Smackdown Live Review 04/04/2017

This is the first ever Smackdown Live after Wrestlemania. Usually Smackdown was taped on Tuesday and they would have moved to the next town at this point. However, now that Smackdown is live and it’s completely different roster than the Raw roster, the company has decided to extend Wrestlemania a day and have Smackdown in the same town and in the same building as Raw. The WWE decided they wanted the Smackdown after Mania, just as big as the Raw after Mania, hoping most of the fans would remain in town for one more day. On Raw they had the Hardy’s appear for the first time in nearly ten years, Revival debut, Emma return, Finn Balor return and the Kurt Angle named the new General Manager. How could Smackdown with one less hour compete with that? We’ll have to find out. Lets see how Smackdown after Mania held their own against the awesome episode of Raw after Mania that came the nigh before.

Smackdown comes to us live from Amway Centre in Orlando, FL

The show kicks off with a video package showcasing Smackdown’s involvement at Wrestlemania.

Randy Orton/Bray Wyatt Confrontation
WWE Champion Randy Orton makes his way out to kick off the show. He is now a 13-time World Champion. He comes out to cheers but some boos in there as well. He seems very amped up tonight, He talks about defeating Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 33 and claims that he proved he is the true master now. The lights go out, and Wyatt appears on the tron. He says that Orton is the master of no one, and that things between them are just now getting started. He is coming for the WWE Championship, what “she” promised would be his. He challenges Orton to a match at WWE Backlash, but one that will twist him and push the bounds of his sanity. He calls it a House of Horrors match, and it will sentence The Viper to eternal damnation when he loses. Despite that sales pitch, the champion agrees and the match is set.
The lights go out again, and Bray Wyatt is suddenly in the ring right behind Randy Orton. They go after each other until Eric Rowan makes a surprise return and joins the fight, going after Orton. Luke Harper then runs down to the ring and goes right after his former faction members. Wyatt tries for Sister Abigail but it’s blocked, and he bails from the ring.
Opinion
I’m a huge Randy Orton fan, so I enjoy seeing him as Champion again and it doesn’t feel weird to me at all. Its like when Cena’s champion…yeah you can dislike it but you can’t say he hasn’t earned it or it just feels weird. I was correct about this feud continuing following Mania and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wyatt become champion again before the end of this year. Their match at Wrestlemania might have been brutal but I think they’ll shine more on a Smackdown Live only PPV where they will get more time. I’m super curious about this House of Horrors match. The return of Rowen and the involvement of Harper was an intriguing layer to this story. I’m still very invested in this rivalry and I think they made in indirectly clear that Orton and Wyatt will both still remain on Smackdown following next week’s shakeup.

– The Miz and Maryse were interviewed by Renee Young. Miz said that it was typical Cena to do the marriage proposal at WrestleMania to get attention. Maryse said they forced Cena to do it with how much they mocked him. Miz said they are calling out John and Nikki. He said this will be the last time we see John and Nikki on Smackdown Live for a very long time

Smackdown Women’s Championship
Naomi (C) def. Alexa Bliss
Alexa put the rematch clause in her contract as the former champion into use as immediately as she could. In a back and forth competitive match Naomi defeated Alexa Bliss with her crucifix submission hold in about eleven minutes.
Opinion
This was the only women’s segment on this weeks episode of Smackdown, which is unique for the blue bland but I don’t mind. The match was solid and they did their best to make it feel special. There were moments you thought Alexa could possibly win the title back. I like how Bliss worked over Naomi’s knee for the entire match and Naomi sold it really well. Better than most people would sell the injury. Naomi using a submission finisher is smart for her because normally she might do a top rope moonsault, but Bliss prevented that and Naomi found another way to beat her. I’m not sure who Naomi’s next rival may be. If there is one thing I’m intrigued for with this shakeup it’s the changes in both women’s divisions which would create new and fresh rivalries. It makes me wonder if they got this rematch out of the way because Alexa might end up on Raw?

– A commercial for Total Divas aired. It’s back tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.

