United States Championship: Austin Theory VS Sheamus
The final stop on the road to Night of Champions started with Austin Theory putting his United States Championship on the line against Sheamus. This match came about after an altercation last week and I thought this was solid stuff. Sheamus brought his hard-hitting style to the proceedings, but it’s more than fair to say that Theory held his own with the Celtic Warrior. Both men pulled out all the stops to try and win and it looked like it was going to be Sheamus’ night before Pretty Deadly attacked Butch and Ridge Holland. This distraction lead to Austin Theory sneaking a roll-up victory to retain his United States Championship. A fun 6-man tag should come of this.
Grade: B-
Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi VS Damage CTRL, Cameron Grimes VS Ashante “Thee” Adonis.
Roman Reigns made it clear that he wanted all of the Bloodline to be at SmackDown for his 1,000th-day celebration (it’s actually today), but none more than Jey Uso. This annoyed Jimmy Uso to the point where he was going to leave, but Roman stood face-to-face with his cousin and talked down to him like he was a peasant. This was really good stuff. Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi then had their first match back as a tag team as they battled Damage CTRL’s Bayley and Iyo Sky. This match was alright, everyone involved put in a good performance, but the whole main roster women’s tag division just feels empty. Maybe it’s because Dakota Kai and Liv Morgan are injured or maybe it’s just because both Raquel and Shotzi have had multiple partners in the past. However, the ending, whilst clunky, did further the dissension in Damage Control as Raquel Rodriguez got the victory after a mistake by Iyo Sky.
Grade: C
We got a repeat of the Seth “Freakin” Rollins interview from Raw next before AJ Styles got his own video package. Whilst I’ve seen both of these before, they are very good. Grayson Waller then got a video package of his own which is good before Cameron Grimes looked to go 2-0 on the main roster as he faced Hit Row’s Ashante “Thee” Adonis. It was weird seeing Hit Row back on tele after months, but I do think Adonis can go in the ring. However, this match wasn’t about him as Cameron Grimes was able to showcase most of his Moveset before he hit the Cave In to get the win. After the match, Baron Corbin attacked him from behind which I liked as that feud should carry on.
Grade: C+
Bianca Belair Promo, LA Knight VS Rick Boogs, AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross
Bianca Belair made her way down to the ring as the Raw Women’s Champion cut a promo about how she no longer respects Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow’s music then hit as she attacked the EST from behind. The two then brawled before officials broke it up as Bianca stood tall in the ring. This was a fine segment, it furthered the feud a little bit, but that’s not really hard given the lack of build between the two in the past 3 months.
Grade: C
The Megastar LA Knight arrived as he was about to go one-on-one with his “former tag team partner” Rick Boogs. The Street Profits joined commentary for some reason and they got to watch a pretty decent match between two very entertaining superstars. Rick Boogs looked strong as per usual, but this match was designed to highlight LA Knight as he picked up a big victory after nailing Boogs with the BFT. After the match, LA cut a brilliant promo on the Street Profits and like in NXT, the crowd have grown to love the Megastar. YEAH!
Grade: B-
Karrion Kross made it clear that there was going to be barely anything left of AJ Styles going into Night of Champions before the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn got a video package which was cool. It was then time for the final match of the night as AJ Styles took on Karrion Kross. Scarlett interfered early on in the match, but “Michin” Mia Yim arrived to chase away Karrion Kross’ valet. The match between AJ Styles and Karrion Kross was good as AJ showcased why he’s the Phenomenal One whilst Karrion Kross continues to prove his worth even if he loses all the time. Obviously, that continued again in this one as Styles delivered the Phenomenal Forearm to get the victory. After the match, AJ cut a backstage promo where he said he’s going to give Seth “Freakin” Rollins a “Phenomenal beatdown” before he becomes the new World Heavyweight Champion. That match should be awesome.
Grade: B-
The KO Show
Kevin Owens (as well as Sami Zayn) introduced everyone to his show before he “welcomed” out his guests Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. However, Paul Heyman was the one who came out as he told KO and Sami that Roman comes out “when he wants to come out”. However, the Usos’ music hit as Jimmy and Jey Uso made their way down to the ring. Kevin Owens told Jimmy and Jey that whilst he doesn’t get why Sami still cares about them, everything his tag team partner has been saying about the Bloodline is true. And then, in one of the best lines I think I’ve heard in a while, Jimmy Uso called himself “the Tribal Chief”. Paul Heyman’s face told the story as Roman Reigns’ music then hit. Roman then stared down his two cousins before he came face-to-face with Sami Zayn after Zayn told him that the Bloodline is crumbling and it’s all his (Roman’s) fault. Kevin Owens then stunned the Head of the Table before the Usos and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions brawled. However, the X-Factor came in the form of Solo Sikoa who Samoan Spiked both Owens and Zayn before Roman speared the man he once named “the Honorary Uce”. Jey Uso then passed a pair of the tag team titles to Solo, but Jimmy Uso wouldn’t pass the other pair to Roman so the Right Hand Man had to do it instead. This segment was excellent and Roman holding all 4 tag team titles at the end was a brilliant visual.
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