SmackDown Review – The NXT Takeover: 11/3/2019
WWE Friday Night SmackDown Review: November 1st, 2019
This week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown comes to us live from the KeyBank Arena in Buffalo, New York, just twenty four hours removed from WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia. We return to our home station of FOX after the World Series ended in travesty with the Washington Nationals eliminating the Houston Astros last week. Before the show starts, World Wrestling Entertainment has regretted to inform us that the majority of the roster who decided to fly to Riyadh for the event are heavily delayed and will not be able to make tonight’s event. This means that the following advertised such as a new episode of Miz TV featuring the new universal champion, Bray Wyatt and a singles match between King Corbin and Roman Reigns has been postponed due to the travel issues. With desperation for huge publicity after last week’s catastrophe of an episode, WWE has promised to make tonight’s festivities a great one with surprises like no other. I assume that with the lack of stars left on the roster, there might be some heavy repercussions upcoming. I mean, we are on the road to Survivor Series in Chicago, which is only less than three weeks away and we need something huge to lead us into it. Additionally, we have a last minute change thanks to Fox where instead of a six woman tag team match between Bayley, Nikki Cross, Fire and Desire, Dana Brooke, and Carmella, we see the SmackDown Women’s Title match we all were somewhat anticipating for as well as a Brock Lesnar return. Let us see what World Wrestling Entertainment has in store tonight!
Replacing Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary tonight is the trio of Tom Phillips, Aiden English, and Renee Young
In-Ring Segment – Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels
Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar appear to kick the night off in Buffalo. Heyman introduces himself in vintage Heyman fashion and introduces the reigning, defending, undisputed, WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World, Brock Lesnar. Heyman then asks the WWE Universe to acknowledge his intelligence over their ignorance. He describes his client’s mood as really pissed off tonight. He questions the crowd on why he is pissed after defeating Cain Velasquez in the previous night at Crown Jewel. He then shows footage of the WWE Championship match at Crown Jewel. After witnessing the glory of Brock tapping out Velasquez with the Kamura Lock last night, Heyman claims that Lesnar attained retribution and vanquished his haunted past. He then goes onto address the bigger issue than Velasquez and that is Rey Mysterio, who is “your hero”. Heyman shows more footage of Crown Jewel with Mysterio attacking Brock with multiple chair shots, leading the champion to regroup with Heyman on the outside. Heyman then goes to address the real problem, which he has taken to Vince McMahon (if you don’t know who he is, google him bitches!) and states that Mysterio has sacrificed a ultimate fighting pinata known as Velasquez to Brock Lesnar and will receive Mysterio as a reward. Heyman claims that McMahon’s response was “I cannot do that because SmackDown superstars are ibligated by contract to be exclusive to FOX and Raw superstars are obligated by contract to be exclusive to the USA Network”. Because Rey Mysterio is on Raw, he can not be served to the WWE Champion. Heyman announces that Lesnar will be on Raw Monday, looking for Rey Mysterio and will quit Friday Night SmackDown. He then ends his promo with a Spanish quote and both men leave the building. While exiting the building, Triple H is seen looking at the expense of Lesnar and Heyman. He is then seen joined along by HB-Shizzle, the Heartbreak Kid – Shawn Michaels.
My Thoughts:
Brock Lesnar quits yet again! – Why am I not surprised at all? It seems to me that World Wrestling Entertainment enjoys to shove it down our throats that Lesnar likes to make his money by quitting and not doing his job. Now the WWE Championship will be moved to Raw for the first time since the pre-draft era in 2016 just to find and destroy Mysterio? Does this mean the Universal Title will be a mainstay on SmackDown and will have blue straps funded by FOX? This may be the case ladies and gentlemen. Other than Heyman cutting his usual god-like promo to promote the WWE Champion as he has done for the past seventeen years, I think it is time to seriously consider a change of scenery. Have Lesnar actually establish himself as a mainstay roster member instead of showing up once a year like Santa Claus. The only benefit I got from this promo was actually having the universal champion on Fridays instead of our vacant world champion every other millennium.