Tye Dillinger def. Curt Hawkins
Curt Hawkins was in the ring as we returned from break and issued an open challenge for the count of ten. Tye Dillinger answers the call making his Smackdown Live debut. Dillinger received a huge ovation from the crowd as well as a lot of “ten” chants since he’s the Perfect Ten. He looked very happy to be there as he should be. In surprising debut on the main roster to answer Curt Hawkins open challenge Tye Dillinger defeated Curt Hawkins after hitting the tyebreaker in around 2-3 minutes.
Opinion
The ovation for the “perfect ten” from the Orlando crowd was amazing. I love how over Dillinger’s “Ten” gimmick was over with the crowd.  I know they’re in NXT’s backyard but he got a similar reaction at the Royal Rumble, so I really do believe its over. I mentioned on my IG page how I was watching NXT episodes from 2012 on the WWE Network and Tye was in a match against Mojo Rawley. It made me realize how long Tye has been on NXT and his debut on the main roster was long overdue. Lo and behold he appeared tonight. I can see Tye as a future Intercontinental Champion one day soon, but we’ll see where he goes from here. I mean…look at Apollo Crewes.

– Mojo Rawley was interviewed backstage by Dasha Fuentes with the Andre the Giant trophy beside him. Rawley said he was so glad to have his buddy Rob Gronkowski there to celebrate with him. Rawley said he hadn’t slept for a few days. Rawley talked about Andre the Giant’s drinking, time with the ladies and wondered what he would be like on the dance floor. Rawley said he had his WrestleMania moment, but he’s just getting started. Rawley asked “can you feel it?” talking about excitement and she said not really, but he said Andre can feel it.

Miz, Maryse and….SHINSUKE NAKAMURA DEBUTS
John Cena’s music hit. The Miz and Maryse entered the arena in their John and Nikki outfits. They entered the ring to a big ovation and “yes” chants. Cena said his house rules say that you may not say “Cena Sucks” in this arena, so the crowd said it of course. Cena told Nikki he loved her and Nikki had a giant ring on her finger. Cena said he had a moment that made him seem like a more relatable human being. John said that effective immediately they are leaving WWE. Fans chanted “Yes” for that. John said they are going to Hollywood with John saying they are going to be gone for a very, very long. John said: “You won’t be able to see us…Goodbye.” They went to leave.
Cue a violin player. The crowd went wild because they knew what was coming…SHINSUKE NAKAMURA!
The music hit as former NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura made his entrance to a thunderous ovation from the capacity Orlando crowd. Nakamura took his time getting around the ring doing his usual gyrations. The spotlight was on him in the ring while Miz and Maryse stepped outside. This was louder than Balor’s pop the night before. Great moment as the crowd hummed the song the entire time. The crowd seemed to get louder as it was going on. “The King of Strong Style” hits the ring, does his collapse in the ropes spot, screams “YEAOH!” in the center of the ring, and simply stands there smiling as the entire arena chants his name.
Opinion
Great job by Miz and Maryse as usual. They have perfected those impressions. John and Nikki are both on a hiatus from WWE for several months with Cena doing a movie while Nikki has to rest her neck injury. This was the best way for Miz and Maryse to get the last laugh on their rivals. I thought the segment was cringe but beyond hilarious.
NOW NAKAMURA THOUGH! He’s the mothereffin real deal. I’m so happy he’s on the main roster and made his debut on Smackdown Live. A part of me hopes he stays on Smackdown Live even after the shakeup. I feel like with Brock as champion everyone on Raw will be is going to have to wait a while before they can get legit title opportunities. Anyway, the crowd was fully invested in this and so was I. I jumped off my bed when the dude with the violin showed up. A part of me wishes there was some sort of confrontation between The Miz and him or something but there wasn’t Honestly though it was perfect just the way it was. I think Nakamura is one of the top ten best talents the WWE has today and look forward to see him work with the likes on Rollins, Balor, Styles and Owens on the main roster. This made the Smackdown after Mania memorable. I’ll be listening to his theme for the next couple of weeks again. Welcome to the main roster Nak. YEAHOH!

Street Fight
Baron Corbin def. Dean Ambrose
In brutal, vicious and hardcore match Baron Corbin defeated Dean Ambrose after dropping Dean with an End of Days in around the ten minute mark. This match included chairs, straps and two broken tables.
Opinion
I enjoyed this math quite a bit. They got as much as they could into this match with the time given to them. It moved really fast and yet they found a way to pace it efficiently. There were chairs and two tables broken but I really like the inclusion of the strap as a weapon as you don’t see that used as a weapon that often anymore.Finish was really well done with Ambrose going for a top rope move, Corbin stopping that with the chair and finishing him off right after. Great work by both guys working hard in front of a hot crowd that loved the match. Corbin winning made sense because now he can get another IC Title match to win the title. I think it was the right choice to have Corbin go over because this gives Corbin more of a reason to get another IC championship opportunity  against Ambrose.

