Smackdown Live Review 04/11/207

Last night the rosters were shaken up when Smackdown Live lost the likes of The Miz, Maryse, Dean Ambrose, Alexa Bliss, Mickie James, Bray Wyatt, Slater/Rhyno, Curt Hawkins, Kalisto and Apollo Crews to Raw in the Superstar Shake-Up. It seemed like a pretty heavy blow to the Smackdown roster considering most of those stars either made their name or reinvented/rejuvenated their careers on Smackdown. There are a few on that list who were poorly used on Smackdown and could possibly prosper on Raw but overall it seemed like a Smackdown got stripped of a lot of the talent that made Smackdown Live great and special. The first 6-7 names I mentioned to be exact. Tonight we find out who from Raw makes their way to Smackdown and if these stars making the move to Smackdown may shock us and make the playing field even again. Lets find out in this weeks Smackdown Review.

Smackdown comes to us live from TD Garden in Boston, MA

Tom Phillips welcomes us to Smackdown Live alongside his broadcast partners JBL, and the brand new acquisition from Monday Night Raw… Byron Saxton. Live reports are saying that JBL got massive boos and “Fire JBL” chants before he came out.

Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn Join Smackdown Live
United States Champion Kevin Owens kicks off the show, revealing himself as the newest member of the blue brand. Owen’s actually received a massive pop from the Boston crowd. He has a brand new suit and blue tie, and has shaved his beard off for the occasion. He says it’s a known fact that Canadians are better athletes than Americans, and as champion he is here to be the new face of Smackdown, as well as the face of America. He is cut off by Baron Corbin. The two banter back and forth until Sami Zayn makes his way out. Sami announces that he has also been moved to Smackdown. AJ Styles then comes down and says that Smackdown is not the “Kevin Owens Show”, and it’s not about Sami Zayn or Baron Corbin, because it is still the “house that AJ Styles built”, and he isn’t going anywhere. General Manager Daniel Bryan cuts them all off and announces that Kevin Owens will still defend the U.S. Championship against Chris Jericho at WWE Payback in three weeks, but there’s a twist – whoever wins that match will officially become a member of the Smackdown roster! He also announces a triple threat between Zayn, Corbin and Styles tonight with the winner becoming #1 contender to Owens’ title.
Opinion
I was happy that Smackdown kicked off similar to Raw getting straight to some of the superstars who switched brands to shake things up. Kevin Owens received a great pop from the Boston crowd and came out looking fresh to start this next chapter of his WWE career. I believe this also puts an end to all the rumours of a faction run under Triple H which featured Kevin Owens. Sami Zayn being drafted to Smackdown is something I wanted to see for a long time, as I thought he was not being used or barley used on Raw. I always felt there was opportunity for Zayn to be a bigger star in a more important role. I guess Zayn and Owens really are destined “to fight forever.” I’m still not fully sold on Corbin and I believe Styles is full babyface now which is completely fine because the fans love him. It’s weird but Smackdown Live really does feel like the house the AJ Styles built. Its kind of cray how throughout this entire episode the US Championship seems like the most important title on Smackdown.

Randy Orton def. Erick Rowen
Randy Orton defeated Erick Rowen by DQ after an interruption from Bray Wyatt followed by brutal beating by Rowen. Randall motioned for the RKO but the lights go out and Bray Wyatt appears on the titantron. Wyatt goes on and on about the House of Horrors match, and promises to be seeing the champion very soon. When the lights come back on Rowan is outside of the ring, Randy goes after him but runs into a hard shot from the ring steps, forcing the referee to throw out the match.
Opinion
I was really into this rivalry but with Bray on Raw now, already targeting Balor…it sort of feels all pointless. Last week, I was looking forward to this match and how this rivalry would continue. Now knowing that Bray isn’t even going to be on the same show as Orton post the House of Horror’s match, it takes all the appeal away from it. Also where is Harper this week? What does Rowen do now if Bray’s on Raw alone? Bray prospered on Smackdown Live as did many. He succeeded at his goals and was a major player on the show. He won the WWE Championship for fuck sakes and I don’t see him having that same treatment on Raw. Hopefully I’m wrong. This also had me fully confused about whom Orton will be facing after he’s finished with Bray. This all felt just weird now.

