SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
KELLER’S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
OCTOBER 9, 2020
ORLANDO, FLA. AT AMWAY ARENA (“THUNDERDOME”)
AIRED ON FOX NETWORK
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcers: Greg Hamilton
Tonight after WWE Friday Night Smackdown, join me live with guest cohost Nick Barbati to break down the show with live callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER SMACKDOWN
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW AN HOUR OR SO AFTER SMACKDOWN
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with the theme song and a wide shot of ThunderDome. Cole called it the “visually pleasing interactive arena built just for you.” (Wow.) He said this is the night the landscape of WWE changes. They went to Cole and Graves on camera at ringside. Cole said the Fox executives and USA Network executives “have let their preferences be known.” He said 20 wrestlers are eligible from the Smackdown. He said if a champion is drafted to another brand, that title goes to the other show with the champion.
-DRAFT ROUND ONE: The ring announcers introduced Stephanie McMahon. She said it’s her honor to preside over this event. She announced the first pick. Monday Night Raw picked Drew McIntyre. Cole said Raw used its first pick to keep its champion. She revealed that Smackdown picked Roman Reigns. So no change there. Cole said it’s a no brainer. She said Raw selected the Raw Women’s Champion, Asuka. Smackdown picked Seth Rollins. Cole called it “a brand-altering pick.” Stephanie said, “As someone who knows what’s best for business, Raw drafted The Hurt Business. “This changes everything!” Graves said, overselling this just a tad.
- SMACKDOWN: Reigns, Rollins.
- RAW: McIntyre, Asuka, Hurt Business.
-Kayla Braxton asked Seth about being moved to Smackdown. Seth said after spending his entire career as a Raw Superstar, he has a new path to carve and new trails to blaze on Smackdown. He said he’s a little heartbroken that he won’t be there in person to watch the Mysterio family implode. He said he’s happy he won’t have to look at their disgusting faces again. He said the Greater Good now moves to Friday nights.
(Keller’s Analysis: This draft makes more sense with the brands picking from a complete pool of available talent, including their own, in order of their priority. This actually has some semblance of logic for the first time.)
(1) BIG E vs. SHEAMUS – Falls Count Anywhere
Big E gyrated his hips a bit when he entered the ring, then threw his jacket at Graves at ringside. Big E landed a uranage and then dove through the ropes and speared Sheamus. His feet almost caught the middle rope on the dive, sending him crashing face-first onto the mat and scored a two count. Next he pulled some giant Bootie-Os from under the ring. Sheamus hit him with a kendo stick and scored a two count at ringside. Sheamus tied up Big E in the ropes and then bashed him a few times with the kendo stick before getting another two count. Sheamus looked under the ring. Big E grabbed duct tape and taped Sheamus’s ankles together. Big E then bashed Sheamus with the kendo stick repeated. “This is sick, but you gotta admit this is fun to watch,” he said. He sent him flying over the barricade as they cut to a break. [c]
They fought toward the stage and then backstage, with Big E hitting Sheamus with the kendo stick. Sheamus slammed Big E on some sort of table. He sat and rested briefly, then hit Big E with the kendo stick again. He covered Big E with flower and then slammed a tray of eggs on him in the catering area. Then he threw him into a travel crate. Big E hit him with a broom and then a trash can. They fought into the parking garage. Sheamus hit Big E with a tire iron. They stood on the hood of a car and Sheamus drove Big E through another windshield. Sheamus put Big E in the car driver’s side and slammed the door several times against him. Then he put him in a trunk and was going to slam the door on Big E’s extended arm. He said this could end his career. Big E fought out of it. Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick, but Sheamus kicked the trunk door off. Big E threw Sheamus onto another car’s windshield. “These two men are a mess!” said Cole. “A physical mess!” Big E then leaped off the car hood with a Big Ending on Sheamus through a table for the win.
WINNER: Big E. in 15:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was good as a spectacle match. The announcing was so heavy-handed, it took away from it. Graves says everything like he’s reading a script, detached from what’s happening, and just piling on fake emotions and cartoonish emphasis. Cole does it too, but it just is more grating with Graves for some reason.)
-They hyped The Fiend vs. Kevin Owens in the first match with The Fiend every on Smackdown.
-Jey Uso made his way to the ring. They played some highlights of his conflicts with Reigns. They cut to a break just as Jey entered the ring. Cole said he’d confront his cousin Reigns after the break. [c]
-Kayla interviewed Big E backstage and congratulated him. Kofi Kingston showed up, “disguised” in a baseball hat, and then Xavier Woods showed up. Xavier said they are missing their WWE World Tag Team Championships. Big E didn’t seem super enthusiastic as Kofi and Xavier excitedly talked, but maybe he was just selling the beating he took in the match. Big E warmed up to it, though, and said he missed it. Graves said they are about to find out what the “biggest stakes in WWE history” are in this match.
