WWE Smackdown Live Review (18th of June)
It's the final Smackdown before Stomping Grounds! Just like I said in the RAW Review, the card for the PPV doesn't look too great. Once RAW ended, I became a little more interested in their perspective matches at the PPV. Did this episode of Smackdown accomplish the same goal RAW did? Let's find out!
Show opened with The New Day coming out to talk about Stomping Grounds. They continue to back Kofi up as they state that Kofi will retain this Sunday. As Kofi was joining the conversation, Dolph Ziggler comes out and continues to act psychotic towards Kofi, claiming that he will take his championship and will end him well. Kofi rebuttals, saying that Dolph won't ever get the job done.
Show opened with The New Day coming out to talk about Stomping Grounds. They continue to back Kofi up as they state that Kofi will retain this Sunday. As Kofi was joining the conversation, Dolph Ziggler comes out and continues to act psychotic towards Kofi, claiming that he will take his championship and will end him well. Kofi rebuttals, saying that Dolph won't ever get the job done.
Dolph Ziggler Vs. Xavier Woods
I thought this was a good match as Dolph showed his vicious side and Xavier looked good as well. So many Superkick spots from Dolph almost had the match won a couple of times. He even hit the Zig Zag on Woods for the near fall. Xavier put up a good fight, but one last Superkick was it as Dolph got the pin over Woods. Afterwards, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn attack New Day until Universal Champion Seth Rollins appears with a chair! He nails both men with the chair and they bail out. Fans were surprised for sure as Rollins appearing on Smackdown was totally not expected!
Shane McMahon arrives to the arena then is immediately confronted by KO and Sami. They complain about Rollins showing up, referring to him as a very bad guy. Shane tells them that they should take the bad guy out and sets up a match between Kofi and Seth vs the two of them in a 2/3 Falls Tag Match!
A Moment of Bliss segment was next with Alexa Bliss and Smackdown Women's Champion Bayley. Alexa talks about how Bayley's title reign will come to an end at the PPV, while Bayley claims that Alexa is using Nikki Cross for extra leverage in her career. This causes Alexa to go into a big tirade as she starts claiming that Bayley was never nice to her since their NXT days. She also calls her a liar, claiming that she's portraying a fake nice character. Bayley rebuttals by continuing to say Alexa is using Nikki. Alexa punches her then this escalated into a brawl! Nikki pulls Bayley off Alexa and starts arguing with her, causing Bayley to be distracted as Alexa hits her behind with the final blow.
Backstage, Apollo Crews confronts Zelina Vega as he asks her to tell Andrade that he's looking for him. Zelina replies by charming Apollo and this was the opportunity for Andrade to come out of nowhere and brutality attack him! Andrade showed a very vicious side here and I really liked it.
Shane McMahon arrives to the arena then is immediately confronted by KO and Sami. They complain about Rollins showing up, referring to him as a very bad guy. Shane tells them that they should take the bad guy out and sets up a match between Kofi and Seth vs the two of them in a 2/3 Falls Tag Match!
A Moment of Bliss segment was next with Alexa Bliss and Smackdown Women's Champion Bayley. Alexa talks about how Bayley's title reign will come to an end at the PPV, while Bayley claims that Alexa is using Nikki Cross for extra leverage in her career. This causes Alexa to go into a big tirade as she starts claiming that Bayley was never nice to her since their NXT days. She also calls her a liar, claiming that she's portraying a fake nice character. Bayley rebuttals by continuing to say Alexa is using Nikki. Alexa punches her then this escalated into a brawl! Nikki pulls Bayley off Alexa and starts arguing with her, causing Bayley to be distracted as Alexa hits her behind with the final blow.
Backstage, Apollo Crews confronts Zelina Vega as he asks her to tell Andrade that he's looking for him. Zelina replies by charming Apollo and this was the opportunity for Andrade to come out of nowhere and brutality attack him! Andrade showed a very vicious side here and I really liked it.
Heavy Machinery Vs. The B-Team
Fine match here as Heavy Machinery were on the defense side through most of the match. Daniel Bryan and Rowan were on commentary, even though Bryan was the main one who talked. Machinery came back near the end and they lay waste to B-Team very quickly. Otiz nails the Caterpillar Elbow Drop on Bo Dallas then both Otiz and Tuker finished him with the Contractor finisher! They stare down the tag champs afterwards as they're on the hunt for their belts.
