SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
HITS
Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura: After an odd promo by Hardy to kick off Smackdown Live, where it sounded as if Hardy may have forgot some of his lines, the charismatic enigma faced off against a former foe in Nakamura. Good, solid match that had the crowd into it the whole way through. Good back and forth action that saw Hardy pick up the win via disqualification thanks to interference by Randy Orton. Orton planted a viscous attack on Hardy after the bell sounded. Hardy was able to get in his signature twist of fate and swanton bomb on Orton. It’s crazy to realize Sunday will be Hardy’s first Hell in a Cell matchup.
A.J. Styles Empty Arena Promo: Great go-home promo for the Styles-Joe story heading into Hell in a Cell Sunday Night. Styles basically stated that Joe is a piece of garbage and that on Sunday the intimidation stops and that he’ll prove why he’s phenomenal.
Charlotte Flair vs. Sonya Deville: Good match, I enjoyed Deville’s performance. I am going to be a little critical of Flair’s performance. Since she’s returned to full time action she seems slower, more methodical in the ring. Going through the motions as it were. She isn’t the prominent performer she once was a couple years ago right now in my eyes. Flair picked up the win after Deville tapped out to the Figure-Eight. Becky Lynch attacked Flair immediately following the match and put her in the armbar on the ramp.
Samoa Joe Night Night Promo: Great taped vignette from Joe. He told a faux bedtime story centering around Styles and his family. Joe ended the story revealing that after he beats Styles and becomes the new WWE Champion then he will also become Styles’s wife and daughter’s new daddy. Phenomenal heat.
Brie Bella vs. Maryse: Apparently WWE writers have decided to have a company wide effort to exacerbate the term coward. It’s said multiple times on Raw and 15 times a night on Smackdown Live. The matchup finally started after quick mic work from Brie and Miz. Maryse hit Brie with a superkick, Brie kicked out. Brie locked in the Yes lock on Maryse until Miz dragged Brie out of the ring. Hard bump there. This led to bedlam between Bryan and Miz. Miz threw a curveball and forced Bryan to fall to the outside colliding with his wife. The show ended when Brie punched Miz in the face and Bryan clotheslined Miz over the top rope to the outside.
MISSES
The Bar vs. Rusev & Aiden English: Okay match. Rusev and English worked wonderfully together and the crowd digs them. Not sure the live crowd enjoyed this match. Moved sort of slow and that’s because The Bar wrestled a real ‘blah’ match. It’s a shame the company has nothing from a single standpoint for Cesaro because he’s a total bull in the ring with tremendous ability. Sheamus looks as slow as ever and I’m sure that’s due to his ongoing neck issue. Rusev and English got the win thanks to a Rusev superkick to the chin of Sheamus. Rusev and English earned the right to wrestle The New Day at Hell in a Cell Sunday for the Smackdown Live tag team titles.
Asuka Promo: I’ll say it each time it occurs. The mystique of Asuka does each time WWE makes her seem dumb in her promos. She should not be speaking. She’s a killer and should be billed that way. Same as she was in NXT.
NOW CHECK OUT THIS RELATED STORY: TOP 3 DEVELOPMENTS – SMACKDOWN 9/11: Bryan and Brie Come Out on Top, Final Promos from AJ and Joe, Becky Sneak Attack
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