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

Tag Team Championship
The Usos def. American Alpha
In an incredible match that went back and forth The Usos defeat American Alpha after one of the Usos hits a top rope splash onto Gable to get the pinfall.
Opinion
This was an incredible tag team match and a match that could have been great for the Wrestlemania kick off or undercard but never took place. I’ve become a fan again of the Uso’s ever since they became heels and I’m sure American Alpha’s time will come again but these two teams are magical together. Following the match The Shining Stars Epico and Primo came out and attacked American Alpha. I do see potential here if Epico and Primo are dropping all gimmicks and just being Epico and Primo. This could be a hot new way to reboot their career after two failed gimmicks in the Los Matadors and The Shining Stars.

Mojo Rawley def. Jinder Mahal
Due to interference by Gronk throwing beer in Mahal’s face, Mojo Rawley beat Jinder Mahal with a running forearm.
Opinion
It’s not because I want Jinder to succeed and no disrespect to him as a human being…but fuck Mojo Rawley. Why are they so behind pushing this guy? Is it because he’s big? Is it because he played in the NFL and he’s friends with this Gronk dude who plays for the Patriots so it gets them good media and sports media coverage. There is nothing charismatic or entertaining about the guy. He must be an amazing person that everyone loves for him to be treated so importantly. I just don’t see it. He seems like the guy in a high school/college TV drama or movie who’s the stupid jock friend of the main character jock. That is it.

Shane McMahon’s State of Address of the Smackdown Women’s Division
Shane McMahon comes out to a great reaction. He thanks all the superstars that have moved on to Monday Night Raw for showing the world what the Smackdown Live brand has to offer as they all moved over there as better and bigger stars. Shane continues by saying that he is here to address the state of the Smackdown women’s division, after Alexa Bliss and Mickie James moved over to Raw last night. Shane asks the entire women’s division to come out to the ring. Naomi comes out first and is introduced individually as the champion. Naomi is followed by Natalya, Carmella and Becky Lynch. Shane introduces the first women to come over from the Raw brand. Shane hypes her up as is a second generation superstar, and her father is one of the all-time greats, a hall of famer which has the crowd “woo’in” like Flair…. but swerves us all with Tamina Snuka! Shane isn’t done yet, which now leads to a mixture of “WOOS” and “WE WANT SASHA” chants…out next comes the Queen herself Charlotte Flair.
Opinion
In all honesty this segment felt a little rushed. The moment Charlotte came out and did her pose the segment was over. This is one of the cons of only having a 2 hour show over the 3 hour show. I still prefer the two hour show but I wish USA let Smackdown occasionally go over 15 minutes. The Raw womens division compared to the current Smackdown Women’s division seems more appealing. I mean Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, Emma, Bayley, Nia Jax, Dana Brooke, Summer Rae and Mickie James. However, it seemed that way after the initial draft but Smackdown somehow found a way to make all their women seem important whereas Raw for most of the past year spent their time focused on 3-4 women. I think Smackdown still has the potential to surprise us with their current roster which consists of Charlotte, Naomi, Carmella, Becky Lynch, Natalya, Tamina and Nikki Bella who is currently taking time off for a disclosed amount of time. Of course similar to the last year Smackdown could randomly be graced by NXT call ups or surprise returns but thats yet to be seen. I’m glad Charlotte is here and I’m looking forward to upcoming weeks to see how this Division prospers. 

– They show Sami Zayn backstage getting ready for his match.

– Sin Cara and Rusev are also now coming to Smackdown.

Tye Dillinger def. Aiden English
Aiden English now alone since Simon Gotch recently got granted his release and is back to his singing gimmick he used in NXT prior to the Vaudevillians. In a quick 2 minute match Tye Dillinger defeated Aiden English with a Tye Breaker.
Opinion
Its great to see Aiden go back to his singing gimmick as I quite enjoyed it on NXT. However, I think the losing the Vaudevillians tag team is a huge loss to the Smackdown tag division but I honestly thought it was too hard to get over on the main roster. This match served its purpose and they continue to get Tye over with the main roster crowd.

