Smackdown Live Review 09/12/2017

Hello Misfits. It’s time for this weeks Smackdown Live review. This weeks Smackdown is live from Sin City. This show has been promoted as special event and they made the fact that the show is taking place in Vegas a big deal. Champions test their luck in defending their titles while Kevin Owens faces off with Vince McMahon to address what happened last week with Shane McMahon. This is Mr. McMahon’s first appearance on Smackdown in 4 years. I’ll be honest, I think most people are tuning in to see Mr. McMahon and what his confrontation with Kevin Owens is going to go like because you know Kevin Owens has a history of being a maniac. I read a couple of reviews before finishing this one which is something I usually try to avoid doing because it sometimes changes your original perspective on things but I was curious to see what people thought of tonights show. Plus, I run a popular instagram page where I post what happens on these shows and get peoples immediate reactions in my comment sections, so I really never get that much time with my own perspective. Therefore I’ll sound like I’m stating my opinion against others in this but whatever. Lets get to the show.

Smackdown comes to us live from Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada.

– The show opens with highlights from last week’s Shane McMahon/Kevin Owens drama, leading to Shane’s suspension last week and the return of Vince McMahon tonight.

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

Kevin Owens Segment
Owens welcomes us to the Kevin Owens Show, something we should get used to following the actions of Shane McMahon last week. Owens said he didn’t fight back against Shane McMahon because he respects authority. Owens said that he is suing everyone in WWE. Owens claimed he is suing every McMahon, every board member and anybody that is anybody until Smackdown is no more. Owens said we’re going to have the “Kevin Owens Show starring Kevin Owens.” Owens said that some people are going to get fired and the first person fired will be Sami Zayn. Owens said that they told Phillips and Saxton that they will have to wear the same suit as in two guys in one suit because they sound exactly the same. Owens said those Fashion Files guys will be cancelled forever. Owens claimed there was one individual that he needs to speak to. “Mr. McMahon, come on out.”
“Here Comes the Money” hits and everyone expect Shane O’ Mac. Owens complained and Dolph Ziggler entered wearing a Shane O Mac shirt. Ziggler: “What’s up Las Vegas?” Owens said he thought it was actually Shane, but it’s actually a talented person that works there. Owens said nobody else is using it, so might as well try it again. Ziggler left.
Next out came Daniel Bryan in his dad slacks! The Smackdown GM hit the ring and did his Yes chant schtick. Bryan said the fun and games are going to be over very soon. Owens pitches the idea of making him the official janitor of WWE. Bryan says he doesn’t mind a bit of manual labor, something that KO should probably try… He announces that Mr. McMahon will be here very soon, and Owens claims that he can’t wait, because he has a lot to say.
Opinion
This was an entertaining opening segment which I expected since it involved Mr. Entertainment Kevin Owens. I loved the Ziggler moment because it was unexpected due to the fact you dont usually see superstars crossover in other angles that much these days. Once again like most weeks, my only issue with this was it could have been shorter or it just wasn’t necessary. The point that I got from this segment was that Owens thinks he’s taking over and a reminder that Vince McMahon is coming. Facts that we already know and could have showcased through backstage segments that were shorter. I also feel like they could have done all of this in the final segment and not taken two spots of the show for this angle. Ziggler even showed up again a second time during the show. However, I get trying to capture out interest at the beginning of the show to keep us watching throughout it. Therefore maybe this just could have been shorter so matches such as the women’s title match could have been longer.

US Title Open Challenge
United States Champion
AJ Styles (C) def. Tye Dillinger
In a competitive match between the Phenomenal ONE and the Perfect TEN, AJ Styles picked up the victory by making Dillinger tap out to the calf crusher. Corbin caused a distraction mid-match which led to Dillinger getting a near fall with the roll up of doom. After the match Corbin attacked both men, laying them both out. Styles got his with an End of Days on the floor and Corbin announced that next week he’ll be facing AJ Styles for the United States Championship.
Opinion
This was a solid match that ended up leading to where we saw this going the entire time, AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin for the United States Championship. It was a creative way to use Dillinger for a couple of weeks and showcase what he’s capable of against possibly the best wrestler on the planet today. They even got us with one solid false finish. I still have this lack of interest for Corbin but lets see if Styles can change that for me by working with him.

