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WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
SEPTEMBER 9, 2022
SEATTLE, WASH. AT CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
AIRED ON FOX
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Tonight after WWE Smackdown, join Wade Keller live with guest co-host Kelly Wells to break down the show with live callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW CONCLUDES
•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 TWO HOURS OR SO AFTER THE TV SHOW ENDS.
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with the closing minute of Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre with McIntyre seemingly about to beat Reigns when Solo Sikoa interfered, followed by Reigns hitting a distracted McIntyre with a spear. They cut to fan disappointment as Reigns was introduced as the winner.
-They went to Michael Cole at ringside. He said normally Pat McAfee is with him, but he’ll be gone for next couple of months due to football obligations, so he’s joined instead by Corey Graves. The camera panned away from Cole’s (disappointed expression?) to show Graves by his side.
-A graphic noted that Solo Sikoa joins The Bloodline later tonight. Graves hyped Braun Strowman’s planned appearance. Cole hyped the five-way women’s match.
(1) IMPERIUM (Gunther & Giovani Vinci & Ludvig Kaiser) vs. THE BRAWLING BRUTES (Sheamus & Ridge Holland & Butch)
Cole said the Sheamus vs. Gunther match could end up being the Match of the Year. Cole noted that Vinci is only the second Italian-born WWE wrestler; the first was Bruno Sammartino. A couple minutes in Gunther tagged in against Butch. He chopped Butch hard in the chest, then called for Sheamus. Sheamus tagged in and the crowd roared with anticipation. They cut to a break at 2:30 just as they circled each other. [c]
(Keller’s Analysis: That was a weird place for a break. It’s like going to a commercial in a baseball game on a full count with bases loaded as the pitcher is winding up to throw. We make fun of WWE’s contrived situation when they cut to a break, but this is a bad overcorrection.)
Back from the break, Ridge and Kaiser were battling. When Gunther illegally attacked Butch, Sheamus marched toward him at ringside. They exchagned blows. Vinci slidekicked Sheamus. Butch hit Gunther with a flying knee off the ring apron. They cut another break at 10:00. [c]
Back from the break, as Gunther battled Butch, fans chanted, “We Want Sheamus!” Gunther tagged out to Vinci, who kept Butch from taking out to Sheamus. Butch landed an enzuigiri. Both were slow to get up, but Butch got the hot-tag and a nice pop. Cole noted Sheamus “has won everything in WWE other than the Intercontinental Title.” Sheamus bent Kaiser backwards over the top rope and hit 20 hard forearms to his chest. When Vinci interfered, Sheaus slammed Vinci mid-ring and themn gave Kaiser his White Noise on Vinci. Fans cheered as Sheamus played to the crowd. Sheamus aimed a Brogue Kick for Kaiser, but he ducked and Vinci took the blow. Sheamus powerslammed Kaiser seconds later, then tagged in Holland. Holland clotheslined Kaiser from behind. Gunther broke up the cover. Sheamus and Gunther circled each other. The other four paired off and attacked each other. “This is madness!” said Graves. Vinci gave Butch a brainbuster suplexseconds after Kaiser landed awkward on his left knee on a Holland suplex. Holland picked up Kaiser and put him in an inverted body vice, but he reached and tagged in Vinci. Kaiser was find as he leaped off the second rope and elbowed Holland out of Vinci’s arms with their Imperium Bomb for the win.
WINNERS: Imperium in 19:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Hard-hitting, exciting brawl. It appears Sheamus is officially a babyface. WWE could have moved on from him getting cheered contextually at Clash at the Castle in front of a home town type crowd, but this rematch pointed toward WWE officially extending him being in a position to get cheered.
-Cole and Graves acknowledged the death of Queen Elizabeth. [c]
-Cole noted they were in Seattle, Wash.
-The Usos and Sami Zayn made their ring entrance to the Usos theme. Graves said Sami is like a valuable neighbor checking on your mail and trash when you’re gone. Cole said he’s more like someone who can’t mind his own business. Sami introduced the segment. “Seattle, the Bloodline is in your city.” He asked them to “throw those one’s up.” Some fans did, some shook their heads and refused. Jimmy was exuberant and smiling at Sami; Jey wouldn’t even look at Sami. When Sami said he grew up an honoray Uso, Jey interrupted and said that’s real funny. Jey said Roman Reigns is still the Undisputed Champion after beating Drew McIntyre on his home turf. Jimmy introduced “the street champion, our younger brother, Solo Sikoa.”
