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ELDER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
SEPTEMBER 4, 2018
DETROIT, MICH.
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
Announcers: Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
[HOUR ONE]
-The show opened with Renee Young in the middle of the ring welcoming the crowd to the show before introducing Brie Bella and Daniel Bryan. Bella and Bryan then made their way to the ring with a strong “yes chant” emanating from the crowd.
-Young threw to a video package highlighting the attack that Bryan and Bella faced last week on Smackdown at the hands of Miz and Maryse. Bryan commented that Young had ruined the crowd’s good mood by showing that video clip. Following that, Young threw to another video filmed earlier today in which Miz and Maryse stood in the middle of the ring in the empty arena. They called out Bryan & Bella to come and fight them in the empty arena so as to save themselves from the embarassment of getting beaten in front of millions. The pair dropped their mics when Bryan & Bella failed to appear. Back in the ring, Bryan stated that it was just like Miz & Maryse to call them out when they knew that he and Brie weren’t around. Bryan said that while Miz & Maryse like to refer to themselves as the ‘it couple,” they are really nothing more than cowards.
-Bryan then got more animated and told the crowd that Smackdown was live on USA network and that it was time to fight before telling Miz and Maryse to come on down. Renee then mentioned that Miz and Maryse were there earlier but had already left, much to the displeasure of the crowd.
-Suddenly, music hit and Andrade “Cien” Almas came out to the top of the stage with Zelina Vega by his side. Vega said that Almas wanted to finish what he had started, and he wanted to do it right now. The show cut to it’s first commercial break as Almas and Vega made their way to the ring. [c]
(1) DANIEL BRYAN (w/Brie Bella) vs. ANDRADE “CIEN” ALMAS (w/Zelina Vega)
The match began slowly with some back and forth action as the two competitors felt each other out. With Almas outside the ring, Bryan attempted a flying knee but was met with a well timed dropkick. Bryan managed to regain control and hit Almas with a suicide dive between the ropes. Both men barely made it back into the ring before the ten count as they cut to a commercial break with the match continuing in PIP. [c]
Almas was in control for most of the break, but Bryan got the advantage as the show returned. Bryan hit some Yes Kicks on Almas who was trapped in a tree of woe. Bryan countered Almas’s hammerlock DDT with a kick to the back of the head. Bryan then caught Almas with a running knee before covering him for the pin.
Following the match, both Brie Bella and Zelina Vega entered the ring. Bella delivered an unexpected kick to Vega before following up with running knees. Her action accompanied with Bryan’s victory caused the crowd to erupt with another “yes” chant.
WINNER: Daniel Bryan via pinfall in 14:00.
(Elder’s analysis: I hope these two aren’t meeting only to further Bryan’s feud with Miz. These two could tear the house down with a feud of their own. Tonight’s match was good, but they appeared to play it pretty safe. On another note, I wasn’t able to understand anything that Andrade Almas said when he made some comments directed at Daniel Bryan. It is part of a trend in this feud. Almas, Brie Bella and Maryse are just NOT meant for the microphone. They have Daniel Bryan, Miz and Zelina Vega by their respective sides. Three of the best talkers in the business. Let THEM do the talking!)
-With Bryan and Bella still in the ring, Miz and Maryse appeared on the jumbotron. They said that they were taking the night off from wrestling and were going out for dinner somewhere in Detroit. They added that Bryan and Bella will have to wait to Hell in a Cell to have a match and ended by saying “Arrivederci”as they were about to leave.
-With the accompanying graphics on the screen, Tom Phillips then announced a tag team triple threat match between Sanity, Usos, and Rusev Day as well as an interview featuring Becky Lynch scheduled for later tonight. [c]
-Phillips then took time to plug Connor’s Cure.
-Backstage Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella are walking with their luggage before being stopped. By a random reporter. When asked where they were going, the couple said that they were going to get some dinner. Bryan stated that they were heading to the restaurant that Miz & Maryse were dining at and that he hopes they don’t have a dress code since he was still in his wrestling gear.
-Phillips then threw to a video highlight of Becky Lynch’s recent attacks on Charlotte Flair. Phillips stated that due to the heated nature of this rivalry, Smackdown GM Paige has ordered Becky and Charlotte to be in separate places for the interview. Corey Graves added that it was amazing that their friendship had dissolved all because of this championship.
