Smackdown Live Review 06/18/2019
SMACKDOWN LIVE REVIEW 06/18/2019
Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of SmackDown Live before this Sunday’s Stomping Ground’s PPV! Days before his Steel Cage Match with Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship can Dolph Ziggler defeat New day member Xavier Woods and gain momentum heading into this huge match? Also, Alexa Bliss has been spreading a lot of lies about her opponent on Sunday Bayley but what will happen when Bayley comes face to face with Bliss on A Moment of Bliss? Plus, Heavy Machinery has been asking for a SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match but have they done enough to get the attention of Daniel Bryan and Rowan? Finally, what will the fallout be for Roman Reigns attack last night on Shane McMahon, Drew Mcintyre, and The Revival?
SmackDown Live comes to us from the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.
SmackDown kicks off with us being welcomed by Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton.
In Ring Segment: The New Day
Kofi welcomes the crowd and reminds everyone of his match at Stomping Grounds with Dolph Ziggler. The New Day is energetic as always but it ends quickly as Dolph Zigler’s music hits. Ziggler reminds everyone about Super Show Down and how Xavier Woods interfered in the match. He says how Kofi shouldn’t be champion and he and Kofi go back and forth on this. Kofi reminds Ziggler before this Sunday he has to get through his boy Xavier Woods. Ziggler tells that he will take care of Woods and then go on to take the WWE Championship at Stomping Grounds. He once again says Kofi shouldn’t be champion and without The New Day, he would be nothing. Ziggler then reminds everyone it should have been him. Ziggler then heads to the ring for his match against Woods, next!
My Opinion:
Ziggler and Kofi have had a lot of history in WWE and this is another chapter in it. I guess what Ziggler is saying is if he was there at the time he would have been in the spotlight that Kofi is in now. Dolph did lose at SSD but now with a steel cage match, there will be no more excuses. Although Kofi has proven to be a fighting champion and someone who can get the job done, this Sunday will be a big test and if he beats someone like Dolph Ziggler in a steel cage it will definitely help cement this great run as champion.
Backstage Segment:
Bayley prepares for A Moment of Bliss later tonight.
Match 1: Dolph Ziggler vs Xavier Woods
As SmackDown returns, Woods and Ziggler start going at. Zigler gets off to a hot start early but Woods is able to fight back. Woods is able to get Ziggler on the middle rope and hit him with a dropkick. Woods tries a cover but can’t get the three. Woods is able to hit the Honor Roll but still can’t put Ziggler away. On the outside, Kingston and Big E are attacked from behind by Owens and Zayn. the ref throws out Owens and Zayn but before they leave Woods flies off the top rope to take them out. Woods comes back in the ring after that and Ziggler hits a DDT but can’t get the three on the cover. Big E, Kofi, Owens, and Zayn are all forced to leave ringside.
When SmackDown returns, it’s an even playing field and Ziggler and Woods continue to fight it out. Woods is able to land a big gut buster but Ziggler kicks out of the cover at two and a half. Ziggler is able to hit a Zig Zag on Woods and Woods rolls under the bottom rope. Ziggler uses the ropes to work an armbar on Woods which the ref has to break. Still, on the ropes, Ziggler hits Woods with a superkick. Ziggler goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
My Opinion:
This is a huge win for Ziggler as he put away one of Kingston’s boys as he says. Ziggler took it to the next level and didn’t just beat Woods but put that finishing touch on it with that superkick at the end. For Ziggler, he seems to be rested and ready but the only thing is he can’t get in his own head. He has become so obsessed with beating Kingston that it can lead to mistakes. When the two are locked in a cage this Sunday it’s going to be grueling but the question will be if Ziggler can break Kingston’s spirit and take the title.
Backstage Segment:
Shelton Benjamin and The B-Team wait outside of Baron Corbin’s locker room. The B Team worries about what will happen to them if they take this job as the ref. Benjamin isn’t worried and says he knows Corbin is trying to use someone so he will use Corbin. Matt Hardy comes out and calls Shelton senior Benjamin, Benjamin tells him it’s Mr. Benjamin.
