Smackdown Live Review 12/04/2018

Smack Down Live Review: December 4, 2018
Author: Captain Charisma

Live from the University of Texas in Austin, Texas

Opening In-Ring Segment: Paige, Becky Lynch, Asuka, & Charlotte Flair
SmackDown Live general manager, Paige, opens the show with the triple threat Women’s TLC match contract signing. Paige mentions about making history at TLC being the first ever Women’s Tables, Ladders, and Charis match ever. She then introduces Asuka, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch. Lynch mentions how it does not matter if opportunity was given or not, she will still defeat them. Charlotte rebuttals the claim by saying she will reclaim her title and destroy her as she did Ronda Rousey at Survivor Series. Asuka objects and claims that she will be a key factor in the triple threat match. Lynch signs the contract and leaves. Asuka then confronts Charlotte for a fight but gets interrupted by Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. Both Deville and Rose threat the two contenders to take them out before TLC. SmackDown Live General Manager Paige then stops all adversity and makes a tag team match between the former Absolution members and Charlotte and Asuka.
My Opinion:
The first ever Women’s Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Triple Threat match will be revolutionary for not only wrestling fans but everyone around the world. I truly am excited about seeing Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch tear the house down in San Jose. The contract signing was definitely different but a good kind of different with Becky signing and walking out.

Backstage Segment: Shane McMahon, The Miz
Shane McMahon is shown texting on his phone when all of a sudden, the Miz enters and confronts Shane. He questions why he has to host an episode of Miz TV with Daniel Bryan as guest. McMahon responds with wanting to identify who the “New Daniel Bryan” is. The Miz quickly reminds Shane that they are a team and both considered the Best in the World, referring to “their” Crown Jewel victory in the Best in the World Tournament.

Match #1: Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose vs. Asuka and Charlotte – Tag Team Match
The match starts off with Sonya Deville and Asuka locking up in the collar and elbow formation. Both competitors go back and forth trying to maintain position. Deville gains control and tags in Mandy Rose who poses to the audience, dominating the Empress of Tomorrow. Asuka comes back and begins to gain back momentum. Charlotte Flair gets tagged in and dominates both Deville and Rose. Charlotte connects with a suicide dive to the outside. As the tides shift, the SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Becky Lynch appears from the entrance ramp and makes her way to ringside heading into the commercial break. After the commercial break, Mandy Rose dominates the Empress and begins to gain the advantage for her and Deville. After a series of quick tags and pin attempts, Asuka finds an opening to make the hot tag to Charlotte Flair. With the rapid comeback, Charlotte gains the upperhand. However, in the process, miscommunication occurs as Charlotte gets knocked down by Asuka, giving Sonya Deville the open pin victory.
Result: Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose by pinfall
My Opinion
This was a great showcase of both Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose. The former Tough Enough competitors proved how dominant they can be on the blue brand women’s division. I can see more television time most likely for Sonya Deville, who has the most potential out of the two. The team of Charlotte Flair and Asuka however created more tension towards each other heading into the biggest and most groundbreaking match in WWE history.

Match #2: Triple Threat Match – Xavier Woods vs. Cesaro vs. Jey Uso
Cesaro takes the early advantage by distributing uppercuts to both Woods and Jey. Jey and Xavier both eliminate the competition by throwing the Swiss Superman over the top rope. After a series of back and forth maneuvers, both competitors have a quick stare down before throwing Cesaro over the top rope once more to take the show into commercial break. Coming back from the break, Cesaro gives a double uppercut to Jey and Xavier from the top turnbuckle. However, Jey makes a comeback and takes out the Swiss Superman from the outside. With a quick breather, he is met with Woods attacking with a suicide dive from the ringside. While vulnerable, Jey disconnects with the Uso splash and gets countered by Cesaro but is met with Woods’s flying elbow for a two count pin attempt. With an incredible feat of strength, Cesaro gives the Cesaro Swing on Jey Uso while giving an phenomenal airplane spin on Woods. After the showmanship, while not looking, the Swiss Cyborg gets hit with the Uso Kick out of nowhere for the win.
Result: Jey Uso wins by pinfall
My Opinion
This triple threat match surprised the hell out of me. I did not expect a match with three competitors such as Xavier Woods, Jey Uso, and Cesaro can do when all three are put in a ring together. I found it outrageously unnecessary to have a New Day commentary table. Despite that, the three competitors displayed true grit and put on one hell of a match.

Rusev Interview with Lana and Kayla Braxton
Kayla Braxton asks Rusev after a replay is shown of last week of why Shinsuke Nakamura attacked him last week. The Bulgarian Brute responds by saying he is scared of the former United States Champion. He claims to be hungry and will feast on The King of Strong Style on his favorite holiday, Rusev Day.
Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton show another video package of Lars Sullivan, speculating which brand he will end up on once he gets called up

