Smackdown Live Review 09/24/2019

SMACKDOWN LIVE REVIEW 09/24/2019

Tonight after both Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns were attacked by Harper and Rowan last week what will Reigns have to say when he clears the air with Bryan tonight? Plus, what is the state of mind of WWE Champion Kofi Kingston after accepting the challenge of Brock Lesnar and then receiving an F5 from him last week? Also set for tonight which team will come out on top as Charlotte Flair teams with the new 24/7 Champion Carmella to take on The Boss and Hug Connection (Bayley & Sasha Banks)? Finally, what will happen now that Kevin Owens has issued Shane McMahon such a high actioned lawsuit?

SmackDown Live comes to us from the Chase Center in San Francisco, California.

SmackDown Live kicks off with a recap of Erick Rowan’s sit down interview and his and Harper’s attack on Bryan and Reigns last week.

In-Ring Segment: Erick Rowan
Rowan says what you just saw was a work of art. He tells that some people paint or sing, but what he does is annihilate. He says don’t call me an artist, call me a created and what he created was violence that demands respect. He then tells how people belittle him and see him as less than human. He says that’s changed and that is because “might makes right”. He says what matters is that if you can destroy and dominate it makes you right. He tells that Reigns knows he’s right, his old friend Dan knows he’s right, the entire SmackDown locker room knows he’s right. He is then cut off and here comes Daniel Bryan!
Bryan questions him feeling disrespected and thinking he’s right. He tells him if he wants some respect to fight him right now. Rowan accepts and a ref comes out to get this underway!

Match 1: Erick Rowan vs Daniel Bryan
Rowan grabs Bryan and throws him across the ring. He then hits him with a huge clothesline. Rowan hits an elbow and follows with a splash. He then throws Bryan to the outside and goes after him wiping him out with a crossbody. Rowan picks up Bryan and throws him off the ring post and then breaks the count. Back in the ring, Rowan lands a big kick. He lands a few knee strikes before going to work on the neck of Bryan. Rowan lands a shot to the gut but here comes Bryan. He lands a series of strikes and comes off the ropes but Rowan drops him with a spinning kick. He goes for the cover but Bryan kicks out as SmackDown goes to break.
As SmackDown returns, Rowan has control on the outside and lands a huge forearm. Rowan lifts up Bryan and throws him into the ring post. Rowan gets back in the ring and taunts the fans. Bryan beats the count but gets stomped out as he enters the ring. Rowan throws him into the corner and lands a vicious splash. Bryan comes back for a moment as he takes Rowan out at the knee. He continues the attack with a chop block to the leg. Bryan continues going after the leg and uses the ring post to wrap Rowan’s leg around. He then comes off the apron to land a dropkick to the leg before wrapping it around the post again. A strike from Bryan and a big follow up with a dropkick. A hits another dropkick in the corner and tries a third but he gets caught and Rowan slams him. He goes for the cover and gets a 2 count. Rowan lifts Bryan and gets him in a monstrous bear hug. Bryan hits him with elbows and breaks the hold. Rowan stays on him and is able to land a huge powerbomb. Rowan goes for the cover but again Bryan kicks out! Rowan brings him to the outside and throws Bryan into the steel steps. A big slam from Rowan as he lifts him up and slams him onto the barricade. Back in the ring, Rowan taunts Bryan to get to his feet. Bryan does but is then ran over and turned inside out! Rowan continues to taunt the crowd as he goes up to the second rope. Back down comes Rowan and he steps on the lifeless body of Bryan. Rowan continues with the taunts. Bryan back to his feet again is turned inside out. Rowan keeps taunting him as Bryan is down and in trouble at the moment. Bryan looks to get to his feet but instead puts himself in position for a powerbomb. Bryan turns it into a sunset flip but Rowan won’t go down. Bryan is able to send himself to the outside and then launches himself at him. Bryan gets caught but fights off and send Rowan into the ring post. Bryan lands a must needed missile dropkick and fires up! Here come the Yes! Kicks from Bryan. He goes for the cover but Rowan is out at 1. Bryan flies from the top again but he is caught. Rowan lifts him but Bryan counters into the body lock. He brings him down to the mat and locks in the Lebell Lock! Rowan gets to the ropes. Harper comes to ringside and Bryan sends him over the announcer’s table. Harper gets right back up and stares him down. Rowan lifts Bryan and slams him with the Iron Claw. Bryan gets his foot caught in the ropes and has to get out of it. Rowan hits one more Iron Claw and pins him for the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Harper gets in the ring and holds Bryan while Rowan clears the announcer’s table, but here comes Roman Reigns! He lands a Superman Punch and then a drive-by but the numbers catch up to him. Bryan comes to help but Harper gets ahold of him. Bryan is able to take him down with a big knee strike. Rowan looks for another Iron Claw on Bryan but instead is hit with a spear! Bryan gets a mic and asks Reigns for a one-word answer. He asks the crowd if they want to see him and Roman kick their disrespectful asses. The crowd gives a resounding YES!
Winner: Erick Rowan
My Opinion:
I loved that fast start to the night! Usually, we get a more drawn out segment in the ring but tonight there wasn’t much talk and instead right to what we want to see and that’s action! First off, Rowan was very dominating in that match and he has looked unstoppable as of late. Bryan gave it his all but once Harper got out there it just threw him off his game. Luckily for Bryan, he had the help of Reigns and together they got one back on these two. They looked great when they got on the same page and for once Harper and Rowan were rocked. This is going to be a huge tag match when it goes down and there is a lot they could do with this. Maybe this will lead to a bigger story and Bryan is with Harper and Rowan all along?! I don’t know for sure but either way, this is going to be a huge matchup coming up!