Match #1 – Bayley (with Sasha Banks) vs. Nikki Cross – SmackDown Women’s Championship
After the prestigious SmackDown Women’s Championship is presented by WWE Senior Official Charles Robinson and calls for the bell, Bayley and Nikki Cross lock up, which immediately leads to the showmanship of arrogance by the champion. Bayley puts Cross in the corner turnbuckle in which Cross pushes back. Cross goes for a rollup Schoolboy followed by another cover for two quick two count pin attempts. This leads to the challenger hitting a huge arm drag on the champion and goes for another pin attempt. Bayley comes back by pulling down the hair of Cross. After an Irish-Whip to the ring ropes, Cross sends Bayley out of the ring and hits her with an springboard apron dropkick followed by a Tornado DDT onto the floor at ringside, knocking both women out. After bringing the champion back in, she attempts another pin fall which takes us into commercial break. Coming back after FOX’s limitless commercials, we see The SmackDown Women’s Champion take full control of Nikki Cross with a headlock. Cross comes back and attempts another schoolboy pin. This leads to Bayley hitting a Clothesline From Hell – maybe paying respect to John Bradshaw Layfield – and takes control of this match. Cross comes back with vicious elbows that sends the champion at ringside. She attempts another apron dropkick and gets caught by the champion Bayley, whom drives her into the steel steps. After being thrown back inside the squared circle, Bayley attempts another pin. Multiple shoulder thrusts later, the champ gets cocky and misses another one which leads to an opening for Cross. A jawbreaker and a comeback later, she hits the running bulldog in the corner turnbuckle on the champion. Cross goes to the top turnbuckle and hits a flying crossbody for a two kickout by Bayley. While Cross is trying to put away Bayley with Twisted Cross, Sasha Banks attempts to interfere by pulling Bayley away. Cross knocks Banks out of her feet and is met with a kick to the face by Bayley and is met by a Flying Elbow Drop inspired by The Macho Man – Randy Savage, only good for two. In frustration of trying to end this match, Bayley attempts a top rope maneuver on Cross in which immediately has Cross reversing out of it, attempting a Tornado DDT, which is reversed. Cross rolls to the outside. Bayley sees the opportunity presented to her and tries to hit a baseball slide. Cross catches her with the ring apron and goes to work on the champ with straight punches. After taking down Bayley and Banks at ringside, with the referee distracted, Banks knocks Cross down. This would lead into Bayley hitting a Dean Ambrose type facebuster finisher and retains for the win. Post-match, we see NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler emerge from the audience and drive Banks into the ring post. Baszler then hits a step up knee strike to the SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and sends her shoulder first into the ring post. She then hits a gutwrench type suplex and lays the champion out cold. She ends her statement by hitting a running knee and holds the NXT Women’s Championship high. Baszler exits through the crowd.
Result: Bayley via pin fall, retains her SmackDown Women’s Championship
My Thoughts:
HOLY SH*T!! NXT has invaded the premises that is known as the main roster. I get that we have established NXT as WWE’s third brand but I feel like involving them in this year’s Survivor Series match will ultimately prove why they are just that instead of being referred to as developmental territory. Before I get into detail about the appearance of Shayna Baszler, let me talk about the SmackDown Women’s Championship match. The match itself was fun as we saw Cross really putting it all on the line tonight. Despite what every other individual thinks, I think I personally got a glimpse of how great Cross is as a title contender – this referring to her title matches against Asuka two years ago in NXT. Is it ironic that Cross bringing out her inner self back out from her origin days would lead to NXT invading in the opening match? I was really hoping for a new champion but again, Bayley proves me wrong again with the heel tactics and strong relationship with Sasha Banks. Contrary to the Boss’s interference, I love this new side of Bayley. The new finisher made me intrigued considering I saw the same move executed when a certain Lunatic who had a Shield with him used it to defeat Kofi Kingston at Extreme Rules way back in the day. Other than that, fun match. However, in terms of Shayna Baszler invading afterwards, it gave me the nostalgia of when Kevin Owens made his main roster debut four years ago against John Cena. Baszler walked into the building, kicked ass, and left. Plain and simple. I have not been a huge fan of The Queen of Spades, especially with her goons known as Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir doing her dirty work but her character has definitely made not only fans of hers proud but her home of NXT proud as well.
