Cody Rhodes Starts the Show, Andrade VS Carmelo Hayes
Friday Night SmackDown kicked off this week with Cody Rhodes as The American Nightmare talked about how he wouldn’t be the Undisputed WWE Champion without Randy Orton. Cody then went on to say that he will beat Solo Sikoa at Summerslam before A-Town Down Under made a surprise appearance to blame Rhodes for Austin Theory getting attacked by Jacob Fatu last week! This all resulted in a brawl which ultimately set up a Tag Team match for the Main Event as Nick Aldis didn’t want Cody to go at it alone.
Grade: C+
After Carmelo Hayes said he wouldn’t miss, Melo headed into the opening match of the night as he clashed with Andrade. This was a really good match between two fantastic competitors. Both of these guys were stars in different eras of NXT, and they were allowed to show why here in what was a very fast-paced contest! A couple of the moves and kick-outs were particually good, but in the end, it was Andrade who scored the win with the Message. I would argue that Melo should’ve won this match, but it’s not the end of the world.
Grade: B
Bayley and Nia Jax Interview, Bianca Belair VS Chelsea Green, United States Championship Contract Signing, Tiffany Stratton VS Michin
Bayley and Nia Jax had a sit-down interview together where they both dissed each other until Nia walked off. This didn’t really further anything, and it wasn’t that good either! Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were then unimpressed by Chelsea Green and Piper Niven wanting to speak to Nick Aldis, so instead, we got a 1 minute match which saw Bianca beat Chelsea with a roll-up! Like, what on earth was this? I can’t understand how and why the WWE Women’s Divisions (minus NXT) are being booked so appallingly right now?!
Grade: D for the Interview, E for the Match
LA Knight was out next as he was ready to try and convince Logan Paul to sign a contract for a match at Summerslam. This was a good segment, I thought both guys delivered their lines well, and they also had some good points. Logan Paul is so good at what he does whilst LA Knight might be the best talker in the game! In fact, it was LA’s talking that convinced LP to sign the contract for a United States Championship match at Summerslam before The Maverick just narrowly escaped after The Megastar attempted a BFT! Nice work from both!
Grade: B-
Tiffany Stratton got a great video package which really put her over strongly before Santos Escobar and LA Knight had a good interaction backstage! Tiffany Stratton was then back as it was time for Miss Money in the Bank to go one-on-one with Michin! This match was decent, both women are talented, and I always enjoy watching Stratton perform. However, for some unknown reason, Bayley decided to show up, take out Nia Jax, and then destroy Tiffany’s MITB Briefcase and this distraction allowed Michin to sneak away with a roll-up victory! Firstly, why did Bayley destroy someone’s property? Secondly, why would you have Stratton lose here? And thirdly, please give me that pink briefcase!
Grade: C
Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens VS A-Town Down Under
After The Bloodline sent a warning to whoever partnered Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens arrived to reveal himself as Rhodes’ “mystery” partner. Whilst that was pretty dull and uninspiring, the match itself was good as A-Town Down Under once again proved why they’re a very talented Tag Team! KO also did a lot of good work here, but it was all done to set up the finish as more shenanigans between Theory and Waller resulted in Cody hitting a Cross Rhodes to score the win! After the match, The Bloodline appeared, and it was Jacob Fatu who once again proved key as he destroyed Owens before Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Jacob Fatu sent the Undisputed WWE Champion crashing through the announce table with a Triple Powerbomb!
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