SmackDown Review 10/04/2019
WWE Friday Night Smackdown Review: October 4th, 2019
Author: Captain Charisma
Live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California
Wait a minute! This is not your typical Tuesday Night SmackDown Live review, no. This my fellow peeps to the first ever Friday Night SmackDown review on the Wrestling Classic website! We are live on the Fox network from the world famous Staples Center in the lovely Los Angeles, California. Apparently, we are celebrating twenty years of SmackDown tonight as legends such as The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Hulk Hogan are set to appear. In terms of the matches set tonight are as follows – Kevin Owens faces Shane McMahon in a ladder match to determine who will ultimately leave WWE for good. In all honesty, I think Owens will lose in this and move onto NXT and that is coming from a Kevin Owens fan. Also set tonight, a huge tag team match between both SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and her best friend Sasha Banks takes on RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. Oh, and there is a WWE Championship match between Kofi Kingston and Brock Lesnar but apparently, I forgot about that until right now as I write this. Do I see a new champion crowned on the season premiere of WWE SmackDown? – Yes. Brock has the intentions to make Friday nights watchable again! Other than that, I think tonight will be absolutely incredible due to the marketing and promotion of this reunion. In all honesty, this looks like a show worth watching! I do not have as high expectations as I usually do but I hope that this is fun for everyone, fans included.
Vince and Stephanie McMahon introduce the Los Angeles crowd to Friday Night SmackDown and the new intro plays.
In-Ring Segment – Becky Lynch, Baron Corbin, and The Rock
RAW Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch appears to kickoff the new era of Friday Night SmackDown. Lynch then starts off by saying how thankful she was to be apart of SmackDown. She lays out the challenge to kick some ass. King Corbin interrupts and says Lynch of being The Man. Dwayne The Rock Johnson appears for a standing ovation by the Los Angeles crowd. After a huge Rocky chant, The Rock talks about the origin of the word “SmackDown” and states that he is back home on SmackDown. King Corbin stops the promo and claims himself as sports entertainment. Rock obliges and calls Corbin a 45-year old virgin waiting outside of Burger King, grabbing a set of testicles. Becky adds on saying that she has bigger testicles than him. Corbin then reassures himself for just a moment, claiming he is superior. Becky then steals The Rock’s catchphrase of “it does not matter”. The Rock adds on by saying the WWE Universe will chant “STD” every time they see Corbin. Rock then makes the challenge to King Corbin and both him and Lynch start firing up on the King. The Rock then hits a People’s Elbow while Lynch hits a leg drop. He then lays out Corbin with The Rock Bottom and stands tall with Becky Lynch.
My Thoughts:
I have to be real with my peeps, that segment was absolutely legendary! I honestly did not expect the RAW Women’s champion to appear considering she is on RAW and not SmackDown but it turned out better than I actually thought it would. Having Becky Lynch, the first SmackDown Women’s Champion appear was good but having her diss King Corbin was even better. Of course, there was also The Rock, which to this day, I still mark out. Having Johnson do what he does best and entertain the hell out of his audience! I really think that the STD and virgin jokes to Corbin was phenomenal. I feel bad for my King of the Ring to get roasted like he did but I do have to admit, that was extremely entertaining and funny as hell! Testicles jokes and broke ass Burger King? HILARIOUS!! To me, it was a legendary way to start off the night.
Match #1 – Tag Team Match – Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley and Sasha Banks
The bell rings and Bayley immediately takes a cheap shot on Becky Lynch. Bayley and Charlotte Flair start off. Sasha Banks is tagged in and hits a double knee meteora on Flair. Flair looks to take back control by hitting a big boot off the apron on Banks. Bayley then interrupts and throws Flair onto the outside as she was about to attempt a moonsault onto the outside for a commercial break. Coming back to the action, Charlotte Flair gets the knees up to Bayley and makes the hot tag to Becky Lynch. Lynch makes the comeback look smooth and she knocks the SmackDown Women’s champion to her toes. The Man hits a flying leg drop but doesn’t put the champ away. Flair tags herself in and hits Natural Selection. Both Banks and Lynch brawl in the ring until Bayley interferes. Chaos erupts in the ring. Lynch hits a huge flying dropkick on Banks which leads Charlotte to hit a huge moonsault onto the outside to both Banks and Bayley. Flair then applies the Figure 8 on the SmackDown Women’s Champion and gets the submission victory. Both Becky Lynch and Charlotte stand tall.
