Might Makes Right
I still don’t know how I feel about Erick Rowan talking this much, though I suppose he has to if they’re really trying to push him as a singles(ish) star.
Not Graded
Erick Rowan vs Daniel Bryan
Along with not being used to hearing Rowan talk a lot, I’m not used to seeing him wrestle long matches by himself. But, much like the talking, we’ve got to get used to seeing him in longer matches and winning if we’re supposed to take him seriously as the monster heel he’s being presented as. Also at one point Bryan’s foot got caught up in the ropes and I was certain that Rowan was about to tear this dude’s ACL. Alas, both worked through it so kudos to the guys for no one getting hurt. Post-match, Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns vs Erick Rowan and Luke Harper became official for Hell in a Cell after a brawl. I’m fairly certain most of us have been expecting this since Bryan and Rowan got involved in the “Who tried to kill Roman?” story.
Winner: Erick Rowan
Grade: B+
Interview with the champion
I admire Kofi Kingston’s confidence; such swagger is befitting of a champion. And as much as I’ve enjoyed Kingston as champion, with the move to Fox and Brock Lesnar supposedly starting a more full-time schedule, I don’t foresee him retaining the championship.
Not Graded
Chad Gable vs Mike Kanellis
Short jokes, short jokes everywhere. Seven minutes of short jokes, a less-than-a-minute match, and Elias singing a song about Gable being short. End this, please.
Not Graded
Bayley and Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair and Carmella
Something that never fails to get me hyped is Banks’ transition to the Bank Statement. She makes it so seamless. Carmella was pretty much a non-factor here and I’m pretty sure she was in the match only to eat the pin. We saw more of Becky Lynch and Flair’s shaky alliance here, adding more tension to the upcoming Hell in a Cell match between Lynch and Banks.
Winner: Sasha Banks and Bayley
Grade: B-
Ali vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Sami Zayn as an annoying mouthpiece has definitely grown on me. Everything from his facial expressions to his delivery is spot on and makes you just want to punch him right in the face (or see him get chokeslammed by the Undertaker again). Also, is Ali ever going to get anything for beating the Intercontinental Champion clean a few weeks ago? Like, a title shot maybe? Is that too much to ask?
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Grade: B
B Team vs New Day
This was a nice rebound win for the New Day and that’s pretty much all it was. Sometimes we just have to take things as is.
Winner: New Day
Not Graded
Fire and Desire vs Kabuki Warriors
It was great seeing the Kabuki Warriors on television again! I really want them back in the tag team title picture sometime soon. This match was…it was rough but all parties made it through. At the end, Sonya Deville looked about done so Fire and Desire may be about to break up again and feud properly.
Winner: Kabuki Warriors
Grade: C-
Let’s settle this once and for all
One of the best things about wrestling is that everything from murder cases to paternity to lawsuits can be contested in a ladder match. Well, it looks like we have ourselves one of those career-on-the-line ladder matches between Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens slated for Hell in a Cell. I think this segment was done wonderfully and hopefully this will truly be the last match between these two.
Grade: B
Ending on a high note
I really, really liked this little ending segment with Sasha Banks attacking Becky Lynch during an interview. It was a nice way to close out the show.
Not Graded
Final Thoughts
So this is the end of an era. Smackdown Live said goodbye to Tuesday nights and the USA Network. I think the show was pretty solid, with attention being paid to both the network move and the upcoming pay-per-view.
Overall Grade: B