-Charlotte and Becky were shown split screen which caused a “Becky” chant from the crowd. Charlotte began by stating that at Summerslam she won the championship, but lost her best friend. Charlotte asked Becky what she expected her to do. Charlotte asked if Becky wanted her to just lay down and let her win. Becky asked if Charlotte was done yet, or if she wanted any more time in her spotlight. Charlotte told Becky that she had looked at her as an equal. Charlotte added that she could have just asked for a title shot when she was champion before. Becky retorted with “Screw you” which garnered a loud cheer from the crowd.
-Charlotte dared becky to fight her face to face instead of attack her from behind like she did at Summerslam. Becky assured her that she will. Becky added that it was a full time job being Charlotte’s friend because she would have to help manage her insecurities and reassure her that she was good enough to wear that robe and carry that last name, which she is not.
-Becky said she doesnt care what she has to do. That title is going home with her. Charlotte responded with a sarcastic clap and said that she Becky will get her wish at Hell in a Cell. Charlotte added that when she looks across the ring, she wont be seeing her best friend. She said that as her friend, Becky was never second best, but in the ring she is. Charlotte said that Becky cant handle being second best, which she has always been. As the interview wrapped up, Lynch told Charlotte to shine that title up good for her, because she is never going to see it again. Flair rebutted by asking what her excuse will be this time.
(Elder’s analysis: Well, I’m excited. But I don’t think you are getting this crowd to dislike Becky Lynch any time soon.)
-Phillips and Graves highlighted a few of the matches that are scheduled for Hell in a Cell.
-Back in the arena, Naomi made her way down to the ring accompanied by her music. Tom Phillips stated that she would be facing Peyton Royce after the break. [c]
-As they returned from break, Tom Phillips stated that this was the 994th episode of Smackdown Live.
-Peyton Royce and Billie Kaye made their way halfway down to the ring. They asked Naomi why she enjoys getting beaten by them so often. They were going for some cheap heat but the crowd appeared entirely uniterested in their banter.
(2) NAOMI VS. PEYTON ROYCE (w/Billie Kaye)
Naomi surprised Royce with a quick forearm to start the match. Royce then briefly regained control. Then from the apron, Naomi executed a sunset flip and held Royce down for the three count.
WINNER: Naomi via pinfall in 1:30.
-Immediately following the match Billie Kaye attacked Naomi in the middle of the ring. The duo landed a few blows before throwing Naomi hard into the ring post. Asuka then made an unexpected entrance and ran down to make the save. After she cleared out Kaye and Royce she went to Naomi’s aide by the side of the ring.
-Phillips then threw to a video package in which Jeff Hardy narrated a piece about Randy Orton’s recent attacks on him, and highlighted some of the riskier maneuvers that he had attempted over his career. Hardy said that he has fought for honor, for titles, and fought for his family but never before did he have reason to fight in a hell in a cell. Hardy said fighting in the Hell in a Cell will not contain him, but will set him free, and added that Orton’s obsession with him will lead to his own destruction.
-Backstage Paige was approached by Miz and Maryse who said that they no longer were going to out to eat, and wanted to come back to give Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella one more chance to confront them face to face. Paige said that while Bryan and Bella had already left, Miz would still be in a match tonight. Miz said he was not ready to wrestle. Paige said that they were free to leave, but if they did, to never come back. [c]
-Back from break, R Truth approached Maryse, who he had confused for Carmella. Maryse said she could not believe that he would confuse her for such Staten Island trash. Miz walked over and told him to never speak to his wife again, which made Truth respond by asking if he was married to Carmella. Miz then asked when he and Truth last teamed together. Truth responded by saying that it was about seven years ago. Miz said that was the last time that he was relevant. The confrontation ended with Truth getting into Miz’s face and saying “I don’t know what Carmella sees in you.”