Shane McMahon Addresses The WWE Universe
Smackdown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon came out and talked about his dad announcing the Superstar Shakeup for next week’s RAW. He says everyone in WWE should want to come to Smackdown Live because they have created the land of opportunity for everyone.
The Phenomenal AJ Styles made his entrance. He’s got a shiner by his left eye from his match with Shane a few days before. Plenty of cheers for Styles usual and the fans chanted “AJ Styles” for him. Styles said he doesn’t know what this Superstar Shakeup is, but he doesn’t want to go anywhere. Styles said that Smackdown Live is the house that AJ Styles built, which broke out a massive “yes” chant. Styles said that after WrestleMania he feels like he owes Shane something. Styles pointed at the shiner under his eye. Styles extended his hand and Shane shook it. Styles teased a punch, Shane was ready for it and Styles posed before he left.
Opinion
I still always mark out when Shane McMahon’s theme music hits.  Anyway, this was pretty straight forward. Shane addressed the shake up that his dad announced the night before and spoke on why Smackdown Live is the place to be because its the land of opportunity yet he gave us no more information about what it is or how it’s going to work. I think this was just to set up this confrontation with Styles. I loved the show of respect and appreciation for the two. I don’t want to see Styles leave Smackdown Live as I actually do think he has been the face of the brand since the brand extension. Cena is often off TV. Ziggler and Ambrose lost momentum. Orton and Wyatt have been in their own world with their rivalry. AJ Styles has basically been the top guy the entire time. When he said he didn’t want to leave Smackdown, I genuinely felt like he meant it. I don’t know if this was a sign that he’s definitely going to Raw or that he’s staying but I hope he stays. I understand if he does go there and a big name like Rollins, Reigns or Balor comes to Smackdown but I don’t want Styles to be another name on Raw, when he’s been the guy on Smackdown. This also felt like a Styles babyface turn or he might have just gained respect for Shane McMahon. Whatever it was, it was a cool little segment.

Randy Orton & Luke Harper def. Bray Wyatt & Erick Rowen
This was a solid TV tag team main event. The finish came when Orton hit the draping DDT on Wyatt. The Wyatt Family logo appeared during the match as the lights went out. When the lights came back on, Wyatt was in the aisle. Harper hit a super kick on Rowan and Orton hit a RKO for the win in around 12 minutes. After the match, Wyatt was laughing on the ramp. He didn’t seem concerned about the loss. The show went off the air with Harper and Orton posing.
Opinion
It was a solid match but the mind games continue. I found it weird that Rowen returned tonight seemingly to make an impact but then took the fall in the main event the nigh of his return. I was intrigued to see if somehow Bray was going to bring Wyatt back into the family with him turning on Orton during the match but that never happened. There is a possibility that Harper could end up on Raw separated from Bray and Rowen but quite frankly, I dislike when they separate the Wyatt Family members. I feel like its cool to think they can always come back together and Bray can convince them too when Bray is desperate. Overall, Rowen keeps his job as the guy who takes the falls and Wyatt didn’t seem to care about the match. This also put Orton and Harper over without hurting Bray.

Final Thoughts
Smackdown didn’t have enough time to fully compete with Raw with more surprises and segments to put over other talent but they did great by Smackdown standards. Tye Dillinger making his main roster debut was a special treat. Shinsuke Nakamura making his debut was the cherry on top and definitely a mark out moment. The King of Strong Style literally just made his entrance, didn’t say a word and he had the entire crowd in the palm of his hand singing and humming his theme. Hence, why I refer to him as the real mothereffin deal It was magical. The Orton/Wyatt rivalry continues to progress. I’m looking forward to seeing what this House of Horrors match is.
This also might be the last time we see many superstars who have become some of our favourite Smackdown Live stars on the show for a while. The likes of AJ Styles, Carmella, Alexa Bliss, The Miz and other stars that have really grown, reinvented themselves or shined since the brand extension may end up on Raw because Smackdown can’t overshadow the flagship show. Although, hopefully the trade off is good and some superstars who haven’t had the most opportunties on Raw, will come to Smackdown and either be able to grow, reinvent themselves or shine on the blue brand. We’ll be back next week with a new looking roster, and it kind of scares me because I’ve loved what Smackdown Live has been able to do in the past 10 months. In conclusion, This was a great first Smackdown after Mania and I hope they continue to treat it as important as Raw after Mania for the years to come. Dig It?!
Rating – 8/10

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