Pat McAfee replaces guest commentator Aiden English on commentary
Backstage Interview – Cathy Kelley, Sami Zayn, Matt Riddle, and Keith Lee
Cathy Kelly is seen backstage where she introduces her guest at this time, Sami Zayn. Zayn appears applauding himself. Kelly asks Zayn what his takes are for the recent actions that has just occurred to start the show. With sarcasm, Zayn starts to say that it is a pretty weird night and makes the assumption that NXT is in the building. He then makes the statement that the NXT brand needs to stick to their own business and not into the main roster’s. He then makes the claim that if any of the NXT stars rumored to be on the show steps up to him, he says that it will be pretty bad news for them in the long run. He is then cut off by NXT stars Matt Riddle and Keith Lee, who appear onscreen. In worry, Zayn applauds again at Lee and Riddle, stating that they are NXT’s brightest. He states that he is a big fan of both men and of NXT in general. He then brags onto say that a long time ago, they were referring Zayn as the heart and soul of NXT way back when. Zayn states that he has been down with NXT since day one, showcasing his black shirt. After admitting his embarrassment, he claims that he will head to his car to get his NXT shirt. Not believing a single word, Riddle and Lee follow Zayn, who is attempting to avoid them. Zayn then runs away and the chase is on as Lee and Riddle head out on pursuit. Zayn is appeared safe on the stage of SmackDown, cooling himself off momentarily. However, the chase continues as Riddle and Lee appear to chase down Zayn. Zayn is caught by Riddle after attempting to jump the barricade and sends him rolling into the ring with Lee waiting on one knee. After kicking off the flip-flops and Zayn begging for mercy and forgiveness, Riddle hits Zayn with a combination of The Final Flash and Bro Derek. Riddle points at Keith Lee. Lee smirks and heads to the top rope where he lands a beautiful moonsault onto Zayn. Riddle and Lee celebrate in the ring after laying out Zayn.
My Thoughts:
I popped seeing Lee and Riddle reunite after haven’t seeing them together in almost three years to the date at Evolve Wrestling. Sami Zayn never fails to entertain me with his heel character persona, mocking the new NXT talent as if they have not paved the way as he did to earn what he has gotten today. Every one else has claimed to hate his heel turn but in all honesty, it has really helped him rise the other talent on the roster. Of course, who doesn’t love a heel getting beaten up by two babyfaces in professional wrestling? I found the on-foot chase entertaining, especially since Riddle ran barefoot! I just sure as hell hope they do not pair up Riddle and Lee together as a tag team just as they did with Ricochet and Alesiter Black.
In-Ring Segment – Miz TV with Special Guest – Himself? – The Miz, Tomasso Ciampa
The Miz appears to the Buffalo faithful and shows off his ‘Buffalo is Awesome’ shirt. After a roar of Yes Chants, Miz welcomes everyone to the newest episode of Miz TV. Stating that this has been the wildest twenty four hours ever, he admits that his guest Bray Wyatt was supposed to appear tonight. We then take a look at what Wyatt did in the previous night at Crown Jewel to win the Universal Championship. A replay is shown of the Universal Championship match between Seth Rollins and The Fiend Bray Wyatt. After the replay video has been shown, Miz addresses the fact that unfortunately the universal champion will not be in the building. However, he does address the elephant in the room with NXT. Highlighting the events of tonight, The Miz is excited to see what happens next. However, he is interrupted by Tomasso Ciampa who emerges from the entrance and appears. After receiving loud cheers and NXT chants, Ciampa states that this is supposed to be must see tv and that the Miz is supposed to be the most must see superstar in all of WWE. He then introduces himself and claims himself as the greatest sports entertainer of all time. Ciampa continues by giving The Miz an ultimatum and argues that he is everything that is wrong with Raw and SmackDown. While he is kicking ass and busting his neck to prove why he is one of the best in NXT, he questions the Miz on what he is doing exactly. Is he an actor or a talk show host? Ciampa then claims that while Miz lives in the fantasy of playing a part in a movie, Ciampa is the part. Miz responds by saying he has heard the same thing told to him for a long time, claiming that Ciampa is acting like he does not know who he is. After listing the accolades of his NXT run, Miz admits that the people want to see Ciampa and himself battle it out on the microphone but at least let Ciampa come up with something original. For fifteen years, he deserves an Oscar and pushes Ciampa to make a statement. Miz makes the challenge to Ciampa for a impromptu match and we are taken to multiple advertisements by Fox.
