Smackdown Live Review 07/09/2019

Tonight is the Go-Home Edition of SmackDown Live before this Sunday’s Extreme Rules PPV! After a war of words last week what will happen when Dolph Ziggler and Kevin Owens go one on one? Also, after a long wait through promo after promo who will finally be revealed as the man knocking at Aleister Black’s door? The Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor hasn’t wrestled much on SmackDown as of late but what will happen when he goes up against Shinsuke Nakamura? Finally, what will happen when the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Summit takes place?

SmackDown Live comes to us from the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.

 SmackDown Live kicks off with a backstage segment with a Dolph Ziggler Interview from earlier today.

Backstage Segment:
Ziggler cuts Kayla off after she insinuates Kevin Owens as his partner. He calls Owens some harsh names and says he carried him, the same way he has done with this company. Owens drives up and beeps interrupting the interview. He gets out of the car and the two begin to argue. Owens then hits Ziggler and the two go at it. Eventually, they are separated. Shane McMahon comes up and tells Owens to get out of here. He says the main event isn’t happening.

Backstage Segment:
Shane McMahon is asked about canceling the interview tonight. He says what happened was out of control and he can’t have what’s supposed to go on in the ring happen in the back. He says Owens instigated so he was set home and Ziggler is still here. He is asked what the main event will be then and he tells he has a few ideas he is going to see to right now.

In Ring Segment: Kevin Owens
Owens comes out of the crowd and says he came out here last week and said the truth about Ziggler but now he is going to say the truth about Shane McMahon. He tells how the McMahon’s said they would give the fans what they want but Shane has gotten more power and more tv time and nobody wanted that. He says every time he has to hear Shane call himself the best in the world it makes him sick and wants to smash his head. Shane comes out and tells him to cut his mic. Owens grabs a new one and says there’s more than one idiot. He says when Sahen comes out here and says what he says it’s a slap in the face to everyone in the back. He says when he hears that everyone thinks he can kiss my ass. Owens then goes over a list of superstars Shane takes tv time from like Ali, Buddy Murphy, Apollo Crews, Asuka, and Liv Morgan.
My Opinion:
Wow, this was awesome! Owens made a huge impact tonight to kick off the show and said a lot of things so many are thinking. I think if this is the push to get Owens over as a face again it’s going to work tremendously. Owens really got over with that crowd and now when they have him back it’s gonna be huge. Hopefully, we get the match with him and Ziggler and Owens will become the face he was starting to become a few months back.

Match 1: Finn Balor vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura gets around on Balor but Balor breaks the hold. Nakamura keeps on him with vicious elbow strikes. Nakamura looks for a sunset flip but Balor hits him with a kick. Back on their feet Nakamura backs Balor into the corner and hits him with vicious strikes. Nakamura wrenches on the neck of Balor and then uses the ropes to his advantage to continue the punishment. Nakamura gets him in the middle of the ring and locks in a chin lock. Balor looks to fight out but Nakamura flips him to the mat. Nakamura then toys with him with weak kicks. Balor is able to catch the leg of Nakamura but quickly is taken down again. Once again Nakamura goes back to the chin lock. Balor is thrown off the ropes and again thrown to the mat. Balor still on the mat can’t gain any offensive as Nakamura continues with knee strikes. He tries a cover but Balor kicks out at two. Nakamura goes to a headlock and continues to control the pace in the middle of the ring. He breaks the hold for a moment to hit Balor with a knee but then goes to a modified half nelson. Balor fights back with fists to the gut but once again is thrown in the corner. Balor battles out and drops Nakamura. He then hits a sling blade and stays on Nakamura. Balor is able to land an elbow to the throat but the can’t put him away on the pin attempt. Balor looks for a sling blade again but is thrown off. Nakamura lands a big kick in the corner before landing a german suplex. Balor comes back with another sling blade. Balor goes up top but Nakamura knocks him down Balor is hit with a knee to the midsection and he goes to the apron. Nakamura comes off the second turnbuckle and flies knocking Balor to the floor. Nakamura then throws Balor into the ring post. He does it again and Balor is down. Both men beat the ten count but then Nakamura dumps him to the outside. Nakamura then hits him with the Kinshasa. Nakamura continues the attack on the outside sending Balor into the barricade and then steel steps. Balor though still gets up and beats the ten count. Nakamura hits another Kinshasa and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
My Opinion:
This was a huge win for Shinsuke! Wow, the aggression he showed was awesome and I loved how relentless he was. Even though this puts Balor in a bad light for the moment, this could be the build to something huge with these guys. Nakamura definitely needs to get back into the thick of things so this is an awesome way to do that. For Balor as the face that he is he just needs to battle back. We could have one more match and then a final blow out with them. The possibilities are endless and even though Balor didn’t do much just imagine these guys with 20 minutes in a back and forth, it’ll be epic.