Sikoa made his way to the ring to his own music. They went to an inset video clip of Sakoa walking on a city street, brief clips from NXT, and then his interference at Clash at the Castle. Sami pointed at him as he stood center ring with a mic in hand. He was in black shorts and a black hoodie. He soaked up boos. He said if you come for his family, he comes for you, and if you cause problems, he solves them. “Solo Sikoa is here to stay,” he snarled. “And the Bloodline just got bigger and stronger.” As all four posed mid-ring, Drew McIntyre’s music played.
Drew walked out with a chair in hand. Sikoa was awaiting him in the ring. Drew jabbed him in the gut. Sami shoved Sikoa out of the way and took a chairshot instead. Cole said he took a bullet for Sikoa. The Bloodline retreated. Drew yelled to Sikoa, “I want you tonight.” Sikoa said he’s got it.
(Keller’s Analysis: Sikoa is fine so far. Not a big sample of what his character will be, other than they’re saying he’s the street fighter of the family. WWE has made him out to be a big deal already. Sami continues to be a weekly highlight of WWE TV.) [c]
(1) RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ & ALIYAH vs. TOXIC ATTRACTION (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne)
Rodriguez stopped in the aisle and stood backwards with the belt on backwards. Aliyah spanked her and smiled. Aliyah leaped into Rodriguez’s arms in the ring. An inset interview aired with Dolin and Jayne during their ring entrance. Cole noted this was scheduled for the semi-finals of the Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament, but didn’t occur due to an injury. Graves said Jacy & Gigi don’t mind bending the rules and taking chances. Aliyah threw some nice punches on Jacy after a Thesz press. Gigi tagged in next. Cole said she claims she plays by no one’s rules. Jacy scored a near fall on Aliyah a minute later. As Cole recited facts about Aliyah, Graves asked how he knows so much about her because every time he walks past her backstage, she rolls her eyes. Cole said Aliyah hid that she was training to be a pro wrestler from her parents for years, who finally accepted her dream. Rodriguez hot-tagged in and rallied against Gigi and Jacy. Gigi kicked at a charging Rodriguez, but it came up short. Rodriguez scored a two count seconds later. Rodriguez finished Jacy seconds later with her chokeslam.
WINNERS: Rodriguez & Aliyah in 5:00.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside who threw to a video package on the Ronda Rousey-Adam Pearce segment last week. They hyped the next match. [c]
-Graves confirmed Drew vs. Sikoa later.
-Ring introductions took place for the main event.
[HOUR TWO]
(2) XIA LI vs. NATALYA vs. SONYA DEVILLE vs. LACEY EVANS vs. RONDA ROUSEY – Fatal Five-way to earn a Smackdown Title match at Extreme Rules
Natalya tapped out to Rousey a minute in. Sonay tapepd out Xia and Ronda tapped out Lacey a minute later. That left Deville and Rousey. They showed Liv Morgan watching from a sky box (which is much better than standing backstage watching a monitor sideways). Rousey mounted Sonya and then lifted her onto her shoulders for a Piper’s Pit attempt. Sonya countered into a sleeper and held on even when Rousey drove her backwards to the mat. They rolled to the floor where Rousey drove her into the barricade to break the hold. Back in the ring Rousey hit Piper’s Pit followed by an anklelock for the tapout win.
WINNER: Rousey in 5:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: They got right to the finishes quickly. This was a tidy match with four eliminations in under five minutes. Liv was pretty insufferable with her antics in the luxury suite.)
-Backstage, the Usos gave Sikoa a pep talk. Sikoa and Sami stared at each other. Sikoa said Roman endorsed him. He said he appreciated his helt out there. Sami smiled and said Roman knows what he’s talking about. Sami said if Sikoa needs anything, they’re all looking out for him. Sikoa said he’s going to do this on his own, but if he needed help, he’d ask Sami. Jey didn’t like that, so he said they’re all going out there tonight to support him.
-Shayna Baszler congratulated and hugged Rousey backstage. She wished Rousey luck against Liv. Rousey said she might be upset about losing, but what’s better than winning is revenge. “Let me know when you’re ready to break some bones and take over the show with me,” Rousey told her.
