Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn VS Pretty Deadly
Friday Night SmackDown Live from the O2 Arena in London kicked off with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn putting their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships on the line. Kevin and Sami got massive pops as they entered the arena whilst Pretty Deadly came out with tag team championships-inspired gear. The action started off with Pretty Deadly in the ascendency, but that changed as soon as Kevin Owens tagged in as the Prizefighter ran wild. If anything, KO ran too wild as he hurt his leg, but he was able to see out the rest of the match. At one point, Pretty Deadly thought they’d won the gold after delivering Spilt Milk, but Sami Zayn was able to break it up before Zayn kicked out just in time later on in the match when Kit Wilson and Elton Prince pulled out a move right out of the PD Playbook. In the end, though, Kevin Owens delivered a Stunner to Prince before Sami Zayn nailed Wilson with the Helluva Kick to retain their Championships. A fun start to the show in which Pretty Deadly proved they can hang with the best.
Grade: B-
Austin Theory VS Ridge Holland, Bayley VS Shotzi
Adam Pearce was being interviewed by Megan Morant earlier on in the day before the Brawling Brutes came up to him. Ridge Holland demanded a match with Solo Sikoa which Pearce rejected, but he did offer him a “Championship Contender’s match” with Austin Theory instead. That match took place next as the United States Champion finally showed up on SmackDown. The match was alright, there was nothing wrong with it and it was cool to see Ridge getting to perform at home. However, there also wasn’t much to this contest and it ended with Theory winning off of his signature dropkick. However, this was smart as he nailed Holland in the throat (the place that Solo Sikoa injured last week). After the match, Theory continued to beat down Ridge the Fridge before Sheamus arrived to scare the United States Champion off. Somehow, this has got Sheamus a Championship for next week.
Grade: C+
Karrion Kross cut a promo about how he was playing Chess and he beat AJ Styles in 3 moves. Kross then challenged Styles to a match for next week. We then got the most epic video package highlighting the Bloodline and it’s just ridiculous how incredibly good WWE is at making these things. It was then time for Bayley to put her Money in the Bank Ladder Match spot on the line as she faced Shotzi. Shotzi was definitely meant to be the underdog babyface in this contest, but it was Bayley who was getting all of the loud cheers. At one point, Shotzi would’ve won the match if it wasn’t for Iyo Sky putting the Role Model’s foot on the ropes and everyone in the O2 Arena was delighted. When the referee was distracted by Sky, Bayley racked the eyes of the Ballsy Badass before she delivered the Rose Plant to pick up the victory. This was another nothing contest, but Bayley getting sung at by everyone is amazing.
Grade: C
The Grayson Waller Effect, Butch VS Santos Escobar VS LA Knight, Asuka VS Charlotte Flair: WWE Women’s Championship
Backstage, Shotzi just decided to punch Bayley for some reason and this backfired on her as Bayley eventually started to cut her hair. Thanks for coming to London Shotzi! It was then time for another edition of the Grayson Waller Effect, but this time, the Arrogant Aussie’s guest was none other than Social Media Megastar Logan Paul. Once again, Grayson took a backwards seat on his own talk show as Logan talked about how he could get revenge on either Seth “Freakin” Rollins or Roman Reigns if he wins the Money in the Bank Ladder Match tomorrow. He then dissed LA Knight which brought out the Megastar to by far the biggest pop of the night. The crowd were chanting along to Knight the whole time as he told Paul that the briefcase has his name on it. A LA Knight-Logan Paul feud going into Summerslam could be awesome. Santos Escobar then arrived to remind everyone that both the Men’s and Women’s briefcases are coming home to the LWO before Butch just arrived, stormed down to the ring, and once again punched Logan Paul. After a bit of a brawl, a triple threat match took place between the three men competing in the Men’s MITB Ladder Match from SmackDown. This was good fun as everyone showcased their styles and ability whilst the crowd trash-talked Logan Paul who was on the outside. Whilst the crowd where going mental for Knight, an equally bigger reaction came when Escobar kicked LP right in the face. In the end, it was Butch who picked up the victory with the Bitter End and after another brawl broke out, Butch climbed the ladder and grabbed the MITB briefcase to confirm that he’s definitely not winning later on tonight.
Grade: B- (overall)
AJ Styles accepted Karrion Kross’ challenge before he warned Kross that Michin would take care of Scarlett. It was then time for the WWE Women’s Championship to be on the line as Asuka looked to beat her long-time rival Charlotte Flair. Bianca Belair was in the crowd watching on and unfortunately, this match wasn’t as good as it could’ve/should’ve been. Asuka and Flair just didn’t seem to be on the same page and it felt like the contest focused more on the EST than it did the actual competitors inside the squared circle. After Charlotte accidentally booted Belair in the face, Bianca jumped the barricade (which shouldn’t be allowed) and attacked Asuka, forcing the DQ. Charlotte rightly wasn’t happy about this and it ended with Flair and Belair throwing hands before the EST of WWE dropped both Asuka and Charlotte onto the announce table. Whatever this was, it just didn’t work for me, unfortunately.
Grade: C-
The Bloodline Civil War Continues
Roman Reigns arrived in the O2 Arena in London to mixed reactions as he talked about how he’s willing to give The Usos another chance as long as they bow down to him and acknowledge their Tribal Chief. The Usos then arrived to a massive ovation and both Jimmy and Jey came out in their classic “Day One is H” t-shirts. Jimmy told Roman that they’re past forgiveness and when he loses tomorrow, he’s the one who’s going to be out of the Bloodline. Jimmy and Jey then both agreed that Solo Sikoa should be the next Tribal Chief which Reigns laughed off. Sikoa wasn’t impressed with the Head of the Table’s reaction and this led to a bit of dissension between the Heels. Roman then snapped and it resulted in a cool stare-off between Roman and Jey before Jimmy Uso superkicked him again. Everyone then brawled and the show ended with Jey diving onto Reigns, Sikoa and security outside the ring. This was another great segment involving the Bloodline where Reigns’ facial expressions continue to be out of this world. This was the right way to end SmackDown and I can’t wait for Money in the Bank.
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