Backstage Segment:
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross get ready for A Moment of Bliss
A Moment of Bliss:
Bliss tells everyone to welcome her special friend who will be in her corner at Stomping Grounds, Nikki Cross. Bliss says her guest tonight is the SmackDown Women’s champion but before they invite her out her she wnats to know where her coffee is. Here comes Bayley.
Bayley comes out drinking Bliss’s coffee. Bayley Bliss tells Bayley that’s good and says she isn’t surprised Bayley is doing that because Bayley is selfish and takes things that don’t belong to her. Bayley tells Cross she has never said anything bad about her or tweeted anything bad about her. She says she is sorry she has to be the one to tell her, Bliss cuts her off and says sorry you stole my coffee or sorry you crushed Nikki’s dream of winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships? Bayley says she is sorry she has to tell her that Alexa isn’t her friend and she is just using her. Bayley tells Bliss she is tired of her talking behind her back and tired of her talking behind everyone’s back. She tells Alexa if she has a problem with her she is standing right here and she dares her to say it to her face. Bliss says she knows the real Bayley and in NXT she saw the real her. She says how women in NXT made her feel like she didn’t belong. She says she tried to turn to Bayley but even she made her feel worthless. She says the only person who was nice to her was Charlotte. She says now Bayley, in reality, she isn’t a hugger or innocent but instead a liar. She tells Bliss she is doing the same thing to Nikki what she did to Nia Jax and Mickie James. She tells Bliss she has never lied but Bliss just can’t handle the truth. She tells Bliss the truth is she is an entitled princess that doesn’t deserve a damn thing. Bliss says she is just better than her. She calls Bayley a place holder and says she will always be because she peaked in NXT. She tells Bayley the one person she found undeserving is the one person who is living out the career she always wanted. Bayley then attacks Bliss. Cross jumps in and pulls Bayley off of her, this allows Bliss to take a cheap shot from behind.
My Opinion:
I really love this rivalry, tonight they had some harsh words from each other and it’s the type we want to hear because it makes you stop and think. Bliss and Bayley are obviously opposite from each other with how they handle their business which makes this so awesome. Bliss has Cross for now and if Cross comes ready to help Bliss it’ll be tough for Bayley. Bayley just has to hope Cross sees the truth before she gets into a seemingly 2 on 1 situation on Sunday.
Backstage Segment:
Apollo Crews approaches Zelina Vega and asks her where Andrade is. She questions if he is really looking for Andrade or if he is trying to flirt with her. Crews doesn’t get this as Vega seems to come onto him but it was all a rouse as Andrade comes out of nowhere and attacks Crews. Crews lays on the ground as off to the side Chad Gable stands there taking notes.
Backstage Segment:
Bryan and Rowan talk before they head to ringside to scout their opponents on Sunday, Heavy Machinery.
Match 2: The B-Team vs Heavy Machinery
Tucker starts off the match with Axel and early on has to fight off a lot of double team attacks. Tucker weathers the attack before hitting a huge clothesline to create separation. Otis finally gets in the match and levels Dallas. He then takes it to axel and sends him to the outside. Dallas tries to comes back but it fires up Otis. Otis is able to grab Dallas and throw him to the mat. He gets Axel and Dallas in the corner and crushes both of them. Otis hits the caterpillar on Dallas and tags Tucker. Tucker comes in and they hit the compactor on Dallas. Tucker goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3.
*** After the match Heavy Machinery have a stare down with Bryan and Rowan before celebrating their win. Axel and Dallas lay in the ring when from behind Seth Rollins comes in with a chair and takes them both out.
Winners: Heavy Machinery
My Opinion:
This was a huge win for Heavy Machinery especially since they beat former tag team champs. They showed they can get the job done and when they get rolling they are hard to stop. Bryan and Rowan may not take their antics seriously but their in-ring work, when they want to be serious, is enough to beat any team. This is a huge match for them on Sunday, win or lose they can prove they belong. As for Rollins attack, I loved it. It keeps it going that Rollins will take out anyone and I’m interested to see what happens on Sunday when someone does come out to be the ref.