Backstage Segment:
Drew tells Shane how Reigns tried to pull one on them but they still one. He says they have the physical and mental advantage now. Elias then says he has the perfect funeral song. Ziggler tells says this was his moment tonight to shut his mouth. Shane tells him if he is ready to go then he can take care of an issue for them and that is Roman Reigns. He informs Ziggler they will be out there with him.

Backstage Segment:
Bayley heads to the ring for her SmackDown Women’s Championship Contract Signing.

Backstage Segment:
Samoa Joe tells Kofi he can deny the truth but he can’t deny the facts. He tells him he showed him compassion last week offering him safety but he knew he wouldn’t take it. He says he sees who he truly is and at Extreme Rules, he will tear away the lies of him. He says he will break him down and then put him asleep. He tells for all those he has walked on the backs of he will take everything back that he has taken from them and most importantly he will take the WWE Championship.

In Ring Segment:
SmackDown Women’s Championship Contract Signing  (Bayley and Nikki Cross representing herself and Alexa Bliss)
Kayla tells how Nikki beat Bayley in a eat the clock and how she now chose a two on one match putting herself in the match. Kayla says it may explain why Bayley attacked her. Bayley says she is just out here to sign the contract. She says she is just like Cross, she was used by people for their own gain and after that, she did things on her own and became champion. Cross questions if last night was the real Bayley. Bayley goes on about how Bliss manipulates her. Bayley asks Cross if she is really okay with helping someone win a championship. Cross gets made but Bayley cuts her off and says you can make your own decisions. Bayley says she knows she is at improbable odds but she is bringing everything she has. She asks Cross what will happen if they lose and Bliss blames her. Cross stops her and says she wnats to help her friend and when they win they will be the first ever SmackDown Women’s Co-Champions.
My Opinion:
There wasn’t much to this contract signing except for the same talk that we have been getting for weeks now. It felt like it was cut short and didn’t hit as much as I thought it could. Cross is going out and is gonna be in this match, maybe she stays with Bliss or maybe she turns on her, time will tell. All in all, Cross is an excellent wrestler and one of my favorites to watch so I hope it all will work out and she will get a run with the championship one way or another.

Match 2: Nikki Cross vs Carmella
Cross gets the early advantage and hammers on Carmella. She hits her with huge kicks in the corner and then throws her to the mat. Cross hits a dropkick and goes for the cover but Carmella kicks out. Cross stays on her and is able to hit a suplex. Cross tries another cover but Carmella kicks out again. Carmella comes back trying to lock in a cover but can’t. Cross comes back with another submission hold. Carmella tries to turn it around but is knocked to the mat with a clothesline. Carmella slaps her but Cross doesn’t take that lightly and hammers with rights. Carmella comes back with a clothesline and then an atomic drop. Carmella gets her in the corner and hits a bronco buster. Carmella tries a quick cover but Cross kicks out. Cross hits the spinning neck breaker and gets the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Nikki Cross
My Opinion:
A big momentum building win for Cross tonight. She was very impressive and showed the dominance that she posses. There is no doubt in my mind that Cross can be a future champion and as of late they have made her looking nothing short of that. She is winning matches, being dominate and showing the world what she can do in that ring. The real story this Sunday will be what comes of Nikki Cross and where she will go following Extreme Rules. She seems to be the hottest female going right now besides Becky Lynch.

Backstage Segment:
Paige Asuka and Karie Sane tell the Iconics they have a match to schedule and they think they will take the match tonight. The Iconics say they can’t because Billie is sick. They then try to come up with a fake sickness for her. Paige tells them all they do is make excuses and run. She then calls them clowns and then slaps Billie. Paige tells them the match is coming.

Backstage Segment:
Reigns is asked if he thinks this match tonight will effect this Sunday. He says his career is built on this and he proclaims Ziggler is not ready for him. He says as for this Sunday he and the Deadman are going to do their thing and those boys are going to Rest In Peace.