Uso asked Reigns what his stip is. Reigns didn’t come out. Uso said he gets it, he wants to do it on his own terms. He said he doesn’t run from consequences. He broke into “Welcome to the Uso penitentiary” when Paul Heyman (thankfully) interrupted. Heyman said Reigns will speak on his own clock. Heyman said the champ applauds his ambition because it’s necessary for survival on the island of relevance. He said for those who get too ambitious and want to come up against the champ, a price will be paid. He whispered his final words ominously before throwing to a video package on Reigns dominating against him at the Clash of Champions.
Reigns said his dad and Jey’s uncle said to believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see, but regarding that video footage, “You can believe that.” He told Jey he wanted to make his life better, and all he had to do was acknowledge him as his Tribal Chief. He said for the first time inside a Hell in a Cell, it will be an I Quit match. He said that it didn’t have to be like this. “I just want to help you,” he said. “I love you.” He said after he says “I quit” that there will be consequences. Cole said, “One can only imagine.” (Yes, one can only imagine since they didn’t reveal it.)
-Stephanie was gloating to Adam Pearce about what she had a draft card. [c]
-Cole said Forbes named Stephanie the world’s most influential female CMO. He said they cited her championing women’s equality, speaking out against racism, and putting the safety of fans first during the COVID-19 pandemic. He congratulated her.
-Stephanie said tonight’s show just got a little bigger because they’re going to have a second title match. She announced that New Day would be facing Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro later. Graves said, “Wow!”
-DRAFT ROUND TWO: Stephanie announced that Raw was drafting A.J. Styles. Smackdown selected Sasha Banks to stay on Smackdown. Next, Raw drafted Naomi. Smackdown selected Bianca Belair. Cole said she’s a future champion. Graves called it the sleeper pick of the first round. Stephanie said Raw drafted Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler.
- SMACKDOWN: Reigns, Rollins, Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair.
- RAW: McIntyre, Asuka, Hurt Business, A.J. Styles, Naomi, Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler.
-Styles complained about not being the first pick for Smackdown after everything he has done for the brand.
(2) MIZ & JOHN MORRISON vs. JEFF HARDY & MATT RIDDLE
Cole said the makeshift team of Hardy and Riddle is a result of an invite by Riddle on social media. He said he wanted to have a chance to team with Hardy before the draft in case they ended up on separate brands. Riddle and Hardy took it to Miz and Morrison early with a flurry of offense including Riddle diving off of Hardy’s back with a dive to the floor. [c]
Back from the break, Graves said it’s the one year anniversary of Hardy’s sobriety. Riddle finished Miz with a Bro Derek.
WINNERS: Hardy & Riddle in 5:00.
-After the match, Lars Sullivan made his return and entered the ring. He shoved Riddle down and then clotheslined Hardy. Riddle threw kicks at his mid-section. Lars no-sold them and then powerslammed him. He gave Hardy a short-arm clothesline, then threw him oiut of the ring. He took Riddle down hard and one-arm powerslammed him. He then took it to Miz with hard forearms to the side of his head before throwing him hard into the middle turnbuckle. His music played again. Cole called him “The Freak” several times. He stared at the hard camera and yelled as his music played again. Graves said he’s highly intelligent and hard-hitting. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-ROUND THREE: Stephanie announced that Lars Sullivan will be added to Monday’s draft pool. She said Raw selected Ricochet. Graves called it a great keep. Next, Smackdown drafted Jey Uso. Stephanie said Mandy Rose was picked by Raw to stay at Raw. She announced Smackdown drafted Dominik and Rey Mysterio. And finally, Raw selected Miz and Morrison.
(Keller’s Analysis: That’s crazy that they basically jobbed them out on Smackdown as if they were leaving the territory in the old days before moving them Raw.)
- SMACKDOWN: Reigns, Rollins, Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair, Jey Uso, Dominik, Rey Mysterio.
- RAW: McIntyre, Asuka, Hurt Business, A.J. Styles, Naomi, Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler, Ricochet, Mandy Rose, Miz & Morrison
-Dominik and Rey celebrated that they weren’t separated. He said they were worried about that.
(3) BAYLEY vs. SASHA BANKS – Smackdown Title match
Sasha made her ring entrance first. Then Bayley made her ring entrance. Cole said Bayley beat Charlotte Flair on last year’s draft show. She brought a chair with her to the ring. Bayley jump-started the match. Sasha battered Bayley aggressively and kicked away at her in the corner. Bayley retreated to ringside. Sasha grabbed her at ringside and threw her back into the ring. She applied a quick Bank Statement. Bayley put her foot on the bottom rope to force a break. Bayley rolled to ringside and then hit Sasha with a chair. She was DQ’d.
WINNER: Sasha via DQ, but Bayley hit her with a chair, in 2:00.
