WWE Smackdown Live Review (30th of July)
Time for another Smackdown Live Review! With Summerslam on the way, things are looking to be heating up for the big event. This show sure made the fire burn a little bit more and if you don't know what I mean, you're about to find out. Let's take a look at what went down last night!
Show opens with a promo by Shane McMahon who announced that he wasn't in attendance for the show. He simply states that he will make Kevin Owens quit at Summerslam once he beats him down. In the mean time, people didn't care as they were happy that we didn't get to see Shane for the night.
Kevin Owens then arrives as he talks about his match against Shane at Summerslam. He states that he will beat the living hell out of him and will make sure that he doesn't come back for a while after the event. He also made sure to say that he will never quit again, then gets interrupted by Drew McIntyre. Drew tells KO that the two of them will battle on the show, then he proceeds to attack him. Drew tosses KO over the announce table then states that their match will happen right then and there.
Show opens with a promo by Shane McMahon who announced that he wasn't in attendance for the show. He simply states that he will make Kevin Owens quit at Summerslam once he beats him down. In the mean time, people didn't care as they were happy that we didn't get to see Shane for the night.
Kevin Owens then arrives as he talks about his match against Shane at Summerslam. He states that he will beat the living hell out of him and will make sure that he doesn't come back for a while after the event. He also made sure to say that he will never quit again, then gets interrupted by Drew McIntyre. Drew tells KO that the two of them will battle on the show, then he proceeds to attack him. Drew tosses KO over the announce table then states that their match will happen right then and there.
Kevin Owens Vs. Drew McIntyre
This was a pretty good match! McIntyre continued to show his dominance as KO looked strong going into his Summerslam bout. KO at one point hits a Pop Up Sit Out Powerbomb for a very near fall. McIntyre takes out KO near the announce table then strips the table as he teases putting KO through it. Owens counters it and hits a Stunner on the table! The table didn't break unfortunately. Action continues back into the ring as Drew teases a Claymore Kick but Owens hits another Stunner for the win!
Bayley & Ember Moon Vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross
Good tag match here as both teams brought it to the table with good action. Ember and Bayley teamed well but had a little bit of doubt for one another since Ember nailed her with the Eclipse last week. Alexa and Cross beat down Bayley for a bit til Ember made the hot tag, going wild on the two of them. Ember hits Nikki with the Eclipse but Alexa was the legal woman for her team. She takes out Ember then nails her with the Twisted Bliss, picking up the win for her team! Afterwards, Bayley helps Ember back to her feet then immediately nails her with the Bayley to Belly Suplex! Bayley got her comeuppance from last week and I'm sure this will heat up their rivalry going into the title match at Summerslam.
Next we have the return of the King's Court segment with host Jerry The King Lawler and his guest Trish Stratus! Trish was excited to be back on Smackdown and Jerry wasted no time in asking her the big question, if she has ever thought about coming back to the ring for another match. Trish states that she would want to come back, but she is a full time mother now and must focus on her children going forward in her life. Charlotte interrupts her and you could see what happens next from a mile away. Charlotte berates Trish for using mother duties as an excuse to not come back for another match. Charlotte goes on about being the best woman's wrestler ever then officially challenges Trish to a match at Summerslam! Trish calls Charlotte a bitch for acting like one in the segment, then officially accepts the challenge! Trish Stratus will face Charlotte at Summerslam and this could definitely be a great match!
The Firefly Funhouse returned! This time, the host of the episode was none other than Rambling Rabbit! Rabbit talks about how he's a fan of Finn Balor, but then stated that Balor made a big mistake by letting out The Fiend. As he goes on about the Fiend, he ducks and hides as Bray Wyatt appears looking for him. Bray then looks at us, laughs, and just simply says "Let me in...". Clearly adding more creepiness to the buildup to his Summerslam match.
Next we have the return of the King's Court segment with host Jerry The King Lawler and his guest Trish Stratus! Trish was excited to be back on Smackdown and Jerry wasted no time in asking her the big question, if she has ever thought about coming back to the ring for another match. Trish states that she would want to come back, but she is a full time mother now and must focus on her children going forward in her life. Charlotte interrupts her and you could see what happens next from a mile away. Charlotte berates Trish for using mother duties as an excuse to not come back for another match. Charlotte goes on about being the best woman's wrestler ever then officially challenges Trish to a match at Summerslam! Trish calls Charlotte a bitch for acting like one in the segment, then officially accepts the challenge! Trish Stratus will face Charlotte at Summerslam and this could definitely be a great match!
