Logan Paul kicks off the show, Sami Zayn VS Ricochet
Logan Paul kicked off SmackDown to talk about his podcast and most recent guest Roman Reigns. Logan Paul said he had set up a press conference that the Tribal Chief has been invited to. Before he could say anymore, Paul Heyman returned with the Bloodline behind them. Solo Sikoa holding the NXT North American Championship just made the group look and feel even cooler. Paul Heyman questioned Logan’s decision to trash talk the champion before Paul came back with the line “what if I land the one lucky shot”. Sami Zayn then took over and went to speak to a “former friend” but Logan Paul punched him straight away. The most important part of this is whilst Sikoa and Jimmy were annoyed, Jey was laughing, furthering that storyline. In some ways, Paul VS Reigns makes sense for Crown Jewel. The only issue is that this time last year, Crown Jewel was finally coming across as a big deal, not just a network special. Also, I really hope WWE aren’t trying to place Paul as the babyface because that would make even less sense than usual.
Grade: B-
Sami Zayn and Ricochet are two terrific talents so this could never be bad. I also liked that Michael Cole brought up the fact that these two feuded earlier on in the year for the Intercontinental Championship as it makes it feel like a slightly bigger deal. At one point, Sami Zayn hit the blue thunder bomb for what should have been the ending to the match but instead, Logan Paul distracted Jessika Carr (the referee). Then, Sami should have won again but this time, he was cost by Jey Uso. Zayn rolled out of the ring and clashed heads with the right-hand man. This was really good as it continues that storyline. Ricochet was able to take advantage and he ended up winning with the Shooting Star Press. It’s nice to see Ricochet winning matches. After it, Madcap Moss came down to even the odds but to also build his matchup with Solo Sikoa that was coming up later in the night.
Grade: B-
Karrion Kross promo, Braun Strowman runs through the Maximum Male Models.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett were once again cutting a filmed promo. They talked about how they laid out Drew McIntyre before Kross basically confirmed that they will clash in the ring at some point. I liked this; the words didn’t mean much but the presentation is great. Back in the ring, Max and Maxxine Dupri were in the ring ready to introduce their models back-to-back school collection. Before this, Max Dupri said that they are close to L. A before Maxxine stopped him. That was really cool. As the Models came down, Braun Strowman ran through them. It makes Strowman look cool but does really position MMM as pretty trash. Then, the Alpha Academy came out to get some revenge and amazingly, Otis picked Strowman up and dropped him which was really cool. Strowman then got up pretty quickly so it actually kind of made them both look good and bad at the same time. Strowman faces Otis next week.
Grade: C
Bayley VS Raquel Rodriguez, Ronda Rousey interview
Damage Control arrived and celebrated their victory from earlier on in the week. Before they could say anymore, Raquel Rodriguez came down to the ring to have her scheduled match with Bayley. The Role Models aim was to take out Raquel’s knee and it worked but the powerhouse kept fighting back. However, too many distractions cost the former NXT Women’s Champion as IYO SKY attacked Raquel’s eyes before Bayley hit the Rose Plant to get the win. It’s very rare that Raquel loses but this was a good way to do it. Also, Shotzi came out to make the save which was a really nice surprise. I want them to get Tegan Nox back as then, we have a very good Six-Women Tag Team feud incoming. Then, Ronda Rousey had a backstage interview with Kayla Braxton, but Liv Morgan interrupted it pretty quick, and they both talked down on each other. Liv Morgan then challenged Rousey to an Extreme Rules match which stunned Rousey before she accepted. This was fine, I really hope that Baszler costs Rousey come the Premium Live Event.
Grade: B for the match
Drew McIntyre promo, Solo Sikoa VS Madcap Moss
Drew McIntyre cut a promo on top of the announce table and said that Kross has his attention. Kross VS McIntyre does genuinely feel like a big deal which is cool. Then, Solo Sikoa told the Usos that he didn’t want them to come out because Jey is off his game, a reference to the earlier shenanigans. He then asked Sami to come out which furthers that story even more. We then found out that this was Madcap Moss’ first ever singles championship match which is pretty cool. This match was alright, Sikoa looked great but also, Madcap is really good, and I think he is a genuinely good option to dethrone Gunther. In the end though, Sami Zayn’s interference was the distraction that Sikoa needed as he hit Moss with the Uranage to get the victory. Seeing the North American Championship on the main roster is awesome, particularly if we end up getting to see other NXT stars challenge him for the title on these shows. Overall, pretty solid.
Grade: B-
Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Championship Number 1 Contenders Match
The Main Event of SmackDown saw the New Day, the Brawling Brutes, Hit Row and Imperium square off to see which team would be facing the Usos next week. The match was fine, but it would have been so much better if it had been 1 member from each team in the ring at the same time. Outside the ring, Sheamus and Gunther were having another one of their cool stare-offs. The closing stage of the match saw Imperium hit the Imperium bomb but unfortunately for them, Ridge Holland had tagged himself in and pinned Kofi Kingston to get the victory for the Brawling Brutes. I’m glad they won, the New Day shouldn’t have another shot and Imperium VS The Usos should be saved for a big-time storyline. This was a fine way to end the show.
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