-Back in the arena Samoa Joe made his way to the ring with the crowd chanting “Joe.” Joe began his monologue with “Ohhh Wendy…” referring to A.J. Styles’s wife. He was specifically addressing Wendy personally and told her that he was not a monster. He stated that his actions have forced A.J. to actually care about her and caused him to go home and look after his family. Joe told A.J.’s daughter Annie to enjoy him tucking her in at night, because soon he will be there to do it much more often. Joe added that at Hell in a Cell, a very bad man will be coming to take A.J.’s championship, and that he will make him go “night-night.”
-Styles then appeared on the jumbotron. He said that he gets threatening another man, but threatening another man’s family, thats when the talking stops. Styles’s music then hit, and Joe appeared ready for him. A few moments passed before Styles finally appeared and made his way down to the ring. A.J. went on the attack immediately but was overpowered by Joe. Joe threw A.J. Into the steel steps, but managed to hit Joe with a Phenominal Forearm. Styles tried to hit Joe with a steel chair but wound up hitting the ringpost after Joe ducked the attack. Undaunted, Styles managed to hit a splash on Joe and a few referees that had come out to help. Paige ran down to ringside and told him not tonight and helped guide him back up to the top of the entrance way.
[HOUR TWO]
-Backstage, Tye Dillinger was walking with R Truth, who was still looking for Carmella. Dillinger pointed out Carmella who was nearby. Truth walked up to her and asked her if she had seen Carmella. Truth asked Carmella for a truce for one night, and asked if she would accompany him to the ring to fight against the “other Maryse.” Truth reiterated Maryse’s earlier comment about Carmella being “Staten Island trash.” After Truth succeeded in getting Carmella upset, Dillinger said to Truth,“for the love of kid rock, what are you doing?’ Truth said Dillinger could learn from him. When Dillinger asked what he would learn, Truth responded by saying “how to get in to the main event of Smackdown Live” before walking away as the show cut to commercial. [c]
-The show returned with the announcing team discussing R Truths bizarre strategy to get into the main event. They then threw to a video package that highlighted Randy Orton’s brutal attacks on Jeff Hardy over the past few weeks with Orton himself speaking. Orton said that he is glad that Hardy won’t go quietly and that he has spent the last 18 years being the most sadistic wrestler to step foot into a ring. Orton added that unlike Hardy, he is no stranger to Hell in a Cell matches. He ended his tirade by saying that he will erase Jeff Hardy for good.
-The Uso’s made their way to the ring and were followed by Sanity. Aiden English then came onto the stage where he received a strong “Rusev day” chant from the crowd as he melodically introduced his teammate.
(3) THE USOS vs. SANITY vs. RUSEV DAY (w/Lana)
The match began as the show cut to commercial break with the action shown in PIP. [c]
Returning from break, Phillips and Graves mentioned that the winner of this match will face The Bar for a chance at the Smackdown tag team championship. The match began with a slow pace. Killian Dain wore Jimmy Uso down before knocking him out of the ring with a dropkick. Eric Young was then tagged in and continued the beatdown on Jimmy Uso as they cut to a commercial break. [c]
Returning from break, Rusev tagged himself in before nailing Eric Young with a big spin kick. Rusev took out Alexander Wolfe who was attempting to distract him. Young ducked Rusev’s Machka kick and was hit with a neck breaker. Jey Uso then caught Young with a splash off the top rope.
After everyone else was cleared out, Young attempted a pin on Rusev while gaining leverage with his feet on the bottom rope. English pulled Young’s feet from the rope for the save which distracted Young long enough for Rusev to hit him with a Machka kick. Rusev pinned Young in the center of the ring. Rusev looked pleased with English as the referee raised both of their hands in victory.
WINNER: Rusev Day by pinfall in 12:00.
(Elder’s analysis: Fun match. For the chaos that is a triple threat tag match, it did not feel too hectic. Everyone seemed to hit their spots well. However, what is going on with Rusev Day? They seemed all but ready to implode in recent weeks, but it appears English has done just enough to win Rusev over. Now they are getting close to a title shot. As much as it originally seemed that Rusev was carrying the load, its clear that a large portion of the crowd has endeared itself to Aiden English as well, and I personally will feel cheated if this team breaks up without reaching their potential together.)