*** We are shown we have some San Francisco 49ers in the house tonight!

*** We then get an in-depth look at Brock Lesnar

Michael Cole Interview with Kofi Kingston
Cole asks Kofi why he accepted the challenge of Brock Lesnar. Kofi says he promised to be a fighting champion and this is another chapter. He asks Kofi how you prepare for The Beast. Kofi tells you can’t really prepare because he is unpredictable but he feels like he is on top of his game right with the guys he has been able to defeat. Cole then asks if he feels the pressure. Kofi says he always feels pressure but this is a huge opportunity and be at the forefront of WWE on FOX. he tells he has worked too long and too hard to get to this point and he isn’t ready to let go of this title. He says he is at the top of his game and when he beats Brock Lesnar he will remain the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He finishes by saying he feels really good!
My Opinion:
I really do believe in Kofi especially after all he has overcome since becoming the WWE Champion. Honestly, I’m super excited for this match! The last time we saw Kofi face Brock he got beat bad but this time Kofi is different. He has proven to be a fighting champion and one who finds a way to win. Win or loss Kofi has had an amazing run as champion but if he can pull off this win over Lesnar he is going to put himself on a whole nother level. I have a feeling this is going to be a great match, maybe not technically but definitely from the story standpoint and there’s no doubt Kofi has to bring that big fight!

Match 2: Chad Gable vs Mike Kanellis
*** Gable tells how last week Corbin said no matter how hard he tried he’ll always come up short. He says yeah that’s a short joke. He tells that his run in KOTR was no joke and last night he had Corbin beat. He says Corbin got himself intentionally DQ’d and next time… he is then cut off and here comes Mike Kanellis. Mike says he is sorry to cut him short but he came here tonight so he can prove to his pregnant wife that size does matter.
Gable lands a huge overhead belly to belly to start the match. He then follows with another one. Gable locks in the ankle lock and Kanellis taps out immediately.
*** After the match Elias comes on the titantron and says hey shorty, I’ve been following your story and it has inspired me to write a song. The song goes on to make fun of Gable and his height.
Winner: Chad Gable
My Opinion:
Chad Gable spoke some true words before this match, he did have an amazing run in the KOTR and he should have beat Corbin last night. Gable has always been an excellent talent but lately, he has been given the chance to show that and he has capitalized. He is really good technically in the ring and seems like he can beat anyone when he is in there. I mean even tonight he made very quick work of Kanellis and didn’t even break a sweat. It’s too bad his whole thing now is getting made fun of but hopefully, this changes or at least leads to a huge payoff for Gable in the end!

