First of all, I’d like to send my condolences to the family of the fan who passed away last night at the event. I hope they find some type of peace and healing. Moving forward, the Superstar Shakeup was apparently still in effect this week and two matches were set for Money in the Bank last night so let’s take a look at what happened on the blue brand.
Vince McMahon’s favorite son. And Shane.
Shane McMahon ordered Roman Reigns out to the ring to settle things from last week. Instead of talking, Reigns threw away the mic and they started brawling. Elias jumped Reigns from behind and hit the Drift Way. McMahon better be careful before Reigns reminds him what happened at 2016 Survivor Series. I’m not entirely sold on this budding feud between Reigns and Elias, but it’s still new so I won’t pass too much judgment on it just yet.
Grade: B+
Backstage Stuff
McMahon and Elias promised there was more to come and Elias challenged Reigns to a match at Money in the Bank. We saw the footage of Kevin Owens taking on the role of Big O as part of the New Day. Kofi Kingston did an interview about his match with Shinsuke Nakamura, saying that Big O was here for now while Big E recovers. Solid backstage stuff, nothing to really comment on here.
Not Graded
Finn Balor vs Andrade
This was the first actual match of the night, and apparently Andrade and Zelina Vega are now back on Smackdown. It was pretty good and the crowd was definitely into it. Vega actually cost the match for Andrade. He caught her as she was coming off the top rope, distracting him and making him susceptible to the Coup de Grace, which won the match for Finn Balor. Balor and Andrade worked really well in this match and I would like to see them working together more. I could see Andrade winning the Money in the Bank briefcase or becoming Intercontinental Champion.
Winner: Finn Balor
Grade: B+
Kairi Sane vs Peyton Royce
The IIconics showed up and immediately started mocking Asuka and Kairi Sane. Royce said she was unprepared for their match last week and after stretching and drinking a gallon of water, she was ready to give Sane her first loss on Smackdown. However, that did not happen as Sane hit the insane elbow to pick up a quick victory. The IIconics are fantastic as these annoying heels who only won the championships after someone else did the work, but this booking is bad for the newly minted women’s tag belts. Sane also got almost no reaction once again. Yikes.
Post-match, Many Rose and Sonya Deville mockingly clapped for Sane’s win.
Winner: Kairi Sane
Grade: C-
More backstage stuff
Aleister Black gave us a moody promo about judging his name and persona. Roman Reigns accepted Elias’s Money in the Bank challenge and said he’s going to break his jaw so he can never sing again.
Not Graded
Chad Gable vs Jinder Mahal
Okay so this match didn’t actually happen because Lars Sullivan demolished Gable as he was coming to the ring. Also Mahal and the Singh Brothers are back on Smackdown for some reason. R-Truth came out, but Sullivan hit him with a liger bomb. They’re still really trying to make Sullivan happen and maybe he will have a decent program with Truth but for now he’s a hard pass with me.
Not Graded
The Man, The Queen, and The Hugger
Charlotte Flair came out to the ring and in her own way, put over Becky Lynch’s win, but makes it a point to say that Lynch didn’t beat her. Lynch comes out and reminds Flair that the match was winner take all. This went into a verbal spat and Lynch refused Flair’s challenge, saying she wanted new challengers. At this point, Bayley arrived and inserted herself into this promo before proposing a match to earn a shot at Lynch’s Smackdown title. As much as I love the Queen, Lynch did have a point. We need to keep Flair and Lynch away from each other for a little bit and let the dust settle. We need some new matches for the titles.
Grade: A-
Bayley vs Charlotte Flair
And just like that, we got a match between two of the four NXT horsewomen. This match definitely showed a more aggressive, fiery side of Bayley. Bayley got a two-count off a German suplex after Flair missed a moonsault, but ultimately a spear from Flair won the match. After the scathing promo that preceded this, the crowd was very into the match and seemed to be more on Bayley’s side. Becky Lynch said she’s going to defend both belts at Money in the Bank and now it’s locked that Flair is going to be challenging for the Smackdown title. I foresee some type of twist to this matchup. Surely, they aren’t going to let Flair get her ninth title reign so quickly?
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Grade: B+
Kofi Kingston vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Big O performed the New Day intro, shredding his vocal chords in the process. The match itself was pretty good. Kingston cut off a Kinshasa with a running double stomp. Kingston’s SOS got a two-count but Rusev made the save and the match was over. Afterwards, Kevin Owens destroyed Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, ripping off his newly bestowed New Day gear. We all knew this heel turn was coming and I thought they would give it a couple of weeks, but the turn was executed well and I think this is going to be a good feud and has potential for a great match at Money in the Bank.
Winner: Kofi Kingston via DQ
Grade: A
Final Thoughts
Firefly Funhouse was aired again during this episode and I’m actually really liking this new direction Bray Wyatt is going in. The brightly colored house and childish theme have “psychopath” written all over it and I bet it’s going to get darker and creepier as time goes on. I think the episode was okay, even if the Superstar Shakeup was a little wonky. I’m glad we got two more matches for Money in the Bank in a couple of weeks. Becky Lynch has to fight two matches at the event. Do I smell a cash in?
Overall Grade: B+