-After the match, Sasha ducked Bayley’s chair swing. She set up a chair in the corner and sent Bayley face-first into the chair. Then she bashed Bayley with a chair across her back. Bayley eventually escaped to ringside.
-A video package aired on Kevin Owens and Bray Wyatt on Raw. Then they plugged main event.
-Backstage Owens was taping his wrists when in walked Alexa Bliss. She said, “Let him in.” [c]
(4) CESARO & SHINSUKE NAKAMURA vs. NEW DAY (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) – Smackdown Tag Team Titles
New Day dominated early and scored a near fall on Cesaro, with Nakamura breaking up the cover. They cut to a break a minute in. [c]
Xavier, full of energy, continued his attack. Cesaro and Nakamura eventually took over on him. Kofi tagged in and then DDT’d Cesaro off the ring apron. That looked awkward, like he was going for a different move and changed mid-flight into a DDT. Cesaro caught him with an uppercut leaping off the top rope at him for a near fall. Cesaro gave Kofi the Cesaro Swing. Kofi came back with a Trouble in Paradise. Nakamura gave Kofi his Kinsasha for a two count. Xavier tagged himself in, Kofi hit Nakamura with a Trouble in Paradise, and leaped off the top rope with a flying elbow onto Nakamura for the win. Big E came out to celebrate with them.
WINNERS: Xavier & Kofi to capture the Smackdown Tag Team Titles.
-ROUND FOUR: Stephanie announced that Raw has drafted Xavier & Kofi. They were alarmed that Big E’s name wasn’t mentioned. Xavier said, “Say E’s name!” Stephanie announced Smackdown had selected Big E. Big E looked more guilty than sad. Not sure what he was going for, though. Kofi and Xavier were upset. And end of an era. Raw then drafted Dana Brooke to stay. Smackdown drafted Otis to stay. Raw drafted Angel Garza to stay on Raw. [c]
- SMACKDOWN: Reigns, Rollins, Sasha Banks, Bianca Belair, Jey Uso, Dominik, Rey Mysterio, Otis.
- RAW: McIntyre, Asuka, Hurt Business, A.J. Styles, Naomi, Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler, Ricochet, Mandy Rose, Miz & Morrison. Xavier & Kofi, Dana Brooke, Angel Garza.
-Cole plugged Talking Smack, available Saturday morning on WWE Network.
-Otis asked Tucker if they’re staying together. Tucker said hopefully Miz & Morrison moving to another brand means they’ll drop the lawsuit against him. Otis pulled out a law book and read some legal terms. A woman arrived and served him with legal papers. Tucker said Miz’s lawyer is filing a continuance to delay the trial. Otis said he is ready! He said he bought legal pads. Tucker said it’s just a sleazy legal ploy to try to drain him dry. Otis said, “No one drains out my moisture!”
-They went to Cole and Graves who talked about the Bayley-Sasha match. Sasha challenged Bayley to a match at Hell in a Cell. She said she’s going to break her. She said she used to be her best friend and she used to love her so much, but at HIAC, she’ll take from her the Smackdown Women’s Title.
-The Fiend made his ring entrance. [c]
-Graves announced Reigns will defend the Universal Title against Braun Strowman next week on the “season premiere.” Also, The New Day’s farewell to Smackdown against Sheamus & Cesaro & Nakamjura.
(5) KEVIN OWENS vs. THE FIEND
Owens landed a cannonball in the corner in the opening seconds. Fiend popped out of the corner and took it to Owens, brushing off the cannonball. Fiend took it to Owens at ringside. Owens made a brief comeback in the ring, but Fiend cut it short. Owens caught a charging Fiend with a boot and then clotheslined him. Fiend blocked a Stunner, but KO sent Fiend to ringside. Fiend slammed Owens on the announce table and then gave him a Sister Abigail onto the table. Fiend bent down to look at Owens. Cole called it a kiss of death. [c]
Back to the ring, Fiend was in control in the ring. KO rallied and kicked Fiend of the floor. He leaped off the ring apron and splashed him on the floor. Owens gave Fiend a pop-up powerbomb. The first came up short, so a second one crashed Fiend through the table. Fiend popped up just as Graves said there’s no way he can get up. Fiend then caught KO with a Mandible Claw. KO gave him a Stunner, but Fiend held on. He gave KO a uranage with the Mandible Claw on him and scored the three count. Cole asked, “What the hell did we just witness? How do you describe that?” Graves called it a mauling.
WINNER: The Fiend in 10:00.
-The lights went out and then Fiend was standing face-to-face with Alexa Bliss as the show ended. They turned to the ring. The camera showed Owens gasping for breath on the mat. Then back to Fiend and Bliss staring at each other intensely.
(Keller’s Analysis: No big twists there.)
Tonight after WWE Friday Night Smackdown, join me live with guest cohost Nick Barbati to break down the show with live callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER SMACKDOWN
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW AN HOUR OR SO AFTER SMACKDOWN
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