WWE Smackdown Live Review (September 10th)
Back in Madison Square Garden, this time for the blue brand! This show was the final stop before Clash of Champions and also we had the Semifinals for the King of the Ring Tournament. This show was not as packed as RAW, which didn't surprise me, but it was still made out to be a big deal regardless. Let's take a look at what went down in the Garden last night!
Show kicked off with another legendary appearance but this time it was The Phenom, The Undertaker! Taker cuts a promo mainly talking about his history in MSG over the past 30 years of his WWE career. Next thing we know, the inevitable occurs. Taker was INTERRUPTED! Who was the man dumb enough to interrupt the Deadman? Well that man was Sami Zayn! Zayn tries to reason with Taker as to why he decided to interrupt him. Zayn then gets in the ring and for some reason, calmly asks Taker to leave. Taker takes this opportunity to toy with Zayn by pretending to take him up on his request and leaves, but actually doesn't. Zayn, who totally believes his plan worked, jumped for joy until he turns around to see Taker staring him down. Taker shakes his head then grabs Zayn by his throat to Chokeslam him! Taker leaves Zayn laying in epic fashion to kick off the program.
Show kicked off with another legendary appearance but this time it was The Phenom, The Undertaker! Taker cuts a promo mainly talking about his history in MSG over the past 30 years of his WWE career. Next thing we know, the inevitable occurs. Taker was INTERRUPTED! Who was the man dumb enough to interrupt the Deadman? Well that man was Sami Zayn! Zayn tries to reason with Taker as to why he decided to interrupt him. Zayn then gets in the ring and for some reason, calmly asks Taker to leave. Taker takes this opportunity to toy with Zayn by pretending to take him up on his request and leaves, but actually doesn't. Zayn, who totally believes his plan worked, jumped for joy until he turns around to see Taker staring him down. Taker shakes his head then grabs Zayn by his throat to Chokeslam him! Taker leaves Zayn laying in epic fashion to kick off the program.
The Miz Vs. Andrade
Fine match for what it was I will say. IC Champion Shinsuke Nakamura was on commentary for this match as he prepares to face Miz for his title at Clash of Champions. Miz and Andrade were competitive against one another for sure as they were kind of stiff with one another. Both men were by the announce table at one point where Miz decides to throw Andrade at Nakamura, knocking him out of his chair! Match continues inside and Andrade had Miz under control until Miz came back with the Skull Crushing Finale, picking up the win! Immediately afterwards, Nakamura comes in and lays out Miz with the Kinshasa!
Backstage, Shane McMahon scrambles to find an opponent for Chad Gable in the KOTR Semifinal Match as Elias was injured and unable to compete in the match. He finds Gable and Gable was anticipating to find out who his opponent will be. Shane goes to grab him, only to come back with a swerve. Shane finally reveals that Gable's opponent will be none other than Shane himself! Gable was visibly unhappy and so was the fans. To be honest, I laughed. It was hilarious to me because I KNEW what the reaction would be and I was definitely looking forward to this bout.
Backstage, Shane McMahon scrambles to find an opponent for Chad Gable in the KOTR Semifinal Match as Elias was injured and unable to compete in the match. He finds Gable and Gable was anticipating to find out who his opponent will be. Shane goes to grab him, only to come back with a swerve. Shane finally reveals that Gable's opponent will be none other than Shane himself! Gable was visibly unhappy and so was the fans. To be honest, I laughed. It was hilarious to me because I KNEW what the reaction would be and I was definitely looking forward to this bout.
Mandy Rose Vs. Nikki Cross
Quick match here as Nikki wasted no time by sprinting to the ring and immediately attacks Mandy. Sonya tried to distract Nikki at one point but Alexa wasn't having that and stopped her in her tracks. Mandy however gets distracted by this and Nikki rolls her up for the win!
Heavy Machinery Vs. Local Competitors
Quick squash match as Otiz and Tucker laid out their opponents in comedy fashion. They perform the Compactor for the quick win. Not much else to say.
Backstage we see Shane McMahon prepare for his match with Chad Gable as he's approached by Kevin Owens. KO was requested to speak to Shane as he officially appoints KO the special guest referee for his match against Chad Gable! Shane specifically told him though that he must call the match down the middle, correctly I might add. You can only guess how this match went down......