Backstage Segment: Charlotte Flair & R-Truth & Carmella
Charlotte asks Truth if he has seen Carmella. He questions here. She tells him to come. He says he doesn’t know any Carmella. Carmella comes out and tells him it’s fine. Charlotte congratulates her and tells her she better be focused on their match. Carmella says she is but she has known Bayley for years and this isn’t the Bayley she knows. Charlotte says trust me this is exactly the Bayley you know.

Match 3: Charlotte Flair & Carmella w/ R-Truth vs Bayley & Sasha Banks
Banks and Carmella start off this one! Banks lands a huge knee and a kick to follow. Banks taunts her and brings her to her feet. A toss to the corner but Carmella gets out and Banks is hung up. Carmella lands a big boot and then takes down Banks. A cover and a kick out by Banks. Banks comes back and lands a huge right. Carmella is then thrown to the outside. Bayley tags in and meets Carmella on the floor. Bayley lands a huge right and then bounces Carmella off the announce table. Back in the ring, Bayley looks for the win but Carmella kicks out. Bayley yells at her and hits her with vicious strikes. In comes, Banks and the two work a double team. Banks takes control and works a chin lock. Carmella hits her with elbows to the guts but is thrown down and back in is Bayley. Bayley takes her shots now and lifts Carmella. Carmella fights back and looks for a tag but is stopped. Carmella takes down Bayley and then finally makes the tag! Charlotte unloads on Bayley and lands a belly to back suplex. She then launches Bayley. Charlotte hits a backbreaker and then a huge boot to follow! Charlotte works the leg and locks in the Figure Four. In comes Banks and she hits the Meteora. Banks tags in but Charlotte counters Banks and drops her. Banks sends Charlotte into the turnbuckle but this allows a tag. A crossbody from Carmella and then a big kick. Banks works out but is then hit with another huge superkick. A pin and Bayley breaks it up. Bayley on the apron gets sent to the floor with a superkick. Banks counters Carmella and works the Banks Statement. Carmella taps.
*** After the match Truth grabs Carmella and takes her away as the Women’s locker room rushes after her. Banks and Bayley then double team Charlotte but here comes Becky Lynch!. Lynch is able to take out Bayley and then Banks. She looks to put her in the Disarm-her but Bayley pulls Banks to safety.
Winners: Bayley and Sasha Banks
My Opinion:
Wow, I’m very impressed with Bayley and Banks in this one. Again they work so well together and always have each other’s backs which was the key to victory. Charlotte didn’t help Carmella really at all and therefore Carmella was easy pickings and Banks sure did pick her spot. Thankfully for Charlotte, she was saved by Becky Lynch tonight but there is no doubt Banks and Bayley are in their heads. For Lynch, she took care of business but it is obvious she is dealing with a dangerous Sasha Banks and Banks is going to do whatever she has to do to win at HIAC.

Backstage Segment: Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon talks to his attorney’s and goes over the wrongful termination lawsuit handed by Kevin Owens.