Backstage Segment:
Shane McMahon has arrived at SmackDown. Zayn and Owens approach him and tell him of what Rollins has done. They say how this is a dangerous work environment and how both Rollins and Kingston are bad people. McMahon informs them that tonight they will face Rollins and Kingston in a 2 out of 3 falls tag team match.
Aleister Black:
Black says he gets why no one has come to pick a fight with him. He says he can hear the whispers as people pass by about how he was told he would amount form nothing, a child destined to fall from grace. He says it is not a woe is me story, it is a woe my opponent story. He says someone will knock at his door and pick a fight with him and when that happens he will change the essence of that man.
In Ring Segment: Shane McMahon & Drew Mcintyre & Elias
Shane says he doesn’t need an introduction tonight because everyone already knows he is The Best In The World. He says he had an incident with Roman Reigns last night but he isn’t here to talk about that. He says they’re here to shed a spotlight on the man who will kick ass and talk names on Sunday, Drew Mcintyre. Mcintyre says Shane wanted him to end Reigns career last night but he didn’t because they are better men. He says want Reigns at one hundred percent for Sunday. The Miz’s music then hits and here he comes.
Shane tells Miz he always seems to have daddy issues. He says Miz can’t blame him for who his father is and who the Miz’s father is. Miz tells Shane that he made SmackDown the land of opportunity but now on both Raw and SamckDown the opportunities only go to Shane and his friends. He tells Sahne he sucks up all the air time to feed his ego and he is sick of it, and everyone is sick of it. Miz says he blames himself because this all started at the World Cup. He says he created a monster and now everyone has to deal with it. He says Shane is his responsibility and he sent him down this ego trip so he will be the one to end it. Shane tells Miz he couldn’t get the job done so he had to do it. He tells Miz if he is revved up and ready to go then they will have a tag team match where Miz takes on Mcintyre and Elias. Miz says, of course, another handicap match. Shane tells Miz he can have any partner of his choosing as long as it happens in the next ten seconds. Shane starts counting but from under the ring appears R-Truth. Miz tells Truth he is his partner and Awesome Truth is back. Shane says he didn’t see that coming so the match is official but this is going to be a tag team elimination match and it’s next.
My Opinion:
Miz had a lot of points here, it does seem like he created a monster and if he is a babyface now then how big of response would it be if he can be the one to put Shane away and take him off of tv as people want. It’d be perfect and get him hugely over with the crowd. This could be huge for Miz if they do it right, people are so fed up so whoever pus Shane away will get that pop and it seems Miz is destined for it.
Match 3: The Miz & R-Truth vs Drew Mcintyre & Elias
Tag Team Elimination Match
Miz and Truth start off well but as Truth starts to dance Mcintyre quickly takes him down. Elias and Mcintyre are able to keep Truth grounded and work him keeping him away from making the tag. Truth has an opportunity to make a tag but Mcintyre distracts the ref and it allows Shane to pull Miz off the apron to prevent this. Elias hits Truth with a huge knee and gets the 1 2 3 to eliminate him. Truth is eliminated and here comes a series of SuperStars to chase him. Shelton Benjamin grabs the 2/7 title but the ref takes it back and tells him he has to pin Truth. This allows Truth to grab the title and run away through the crowd. Miz is left with a two one one but is able to come back with a big kick to Elias as Elias tried to fly off the top turnbuckle. Miz hits Elias with big right hands and backs him into the corner. Miz hits him with huge kicks and follows with a knee. He then hits double knees and follows with a clothesline. Mcintyre is able to help out Elias and hits a Glasgow Kiss on Miz. Mcintyre gets the tag and hits a Claymore Kick on Miz. Mcintyre pins him and gets the 1 2 3.
*** after the match Shane has Mcintyre hit Miz with two more Claymore Kicks.
Winners: Drew Mcintyre & Elias
My Opinion:
Mcintyre comes off tonight looking very strong. Although Reigns could have come and made a save, you still want to save the action for Sunday. Mcintyre made a statement and showed he is locked in. He is a guy who creates damage and even though Reigns looked strong on Monday he has to go into their match and watcher the course. McIntyre is gonna come at him hot and this should be more of a fight than a wrestling match. Either way both he and Reigns look great going into Sunday and that’s what you want!