My Thoughts:
You know, I never thought I would ever see the day to say this out of my mouth but that was the single greatest episode of Miz TV in its history! Seeing Tomasso Ciampa emerge from the masses was absolutely huge, especially since it felt like we were seeing signs of Heel Ciampa coming back with the promo exchange he had with The Miz. As much as I dislike the babyface run thus far, the war of words between two iconic figures of modern television made it feel real as if Ciampa was going to take the torch from The Miz as the ‘Greatest Sports Entertainer of All Time’. Maybe it was just me but I feel like this match that we are about to have between the two will be more exciting than originally expected. Also, let us not forget that history is being made as an NXT superstar will be going head to head with a SmackDown superstar for the first time on SmackDown! Clarification on what Pat McAfee stated during the match – this is not the first time NXT talent has squared off against main roster talent as Kevin Owens was the first NXT star to compete in a SmackDown ring as he defended the NXT title against Zack Ryder in an open challenge back in 2015 when SmackDown was complete crap.
Match #2 – Tomasso Ciampa vs. The Miz
After returning from a black hole of ads, the bell rings, and both men stare each other down. This quickly transitions into a lockup between Ciampa and Miz, and Miz hits the arm drag. Miz poses to the crowd. Ciampa mockingly applauds The Miz. After another lockup, Miz and Ciampa battle it out in the headlock game. This leads to an Irish-Whip by Miz and a lethal shoulder tackle by Ciampa. Ciampa attempts to throw Miz out to ringside but Miz catches himself and tries to roll up the former NXT champion. Miz throws Ciampa over the top rope and onto ringside. Miz fails at the ringside apron dropkick and Ciampa follows that up with a throw to the barricades of the WWE Universe with the addition of the ringside apron and the steel steps. We then see Ciampa sit on the apron and applaud himself with arrogance, patting himself on the back. After throwing Miz back in the ring, Ciampa locks in the headlock to weaken the A-Lister down. Miz attempts to comeback and hits the Irish Whip with the combo of the Kitchen Sink Knee. This leads to Miz hitting his vintage backbreaker and neckbreaker combination for an unsuccessful two count. He then hits the yes kicks in mockery of Daniel Bryan and multiple running knees to the corner turnbuckle. However, Ciampa meets him right down the middle with a discus clothesline. This gives Ciampa the opening for a Running Knee to the face for a unsuccessful two count pin attempt. Ciampa attempts to end it all with the Fairy Tale ending but Miz reverses it into a Figure Four Leglock. After a series of reversals from both Miz and Ciampa, Miz hits a chop block to the back of Ciampa’s left knee. Ciampa was thinking about a powerbomb but Miz makes him pay with a shot at the left knee and a DDT for his troubles for a kickout at two. This leads to a Figure Four Leglock. Ciampa rolls onto his belly and reverses the Figure Four on Miz. Ciampa rolls to the bottom rope to break it all up. He then rolls up Miz in the small package for a two count. Ciampa then transitions from a schoolboy into a Single Leg Boston Crab submission maneuver to the Miz. Miz rolls up into another small package for another near fall. This leads to a battle on Ric Flair inspired Knife Edge Chops between Miz and Ciampa. Ciampa attempts to fly high into Miz from the corner but Miz moves out of the way, leading to a running clothesline to the corner. Miz goes up top and is caught in mid air by a flying knee courtesy of Tomasso Ciampa. Ciampa then hits Fairy Tale Ending to pin the Miz and gets the victory.