Match 4: Ali vs Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Sami Zayn
The two go to lock up but Nakamura lands a cheap kick. He hits Ali in the corner but can’t do much after. Ali works away and lands a huge dropkick. Nakamura to the outside and he is taken out by a suicide dive. He lands a crossbody in the ring and goes for the cover but Nakamura kicks out. Nakamura comes back and Ali goes face-first off the ring post and lands very hard onto the floor. Nakamura brings him to the apron and lands a knee to the back of the head. Back in the ring, Nakamura goes for the cover but Ali somehow is able to kick out. Nakamura goes back to the neck with a kick. Ali is to a vertical base but Nakamura stays in control working his neck and bringing him down to the mat. Ali fights back with strikes to the ribs but Nakamura quickly drops him and lands another knee strike. Nakamura then unloads with knee strikes. He tries one more but he gets caught and Ali drops him to his back. Ali avoids him in the corner and lands a huge kick. Ali comes in the ring again and plants Nakamura face-first on the mat. A big double knees in the corner and Ali then meets Nakamura up top. He is thrown off but is able to catch Nakamura in mid-air with a dropkick. A cover but he can’t quite put him away. Ali gets him on the ropes and lands a kick and follows with an uppercut. Nakamura fights back and catches him with a big kick. He lands a kick on the ropes and then slides thrown to land a snap german. Nakamura looks for the Kinshasa but instead is hit with a huge superkick! A cover by Ali and a kick out by Nakamura. Nakamura stops the momentum and goes back to a knee to the ribs. Ali fights back and tries another cover but can’t put him away. He then hits a DDT and goes up top. Zayn pulls Nakamura out of the ring. Ali though flies over the ref and takes out Nakamura! Ali chases Zayn into the ring but this allows Nakamura to hit the Kinshasa. Nakamura goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
My Opinion:
Ali looked great in this one but unfortunately, he allowed zayn to get to him and Nakamura capitalized. There is no doubt things are better when numbers are on your side and it’s paying off huge for Shinsuke. With Sami Zayn, there is no telling what Shinsuke can do. For someone like Ali if he wants the U.S. title you really have to come up with a new game plan. You can’t allow Zayn to get in your head because it will cost you. He landed a huge move and instead of staying on Nakamura he chases Zayn and he paid. Hopefully, for Ali, he gets another shot at Shinsuke because it really seems like he has his number.

Backstage Segment: Shane McMahon
We see a video package of the Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon saga, Shane is then shown in his office going over the lawsuit more with his attorney’s.

*** Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns will take on Erick Rowan and Luke Harper at Hell In A Cell!

Match 5: The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) vs The B Team (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel)
Axel lands a big kick but Woods is able to take him down. Axel fights back but can’t work much offense and a kick from Woods takes him down. Axel gets back in control and stomps on Woods. Dallas makes the tag and does the same. Back in is Axel and he connects with a huge knee strike to the back. Axel backs him into the corner and in comes Dallas. Dallas takes out Big E and then lays out Woods. He tries a cover but can’t put him away. The two then celebrate on the floor with Woods down. Big E catches them and stops them. Big E is tagged in and they hit Midnight hour on Dallas. A cover and a 1 2 3 for Big E and Woods!
Winner: The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods)
My Opinion:
A quick win for Woods and E and they need it after losing the tag titles. They are one of the most winningest teams we have seen and it’s good to see them back on track. Woods definitely had it handed to him at first but when Big E steps in it’s pretty much a wrap. They’ve always impressed me and I can’t wait to see their rise back to the top!
Backstage Segment: Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville talk about Mandy’s Maxim magazine. Deville tells her to focus on their match up next. Otis stops them and asks for a selfie. Deville tells her to come on but Otis takes a magazine. Tucker comes over and looks with him as Otis says yeeeeaaaah.

Match 6: Fire & Desire (Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville) vs The Kabuki Warriors (Kari Sane & Asuka)
Deville backs Asuka in the corner but Asuka fights back for a moment before Deville slams her to the mat. Asuka is able to catch her and land a devastating kick. Deville works a headlock and is then sent off the ropes. Asuka knocks her down and tags in Sane. the two double team Deville and slam her to the mat before landing two big strikes. Sane is knocked down by a right hand and is then sent to the floor. Rose taunts Sane with her magazine. Sane kicks it from her hands and lands another big kick. Sane catches her in the ring and hits a hurricanranna. She lands a sliding knee and Deville then runs interference. This allows Rose to hit her with a big right hand. A cover and a kick out by Sane. Rose hits her in the corner and Sane has to fight out. Sane tries to make a tag and finally does. Asuka lands a huge dropkick and another kick to follow. She lands the hip attack and then a big cutter. Asuka lands a sliding knee and goes for the over but Deville breaks it up with a knee. Sane comes in to take her out. Rose tries to roll her up but Asuka kicks out. Sane tags in and Asuka lands a big shot to Rose. Rose is down and this allows Sane to hit the Insane Elbow. She goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winners: Kabuki Warriors (Kari Sane & Asuka)
My Opinion:
A big win for Sane and Asuka as they haven’t been on tv as much as of late. These two are so good in the ring and I’m glad they got the win tonight. There is so much these two can do and when they started I really thought they’d win the tag titles very quickly but it hasn’t happened. I feel like it’s unfair to them how they’ve been used because they have so much to give but hopefully this sparks something and they can continue to rack up the wins.

