SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE LIVE EVENT – SMACKDOWN
JANUARY 7, 2018
MOBILE, ALA.
REPORT BY KAVONTAE SMALLS, PWTORCH CORRESPONDENT
(If you attend live event, send results for publication to pwtorch@pwtorch.com in the format below. Thanks!)
Byron Saxton handled ring announcer duties. The arena was about half full. I’ve been to a few annual January house shows in Mobile in recent years and this was by far the largest crowd.
(1) The Usos beat Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin and Aiden English & Rusev and New Day (without Kofi). The crowd was into Big E’s antics and into the Usos, given they live in nearby Pensacola. In the end, the Usos got the hot tag and double superkicked all participants and hit the frog splash for win.
(2) Mojo Rawley defeated Sin Cara. The crowd was pretty flat for the entrances, but Mojo garnered a little heat as he grounded Sin Cara. For the finish, Mojo gave Sin Cara a forearm to the face to win. Post-match, Mojo attacked Sin Cara and Zack Ryder made the save.
(3) The Bludgeon Brothers (Luke Harper & Erik Rowan) beat Breezango. A Fashion Files vignette aired on the tron before the match. Harper & Rowan won quickly after both members of Breezango were hit with a few quick power moves. Crowd mildly into the match. The Bludgeon Brother gimmick still has some work to do to connect with the crowd.
(4) Naomi & Becky Lynch beat Liv Morgan & Ruby Riot. Solid crisp match and good effort from all the women. Naomi was worked over until she made the hot tag to Becky. For the finish, Becky won with the disarmer.
-A Baron Corbin promo aired on the big screen concerning Bobby Roode. His promo garnered good heat.
(5) Shinsuke Nakamura pinned Jinder Mahal (w/Singh Bros.). Before the match, the Singh Brothers introduced Jinder Mahal. Mahal cut an in-ring heel promo which garnered good heat and Nakamura’s music interrupted. At the mid-point in the match, Nakamura and Mahal taunted each other garnering positive/negative heat. Jinder dominated much of the match until Nakamura hit a series of strikes for his comeback. In the end, Nakamura knocked off the Singh Bros after attempts at interference. Nakamura the hit Jinder with the Kinshasa for the win.
-Saxton plugged the merchandise stand prior to the intermission.
(8) Charlotte beat Carmella and Natalya and Lana (w/Tamina) to retain the Women’s Championship. The match wasn’t as crisp as the first women’s bout but good effort. For the finish, Charlotte hit the Figure-Eight for the submission on Nstalya.
(9) Bobby Roode beat Baron Corbin. Slower paced match, with Corbin controlling most of the offense. For the finish, Roode hit the Glorious DDT for the win.
(10) A.J. Styles beat Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens.. Styles was pretty over with the crowd. Kevin & Sami generated decent heat. The match seemed reserved by these three’s standards. For the finish, Sami accidentally hit Kevin with his Hulluva kick leading to the Phenomenal Forearm for the win.
FINAL NOTES: I was surrounded by very casual fans and first timers and they were largely buying into most of the talent and stories being told in the matches.
NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS REPORT: 1/6 F1RST WRESTLING “WrestlePalooza XI” in Minneapolis, Minn.: Arik Cannon, Shane Strickland, Ethan Page, Colt Cabana, Fire Ant, Chuck Taylor, Candice LaRae
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