Result: Tomasso Ciampa via pin fall
My Thoughts:
Easily predictable win for Ciampa but that was a solid match to say the least! Miz put up a fight. From reversals to submission attempts, these two had each other’s numbers from the get-go. Although it was the first win for NXT on a “main roster show”, I hope to see more Interbrand Warfare from here on out.
Backstage Segment – Daniel Bryan, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Adam Cole
Moments after Ciampa celebrates his victory, we see Daniel Bryan appear backstage walking. He then meets Triple H and Shawn Michaels who are somewhat happy to see him. Bryan then questions why Triple H and Michaels are here in Buffalo on an episode of SmackDown. Hunter responds by saying that they are visiting, having the thought that they were being called out by an advertisement by WWE during Crown Jewel for Survivor Series between SmackDown, Raw, and NXT, looking for a fight. Bryan states that he is looking for a fight, which is coincidental enough. Bryan then makes the challenge to Hunter by issuing the rematch of their WrestleMania 30 encounter, right now. After an intense stare down, Triple H mockingly denies the challenge, claiming that he did not bring his ring attire, only having a suit. He denies himself nor Shawn Michaels is looking for a fight but then reveals the man that is looking for a fight as well is none other than the NXT Champion, Adam Cole. Cole appears and smirks in the face of Bryan. Hunter asks Bryan if he has heard of Adam Cole (Bay Bay). Bryan makes the challenge to face Cole one on one for the NXT Championship. Triple H confirms the match. Cole says his vintage “boom” catchphrase and stares Bryan down to take us into commercial break.
My Thoughts:
It was obvious that NXT was in the house even way before this segment occurred! Maybe HB-Shizzle’s NXT gear spoiled it but nonetheless, this interaction between Hunter, Michaels, Bryan, and Cole was timeless. We revisited the past with the confrontation and the possibility of a WrestleMania 30 rematch, which would spark the resurrection of the Authority vs. Yes Movement rivalry from 2013. However, we ended up with something way better with an NXT Championship match between Cole and Bryan. I still question why Bryan was chosen to face the NXT Champion instead of someone like Drew Gulak or someone of that nature who was in the building and not in Saudi Arabia in airplane delay. I would have loved to see Cole battle it out with someone of the likes of Orton, Ali, Reigns, or even The Fiend for crying out loud (even though he really did not need it.) Aside from that, I am really interested in seeing if we get the return of The American Dragon, Daniel Bryan from way back in the day considering this is his first and maybe only NXT championship opportunity!
Match #3 – Fire and Desire (Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville) vs. Tegan Noz and Rhea Ripley
(Originally scheduled – Fire and Desire vs. Carmella and Dana Brooke)
Before the match even begins, we see NXT’s Bianca Bel Air attack Dana Brooke and Carmella backstage. Tegan Nox and Rhea Ripley appear and Ripley cuts a pre-match promo. Ripley mocks Fire and Desire stating that they do not have any opponents for tonight until now.
The referee calls for the bell while both Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville complain about the actions that have just occurred and immediately, Tegan Nox and Rhea Ripley hit both members of Fire and Desire with vicious left elbows that send Deville out of the ring and Rose down. After Nox slams Deville’s head onto the apron ringside, Ripley jams Rose’s head into the corner turnbuckle. Deville fights back with a lethal strike to the face of Nox and throws her into the barricade. Meanwhile in the ring, Rose attempts to fight back against the Brutality of Rhea Ripley with a huge punch to the face which is then met with a Ripley dropkick. At ringside, Nox throws Deville into the announcer’s table, knocking down Tom Phillips and kicking Renee Young in the face. Nox then yells that this is how they do it in NXT bay-bee. Heading back to the action inside the ring, Nox comes back into the ring and hits Rose with a Shining Wizard and Ripley applies and standing inverted Lasso from El Paso submission move to win the match.
