The LWO Start the show, Bobby Lashley VS Carlito
This week’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown kicked off with the entire LWO making their way down to the ring to Rey Mysterio’s entrance music (this still annoys me greatly). Rey Mysterio talked about Logan Paul cheating his way to a victory at Crown Jewel last Saturday before Carlito showed up and told Rey that he should be blaming Santos Escobar for costing him the United States Championship. This angered Santos who walked off before Bobby Lashley’s music hit as it was time for The All Mighty to face Carlito. There really wasn’t much to this match as Bobby dominated for the most part whilst The Street Profits were incredibly annoying on the outside. I should also mention that Kevin Owens was on commentary in place of Corey Graves (who’s had a baby with Carmella), and in the end, after a distraction by The Profits, Lashley Speared Carlito to get the victory. After the match, Santos Escobar watched on as the Heels beat up Carlito before Rey Mysterio ran down to make the save. Rey and Santos then got into an argument which ended up resulting in the Emperor of Lucha Libre dropping Mysterio from behind. Rey then fought back before he apologised to Escobar on the ring apron. However, Santos Escobar had clearly had enough as he viciously injured Mysterio’s leg before Zelina Vega stopped him from doing any more damage. Whilst the match was nothing, the stuff with Escobar and Rey Mysterio was really good stuff, especially as Santos is a terrific Heel.
Grade: C for the Match, B for the Escobar Heel turn.
Bayley Wants Answers, Dragon Lee VS Cedric Alexander, Grayson Waller VS LA Knight
Santos Escobar stormed out of the arena saying Rey Mysterio “had it coming” before Bayley came down to the ring as she wanted some answers regarding why Kairi Sane came back to help Iyo Sky at Crown Jewel. Bayley said she had a plan for last Saturday’s show before Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, and Kairi Sane all made their way down to the ring. The WWE Women’s Champion told The Role Model that she also had a plan whilst Dakota Kai said that bringing in Kairi will only make Damage Control stronger. Bianca Belair then arrived as she wasn’t happy with this and neither were Charlotte Flair and Asuka who both made it clear that they wanted a piece of Damage CTRL. Whilst this segment was mainly done to set up the show’s Main Event, you can’t say that this segment didn’t have star power.
Grade: C+
We then went straight into a match between Dragon Lee and Cedric Alexander which was definitely the match of the night in terms of the overall action. Both Lee and Alexander are really good and entertaining competitors to watch and they showed that again in their second contest. After a couple of close near-falls, Dragon Lee was able to get the victory with his terrific finishing move, and my only negative towards this is this match should feel/be bigger than what it currently is/was.
Grade: B-
LA Knight then came out to cut a promo about his loss to Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel before he was interrupted by Grayson Waller. Grayson told LA that he didn’t/doesn’t deserve to be in the ring with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion before this eventually resulted in Knight spilling a bottle of water over the head of Waller to the delight of Kevin Owens. We then got a match between the two superstars and it was totally fine. Whilst The Arrogant Aussie definitely outshone his opponent in this match, The Megastar is charismatic enough to still look like a star even if he isn’t the best in-ring worker. Knight was able to get the win in the end with the BFT, but the main focus came after the match as Kevin Owens took the mick out of A-Town Down Under on a fancy screen that someone had decided to give him access to. This angered Austin Theory and Grayson Waller who spilt their own water bottle onto the head of KO before Owens dropped them both to stand tall. This was all very weird.
Grade: C+ (Overall)
Damage CTRL VS Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Bianca Belair
After Jimmy Uso challenged LA Knight to a match for next week, it was Main Event time as Damage CTRL’s Bayley, Kairi Sane, and the WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky took on the team of Asuka, Charlotte Flair, and Bianca Belair. The match was alright for what it was, but it probably could’ve/would’ve been better with a bit more time given the talent involved. However, that wasn’t the point of this match as when Bianca Belair went to make a tag, Asuka pulled her hand away before she misted Belair in the face. Asuka and Damage Control then all hugged in the ring before they beat up Charlotte Flair. Iyo ended up delivering Over the Moonsault to Flair in the middle of the ring whilst Bayley dropped Shotzi with a Rose Plant (thanks for trying to help Shotzi)! Kairi Sane then finished off Bianca Belair with the Insane Elbow before the Heels all stood tall in a badass ending to Friday Night SmackDown. Whatever happens, Damage CTRL have to win this year’s Women’s War Games match because they’re far too good not to.
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