Smackdown Live Review 08/21/2018

Hello Misfits. It is time for this weeks Smackdown Live review. Its the follow up episode of Smackdown Live after Summerslam and Summerslam left us with more questions than answers. It’s time we start getting some answers heading into Octobers “Hell in a Cell” event. What will happen next between AJ Styles and Samoa Joe as things continue to get personal between them? How will Daniel Bryan react tonight about his loss to The Miz at Summerslam? What will Becky Lynch say about her actions this past Sunday where she attacked her best friend Charlotte after their match in which Charlotte pinned her to win the match? Will Carmella be invoking her rematch clause? Whats next in this Randy Orton/Jeff Hardy feud? Also the tag team titles are on the line when The New Day gets their rematch against the Bludgeon Brothers, but this time its no DQ. Lets see how Smackdown Live went.

Smackdown comes to us live from the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York.

–  Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are on commentary.

The Miz and Maryse
Miz and Maryse stand in the ring and don’t say a word. Miz said he closed his eyes to feel the moment. Two nights ago at SummerSlam, something happened. Miz says he has a family to think about. Miz starts to cry. Maryse hugs Miz. With a heavy heart, Miz announces that he is retiring… from ever facing Daniel Bryan again. Miz says the eight-year saga of the Miz and Daniel Bryan has come to a conclusion. Miz did what he said he was going to do. Miz beat Bryan in the Barclay Center. Bryan gave Miz everything he had but it wasn’t enough. Miz says he has the hardest punch in the WWE. It’s now time to start Miz’s new life as he watched the new episode of Miz and Mrs. right here on the USA Network.
Bryan walks out on the ramp. Bryan calls Mis a coward. Miz tries to speak and Bryan calls Miz a coward over and over again. Miz stands behind Maryse and tells Bryan that the record books will not say “coward” It just says the MIz beat Bryan at SummerSlam. Miz says Bryan will never have a chance to go up against him ever again. Bryan tells Miz to shut up. Bryan says Miz cheated to win. It’s just another layer in the facade that is the Miz. Bryan says he is going to expose Miz for the wanna-be Hollywood actor cosplaying as a wrestler. Maryse grabs a mic and tells Bryan to retire and change his name to Daniel Bella. Brie Bella runs down to the ring. Maryse rolls out of the ring. Miz steps in front of Brie. Brie punches Miz over and over again. Bryan tells Miz that at Hell in a Cell Miz and Maryse will face Bryan and Brie.
Opinion
This was a great opening segment and got straight to the point of what is going to happen in the Miz/Bryan feud. I think if they are planning to prolong this feud and continue to make it personal, there is no problem involving their wives. Plus both Maryse and Brie Bella are former active wrestlers, so it makes sense. The Miz and Bryan will be facing each other again at the Australia show and this will be nice way to mix things up. People were complaining about Brie attacking Miz because she got the better of him but it makes sense that Miz wouldn’t fight back and hit her back. I’m actually down with this mixed tag match at Hell in a Cell.

– Backstage, Miz tells Paige she is a worst General Manager than Daniel Bryan. Paige tells Miz the tag match is still on and it will be awesome. Great stuff.

Randy Orton def. Jeff Hardy
In a decent match mainly for storyline progression, Randy Orton defeated Jeff Hardy by DQ when Hardy kicked Orton with a low-blow. Orton did that thing again where he pulled Hardy by his ear hole before setting up the hangman DDT.
After the match, Hardy beats down Orton. Hardy sends Orton into the crowd. Hardy hits Orton with a chair over and over again. Hardy puts Orton on a table. Hardy puts Orton through a table with a Swanton.
Opinion
Randy Orton continues to terrorize Jeff Hardy and again showing his thirst for violence on Jeff Hardy by pulling at earring hole. The finish being a DQ is fine with me because I didn’t expect them to have a clean finish in this match the way their feud has been going. The brawl after the match was great and Jeff Hardy hitting that swanton putting Orton through the table was a great visual for everyone there live and watching from home. This is far from over.

Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay def. Naomi
The IIconics cut a promo on Brooklyn and Naomi on their way to the ring. Peyton Royce defeated Naomi after Kay caused a distraction allowing Royce to push Naomi into the ring post and hit a fireman’s suplex for the win.
Opinion
I’m glad they found a way to get all these girls on TV this week. I was kind of shocked with Peyton Royce getting the W but it has been a while since either one of the IIconics got a huge victory. Hopefully this is the beginning of they descent back up the ladder.

– Backstage, Big E. tells Kingston and Woods that his ribs are bad. Woods and Kingston try to hype Big E. up but Big E. is busy eating ribs.

Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch says she deserves to be standing here as the women’s champion but since that moment was stolen from Lynch, Charlotte Flair got the beating she deserved. SummerSlam wasn’t supposed to be about Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, Seth Rollins, or Flair. It was about Lynch. Lynch envisioned holding the title up and putting the division on her back. The fans act like they were with her but were they really? There was no hashtag to give Becky a chance. When Flair stole the match from Lynch the crowd applauded. The WWE Universe didn’t protest. Somehow Lynch has been made an afterthought. Lynch doesn’t buy it anymore.
After hearing the referee count to three Lynch had never seen anything so clearly. Flair has held Lynch back. Lynch knew she was going to raise Flair’s hand up then rip her head off. Lynch says she is the best. There isn’t anyone on the planet who can tell her different. Flair walks out on the ramp and takes the Women’s Championship off. Flair mouths the words “over this?” and drops the title. Flair charges the ring and spears Lynch. Lynch and Flair fight all over the ring. Lynch tries to leave out of the crowd. Flair brings Lynch back into the ring. Paige sends the women’s roster to the ring to separate Flair and Lynch.
Opinion
This was great. I loved how Becky Lynch found a way to call out the fans and putting blame on them. There was some truth to the stuff Becky Lynch was saying and I think that is what is going to make it hard to dislike her even if she is a heel. I dont think there are many hardcore fans that feel sympathetic for Charlotte but would rather side with Becky Lynch because they sympathize for her. The brawl was great and this feud is what Sasha and Bayley should have been. Charlotte seems upset that their friendship is over because of the title but Becky Lynch believes that Charlotte has been holding her back. This is a basic formula for a womens division storyline, but these two have the potential to make it more.

Rusev and Lana def. Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega
In a short but quality match, Rusev and Lana defeated Almas and Vega when Aiden English appeared from the crowd to take a chair away from Almas, allowing Rusev to connect with the matchka kick and lock on the accolade for the win.
Opinion
I didnt know they were going with the 50/50 booking here. I was hoping Almas and Vega would move on to bigger things and not be involved in this Rusev/Lana/English feud. However, they didn’t and English actually helped Rusev and Lana get this victory with his distraction. I really find this booking of Almas since he’s been on the main roster to be questionable.

AJ Styles
Styles says SummerSlam didn’t end the way he wanted it to but Samoa Joe got what he deserves. Joe crossed the line Sunday night. Styles says he broke a promise but he is going make another one. One that Styles will keep. If Joe mentions Styles family again Styles is going to rip Joe’s heart out. Joe pulls Styles off the stage and puts him in the Coquina Clutch. Styles is out. Joe grabs a mic and a camera and yells for Wendy. Joe says Styles won’t be home to tuck in the kids because daddy has already gone night-night.
Opinion
This rivalry has gotten even more personal and Joe continues to address AJ Styles wife and kids. I dig the stage interview as its very 1980s and early 90s. Joe is the perfect heel and great at getting under his opponents skin. I’m looking forward to seeing these lock it up again.

-Backstage, Carmella demands her rematch. R-Truth walks in and says not if he has anything to say about it. Truth says Carmella has been ducking him. Truth is going to pin her and get his title shot. Paige tells Truth that’s not how this works. Truth tells Carmella she got lucky. Paige grants Carmella her rematch for next week. Truth tries picking up Carmella off-screen and Paige yells for him to put her down and he says “thats what is up.” Funny stuff and a women’s champion rematch is booked for next week.

No DQ Match
Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The New Day w/ Big E def. The Bludgeon Brothers (C)
In an incredible main event for Smackdown Live, The New Day defeated The Bludgeon Brothers after Kofi Kingston hits trouble in paradise on Harper followed by Woods hitting the elbow drop on him putting him trough a table for the win. The New Day celebrates becoming the tag team champions.
Opinion
I really wasn’t expecting this. I did not see the Bludgeon Brothers losing the tag team championship belts. Thus,  losing his win streak and especially to the New Day. I still think the New Day will be over with or without the belts. I really would have had a different team such as The Bar or the Club to be to finally beat The Bludgeon Brothers and become champs but instead but they went with the New Day again. It was a helluva match and I’m curious to see what the Bludgeon Brothers do now. This was a fun match that went a little extreme. If you haven’t yet, check it out. Congratulations to Woods, E and Kofi on once again becoming the tag team champions.

Final Thoughts
Smackdown Live put on an amazing show tonight. They definitely made the most for their two hours. The Shield return from last night might have been cool but this show had quality stuff going on for every angle taking place on Smackdown Live. The future is looking bright for Smackdown Live if they can keep the momentum up. I think the blue squad did a really good job of making their Smackdown following the event seem really special throughout the entire show. I am still left with more questions than answers, so definitely tuning in next week.  If you didn’t watch tonights episode of Smackdown Live check it out. There are a ton of great storyline progressions, a great main event and a lot drama in this episode of Smackdown Live. Hopefully, they keep up this trend. Check it out.
Rating – 8.5/10