Result: Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch wins (Flair via pinfall)
My Thoughts:
Typical way to end this match as the babyfaces get the win heading to their individual championship matches at Hell in a Cell. Now, with this victory, I would believe that Sasha and Bayley have the upper hand in winning. I really do not know what to say about this match that I liked about it other than Bayley trying to play that in between character and gave a cheap shot Becky Lynch. I guess what I can comment on is the confusion I have with Charlotte Flair and Bayley as I struggle to identify the babyface and the heel unlike with Becky and Sasha. Other than that, I hope we see some real character development come Sunday with the SmackDown Women’s championship rivalry, in my eyes, the most underrated rivalry of WWE now.
Backstage Interview – Erin Andrews, Kofi Kingston, and The New Day (Xavier Woods and Big E)
Erin Andrews introduces her guests, The New Day. Andrews then asks the question on why Kingston challenged The Beast, Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship tonight. Kingston alludes confidence and states that he is not afraid of the Beast. Xavier Woods adds in that The New Day has his back for tonight and will retain after the world premiere of SmackDown on Fox is over.
It is announced that Seth Rollins will face Shinsuke Nakamura will face off in a champion versus champion match.
Match #2 – Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (with Sami Zayn)– Champion vs. Champion
Before the match begins, a new episode of Firefly Funhouse airs. Bray Wyatt appears on screen and introduces all of his friends at the Funhouse. Wyatt then shows what will happen at Hell in a Cell by having Mercy The Buzzard (play the role of The Fiend) destroy Rambling Rabbit (mocking Seth Rollins) in a red cage. Wyatt then warns Seth Rollins that history is doomed to repeat itself and states that he will see Seth Rollins in hell.
The bell rings and immediately, Shinsuke Nakamura applies a cross armbar submission. Seth Rollins comes back and hits multiple suicide dives to comeback followed by a flying knee and a superkick to the Intercontinental champion. As Seth Rollins sets up for the Curb Stomp, the lights go out in the Staples Center. As Rollins is seemed to be safe on the stage, The Fiend Bray Wyatt appears and applies The Mandible Claw on Rollins to send a message for this Sunday at Hell in a Cell.
Result: No Contest (Even though technically, Rollins won the match since it should have been a disqualification)
My Thoughts:
This was an easy setup for the Fiend Bray Wyatt to attack Seth Rollins again. However, I would have really loved to see Nakamura and Rollins keep the match a classic as it was originally intended. I love seeing The Fiend and all, popping every single time I see him but when is enough, enough? At least have him attack Rollins post-match, making Nakamura a real threat! Remember our intercontinental champion? I sure don’t. But hope to see that Hell in a Cell match is absolutely phenomenal than a quick squash match. Granite there is three matches on the card and yet, we only got a couple of Firefly Funhouse episodes out of it.
Match #3 – Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon – Ladder Match – the winner of the match has the opponent terminated from WWE
Before the bell rings, Kevin Owens leads on the attack as Shane McMahon is receiving his legendary introduction by WWE announcer, Greg Hamilton. The bell officially rings and Owens lays the ladder onto the barricade and lats McMahon out. It is not long until McMahon comes back and both men fight it out. Owens throws the ladder (intended for Shane) but ends up throwing it to the outside. Owens attempts to grab another ladder but McMahon catches him with a basement dropkick on the ladder to Owens. He lays KO out on the announce table. He then uses the hood of the announce table multiple times to make sure Owens stays down. Shane McMahon then hits Owens with a flying elbow drop onto Owens through the announce table to takes into commercial break. Returning from “limited commercials”, Owens goes onto the top rope and hits a frog splash on Shane through the ladder, laying both men out. As Owens attempts to climb the ladder in victory, McMahon grabs a chair and knocks him over with multiple brutal chair shots. McMahon places a ladder onto Owens from the corner and hits a Coast to Coast, sending him onto the outside. Shane climbs the ladder but Owens catches him and hits a power bomb onto the ladder. This leads Kevin Owens to climb the ladder and grab the briefcase for the victory. Yes, Shane McMahon is terminated! Post-match, Owens grabs the microphone and tells McMahon that he is fired, ending the statement with a huge stunner.