Erik Rowan comes out next as he cuts a promo about how people should take him more seriously as a unstoppable monster. Yeah, that's not happening dude. He talks about his assault on Roman Reigns last week and how he will indeed finish the job this Sunday. This prompts Roman to appear and the two starts brawling through the crowd. They brawl up towards the stage as Roman lays a couple of Superman Punches on Rowan, but didn't do much damage as Rowan continuously fought back. Security guards and executives were all there as they tried to stop the chaos but were unsuccessful. Rowan then grabs the camera jib crane and swings it at Roman, taking him out along with some security guards! Rowan finally leaves then Roman gets back to his feet and is looking forward to finishing Rowan at the PPV.
Backstage we see Shane McMahon prepare for his match with Chad Gable as he's approached by Kevin Owens. KO was requested to speak to Shane as he officially appoints KO the special guest referee for his match against Chad Gable! Shane specifically told him though that he must call the match down the middle, correctly I might add. You can only guess how this match went down......
Erik Rowan comes out next as he cuts a promo about how people should take him more seriously as a unstoppable monster. Yeah, that's not happening dude. He talks about his assault on Roman Reigns last week and how he will indeed finish the job this Sunday. This prompts Roman to appear and the two starts brawling through the crowd. They brawl up towards the stage as Roman lays a couple of Superman Punches on Rowan, but didn't do much damage as Rowan continuously fought back. Security guards and executives were all there as they tried to stop the chaos but were unsuccessful. Rowan then grabs the camera jib crane and swings it at Roman, taking him out along with some security guards! Rowan finally leaves then Roman gets back to his feet and is looking forward to finishing Rowan at the PPV.
Bayley Vs. Ember Moon
This wasn't a bad match but my goodness the crowd was completely silent for this. Charlotte was on commentary for this match, mainly there to keep a close eye on Bayley as they head into their title match this Sunday. Ember Moon attempted to hit the Eclipse but Bayley ducks and hits the Bayley to Belly Suplex for the win! Afterwards, Charlotte enters the ring and simply points at the Smackdown Women's title as she's determined to become a 9 time champion at the PPV.
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston arrives next as he talks about his recent encounters with Randy Orton, leading to their Championship Match this Sunday. Since they're in the Garden, Kofi brought up the famous Boom Drop table spot he did to Orton exactly 10 years ago in that same building. He states that he will reign supreme in their match but before he could finish, Orton comes out through the crowd and repeatedly calls him stupid again. Orton then states that he will take Kofi's title and won't have to rely on fakeness to do so. In Orton's words, Kofi relied on a fake Jamaican accent with dreadlocks and now with the Power of Positivity bullshit. Kofi heard enough and went after Orton, but Orton had a steel chair in his hands and beats Kofi with it. Kofi fights back and sets Orton up on a table as he attempts to recreate the infamous spot. Kofi climbs up through the crowd onto the guard rails and sure enough executes the Boom Drop onto Orton!
WWE Champion Kofi Kingston arrives next as he talks about his recent encounters with Randy Orton, leading to their Championship Match this Sunday. Since they're in the Garden, Kofi brought up the famous Boom Drop table spot he did to Orton exactly 10 years ago in that same building. He states that he will reign supreme in their match but before he could finish, Orton comes out through the crowd and repeatedly calls him stupid again. Orton then states that he will take Kofi's title and won't have to rely on fakeness to do so. In Orton's words, Kofi relied on a fake Jamaican accent with dreadlocks and now with the Power of Positivity bullshit. Kofi heard enough and went after Orton, but Orton had a steel chair in his hands and beats Kofi with it. Kofi fights back and sets Orton up on a table as he attempts to recreate the infamous spot. Kofi climbs up through the crowd onto the guard rails and sure enough executes the Boom Drop onto Orton!
Shane McMahon Vs. Chad Gable (King Of The Ring; Semi-Finals)
Bell rings, Gable performs the Chaos Theory, and KO fast counts the pin! Chad Gable was the winner for about a minute until Shane grabs a microphone and restarts the bout, making it a 2/3 Falls Match! During this match, every time Gable would pin Shane, KO would be forced to be unfair towards him. Slow counting Gable, fast counting Shane, etc. Shane would do his best to take down Gable but he wasn't gonna give up that easy. Shane then grabs a chair but KO wisely told Shane not to use it, so Shane puts it down then gets caught in an Ankle Lock! Shane almost reaches the ropes then Gable drops down to add more pressure to the hold and this was enough for Shane to tap out! Chad Gable advances to the finals against Baron Corbin next week on RAW! Afterwards, Shane was incredibly pissed off at KO for not being a "correct" referee. As Owens was leaving, Shane pounces on him! He beats KO down then grabs the microphone again and tells him, "You're fired!" He didn't say it quite like his father, but it was still effective.
Show Rating: 7.3/10
Show Rating: 7.3/10