In-Ring Segment: Miz Tv with Special Guest Daniel Bryan (The Miz, R-Truth, Carmella, Daniel Bryan, and AJ Styles)
The Miz is shown in the ring, introducing the crowd to Miz TV however, he is interrupted by Carmella and R-Truth for a seven second dance break. After the interruption, the Miz introduces the new Daniel Bryan as speculation of whom he may be. The Miz compliments Bryan for his actions in his WWE Championship match and gives credit to himself for making this happen. Bryan responds by saying he does not cater to the WWE Universe but consults that he studies from greats such as Alexander Hamilton, claiming that the mindless masses are “fickle” sheep. The Miz corresponds with stating that because of his strategy and tactics that influenced the New Daniel Bryan. Bryan goes on a rant about the WWE Universe committing countless sins and hurting the Earth. The Miz interrupts and asks Bryan if he was inspired by him to become a new man. Bryan states yes and no, claiming that the old yes movement leader is dead and removes his side-plates and chants “fickle”. AJ Styles appears and is interfered by Miz. Daniel and AJ go back and forth until Miz hits Styles with the skull-crushing finale. Daniel Bryan exits the ring to avoid more chaos
My Opinion
I will say proudly that Miz TV never fails to disappoint. The highlight of introducing the Daniel Bryan heel character was phenomenal and adding a heel vs. heel confrontation with The Miz made it extra special. The rivalry chemistry between Daniel and Miz made me go back to the vintage days of the “old” NXT in 2010. To add Styles into the mix and just raise hell deemed to be good but that was seen coming from a mile away. I was just happy that Daniel was smart enough to put Miz in the way, reminiscing a Miz move. I have a feeling these two really compliment their heel games well!

Match #3: Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton
One of 2018’s creepiest rivalries as the match starts off with Jeff Hady gaining the upper hand and taking the Apex Predator to ringside. Both competitors fight near the commentator’s table. Jeff Hardy slams Randy on the top of the announcer’s table to take us into break. Coming from the commercial break, Orton takes advantage with a headlock to the Charismatic Enigma. It is not long where Hardy comes back and partially connects with a botched Whisper in the Wind for a quick kickout by the Apex Predator. After the momentum shifts, Orton hits Hardy with his vintage apron DDT onto the ring canvas. Orton disconnects two RKO attempts and Jeff gains the advantage for a swanton bomb finish. Both competitors feed off of their momentum but Jeff hits Orton with a Twist of Fate. The Viper rolls to the outside and both competitors battle on the outside. Jeff lays Randy out on the commentary table and attempts to dive to the outside when Samoa Joe appears on the titantron to distract him from a bar. It gives Orton enough time to hit Jeff with the RKO and gain the victory. Samoa Joe then cuts a promo on how to drink responsibly and not end up in jail like Jeff Hardy.
Result: Randy Orton wins via pinfall
My Opinion
The match felt like something different, especially being a Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton match that we may have seen for the thousandth time. Great back-and-forth battle with the great promo by Samoa Joe really impressed me as a fan.

Match #4 (Main Event): The Miz vs. AJ Styles / Daniel Bryan on commentary
Before the match starts, The New Daniel Bryan is seen backstage. Being interviewed, Bryan claims he will be at commentary during the main event between Styles and Miz to bring us to commercial. After the commercial break, the match starts with AJ Styles rushing The Miz with furious attacks. Miz rolls out of the ring but gets caught by Styles. However, The Miz gains the advantage after Styles becomes distracted with Daniel Bryan’s presence on commentary. As an attempt to showboat and gain the respect of the New Daniel Bryan, The Miz disconnects with a “Yes” dropkick. Nonetheless, Miz finds away to take control and goes into the second commercial break by bringing the former WWE Champion onto the outside. Coming back, both competitors are down and out. After a continuous battle, The Miz comes back and makes several pin attempts but can only get twos from referee Jason Ayers. Miz is thrown to the outside and is met with a Phenomenal Forearm. Styles and Bryan have a short confrontation at ringside until Miz takes the upper hand and hits him with the skull crushing finale but is only good for a two count. Even with another distraction by Bryan, Styles manages to find a way to put Miz into the calf-crusher and gets the submission win. However, it is Daniel Bryan who attacks Styles post-match and attacks him religiously. Bryan continues with a heel hook submission to injure the number one contender Styles heading into TLC in San Jose. After a referee stoppage, Bryan finishes with a fury of stomp kicks to Styles, goes to ring announcer Greg Hamilton, stands on top of the announcer’s table and stands tall while yelling fickle. The show ends with Bryan locking Styles with another heel hook.
Result: The Miz wins via pinfall
My Opinion
This main event had the vibe of a traditional SmackDown main event. The Miz gets the victory after a distraction which seems that nothing is new. However, both Miz and AJ did not disappoint on delivering a good show, especially adding a heel Daniel Bryan to the mix. It was bittersweet to see a good post-match attack but it felt even more glorious to see shades of the American Dragon displayed through the New Daniel Bryan.

Final Thoughts
When breaking down SmackDown Live this week, this episode did not fail to impress a lot of fans. From Cesaro’s feat of inhuman strength to Daniel Bryan’s ruthless post attack, there is no argument that the true A show produced a way better program than its Monday counterpart. I believe having the women open the show each and every episode has been pure genius showcasing the Women more compared to the last few years of the brand split, especially with history being made only two Sunday’s away. Another huge highlight I found in tonight was The New Daniel Bryan’s heel persona. Although most will not find it entertaining, I believe that it has been awesome to see Bryan deliver promos not only as the antagonist but also applying his veganism towards it too. The comedy of Rusev truly struck a nerve as fan, especially since he has earned a United States Championship match after a vague storyline with Aiden English in the past. Overall, the blue brand proved once again that they swept Raw clean this week and showcased how they are the real A-show.