– Rusev is interviewed backstage. He was embarrassed at Summerslam, so he returned to Bulgaria to recharge but instead, was looked at as a failure. He is not a loser, but knows what he has to do to get back his fire; he must break a legend. If the opening segment wasn’t so long, Orton could have appeared to set up a match next week to get this ball rolling.

Jinder Mahal Promo
The Singh Brothers do their usual formal introductions, welcoming WWE Champion Jinder Mahal down to the ring. Jinder called Shinsuke Nakamura one of the most creative and interesting presences that he’d ever seen, and questioned how he was going to train against The Artist for Hell in a Cell. He then shows a very unflattering picture of Nakamura on the tron, and said that he looks constipated. The champ made several more toilet-related jokes as the Singh Brothers rolled around on the floor laughing. He called Nakamura a cheap rip-off of Michael Jackson, and made the Singhs do his pose in the ropes but they fell on the floor instead. Jinder said that his opponent didn’t want to win the WWE Championship because he knows exactly how the fans treat a champion. He said the fans will judge Nakamura for his eyes, hair and skin being different, and for looking like Pikachu having a seizure. He then speaks to his people in his language before making his final statements.
Opinion
 From what I read, a lot of people weren’t fond of this segment. What I think people realize was you weren’t supposed to be. I mean the jokes were never intended to be funny. They were meant to be bad jokes from bad guys who are trying to make fun of your guy. I actually appreciated this segment because it was different from the usual promo we have been getting from Jinder Mahal. I finally felt like the Smackdown writers gave him a different angle to work with in a promo and let him showcase more of his personality besides the usual people are against me because of their prejudice and envious mindsets. He did talk about those things but factored in the fact that Shinsuke also is from a foreign country and looks different. It created this idea that he was trying to get into Nakamura’s head that he’s different too and the fans will turn on him. The only thing I really felt this segment was missing was Shinsuke Nakamura. I feel like he should have come out after being made fun of to at least take out the Singh Brothers with Jinder getting away. I feel like this could have been better if it looked like Mahal actually got into the King of Strong Style’s head to the point that he came out there in spite of what was being said.

– Owens talks with a production guy about the changes he’s going to make as he takes over. Owens says he wanted a new song at the top of the show, two limos (one for Kevin and his friend Jimmy…most likely Jacobs, who is part of the writing team) and a private jet for his wife and kids so they can come to every show. Owens then walks up to Sami Zayn. Owens talks about the old days with Sami, mentioning the promise they made to get to WWE. Owens is about to own WWE, and will be sending Sami back to the indies. So when things get tough, Owens will allow him to go back. Sami says he would rather wrestle in armories than work for Kevin Owens.

Street Fight
Tag Team Championship
The New Day def. The Usos (C)
In a badass tag team match where both teams made the most out of the stipulation without over-doing it, The New Day defeated The Usos to become the new tag team champions after Big E and Kofi Kingston hit the midnight hour on Jimmy Uso with Jey out of the equation after going through a table. Xavier Woods remained backstage for this match but came out for the post match celebration. 
Opinion
This was a great match. I mean really good. Definitely the second best thing that happened on this show. I dont know exactly how I feel about The New Day winning and becoming tag team champions again but the match overall was great. These two teams work great together and have showcased that in every match of this recent rivalry. They have feuded before and it shows that both teams know each other very well. They used weapons and made sure that they made the most of the street fight stipulation without over doing it to the point where it became more of a spotfest or hardcore match rather than a competitive battle. I also liked that Xavier stayed in the back so this truly was just two on two without any distractions or leaving the Usos with any excuses. Although, it might have just been because of his knee injury, it fit the story. The thing I love about these two teams going at it is that you actually never know who’s going to win. Its hard to predict which way the creative is gonna go because either way would work. Personally, I wanted the Usos to retain and move on but I understand there is word the WWE also wants the New Day to break the record of tag championship reigns too. I wonder what happens now.