In Ring Segment: SmackDown Tag Team Championship Summit
Xavier Woods tells how he has a triple threat match tonight against Daniel Bryan and Ottis. He then reminds how they will have a triple threat match this Sunday for the SmackDown Tag Team titles. Big E says it’s not what he had in mind for a three-way this Sunday. They joke some more and then say how they can all hold their championship tips together at one time. They are then cut off by Daniel Bryan. Bryan tells how the New Day isn’t even taking this Sunday seriously and how they aren’t going to win. Woods says he wants to hear from Rowan. He questions who Rowan’s daddy is since he has answered to so many people. Bryan says New Day deflect the truth with jokes. He tells how New Day is great and has had great matches but has never escaped the middle of the card and are always seen as a comedy act. He says the only thing worse than New Day winning the titles would be Heavy Machinery. Here they come. Tucker says they get that Bryan is the greatest but reminds that at Stomping Grounds Ottis and he took Bryan and Rowan to the limit. He says they showed themselves what they were all about and after it, they got back to work. They tell how they earned their opportunity to get in this match. Ottis says they are blue collard solid. Tucker says that it’s overcoming every obstacle. Tucker proclaims they will become the new champions this Sunday. Ottis then tells Bryan and Woods he is coming.
My Opinion:
This was as exciting as I thought it would be, it seemed like a time filler here and it could’ve been better. We have three really good teams here and this Sunday I expect them to put on a great match but the talking has gone stale as of late. They definitely need to get to the action and leave the talking.

Match 3: Otis vs Daniel Bryan vs Xavier Woods
Woods does his best to get away from Otis early. Ottis is able to get into control and takes it to Bryan. Woods comes back and tries a suplex but can’t do it. Bryan comes in to help but Ottis is able to lift them both in the air and land a double suplex. Otis sends Woods into the corner and then slams Bryan to the mat. Rowan gets invovled and knocks down Otis. Tucker and Big E then help in taking out Rowan before they have a standoff themselves. Bryan takes over for a moment but it doesn’t last long. Woods comes in and sends Ottis to the floor. Woods flies to the outside but gets caught. Woods comes back sending Otis into the apron. Woods then goes after Bryan. Woods goes up top and flies hitting Bryan with a dropkick. Woods goes for the cover but Bryan kicks out. Bryan picks Woods out of the air and locks in the labell lock. The hold is broken. Bryan goes after Otis with a series of kicks but Otis stops him and takes him out. Ottis takes out Woods in the corner and then Bryan in the other. Bryan is able to hang up Ottis and Woods hits him with a superkick. Woods hits a gutbuster sending Bryan to the outside. Otis is able to land a big slam on Woods and get the 1 2 3 on the cover.
Winner: Otis
My Opinion:
This was a huge win for Otis but also for Heavy Machinery as a whole. They now have the momentum going into Sunday and honestly they have been so good as of late they have to seem like the favorites. Otis showed how he can get the job done and when you add Tucker with him they can and will be unstoppable. I can’t wait to see this match but especially the performance from Heavy Machinery.

Backstage Segment:
Ember tells Mandy and Sonya that she was next. They mock her for winning one match last week. Rose tells her this isn’t twitter where she can troll her fellow WWE SuperStars. Ember reminds Rose she beat her ass last week. They then challenge Ember to find a tag partner and face them next week. Ember says if she can’t she will just have to face them on her own. *** We got a new Ali vignette this week

Aleister Black:
Tom Phillips tells how Black and his opponent have both signed their contract for this Sunday but his opponent has chosen not to identify themselves yet. He tells his opponent it’s something he would do and that it’s smart. He says he doesn’t care anymore so this Sunday at Extreme Rules he is just going to walk out. His opponent finally comes in and it’s Cesaro. He tells Black he knocked at the door because he wants to pick a fight with him. Black says very well because this Sunday he is going to fight him.
My Opinion:
Well, this wasn’t exactly what I think people wanted as it was the feeling that the Universe wanted the return of Bray Wyatt here. It makes sense though because both of them seem set for pushes so you can’t have one lose to the other. Here with Cesaro, you’re going to get a great match between these two. They’re both excellent in the ring and I believe this will deliver and could even steal the show.

Backstage Segment:
Shelton Benjamin is asked if Ziggler will finally prove it should be him with the opportunity to defeat Roman Reigns. Benjamin has nothing to says and looks around before walking away.