-After the match Sheamus & Cesaro appeared at the top of the ramp where they looked down at Rusev Day in the ring. Phillips and Graves commented that they would be fighting Rusev Day next week. [c]
-Back from break, with a corresponding graphic on the screen, the announcing crew showcased the second Mixed Match Challenge which will begin on Tuesday, September 18.
-Miz & Maryse made their way to the ring. Once in the ring, Miz demanded silence from the crowd by stating “when his hand goes up, their mouths go shut.” He then threw to a video package of his recent attacks on Daniel Bryan. After attracting some cheap heat, Miz called out Daniel Bryan one last time. Maryse said that he wont show up and added that they were scared. Miz addressed Bryan directly by asking “who is the coward now” after calling him out one last time. The crowd yelled “you” at Miz following his question.
-Carmella then came out and did her moonwalk before R Truth appeared behind her. He rapped the lyrics to his song as Carmella added the “what’s up” chorus as they cut to another commercial break. [c]
(4) THE MIZ (w/Maryse) vs. R-TRUTH (w/Carmella)
Miz gained control of the match early on. He hit Truth with a backbreaker neckbreaker combo and then proceeded to mock Carmella by feigning an attempt at a moonwak. Miz trapped Truth in the corner where he delivered some Yes kicks as the crowd chanted “No!.” Miz landed a double axehandle from the top rope and then delivered more Yes kicks to a kneeling R Truth. As Miz went for a spinning kick to finish the combo, Truth ducked and rolled Miz up for a two count. Once back on his feet, Miz remained in control and gave a kneeling Truth a DDT. Another pin attempt ended with a two count. Miz then tried to start a “Yes” chant going before a running knee which was inevitably blocked by Truth. Miz then caught Truth with a big boot and proceeded to taunt the crowd a bit. Miz then locked Truth in a full nelson when suddenly Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella appeared on the stage. With Miz distracted, Truth reversed the hold and rolled him up into a pin for the win.
WINNER: R-Truth via pinfall.
Bryan ran down into the ring and put Miz in a Yes Lock. Brie Bella chased Maryse around the ring before catching her and dragging her into the ring. As Brie was setting up a move, Zelina Vega pulled her legs out and then attacked by ringside. At the same time, Andrade “Cien” Almas caught Daniel Bryan offguard and attacked him. However, both Bryan and Bella managed to regain control and applied Yes Locks on Almas and Vega. Both Almas and Vega tapped the mat but neither Bryan or Brie loosened their hold. While still applying their holds, Bryan and Brie had their eyes locked on Miz and Maryse who were backing their way up the ramp. Miz thought about running in for an attack but stopped once he realized that Bryan was more than ready for a fight. As Miz and Maryse slowly retreated up the entranceway, Bryan and Brie released their holds and proceeded to partake in “Yes” chant with the crowd and the show went off the air. [c]
(Elder’s analysis: Throwing R Truth in the main event was totally out of left field but somehow it felt OK. As much as I enjoyed the Mixed Match Challenge last time, and am looking forward to the second installment… I really am not a fan of mixed match feuds on the weekly shows. I really just want to see Miz and Daniel Bryan go head to head one on one. Brie Bella had nothing to do with this just a few weeks ago. So I don’t necessarily like where this is heading. The end of tonight’s match felt like a carbon copy of the Cena/Bella vs, Miz/Maryse Wrestlemania match where they hit matching A.A’s. Its a neat visual, but definitely not the type of payoff I am looking forward to regarding Daniel Bryan and Miz.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: I thought the video segments of Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton did a good job of hyping the match at Hell in a Cell. There’s only so many times Orton can do a run in. So I like how they played it regarding them this week. In the same vein, I think the split-window interview with Charlotte and Becky Lynch did a good job of reiterating their past together and how the rift developed between them. Becky’s line about Charlotte’s insecurities regarding wearing the robe and living up to the Flair name was a perfect touch. However, with Charlotte sitting there with her title over her shoulder and telling Becky that she was always second best in the ring, they are just reaffirming that she is the villian that we are rooting against. So if they really want us to root against Becky Lynch… they better start giving us a reason to cheer for Charlotte Flair.
NOW CHECK OUT THIS REPORT: WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS 9/4: Keller’s report on latest with Becky and Charlotte, Styles back-to-school BBQ, triple threat tag match
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