– Ronda Rousey in shown to be in attendance. Of course she’s there for the Mae Young Classic tournament finals featuring her fellow Four Horsewomen partner Shayna Baszler.  Also some weirdo from Vine’s glory days is there, supposedly she does stuff on YouTube too and recently visited the WWE Performance Centre. I mean she’s pretty but who is she?

Women’s Championship
Natalya (C) def. Naomi
In a quick match that could have benefitted from having more time, Natalya retained her championship after making Naomi tap out to the sharpshooter. Carmella was on commentary with Ellsworth on a leash. It was the distraction of Carmella that let Natalya capitalize on the situation to gain the upper hand and ultimately the victory.
Opinion
This was decent for what it was and I liked that Natalya capitalized on Naomi getting distracted by Mella. However, they weren’t given enough time to do anything special or to make this feel like a bigger deal. I just felt like with Naomi having such a great year and had been champion for so long, that her rematch would be more of a competitive battle than angle advancement for Carmella and Natalya. Carmella looked great and I loved that she had Ellsworth on a leash. After the kiss last week, its almost impossible not to have some weird kinky thoughts of what WWE could be trying to portray to their adult audience low-key. I’m glad Mella didn’t cash in yet and that Natalya remains the champion.

– Aiden English warms up backstage and Kevin Owens arrives and praises his voice. He thinks that English could sing the new Kevin Owens show theme song. English sings him a sample, and Owens approves.

 New and Improved Dolph Ziggler…Week 2
Dolph Ziggler made his entrance. Ziggler said that the so called elaborate entrances are done by wannabe supposed superstars who couldn’t lace his boots. Ziggler said he was the greatest in-ring performer in WWE history. Ziggler talked about how the fans only associate an elaborate entrance with being a star.
Ziggler did his version of the Bayley entrance with Graves wondering why Saxton wasn’t excited like he was on Raw with Bayley. Ziggler asked if he is a star yet. Ziggler said that at some point, that bell has to ring and the performer has to actually be able to compete. Ziggler talked about how there was a guy that couldn’t hold a candle to his ability, but each and every one of you idolized him.
Ziggler did the Ultimate Warrior entrance along with a Warrior mask and tassels. Ziggler ran down to the ring, ran the ropes like Warrior and shook the ropes like Warrior. Ziggler said that anybody can do what he just did, but no one can do what he does in the ring. Ziggler said the fans don’t care and Ziggler said he doesn’t care about them either.
Opinion
I liked the choices of Bayley and Warrior this week. I actually told a few friends that I wanted him to do Warrior next week and he did. I think the commentators acted accordingly. However, when does this end? Whats the next step? Whats the end game? I know I’ll find this enjoyable for like another week but where does it go from there. A lot of people have been speculating Bobby Roode. Making Ziggler work with the newest NXT call-up isn’t a new task for Ziggler and if we’re talking about super-over entrances, than Bobby Roode is your guy.

Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin def. The Hype Bros
In a quick match that was filled with action Gable and Benjamin defeated The Hype Bros after an impressive double team move which had Gable jumping off the top rope hitting a clothesline that let Benjamin drop Ryder with a powerbomb. Following the match Ryder refused the sportsmanship handshake which left Mojo shocked.
Opinion
Solid match. Made the most out of the time given to them. It got this new team of Gable and Benjamin on TV and teased a Ryder heel turn again. It filled some time and there are no complaints or sour opinions about all of this here.

Final Thoughts
This was a fun episode of Smackdown that I never really found myself bored or disinterested with throughout viewing it. I would reccomend everyone to check it out even if its just for the tag team championship match and the closing segment. I feel like that closing segment will forever be on the list of Smackdown’s greatest or most memorable moments. Kevin Owens has officially cemented his legacy with a “I beat up the boss” moment. I think slowly but surely as the weeks go by, Smackdown is finding its groove it lost since the shake-up. There were still a lot of people missing from this episode such as Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Lana, Tamina, Breezango, Harper, Rowen, Orton, Nakamura, Roode and The Kanellis’s but it goes back to them only having two hours. The loss of Talking Smack is still felt by me too, as I thought an episode of that after tonights show would have been amazing. Anyway. this was definitely one of the better Smackdown Live episodes of 2017.
Rating – 8/10

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