything that has happened in the past couple of weeks and Rusev tells Aiden to come out to tell them what this Milwaukee stuff is. Aiden comes out but stalls from showing the evidence by giving a history lesson and stats on Milwaukee. Lana calls him out for stalling. Aiden English starts talking about all the TV shows and movies filmed in Milwaukee. Aiden says tonight they get to see the most anticipated premier in the last decade…one night in Milwaukee. It cuts to a phone video of Aiden practicing his singing for the Milwaukee show. There is a knock on the door and Lana walks in. Lana tells Aiden that she’s been waiting to talk to him for a while and it ends with Lana saying “I want you.” Aiden said he would love to show more but he can’t because he has legal obligations and an offer from TMZ. Lana says thats not all..and Rusev asks if there is more before he chases after Aiden.
Opinion
Well well well..it’s clear that Lana probably was going to say “I want you…to know blah blah blah” or something but this makes it more fun. It’s another cliffhanger to make us have to tune in next week to see how it further develops. It also makes me wonder how it will affect the MMC match Lana and Rusev have after Smackdown. I kind of hope I’m wrong and this does lead to something more interesting but I don’t see them having Lana turn heel against Rusev.

– Backstage, Rusev is looking for Aiden. Lana asks Rusev to let her explain and he says we are not doing this here as Rusev rushes off to find English.

Daniel Bryan def. Shelton Benjamin
In a very competitive match, Shelton Benjamin defeated Daniel Bryan when Bryan got distracted by The Miz who had enough of  Bryan’s “yes chanting” so he jumped on the apron. This allowed Benjamin to hit his finisher for the win. After the match, The Miz attacked Daniel Bryan hitting him with a Skull Crushing Finale.
Opinion
The Miz was on commentary for the next match. Graves asks him about Rusev/English drama and Miz expresses his excitement to see the rest of the video. Smackdown Live is like Gotham where all the bad guys like each other or find ways to co-exist even if they don’t like each other. The match was good and had the potential to be great. The finish made sense considering Bryan and Miz will be going toe-to-toe this Saturday. I’m not shocked nor disappointed that the Benjamin picked up the victory. I mean we did see Bryan cause Miz a match to R-Truth a couple of weeks back.

Asuka w/Naomi def. Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay
In a solid match, Asuka defeated Peyton Royce by making Royce tap out while Naomi took care of Billie Kay.
Opinion
This was a good match to remind everyone that these four girls have a tag match this Saturday. The IIconics return home for this event and I feel like they might find a sneaky way to win with that home field advantage so they are stacking up losses heading to the event. Asuka does need to redeem herself after losing a lot of her luster from the first half of the year.

Becky Lynch’s Super Surprise
Smackdown Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch makes her way to the ring. Becky Lynch talks about how she’s been held back and held down by her best friend. Becky showcased a video package that shows everything that has gone down between Charlotte and herself with it obviously favouring her. Becky says she could watch that all day and Becky chants break out. Becky says time and time again she has proven she can own Charlotte Flair. Becky says she still doesn’t get the respect she deserves while her former friend is still posing for magazine covers and press releases. Becky Lynch says this Sunday she is gonna prove that she’s the face that will show up on all the magazines, posters, billboards and that she is the face of the company. Becky Lynch shows a new custom made poster that features the picture of her standing over Charlotte after attacking her last week. Lynch says this Saturday is not about Undertaker vs Triple H for the last time but about Becky defending her championship for the first time. Charlotte quickly makes her way down to the ring. The two immediately start fighting. Charlotte has the upperhand and tosses Becky Lynch around and even figure four’s her on the apron. The fans are still chanting for Becky and Charlotte woo’s as she stands over a defeated Becky.
Opinion
This started off great with Becky saying a bunch of stuff that should be getting the fans to boo her but yet make the fans chant louder for her. I think we’ve all been waiting for this side of Becky Lynch and we’re enjoying the ride. This is her time. I love the confidence and attitude. The brawl was Charlotte finally getting her redemption of the Lasskicker after all those attacks. Charlotte stands tall but it makes me wonder it means she will this Saturday. I’m a fan of both women but I’m on Team Becky. I know the two of them must low-key love working against each other during this time.

Final Thoughts
Smackdown Live delivered again. It is going to be hard for me to compare it to Raw this week, since I was at Raw live yesterday. I believe being live at a show is always more enjoyable than watching it on TV regardless how the show was. I do know I enjoyed Smackdown top to bottom tonight. It was filled with storyline progression, drama, cliff-hangers and some good wrestling. They really set the tone for all the Smackdown Live contributions to Super Show-Down. If you missed tonights episode, definitely check this one out.
Rating – 8/10