Smackdown Live Review 10/23/2018

Hello Misfits. It is time for this weeks Smackdown Live review. Its been one week since the 100th episode so its episode 1001. The first ever women’s PPV Evolution takes place this Sunday as well so this is the go home show. I am really curious to see how they help hype the Evolution matches tonight. Will Charlotte and Becky Lynch end up in a brawl again? The returning Rey Mysterio is also set to be the guest on Miz TV. What sort of impact will Rey Mysterio make now that he’s back in the WWE? Whats going to happen next between Bryan and AJ Styles? They team up in a rematch against the Usos this week. Lets find out!

Smackdown comes to us live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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

The New Day
Xavier Woods says they were cheated and defeated by the Bar last week. Kofi Kingston says they don’t just set the bar, the lower the bar. The thing Kingston can’t understand is the Big Show’s involvement. Big E. says they all thought Big Show was cool. Big Show flips back and forth more than a flapjack. Kingston says he wants all the smoke. Kingston wants Big Show or either member of the bar in the ring tonight. The Bar and Big Show walk out on the ramp. The Bar joins New Day in the ring as Big Show watches from the outside.
Opinion
They addressed what happened last week to lead to a match. This was good and the fans always get excited with The New Day but this didn’t feel that important that it needed to kick off the show. In my opinion it was a cold start to Smackdown Live.

– Replay of Roman Reigns announcement on Raw. This really sucks and I’m wishing Reigns a speedy recovery. Get well soon Big Dog.

Big Show w/ The Bar vs. Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day
This match ended in a no contest as Big Show just continues to hit choke slams on Kingston causing The New Day to interfere to cause the DQ. The Bar with Big Show beat up the New Day to end the segment.
Opinion
If they’re planning to continue this three on three feud moving forward, this works. I kind of wish we got an explanation from The Big Show on why he’s helping The Bar but it doesn’t seem like we’re going to get that tonight.

The Usos def. AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan
In another awesome tag team match, The Usos defeated Styles and Bryan after Style accidentally hit the pele kick on Bryan which caused him to get distracted and hit with super kick and splash from the Usos.
Opinion
This was another good match and it was great to see the Usos on television yet again this week. They continue to show that Styles and Bryan have bad chemistry with each other to further create tension between them.

– Backstage, Styles says what happened in the ring just now was an accident. Bryan insinuates that Styles hit him on purpose.

– Footage of Becky Lynch attack Charlotte Flair during a lecture at the Performance Center is shown.

– Backstage, Flair says what Lynch did at the performance center was the ultimate sign of disrespect. Now there is no going back. When Flair wins back her title at Evolution Flair will not just be standing over a fallen opponet, she will be standing over a friend who has lost their way

Rusev w/ Lana def. Aiden English
In a quick match Rusev defeated Aiden English by making him tap out to the accolade.
Opinion
Is this the end of the feud? Rusev Day is no more and it sucks but are we going to have to see these two face each other again? I guess I was expecting more from this feud.

Miz TV
Miz welcomes the crowd to the show. Miz runs down the highlights from Smackdown 1000, the most important of which was Miz defeating Rusev in record time to qualify for the World Cup tournament. Miz introduces his guest, Rey Mysterio. Miz says he is curious as to why Mysterio is back. Miz says he knows why Mysterio is back. Mysterio wants to prove the little man can do anything he can dream of. No one cares about the plucky underdog anymore. People are only interested in larger than life stars like the Miz. Miz says while Mysterio has been on hiatus, Miz has been doing it all here in the WWE. At Crown Jewel, Miz is going to prove what he already knows: he is the best in the world. Miz tells Mysterio that he is sorry to disappoint him. Mysterio says that Miz is right. Mysterio is dissapointed that he isn’t on Truth TV. Mysterio says he didn’t come back to be on a dusty talk show. Mysterio is here to compete. Mysterio challenges Miz to a match right here, and right now. Miz says no one here wants to see the two of them fight. Miz tells the WWE Universe that he is a changed man. Miz attacks Mysterio. Mysterio trips Miz into the rope. Mysterio sets up the 619. Miz narrowly avoids it. Miz rolls out of the ring.
Opinion
It’s great to see Rey back and he looks to be in great shape. I figured since they were both in ring hear that this was going to turn into a match and I wasn’t shocked when it did. Its crazy to see Rey back on Smackdown regularly. It hasn’t hit me yet that he’s back.

Rey Mysterio def. The Miz
In a competitive match Rey Mysterio defeated The Miz after a 619 and a splash on The Miz.
Opinion
Another solid match between two vets. Mysterio is in a lot better shape than he was when he the left WWE in 2014. Both these guys are going to be in the World Cup Tournament in Crown Jewel.

Asuka and Naomi vs. Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose
Before the match can start, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce walk down to the ring. Kay and Royce they are going to win the battle royal. Lana walks out and before she can finish her sentence Carmella interrupts. Carmella says the people really just want a dance break. Zelina Vega appears out of nowhere and pushes Carmella into the ring. A huge brawl breaks out. Vega thinks she is the last woman standing but Asuka sneaks up behind her. Vega turns around and Asuka spin kicks her in the face.
Opinion
This was a segment to promote the Battle Royal at Evoltution. I really wish they got more creative with the booking Evolution. However, it was great to see all the female talent on Smackdown Live that we don’t get to see every week. I can’t complain about getting another dance break.

Shane McMahon
Shane says the WWE Evolution show is a historic event. Shane gives all of the women, past, and present, a round of applause. Shane notes that the World Cup winner will know that he is the best in the world. A CM Punk chant breaks out. Shane flippantly says he doesn’t believe he (Punk) is in the tournament. Shane says someone from the blue brand is going to win.
Opinion
Its always great to see Shane O Mac. The reaction to the CM Punk was funny but other than that this was another segment to promote Crown Jewel and the World Cup tournament.

Randy Orton def. Jeff Hardy
In a solid main event Randy Orton defeated Jeff Hardy after hitting an RKO.
Opinion
I was shocked that Orton won again but that must mean they have big plans for him moving forward. It was still cringe watching Orton abuse Jeff Hardy by tugging on his ear lobe hole. The match was good but just didn’t feel significant for any reason.

Final Thoughts
Smackdown Live was a huge step down compared to last week and even the weeks before. It almost seemed like they were just trying to fill time and move forward. There were some decent matches, storyline progression and hype for Evolution and Crown Jewel. The Charlotte and Becky stuff was really good but all pre-recorded and didn’t do much for the live crowd. It was great seeing Rey Mysterio again on Smackdown Live again but it almost felt like everything on this show involved guys who have been on the roster for over ten years. I know it didn’t but it felt that way. Decent show and hoping they pick things back up next week.
Rating – 5/10