Here comes the money!
As much as Shane McMahon can get on my nerves, that theme song is a bop. Here, McMahon brought up the fact that Kevin Owens quit last year and that he hides on social media. But Owens said he’s a different person and that was the lowest point of his career before challenging McMahon at SummerSlam. This was a great opening segment and Owens vs McMahon is officially a go!
McMahon also booked Owens vs Roman Reigns and after some kissing up, we ended up with McMahon as the special guest ring announcer, Drew McIntyre as the special guest referee, and Elias as the special guest timekeeper. I thought we had escaped this weird unnamed stable but sure.
Grade: A-
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Apollo Crews
This was actually a fairly competitive match. Nakamura set the pace and kept the momentum and Crews came off as a babyface working hard. There was even a post-match lay-out with the Kinshasa. Nakamura looked much more like his old self here and I liked it. The New Day’s commentary also added a lot to this match.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Grade: B
I got the horses in the back(stage)
Mandy Rose told Sonya Deville that they have a tag team match for a shot at the titles. Ali gave us a video package about how he is rewriting his story.
Are we supposed to be getting queer undertones from Rose and Deville? Is that the goal? I don’t like it if it is, considering Rose is straight and Deville has a real-life girlfriend. And hopefully Ali can rewrite his story; I’d like to see him as WWE Champion someday.
Grade: C+
Miz TV ft Shawn Michaels
Again, New Day on commentary made this a blast. Michaels was actually giving us a nice little promo about family and how coming back to WWE makes him happy, but of course they were interrupted. We had a Dolph Ziggler and Shawn Michaels verbal spat before Ziggler hit superkicks on both Miz and Michaels. So we’re probably getting Ziggler vs Miz at SummerSlam. “Do something!” was Miz’s iconic line tonight.
Grade: B+
Charlotte Flair vs Ember Moon
It was barely a match. Bayley distracted Flair so Moon cradled her for the win. Afterwards, Moon hit the Eclipse on both women. I guess it somewhat put Moon over but this could’ve been an actual good match so I’m disappointed that this was about 90 seconds.
Winner: Ember Moon
Grade: D
Kofi makes his decision
We got a blast from the past as Kingston showed us a match between him and Randy Orton from a decade ago. They had a back and forth about how Orton used his influence to keep Kingston out of the main event and how Kingston only got his title because Orton injured Ali. Orton eventually accepted the SummerSlam challenge. This was so well done, my favorite promo of the show. Orton can be vicious when he’s really into something.
Grade: A-
Kofi Kingston vs Samoa Joe
This was a fun little match with solid ring work. Despite his history of losses, Joe is still able to come across as a monster. Randy Orton stayed ringside for the match, making it end in a disqualification after attacking Kingston. Afterwards, he RKO’d Joe and took a Trouble in Paradise.
Winner: Kofi Kingston via DQ
Grade: B-
Finn Balor
I thought it was a bit odd that Balor came out to the ring just to have an interview with Kayla Braxton, but it made sense after Firefly Funhouse came on the titantron. This was actually a fun, creative way to make another match for SummerSlam. I wonder if Balor will bring out the Demon to face the Fiend.
Grade: B
Take it back(stage) now, y’all
There was a recap of all the 24/7 Championship shenanigans and fifteen different competitors have now held the belt since it was introduced three months ago. Charlotte Flair demanded she have a match at SummerSlam.
The 24/7 Championship is still one of the best things happening right now. And I hope they keep Flair out of the title match and just give her Liv Morgan instead.
Not Graded
Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns
There was really no match as it quickly dissolved into Owens and Reigns fighting off Drew McIntyre, Elias, and Shane McMahon. They overcame the numbers disadvantage and it was a great closing segment with Owens promising that we’re all going to love the ass whooping he gives McMahon at SummerSlam.
Grade: A-
Final Thoughts
Overall, a pretty good episode of Smackdown. The SummerSlam card is looking solid and with the right booking, could be one of the best pay-per-views of the year. The episode was mostly talk, but it was still quite entertaining.
Overall Grade: B+
