Liv Morgan VS Sonya Deville: No Disqualification Match
This week's SmackDown started with a no disqualification match between Liv Morgan and Sonya Deville. This was a solid match which saw both talents take some big bumps. Both Morgan and Deville attacked their opponent with kendo sticks including Liv Morgan literally destroying it on the back of Sonya Deville. Right before the ad break, Sonya Deville was trying to suplex Morgan off the ring apron and through the table, but Liv held onto the rope. She then decided to let go which saw both of them flying through the table to the delight of the former SmackDown women’s champion. In the second half of the match, Sonya Deville power bombed Liv Morgan onto a bunch of chairs for a close near fall. In the end, Liv was able to connect with the ObLIVion and Deville fell onto the steel chairs meaning Morgan picked up the victory. A good showing from both and an important win for Morgan.
Grade: B-
Roman Reigns and Logan Paul video package, Ricochet VS LA Knight
Kayla Braxton interviewed Emma and she talked about how happy she is to be back in WWE. Xia Li came up to her and attempted to talk trash before Emma punched her in the face. After this, we got a video package showcasing the storyline between Roman Reigns and Logan Paul. This was pretty decent and made you more invested in their title match that takes place later on today. The Viking Raiders than had another video. I’m getting fed up with these, I just want them to return to action. Back into the arena, it was time for the “one and only” Ricochet to take on the “Megastar” LA Knight. Knight came out and insulted ring announcer Samantha Irvin before Ricochet hit a suicide dive onto Knight (Ricochet and Irvin are together in real life). The match itself was pretty solid, Ricochet is so, so good and Knight is a great trash talker in the ring. Add in Wade Barrett on commentary and this is a recipe for success. After a real back and forth encounter, Knight reversed a roll-up from Ricochet into one of his own, expect the former Million Dollar Champion held both the tights and the ring ropes to get the victory. From Knight’s point of view, this was a big win for him. From Ricochet’s point of view, he has reasons to have a rematch. Solid stuff.
Grade: B-
Bray Wyatt, The Tag team division
Bray Wyatt was attempting to cut a backstage promo before he was interrupted by one of the stage people. He was angry about this and he wanted to hurt him but, in the end, he chose not to. After a little disagreement between Sami Zayn and Jey Uso, the Usos came down to the ring to address the Brawling Brutes. They talked about how they are so close to breaking the tag team title record before the New Day interrupted them. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods came out and told them that they are rooting for the Brutes. They then said that they will make sure that the Usos don’t break their record before the Brutes attacked them. The Brutes and the New Day joined forces, but it was quickly stopped by the arrival of Sami Zayn and more importantly Solo Sikoa. Butch rallied a bit at the end, but Sikoa wrecked him before he hit the Spinning Solo. This segment set the New Day up as the next challengers whilst making Solo Sikoa look awesome.
Grade: B-
Shayna Baszler VS Natalya, MVP and Braun Strowman
Rey Mysterio cut a promo talking about how he misses his son and how he wants to become Intercontinental Champion again. After this, we saw Shayna Baszler take on Natalya. This match wasn’t great, it was pretty slow and Baszler struggled to carry Natalya through it. In the end, Baszler got the win by making her opponent pass out. After this, Rousey told Baszler to make sure that Natalya stayed down so she smashed her with a big boot. Natalya was also bleeding quite hard. The closing angle did more for Baszler than the match itself.
Grade: C- for the match, B for the closing angle
Like Reigns and Paul from earlier on in the night, a video package aired hyping up the feud between Karrion Kross and Drew McIntyre. I’m looking forward to their steel cage match but I’m worried that McIntyre is going to win. MVP was then in the ring and he had found 5 guys for Braun Strowman to fight. Whilst the enhancement talents were walking down the ramp, Braun Strowman’s music hit and he bulldozed through them. He then chased down MVP before he hit 3 running powerslams onto the businessman to send a message to Omos. I’ll be quite honest; I don’t really enjoy watching Braun Strowman. I’ll be glad when his feud with Omos is over. Gunther then cut a promo saying he was going to beat Rey Mysterio to keep hold of his Intercontinental Championship. Legado Del Fantasma then had another cool looking promo were Escobar and Vega vowed to beat Shinsuke Nakamura. I am very much looking forward to seeing the Emperor of Lucha Libre take on the King of Strong Style next week.
Intercontinental Championship: Gunther VS Rey Mysterio
The main event of the evening saw the Ring General Gunther take on the Legendary Luchador Rey Mysterio. This was a pretty good match; Gunther continues to showcase why he is one of the best wrestlers in the world whilst Rey Mysterio continues to remind everyone how good of a career he has had. Gunther showcased his power, but Rey used his quickness to avoid it. At one point, Rey hit the 619 but then missed at his attempt of the frog splash. Gunther hit the Powerbomb but quite surprisingly, Mysterio kicked out. In the end though, Rey had clearly angered Gunther just a little bit too much and the longest reigning UK Champion wrecked Mysterio with a big boot before he smashed him with a devastating close line to retain his championship. Another great win for Gunther and the question remains; who is good enough to stop him?
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