Result: Kevin Owens – thus Shane McMahon is terminated from WWE
My Thoughts:
Yes and no!
Yes – Kevin Owens gets the win and Shane McMahon gets terminated from World Wrestling Entertainment. Do not get me wrong, Kevin put on a phenomenal match with powerbombing and giving a frog splash to Shane through ladders. You have Shane McMahon doing his usual leaps of faith. At least Shane McMahon is out of our television screens for some time. I hope this leads Kevin to the WWE Championship, a title that Owens has yet to fulfill in the prophecy of glory.
No! – Sure, my favorite superstar won but that does not change the fact that it was the wrong ending. I think if Shane McMahon would have won, Owens would have gone back to NXT, which in reality, we all wanted.
Backstage Interview – Kayla Braxton and Paul Heyman
Kayla Braxton is seen backstage interviewing Paul Heyman, addressing the actions of Brock Lesnar last Monday on Raw involving Rey Mysterio and his son Dominik. Heyman spoils that Kingston will fall defeat tonight at the hands of Lesnar and the actions of Monday was just a sample.
Match #4 – AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Robert Roode, and Dolph Ziggler vs. Heavy Machinery, The Miz, and Braun Strowman
Ziggler and Miz start off the match. It is not long until the Monster Among Men enters the mix and starts dominating Ziggler. It is then when Orton hits an RKO on Miz and everyone else is taken out individually. Strowman then makes his rounds of ruthless tackles everyone in sight. He then has a faceoff with Hall of Fame boxer, Tyson Fury. Ziggler interrupts and takes control. However, it is then when Strowman comes back and hits a powerslam on Ziggler and gets the victory. Fury is then egged on in the front row and jumps the barricade where WWE security blocks him and makes him exit the arena.
Result: Braun Strowman via pin fall
My Thoughts:
THIS MATCH CONFUSED THE CRAP OUT OF ME!!! When I saw this match start, I did not know what to think. Just so many superstars in one ring felt scrambled and rushed. It was cool to see an RKO out of nowhere and a ruthless powerslam but, the highlight of this nonsense was world famous boxer, Tyson Fury jumping the barricade and getting stopped by WWE security. Other than that, this was a mess within itself.
Match #5 – Roman Reigns vs. Erick Rowan – Lumberjack Match – with Daniel Bryan on commentary
As soon as the bell rings, Erick Rowan takes control with multiple strikes to the corner on Roman Reigns. Reigns is sent to ringside where the lumberjacks send him back in the ring. Rowan is sent to the outside where he fights off the lumberjacks. Rowan then sends Reigns into the barricade. Once The Big Dog gets back into the ring, Erick Rowan hits his vintage spinning roundhouse kick and attempts a pin fall to take us into commercial break. Returning from these never ending advertisements, Rowan applies the knuckle head crank on Reigns. Reigns comes back with multiple uppercuts and a back elbow. He hits the vintage superman clotheslines to the corner followed by a huge Samoan drop. He attempts a Superman punch but is caught by a Rowan big boot. Roman catches him with a huge superman punch to take both men out. Luke Harper appears to interfere but Daniel Bryan catches him and brawls. Chaos erupts on the outside but Roman Reigns hits a springboard suicide dive onto the chaos. Back in the ring, Rowan attempts an Iron Claw slam but is met with a superman punch. Harper appears in the ring and hits Reigns with a huge discus clothesline. Bryan gets in the ring and hits a running double knee strikes. This leads Reigns to hit the spear on Rowan for the victory. Post-match – Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns shake hands as they see eye to eye ahead of their tag team match this Sunday at Hell in a Cell.
