Finally, the Rock has come back home!
I marked out so hard when the Rock showed up; he’s been one of my absolute favorites since the beginning. But this opener wasn’t just about him. He definitely put over Becky Lynch and even King Corbin, using his star-power to elevate them instead of just hog the spotlight. Back to Hollywood he goes!
Grade: A
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair vs Bayley and Sasha Banks
Following the hot opening segment, this was a good high-energy first match. Obviously we had the tension between Banks and Lynch as they have a Hell in a Cell match on Sunday. We also got some interactions between Flair and Bayley that could possibly lead to either a match at Hell in a Cell or at the very least, another title rematch in the near future.
Winner: Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Grade: B+
Firefly Funhouse
The two best things about this episode of Firefly Funhouse were Rambling Rabbit getting killed by Mercy the Buzzard for the second or third time and the confused faces of the Fox executives in attendance.
Grade: A
Seth Rollins vs Shinsuke Nakamura
There wasn’t much of a match here as the Fiend showed up to attack Rollins. I liked it, especially going into Hell in a Cell. I’m wondering what kind of fiendish antics they can pull off inside the cell itself.
Winner: No Contest
Not Graded
Kevin Owens vs Shane McMahon-Ladder Match with both careers on the line
I had mixed feelings going into this match, but I was supremely happy with how it played out. It was fun, the crowd was into it, and there were some great spots. McMahon is out of here, and I think that means all of the authority figures are now gone from the shows. Also Owens hit that “You’re fired!” with the right amount of sauce.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Grade: B+
Braun Strowman, The Miz, and Heavy Machinery vs AJ Styles, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, and Randy Orton
This wasn’t much of a match either, mostly it just existed so we could get a stare down between Braun Strowman and Tyson Fury. What little bit of action there was, was pretty average.
Winner: Braun Strowman, The Miz, and Heavy Machinery
Not Graded
Roman Reigns vs Erick Rowan-Lumberjack Match
I do like a good lumberjack match and this one had just enough involvement from the people on the outside. I did chuckle at Ali being used as a weapon by Rowan. It was nice to see Reigns get a win in this feud and the match was a good go-home for the actual tag team match on Sunday.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Grade: C+
Kofi Kingston vs Brock Lesnar-WWE Championship
Lesnar did what we all knew he was going to do: demolish Kingston. Although afterwards, I got a smug sense of satisfaction from watching Cain Velasquez beat the mess out of Lesnar.
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Not Graded
Final Thoughts
Welcome to Smackdown on Fox! I’m a little sad to see the historic reign of Kofi Kingston come to an end, but I’m grateful that it happened at all. Also these two new potential UFC feuds are exciting. It’ll be a nice change of pace to see someone who can legitimately go toe-to-toe with Lesnar.
Overall Grade: B+