Result: Rhea Ripley and Tegan Nox via submission
My Thoughts:
RHEA RIPLEY AND TEGAN NOX JUST TEAMED TOGETHER AND GOT THE WIN!!! You are telling me that two of NXT’s hottest commodities in the Women’s Division, who are also set for NXT Women’s War Games in a couple of weeks, are kicking ass and hauling on the blue brand? This actually seems like a dream come true! These two ladies deserve to have all the credit and spotlights in the world today. Former enemies of the Mae Young Classic from this past year have settled their differences aside and destroyed the SmackDown Women’s Division. This was music to my ears! I think I am dreaming from the exhaustion of work and school…oh wait, this is reality!
Stephanie McMahon appears to highlight an revolutionary match between Lacey Evans and Natalya
Match #4 – (Main Event) – Daniel Bryan vs. Adam Cole – NXT Championship Match
WWE Official Drake Wuertz calls for the bell in the main event for the NXT Championship and Adam Cole – the NXT Champion – locks up with the challenger Daniel Bryan to kick things off. Bryan takes Cole down with a headlock takedown but Cole reverses into a head scissors. Both men have a standoff. Meanwhile, Triple H and Shawn Michaels are at ringside, keeping a close eye on this match. Locking up once again, this leads Adam Cole makes history repeat itself with a headlock takedown to Bryan but Bryan reverses into a head scissors. Another standoff and lockup later, Bryan applies the arm wrench to Cole but Cole rolls out of it and reverses into his own Arm Stretch. This leads to Bryan pushing Cole to the corner turnbuckle, shoving and slapping the taste out of the current NXT Champion’s mouth. Cole comes back with a fury of strikes. Bryan returns with a ruthless uppercut and a kick to the face of Cole. Bryan puts him in the corner yet again and knife edge chops Cole twice until Cole returns with vicious mudhole stomps into the corner. Another headlock takedown later, Bryan fights out of it and Irish whips Cole only to be met with a strong shoulder tackle by the NXT champion. Again, that flips the momentum as Bryan strikes Cole with a kick to the chest. Bryan sets up Cole with a ghastly arm stomp to the left back elbow. This leads to a Surfboard Stretch submission maneuver and transitions into an Inverted Dragon Sleeper. The hold is broken up and Cole is met with two uppercuts by Bryan. Bryan actually thinks that he has some sort of leverage over the NXT Champion and attempts a running strike but is met with a big pump kick by Cole for a failed two count pin fall. Cole attempts a suplex but Bryan reverses it sending both superstars over the top rope and onto the outside, laying both men out for more commercial breaks. After returning for possibly finally the last batch of advertisements of the evening, we are back into the action with a fight over who takes control of the Backpack Slide between Cole and Bryan. Cole hits a Flying Neckbreaker for a two count. In frustration, Cole hits multiple forearm drops to Bryan with an addition of a knee drop only good for two. He then applies a Figure Four Headlock submission on Bryan, which is broken up. Multiple mudhole stomps later by Cole, Bryan fights back and drops Cole with a big uppercut. Irish whip by Cole leads to Bryan hit his magnificent moonsault, landing on his feet, and drops the NXT champion with a flying elbow. Another Irish Whip by Bryan leads to a kick to the face by Cole but ends up being sent over the top rope by Bryan onto ringside. Bryan hits a flying knee onto Cole onto the outside. After throwing Cole back into the ring, Bryan goes high-risk and hits a missile dropkick. This leads Bryan to hit a running dropkick and sets up for a Flying Hurricanrana but Cole reverses into a roll up only good for two. Multiple uppercuts later, Bryan is met with a Adam Cole big boot which is only good for a two count. Cole sets up for another Suplex but Bryan reverses and sends the NXT champion through the ropes, falling to ringside. This leads Bryan to hit a suicide dive onto Cole but when attempting a second one, he is met with an Adam Cole superkick. This lays both men out for yet another commercial break – thanks FOX! Coming back to the action, Daniel Bryan is seen on the top rope but Cole meets him halfway as he knocks him down. Cole and Bryan meet on the top rope, looking