(3) MAXIMUM MALES MODELS (Mace & Mansour w/Max and Maxine Dupri) & LOS LOTHARIOUS (Humberto & Angel) vs. THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) & HIT ROW (Top Dolla & Ashante “Thee “Adonis w/B-Fab)
The heels bailed out to regroup a minute in. They cut to a break. [c]
Back from the reak, Mansour was in control against Adonis. He tagged in Mace. They double-teamed Adonis and then struck a pose. Dawkins landed a flying flip dive onto Angel and Humberto. When Top Dolla was teasing doing the same, Maxine blocked him on the ring apron. B-Fab yanked her off the ring apron. Max got in B-Fab’s face. Top Dolla kicked Max. Mansour leaped off the top rope, but Top Dolla caught him and rought him over to his corner where Adonis tagged in and dropkicked Mansour out of his arms for the win.
WINNERS: Street Profits & Hit Row in 9:00.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Cole threw to a video package on Braun Strowman. [c]
-On their way to the ring, Chad Gable said he and Otis are there to ruin Braun’s return to Smackdown just like he ruined their match on Raw earlier in the week. He said if Otis had seen Braun coming, “he’d have decimated that idiot and left him laying.” Gable said Otis is a superior athlete, something Seattle wouldn’t know about. He said Seattle is the type of city that couldn’t even hold onto its own basketball. Big boos. He “shoosh’d” the crowd. Braun’s music interrupted Gable. Cole yelled, “It’s deafening in here!”
Braun punched a charging Otis. Chad interfered, but Braun knocked him down. Otis attacked Braun and got brief advantage. Gable gave Otis instructions, but Braun checked him down and then clotheslined Otis. He powerbombed Gable. He then powerbombed Otis. “Are you kidding me?!” exclaimed Cole. Braun played to the crowd. Cole said he’s putting everyone on notice on Smackdown.
-Lacey Evans interviewed Drew backstage. She asked how satisfying it will be to get redemption against Sakoa tonight. Drew said Clash at the Castle should have been the biggest night of his career. He said 21 years of hard work led him to that one night, and the reason he didn’t win is because of one person, Solo Sikoa. He said he’s sure his Head of the Table is very proud of him, but actions have consequences. “I promise tonight, you’re not going to like the consequences of your actions.” [c]
-Cole and Graves hyped next week’s Raw line-up including Io Sky & Dakota chalelnging Racquel Rodriguez & Aliyah for the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Smackdown nedxt week will feature Angel & Humberto vs. Otis & Gable vs. New Day vs. Street Profits in a Fatal Four-way.
(4) SOLO SIKOA (w/Sami Zayn, Usos) vs. DREW MCINTYRE
Drew went after Sikoa at the bell aggressively in the corner. When the ref warned Drew, Sikoa took advantage. They exchanged blows mid-ring. Cole said because Sikoa was eight years younger than his brothers, he was a bit of a loner and not super close with the Usos. Graves said there’s a it of jealousy with Sikoa seeing the success of his brothers. Drew went for an early Claymore, but the Usos yanked him to ringside. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Sikoa was on offense after the break. Drew made a comeback. When he set up a running dive, Sami grabbed his leg from ringside. The ref didn’t see it. Drew tossed Sami into the ring. Drew signaled for a Claymore, but Sikoa intercepted him with a superkick for a near fall. When the Usos and Sami attacked Drew, the Street Profits ran out to help Drew. Ford leaped off the top rope and dove onto Sami and the Usos at ringside. “There are bodies everywhere!” Cole said. Back in the ring, Drew landed a Claymore, which knocked Sikoa out of the ring. Karrion Kross attacked Drew from behind and put him in a sleeper. The screen went black and white (which is stupid). Scarlett looked on up close as Kross put Drew to sleep. Cole called for help. Drew tried to fight out of it, but ultimately faded. “Perhaps he wants to reset the timeline here on Smackdown,” said Cole, whatever that means. The show ended without a decision.
(Keller’s Analysis: The lack of finish was annoying. The black and white thing was stupid. Paul Levesque is conditioning fans not to invest in matches because they’re secondary to angles. First Braun last week and even more jarringly the TV main event this week.)
Tonight after WWE Smackdown, join Wade Keller live with guest co-host Kelly Wells to break down the show with live callers and emails.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THE SHOW CONCLUDES
•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 TWO HOURS OR SO AFTER THE TV SHOW ENDS.
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