The Firefly Funhouse returned! This time, the host of the episode was none other than Rambling Rabbit! Rabbit talks about how he's a fan of Finn Balor, but then stated that Balor made a big mistake by letting out The Fiend. As he goes on about the Fiend, he ducks and hides as Bray Wyatt appears looking for him. Bray then looks at us, laughs, and just simply says "Let me in...". Clearly adding more creepiness to the buildup to his Summerslam match.
Finn Balor Vs. Dolph Ziggler
Decent match between these guys. Well, the beginning of it wasn't too special because it was second fiddle to commercial breaks, but the remainder of the match was fine for what it was. Balor started gaining momentum then as he was teasing to do his big dive over the top rope, the lights suddenly started shutting off section by section. Fans started to get hyped because we only knew what was about to happen next! The Fiend, Bray Wyatt appears!! He stares at Balor, started walking towards him, then the lights shut off again. Once they came back on, Wyatt was gone and Finn was completely distracted. He turns around into a Superkick by Ziggler and Ziggler pinned him for the win!
Shinsuke Nakamura Vs. Ali
I actually enjoyed this match as it went by quickly but it was all action! As soon as the bell rang, Ali hits Nakamura with a big Side Leg Kick, then follows it up with a Suicide Dive outside of the ring. Nakamura tried many times to hit the Kinshasa but each time Ali would find a way to reverse them. Ali then goes for the 450 Splash but Nakamura rolls out of the way and attempts to hit the Kinshasa yet again. Ali then again ducks out of the way and rolls up Nakamura for the win! Looks like Ali will get a future shot at the title.
Kofi Kingston Vs. AJ Styles
Good match here as expected between these two champions. New Day and The OC were at ringside, cheering their team members on. Kofi had AJ beat when Gallows and Anderson pulled him out of the ring and this causes chaos at ringside as Xavier Woods and Big E got in their faces. AJ gets on the apron but gets knocked off by Kofi, then proceeds to strike Big E in the face and The OC gained control for a bit. Woods and Big E fought back though but unfortunately we didn't get to see much because of the poor camera cuts. AJ prepares to hit the Phenomenal Forearm but once he leaped off the ropes, Kofi catches him with the Trouble in Paradise for the win!
Lastly, we were set to find out who Roman Reigns was gonna challenge to a match at Summerslam. Interviewer Kayla Braxton was preparing to interview him as he walked up towards her then suddenly, backstage equipments started falling onto Roman! Roman gets trapped under the equipments for a little then was able to get out from underneath them. Doctors tried to check on him but he refused help and walked off, looking completely flabbergasted by what just happened. This segment looked goofy as hell to me especially because of the ridiculous camera shots, but now I guess this will build suspense as to who wanted to take Roman out before the big event.
This episode of Smackdown was honestly good because of the matches alone! Along with Trish vs Charlotte now confirmed for Summerslam, an appearance by The Fiend, and especially Shane McMahon not being on the show mad this edition of Smackdown an enjoyable one for sure.
Show Rating: 7.7/10
Lastly, we were set to find out who Roman Reigns was gonna challenge to a match at Summerslam. Interviewer Kayla Braxton was preparing to interview him as he walked up towards her then suddenly, backstage equipments started falling onto Roman! Roman gets trapped under the equipments for a little then was able to get out from underneath them. Doctors tried to check on him but he refused help and walked off, looking completely flabbergasted by what just happened. This segment looked goofy as hell to me especially because of the ridiculous camera shots, but now I guess this will build suspense as to who wanted to take Roman out before the big event.
This episode of Smackdown was honestly good because of the matches alone! Along with Trish vs Charlotte now confirmed for Summerslam, an appearance by The Fiend, and especially Shane McMahon not being on the show mad this edition of Smackdown an enjoyable one for sure.
Show Rating: 7.7/10