Result: Roman Reigns via pin fall
My Thoughts:
That lumberjack match was insane! I mean, obviously you knew that the lumberjacks (split by faces and heels) were going to brawl within themselves. Despite that, Roman Reigns, like always in WWE, looked tremendously strong. I liked how strong Erick Rowan looked as well. To me, it seems to me that the alliance between Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns gives me hope that Bryan will come back to the Yes-Man we all need back! Does this get me hyped for the tag team match this Sunday? – No. But it does give me a better vibe for it though!
Main Event – Match #6 – Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) vs. Kofi Kingston – WWE Championship
Not even six seconds after the bell rings, Kofi Kingston attempts a high flying maneuver, only for Brock Lesnar to catch him with a F5 for the quick victory. Post-match, Rey Mysterio appears with UFC legend, Cain Velasquez. Velasquez takes down Lesnar and hammers him with ground and pound offense. Lesnar retreats and exits the arena.
Result: Brock Lesnar via pinfall
My Thoughts:
I do not know what to say. At one hand, I am happy that they got the title off of Kofi Kingston as his reign lasted longer than it should have. In all honesty, his reign should have ended at Money in the Bank. However, at the same time, I am fused over the fact that Lesnar squashed Kingston as fast as Goldberg did him over a year ago at Survivor Series. In my personal opinion, despite what my peeps say, I think having Lesnar defeat Kofi the way he did was perfect. It did not mirror SummerSlam 2014, which was a good thing. Kofi Kingston had a tremendous run with the WWE championship, being undefeated in singles competition since then. Nonetheless, Kingston lost and that it is it. BUT CAIN VELASQUEZ THO!!! I did not expect the UFC legend to show up with Mysterio. If I am being truthful, I thought that at first glance, Velasquez was Dominik Mysterio. Having these UFC guys appear on WWE television does not downgrade the WWE product but puts more eyes and more money on the table. Do not get upset that the match went the way it went but appreciate the shock factor and the controversy it created.
Final Thoughts
BREATH IN AND OUT MY FELLOW PEEPS!! Let us all take a breather after the world premiere of Friday Night SmackDown on Fox. First and foremost, that was one sick of an intro! As a fan of Fox Sports, that gave me the vibe of a movie or a sports broadcast instead of just “sports entertainment” with the sound of AC/DC and rock n roll. Secondly, having Becky Lynch kick off the night by roasting King Baron Corbin along with the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, The Rock. By the way, thank you Rocky for the STD and Burger King jokes, still made my night. Despite the lie with the “limited commercials” promise by Fox, every match delivered in some way. Within the few minutes it had, Shinsuke and Rollins delivered with their back and forth action. Having Shane McMahon terminated was a sweet feeling indeed, especially since both him and Owens put on a show. Ladders were smashed and announce tables were harmed! The energy in the building was absolutely unreal as the Los Angeles crowd was electric from start to finish. Even with the disappointing of matches like the six man tag team match and the women’s tag team matches, we cannot deny that they filled the time and made the show flow smoothly. Even at the end, when fans complain about how WWE “made Kofi a jobber and want to bring in more UFC guys for money”, left you speechless. That is what World Wrestling Entertainment is all about! I think having this show debut as it did on a huge network like FOX, was perfect. Tonight’s show will be graded as a 9.5/10 for its surreal storytelling and tremendous entertainment value. The crowd was into it, I, who was stuck at home because I did not buy a ticket, was into it. The premiere of SmackDown on FOX was just the beginning of what a bright future holds not only for WWE but professional wrestling as a whole! New stage, new logo, new intro, and new love. Nothing was disappointing in my eyes! It was not your typical WWE show. This was a sports broadcast that I came to know and love. I hope that next week does the same or even better come WWE Draft week. It was a great showing for a new revolution in professional wrestling! Until next time, like Captain Charisma and future WWE Hall of Fame inductee Christian, stay passionate and prove to the world why you love what you enjoy in life!