Shane McMahon arrives along with Elias and Drew McIntyre as they talk about Stomping Grounds. Drew states that Roman will get the beating of a lifetime this Sunday while Shane agrees and adds that Roman won't be able to compete again after the PPV. They're interrupted be The Miz as he taunts Shane by showing replay of Roman beating him down on RAW the night before. Shane tries to get one higher on Miz as he comes up with a tag match featuring Elias and McIntyre vs Miz and a partner of his choosing. There was one problem, Miz had to find a partner within 10 seconds or else it'll be a Handicap Match. As Shane's counting down, R-Truth appears from under the ring and attempts to escape through the crowd. Miz spots him from the distance and announced R-Truth as his tag partner! Awesome Truth officially reuniting for one night only! Shane makes one last announcement as he made the match an Elimination match.
Shane McMahon arrives along with Elias and Drew McIntyre as they talk about Stomping Grounds. Drew states that Roman will get the beating of a lifetime this Sunday while Shane agrees and adds that Roman won't be able to compete again after the PPV. They're interrupted be The Miz as he taunts Shane by showing replay of Roman beating him down on RAW the night before. Shane tries to get one higher on Miz as he comes up with a tag match featuring Elias and McIntyre vs Miz and a partner of his choosing. There was one problem, Miz had to find a partner within 10 seconds or else it'll be a Handicap Match. As Shane's counting down, R-Truth appears from under the ring and attempts to escape through the crowd. Miz spots him from the distance and announced R-Truth as his tag partner! Awesome Truth officially reuniting for one night only! Shane makes one last announcement as he made the match an Elimination match.
The Miz & R-Truth Vs. Drew McIntyre & Elias (Elmination Match)
The match started off fine as Truth handled the match for a little bit until Shelton Benjamin came out with a lot of superstars to chase the 24/7 Championship. This distracted Truth as Elias hits him with a Running Knee and pins him, eliminating him first. Shelton grabbed the title and ran as he thought he would be champion by stealing the title. A referee informs him that he can't be champion by stealing, he must pin Truth first. Truth grabs his title back and makes a run for it then the chase continues. Miz is now alone and must fight his opponents solo. Miz puts up a fight, but couldn't overcome the strengths of his opponents as McIntyre nails him with the Claymore Kick and picks up the win. Afterwards, Miz continues to take a beating from all 3 heels as they once again lay him out.
Backstage, Ember Moon confronts Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. She calls them bullies and promises to deal with them very soon. Mandy and Sonya basically tells her to get lost, and that was enough to set off Ember. Ember punches Mandy then gets into a full on brawl with Sonya! They even slammed each other on a wall and that looked a little painful. Very intense brawl here and hopefully they have a match soon.
R-Truth is now looking for Carmella as he exits the building. A referee pulls up and gets out of the vehicle then Truth turns around to see a man dressed as Carmella, in which he calls him Mini Me Carmella lol. Turns out the man in disguise was Drake Maverick and he school boys Truth for the shock pin, winning the 24/7 Championship! Drake was so happy here that he steals the referee's car lol. Truth will definitely get his title back at some point, but if Maverick is going to have a lengthy run with the title then I'm up for it.
Backstage, Ember Moon confronts Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. She calls them bullies and promises to deal with them very soon. Mandy and Sonya basically tells her to get lost, and that was enough to set off Ember. Ember punches Mandy then gets into a full on brawl with Sonya! They even slammed each other on a wall and that looked a little painful. Very intense brawl here and hopefully they have a match soon.
R-Truth is now looking for Carmella as he exits the building. A referee pulls up and gets out of the vehicle then Truth turns around to see a man dressed as Carmella, in which he calls him Mini Me Carmella lol. Turns out the man in disguise was Drake Maverick and he school boys Truth for the shock pin, winning the 24/7 Championship! Drake was so happy here that he steals the referee's car lol. Truth will definitely get his title back at some point, but if Maverick is going to have a lengthy run with the title then I'm up for it.
Seth Rollins & Kofi Kingston Vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (2 Out Of 3 Falls)
As soon as the bell rang, Kofi hits Sami with the Trouble in Paradise to score the first fall! The match itself was good as both teams did their parts in this match. Owens and Zayn took over through half of the match as they mostly did damage to Rollins. Rollins hot tags Kofi then Kofi goes on a tear! Kofi takes out Sami but KO gets the upper hand on him. Rollins secretly tags in and delivers the Curb Stomp to pick up the win for his team! Good main event to close out the show.
Final Smackdown before Stomping Grounds was good as they too got me a little more interested into their perspective matches at the PPV, just like RAW did the night before! Hopefully after this Sunday we'll see some new rivalries and new challenges for the main titles. It's a simple request.
Show Rating: 7.3/10
Final Smackdown before Stomping Grounds was good as they too got me a little more interested into their perspective matches at the PPV, just like RAW did the night before! Hopefully after this Sunday we'll see some new rivalries and new challenges for the main titles. It's a simple request.
Show Rating: 7.3/10
