Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa VS Ricochet and Madcap Moss
Friday Night SmackDown kicked off with the Honorary UCE Sami Zayn teaming up with the former NXT North American Champion Solo Sikoa to take on the team of Ricochet and Madcap Moss. The Bloodline and particularly Sami Zayn were over in this match whilst Ricochet continued to be one of the best wrestlers to watch. Add in Madcap Moss’ ridiculous energy and this was a pretty good opening match. When the referee was dealing with Zayn, Ricochet went for a suicide dive onto Sikoa but Solo threw a chair right into his face. I don’t really get how this wasn’t a DQ, surely the referee would have heard the loud bang. Anyway, Sikoa tagged himself in and hit the Spinning Solo to get the victory. After the match, Sikoa continued to beat up Moss. Sami Zayn is always excellent, and he genuinely made his character work in a serious group like the bloodline but also, Solo is doing a very good job in showcasing his ability to fans who didn’t watch him on NXT.
Grade: B
Backstage segments, Theory VS Drew McIntyre
Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa were both on their way to their locker room before they were met by a surprise appearance from Jey Uso. The Right-Hand Man said he was here to look out for his younger brother before he warned Sami Zayn about what would happen if he put the family in danger. Once again, good stuff between the two. A pretty cool shot video then aired between Karrion Kross and Scarlett where they were talking about how they are going to beat Mr. McIntyre at Extreme Rules. This was also the first time that I have seen Karrion Kross in real colour for a long time. The Youngest ever Mr. Money in the Bank Austin Theory trash talked Wales and Drew McIntyre before the Scottish Warrior challenged him to a match. The match was fine, but it was more of a set-up for the main event. Theory had backup in the Alpha Academy and once Drew was looking good, Otis caused the disqualification. The heels beat McIntyre up before Johnny Gargano and Kevin Owens ran down to even the odds. We would see these six men in the main event later on.
Grade: C for the match
Los Lotharios VS Hit Row, Natalya VS Ronda Rousey
Maxxine Dupri got her models ready for the “longest ever pose in Canada” Challenge before Hit Row took the mick out of them. Also, Max Dupri didn’t seem particularly happy with his clients. After this, Shotzi cut a backstage promo talking about how she is going to beat Bayley in their matchup later tonight. Back in the ring, it was time for Los Lotharios to take on Hit Row in a tag team match. This match wasn’t great, Los Lotharios are positioned as a not very talented group whilst Hit Row come across annoying. Also, Ashante Thee Adonis doesn’t really ever get brought up which doesn’t make sense as he is the only one who can really wrestle. A bit of a waste.
Grade: D
Ronda Rousey VS Natalya wasn’t much better. For whatever reason, every time the two face off, it just isn’t very good. This match featured a lot of submission manoeuvres and Rousey ended up winning with the ankle lock. After this, Liv Morgan came down to the ring with a baseball bat and the two fought each other in a pretty decent brawl. A few times, it genuinely looked like they could have suffered an injury. Sadly though, I’m still not excited to see them face off at Extreme Rules.
Grade: C-
Lots of Segments, Imperium and Sheamus
Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre and Johnny Gargano all agreed that Austin Theory deserved to get punched in the mouth. KO then walked off and went passed the Maximum Male Models, who were still doing their pose before Owens came face to face with Sami Zayn. Kevin looked at him and told his old buddy that he needs a new shirt. KO and Sami are one of the greatest frenemies in WWE history. The Models were then back but this time it was Shinsuke Nakamura who was striking a pose with them. This made me very sad. Imperium were then in the ring and talked about how they are going to beat the Brawling Brutes at Extreme Rules but also, Gunther is going to beat Sheamus the night before. Sheamus then came out but was without his brawling bros as both Butch and Ridge Holland are stuck in Florida due to the Hurricane. Sheamus then got into a fight with Gunther but unfortunately for him, the numbers game was too much. Imperium continuingly beat down Sheamus after he continued to take the mick out of them. This was all pretty good.
Grade: B for Sheamus/Imperium
Bayley VS Shotzi, no more Max Dupri!
Bayley cut a promo about how she is going to beat Shotzi and then go on to beat Bianca Belair at Extreme Rules. The Role Model also mentioned that her partners wouldn’t be with her due to them being in Florida. The match started and arguably the highlight of this was Shotzi coming down in her tank. She even had a bit of pyro when she shot out of her cannon which was pretty unique. The match was fine, Bayley did a good job in showcasing her opponent's talent and she ended up putting away the former Blackheart with the Rose Plant. After the match, Bayley continued to attack Shotzi before Bianca Belair made the save. This was good but once again, the Grand Slam champion wasn’t the one who stood tall. If she doesn’t win at Extreme Rules, WWE have made a mistake.
Following this, The Maximum Male Models were less than 10 seconds away from breaking the Canadian pose record before Max Dupri broke it all up. Dupri said that this job just isn’t right for him before saying the word “Yeah”. I am excited for this!
Grade: C+ for the match
Drew McIntyre, Kevin Owens, Johnny Gargano VS Austin Theory and the Alpha Academy
This match kind of felt like it would be on the main event show of the Christmas or New Year’s episode. You had solid heels that know what they’re doing facing off with top babyfaces. Gargano continues to show why he was so hyped down in NXT, Owens is arguably the best wrestler/superstar in the entire company right now and McIntyre is always great. Also, Chad Gable is just an incredible talent, I would love to see him win the United States Championship one day. Otis does his spots well and Austin Theory is a number 1 draft pick. Drew ended up hitting the claymore onto Mr. MITB to get the win even though the camera managed to miss it. Drew then hit Theory with the leather strap to build his feud with Karrion Kross. By the way, the mark on Theory’s body after the hit is pretty crazy. Overall, a nice, good, fun end to the show.
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