Backstage Segment:
Ember Moon asks Carmella if she has seen Sonya and Mandy. Carmella says no as she continues looking for R-Truth. Ember finally finds Sonya and Mandy as the two are standing eating donuts. They give Moon as half apology but Moon doesn’t take it well and attacks them.
Backstage Segment:
Seth Rollins and Kofi Kingston talk ahead of their main event match tonight.
Backstage Segment:
R-Truth comes out of the arena and thinks he found Carmella. A ref gets out of a car and the Carmella he thought he found is Drake Maverick in disguise. Maverick is able to pin Truth and take the 24/7 title. Maverick drives off to his wedding as the new 24/7 Champion. R-Truth is very confused and asks why Carmella didn’t invite him to her wedding.
*** Firefly Fun House
Match 5: Seth Rollins & Kofi Kingston vs Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens:
2 out of 3 Falls Match
The match begins and immediately Kingston hits Trouble in Paradise on Zayn. Kofi goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3 to pick up the first fall for him and Rollins. Owens complains the bells didn’t ring yet and then checks on Zayn.
When SamckDown returns, Owens takes it to Rollins unloading with strikes. Rollins is able to fight off the attack and tag Kofi. Kofi comes in and counters Owens to turn it around for his team. Rollins tags back in and hits a double ax handle from the top. Owens fights back and is able to get back in control. Owens is able to drop Rollins and tries a cover but can’t get the three. Backstage Paul Heyman is watching the match. Zayn comes in and works Rollins before trying a couple of pin attempts that fail. Rollins is able to land a headbutt and get back in control. Owens tags in but is hit with a blockbuster. Kofi gets the tag and so does Zayn. Kofi takes out Owens and Zayn and then hits a boom drop on Zayn. Sami and Kofi continue to go at it before Zayn hits him with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Zayn goes for the cover but Kofi kicks out. Kofi then takes it to Owens after he tags in. Rollins helps out hitting a suicide dive on Zayn and then one on Owens. Back in the ring, Owens misses on a pop-up powerbomb. The two continue going back and forth. Rollins tries a buckle bomb but can’t hit. Rollins finally hits an enziguri and then nails a stomp. Rollins goes for the cover and gets the 1 2 3 and the win for him and Kofi. the two Champions then celebrate.
Winners: Seth Rollins & Kofi Kingston
My Opinion:
This was a pretty decent match between these teams as all four are great talents. Rollins and Kingston proved why they are champions because they wait it out and hit the big moves when they count. For both defending on Sunday, this is a huge statement. They showed they are ready and even against the best WWE has to offer they can get it done. Rollins and Kingston look strong and it is of the utmost importance when you have to defend your title in the coming days!
Final Thoughts:
This wasn’t a bad SmackDown but a lot felt like it was like Raw which is going to happen with this Wild Card rule. What I did like was there was a lot of smart booking in terms of wins. Ziggler needed the win tonight and he got it. He proved he can get the job done and he even put the exclamation point on it with the superkick which was awesome. Drew Mcintyre walked away tonight looking like an absolute monster which is important when Reigns did the same on Monday night. Both seem evened up now and I can’t wait to see the fight these two have with each other. I liked the 24/7 title stuff as well as it’s always funny and R-Truth has done a heck of a job. I think the Bliss and Bayley story got over well and definitely, puts that cherry on top of why we should care and what is really driving this rivalry. Finally, the main event was awesome, of course, people will say they didn’t need the 2 out of 3 falls but they did so Kingston and Rollins both could get a pinfall victory. Overall the match was great and the champs stood tall. Rollins laid more people out tonight making him even more dangerous and then the main event showed he is still focused in the ring and ready to get it done. I’m ready for Sunday and ready to see how it all plays out. I hope everyone enjoys Stomping Grounds!
Overall Rating: 6/10