– They show AJ Styles getting ready for the main event and a AJ Styles video package.

– Lana gets a new vignette, who is coming to Smackdown Live soon as some kind of 1930’s cabaret dancer. Its crazy to think Lana will be broken away from Rusev but I think they are using her in the eye candy role they were hoping Emma would be. According to rumours they wanted a female on the roster to play that same eye candy role Sable and Sunny played in the past, which was the purpose of Emmalina but it looks like they’re going that route with Lana. I just hope we don’t get 18 weeks of promos for her just to return as Rusev’s manager.

Dolph Ziggler/Shinsuke Nakamura
Dolph Ziggler makes his way to the ring and announces that he is staying right here on Smackdown Live. He goes on a rant about all the people coming in trying to ride his coattails, but he’s cut off by… Shinsuke Nakamura! After Nakamura’s entrance, Ziggler cuts him off and says he doesn’t even know who he is. The crowd starts singing his theme song until Shinsuke steals the microphone from him. He introduces himself and the crowd goes wild. The crowd chants “Nakamura!” and Ziggler tries to hit him with a dropkick, but Shinsuke catches him and throws him on his ass. The former NXT Champion begs him for a fight, but Ziggler bails from the ring and walks up the ramp, starring him down.
Opinion
So…Dolph Ziggler doesn’t know anything about wrestling outside of his WWE bubble…regardless this was the best we’ve seen of Ziggler since he turned heel. It’s unfortunate he’s just going to be fed to Nakamura. I don’t know if this will be for the first Smackdown exclusive PPV or if it will a main event on Smackdown but regardless what you think about Dolph, the guy delivers. I don’t expect the match between these two to be anything short from entertaining. Ziggler might have not been the peoples first choice for who they think The King of Strong Style should face right off the bat but its not a bad choice what so ever. Shinsuke is over win or lose against Ziggler but I understand he needs to win his first match. Maybe this rivalry can carry a few months…maybe it’ll just be one match. I don’t know but I have this little bit of faith that this could be helpful for Ziggler’s career if done right contrary to many other peoples thoughts. Nak’s entrance still and always will be spectacle in my mind.

– Baron Corbin video package.

– The New Day is coming to Smackdown Live. Woohoo.

– Sami Zayn video package.

#1 Contendership for the United States Championship
AJ Styles def. Baron Corbin & Sami Zayn
In a super competitive and entertaining match up, AJ Styles picks up the victory when Sami hits the Helluva Kick on Corbin to knock him to the outside, but he turns around into the Phenomenal Forearm from Styles. Styles is the new number one contender for the United States Championship whether Owens retains it against Jericho or Jericho wins it and joins Smackdown Live.
Opinion
This was a great triple threat and Zayn fit right in with the Smackdown Live originals (yeah I can call them that). Now with the WWE Championship picture a complete mystery, it makes sense that Styles should be involved in the title hunt for the second most important title. I’m looking forward to a Styles/Owens rivalry and this leaves speculation for what happens next for Corbin and Zayn. I kind of think they’ll feud each other.

Final Thoughts
This episode was good but kind of underwhelming. Its as if Smackdown has to find its groove again with their new characters similar to how Smackdown Live first felt when it first went live. It’s a new roster and old stories need to wrap up. Also, these new stars who were just introduced need to claim their place on the show. It only felt like Owens and Zayn really got to get themselves over with promo time. I’m looking forward to seeing whats next from Zayn and Ziggler. Also to see how they wrap up with Orton/Wyatt program. The Women’s Division is really intriguing to me as this week we just got introduced to new character but had zero development story-wise. I’m also looking forward to see somewhere down the line where Luke Harper and John Cena fit in with this new shaken up Smackdown roster. Give them 15 extra minutes damn it.
Rating – 7/10

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