Backstage Segment: Shane McMahon
Shane tells his attorney’s if Kevin Owens is in the arena let’s get going and they head to the ring.

*** Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch will take on Sasha Banks & Bayley on SmackDown’s FOX Premiere next week!

In-Ring Segment: Shane McMahon & Kevin Owens
Shane says alright Kevin wants to play this out in front of all of you so without further ado, he then calls for Owens music to be played. Here comes Owens from the crowd! Sahne introduces him to his legal team and says they have been going over his lawsuit and they have come up with a couple of things. He says options 1 with his resources he keeps him in court for years and makes him spend millions of dollars out of pocket and it’s appeal after appeal which is not good for him and his family. He says or option 2. Owens asks what that is. Shane says option 2 he will reinstate him on the spot and dorp the 100k fine and give it back to him. He says it’s obvious the smart choice and says let’s start with a clean slate, he then offers a handshake. Owens says Shane is a real idiot. Owens says the lawsuit and courtroom make him sick but what makes him sicker is Shane being in the locker room. He says this lawsuit isn’t about money but instead getting under his skin and see Shane’s ass get fired. Owens tells him to settle with it with one final match. If Shane wins he drops the lawsuit and he stays fired from WWE. he says if he wins though Shane is gone from WWE. Shane asks what’s the catch. Owens says he needs a match that he can hurt Shane in. KO proposes the two face off in a ladder match.
My Opinion:
Wow, this is a huge challenge and if accepted will be a huge match! Owens is willing to put it all on the line and I have a feeling he knows he can pull this one out. There is no telling what these two will do to each in that kind of environment and that’s what’s so exciting about this. I can’t wait for it to happen!

Backstage Segment: Becky Lynch
Kayla asks Becky Lynch if Sasha Banks having already competed in a Hell In A Cell gives her an advantage. Lynch says it better. She asks what Sasha is without her lap dog Bayley helping her out. Banks comes up and attacks Lynch. Lynch fights back but Banks takes over and rakes Lynch across a steel fence in the back. Lynch is down as SmackDown goes off the air.
My Opinion:
This was a good way to end the night even though it was obvious what was about to happen. Either way, Banks got one up tonight no doubt and this is a message to Lynch that she isn’t just coming but she is here and ready to take this title. Lynch needs to dig down deep and find what made her The Man before Banks really ends up hurting her and easily taking the title.

Final Thoughts:
A very solid night for SmackDown which started with a hot start! I loved Daniel Bryan going out and looking for a fight instead of talking. He did bring the fight but Rowan is on another level right now but nonetheless maybe he would have beaten him if Harper didn’t show up. The bigger story we get tonight and that Reigns and Bryan will team up to take on Harper and Rowan at Hell In A Cell and that match should be explosive! Big props tonight to Ali, he really took to Shinsuke and the two had an excellent match. It’s too bad it ended the way it did but hopefully, we get to see that one again because they can create some magic in there! On another note, Bayley and Sasha Banks continued to work well together and these two are running the division right now. Although Lynch stopped them in their tracks this is getting me even more excited for her and Sasha’s match coming up because Sasha seems ready to use any means necessary to win the title from her and that was evident from the attack to end the night tonight. There is no telling what will happen now, especially with the huge tag match between the four next week. Anything I loved tonight was seeing Big E and Xavier Woods get back on track, it’s almost weird seeing them without the tag titles so this is a big step to getting back to that point! I enjoyed Chad Gable making quick work in the ring as well, he’s excellent in there and I’m really hoping his success continues and we keep seeing regularly. The challenge laid down by KO was huge and I hope Shane accepts. Even though one of them will be gone after it I think in the moment we can get a very awesome and highly competitive match that will be talked about for a long time! As I said last night next week is going to be one heck of a week for the WWE and the Pro Wrestling world as a whole and I’m beyond excited for it! It’s going to be one of the biggest weeks we have ever seen in Pro Wrestling!!!
Overall Rating: 6/10