Backstage Segment:
Paul Heyman walks by Kaylay Braxton. Kayla then welcomes Kofi and asks him about Joe’s threats from earlier. He says nothing he says could affect his mindset. He knows who he is and what he does. Kofi says last week he got inside Joe’s head and he got his with Trouble in Paradise. He says Joe is probably the most dangerous opponent he has had so far but by beating guys like Joe, that’s how he is going to become one of the greatest WWE World Heavyweight champions of all time.

Match 4: Roman Reigns vs Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew Mcintyre & Shane McMahon & Elias
Ziggler goes for the leg of Reigns but can’t take him down. Reigns and Zigler lock up and Ziggler backs him into the corner. Reigns reverse and is counted off. Ziggler lands a big strike but Reigns comes back with a headbutt. Reigns bounces him off the turnbuckle and another to follow. Off the ropes, Reigns is able to land a big forearm to the chest of Ziggler. Ziggler goes after Reigns leg and then hits him with a dropkick. Ziggler hits an elbow and goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out. Ziggler goes after Reigns in the corner but Reigns hits him with a huge slap. On the outside Reigns hits Ziggler with a drive-by. Ziggler is thrown back into the ring and Reigns hits him with a slap. As the ref is distracted Mcintyre sends Reigns into the ring post. Ziggler comes to the outside and sends Reigns into the barricade. Ziggler gets him back in the ring and hits him with an elbow. Ziggler goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out. Zigler then locks in a submission on Reigns. Reigns works to his feet but is thrown back to the mat. Ziggler is able to land a neck breaker. He goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out. Ziggler locks in a chin lock on the mat and continues to wear down Reigns. Reigns gets to his feet but Ziggler continues to stay on him. Off the ropes Reigns is able to land a Samoan Drop, both men are down. Ziggler looks for the DDT but Reigns fights him off. Off the ropes, Reigns hits a flying clothesline. Reigns hits Ziggler with a boot and Ziggler goes down. Elias gets on the apron and Reigns hits him with a Superman Punch. Ziggler from behind hits the Zig Zag. Ziggler goes for the cover but Reigns kicks out. Reigns is able to counter Ziggler and hit a Superman Punch. Reigns goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out. On the outside Reigns takes out Mcintyre and Elias after he flies over the ropes. Shane tries to get invovled but Kevin Owens comes out of nowhere and hits Shane with a stunner. Reigns comes back in the ring and hits Ziggler with a spear. Reigns goes for thc over and gets the 1 2 3.
Winner: Roman Reigns
My Opinion:
That was a shorter match but Reigns and Ziggler did really well. Ziggler looked great in this one but the problem is there is no quit in Reigns. There definitely seemed to be something scheming up with Shane but thanks to KO that never happened. Reigns once again picks up the huge win gains momentum for him and Taker. Reigns seems focused and ready to take anyone out. Having to face Reigns and Taker you know Shane will have some tricks up his sleeves and I cannot wait to see this match play out!!!

Final Thoughts:
Tonight was a solid show, first, I loved the way it kicked off with the backstage segment from earlier and then with Kevin Owens. That was so awesome and he really got over and shared the thoughts that so many have. I’m so excited to see where Owens will go from here because right now everyone is going to want to see KO. Also, I loved the aggression we saw with Shinsuke Nakamura, he took it to Finn Balor and put himself back on the map tonight which made me so happy. I was also super impressed with Nikki Cross and Ottis. Cross showed again that she can get the job done and pretty much dominated Carmella. Heading into Sunday this is huge for her and Bliss. As for Ottis, he did so well and showed how amazing he is in there. He took it to two great wrestlers in Daniel Bryan and Xavier Woods and the future looks for bright for him and Tucker. I did like the decision of Cesaro being Aleister Black’s opponent for Sunday, I think it makes a lot of sense and it’s two guys who can put on a show and steal the show. The main event was awesome as well, Reigns looked good and hung in there against the very game Ziggler. Thanks to KO Reigns didn’t get screwed over and he picked up the victory and got back in the heads of Mcintyre and McMahon. You know Shane will come at them hard on Sunday but when you have Reigns and Taker on one team that’s a powerful alliance that’s going to be hard to beat no matter what tricks they may have. Overall it was a great show and I can’t wait to see everything unfold this Sunday, the time for talk is over and it’s time to get Extreme!!!
Overall Rating: 6.5/10