for a superplex. Bryan reverses and pushes Cole into the top turnbuckle, stunning him. Bryan hits a Spider German Suplex from the Top Rope and misses a Flying Goat Headbutt as Adam Cole moves out of the way. Cole hits a knee brainbuster for a two count. In frustration to not put away Bryan, Cole exposes the right knee and sets up The Last Shot. Bryan reverses it into a Single Leg Boston Crab and transitions into an Achilles Lock submission. Cole reaches for the ropes. Bryan kicks the left leg of Cole, which makes the NXT champion angry, leading to a series of forearms. Bryan then applies the labelle lock. He then goes into a series of stomps to the face on Cole. He then applies the labelle lock once more but pulls back on the left arm. Cole reaches for the bottom rope. Bryan then gets the energy from the WWE Universe to hit more yes kicks. Cole reverses the final yes kick and attempts a roll up. Bryan gets out of it and reverses it into a roll up of his own for a two count. Bryan hits Cole with the final yes kick. Bryan attempts to hit the Running Knee Strike and is met with an Adam Cole superkick. Cole then hits a Panama Sunrise followed by The Last Shot to pin Daniel Bryan cleanly in a phenomenal main event. Post-match, the NXT roster come to celebrate with Adam Cole. Triple H appears and issues the challenge for Survivor Series as NXT will face Raw and SmackDown or Raw vs. SmackDown. He state that this is NXT’s ring and fired the first shot.
Result: Adam Cole via pin fall
My Thoughts:
I will get immense hate for this statement but that was the greatest main event in SmackDown history, hands down! You can argue with me that Rock and Triple H for the WWE championship on the debut episode took the cake but this match was a pure example of professional wrestling at its best. Yes – Daniel Bryan was not walking out of tonight as NXT champion but it sure as hell made me think otherwise! This reminded me of Gargano and Cole from Take Over 25 this year as this gave me four to five star match vibes on a show like SmackDown! Daniel Bryan was not the new Daniel Bryan we have known since this time last year but we witnessed the return of The Daniel Bryan we know and love who started from humble beginnings in the independent scene taking on the confident champion in Adam Cole, who leads a brand of epic proportions. I cannot wait to see what happens next from here on out and that includes Raw and NXT as well!
Final Thoughts:
Now this was the greatest episode in SmackDown history! Do not get me wrong, I sound over exaggerated when I say that but let me elaborate my thoughts. First and foremost, this was a huge step-up from last week’s catastrophe since we had something new and exciting! Aside from all the NXT talent showing up minus the greatest cruiserweight champion of our modern space and time Drew Gulak not appearing, the matches and segments were rock solid. Seeing the likes of Tegan Nox and Rhea Ripley absolutely destroy it in the ring made my heart happier than ever! Those two women, heading into the first Women’s War Games match in history, deserve the spotlight more than ever. They are badass and beautiful, that is enough said right there. Witnessing the promo exchange and match that occurred between Ciampa and Miz turned out to be better than originally thought of! Having Ciampa establish himself as the greatest sports entertainer of all time by holding his ground both on the microphone and in the ring against someone of the likes of The Miz only made me as an NXT fan excited for this Interbrand Warfare. Finally, in the main event, everything ended with a bang! You witnessed a takeover like match with the Big Gold on the line in a show like SmackDown. Although this was not your typical takeover main event with ecstatic crowd reactions, it still contained one of the best matches I have witnessed in some time with two men who have been killing it for decades. I am giving tonight’s show an 9/10 not for NXT’s involvement but for the structure of how everything felt smooth and natural rather than a repeated process. Maybe this was a wake up call by FOX to bring us back to 2016 and 2017 with invasions and war. With this said, I cannot wait for next week’s episode with the season of Survivor Series upon us! Until next time my peeps, keep the passion of professional wrestling alive!
