{"id":67688,"date":"2018-10-16T14:24:01","date_gmt":"2018-10-16T19:24:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=67688"},"modified":"2018-10-16T14:24:01","modified_gmt":"2018-10-16T19:24:01","slug":"wwe-smackdown-primer-10-16-1000th-episode-returns-of-evolution-undertaker-and-others-world-cup-qualifying-matches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/10\/16\/wwe-smackdown-primer-10-16-1000th-episode-returns-of-evolution-undertaker-and-others-world-cup-qualifying-matches\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 10\/16: 1000th Episode, Returns of Evolution &#038; Undertaker and others, World Cup qualifying matches"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-553810176\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><h3><strong>WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>OCTOBER 16, 2018<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. AT THE CAPITAL ONE ARENA<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>AIRS ON USA NETWORK 8:00 P.M. EDT<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>BY FRANK PETEANI, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Arena \/ Brief Smackdown History \/ Returns Advertised<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em>In the late 1990s, WWE (then WWF) was in the midst of the Monday Night Wars with its rival WCW.\u00a0 WWF\u2019s Raw and WCW\u2019s Nitro went head to head on a weekly basis from late 1995 until early 2001.\u00a0 During that time, WCW debuted a second show known as Thunder. \u00a0WWE responded with a second show of its own.\u00a0 This show would be named after a catchphrase coined by The Rock, who is arguably on the Mount Rushmore of wrestlers in the modern television &amp; PPV era.\u00a0 Without question I am referring to Smackdown, which debut on April 29, 1999.\u00a0 After the local Washington Capitals recently hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in their history, we celebrate the 1000<sup>th<\/sup> episode of Smackdown in the Capital One Arena tonight in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n<p>It is ironic that WWE eventually did what WCW had intended to do, and that was split its roster for the two shows.\u00a0 It was rumored that Nitro was intended to be the \u201cnWo show,\u201d while Thunder would be the traditional WCW offering.\u00a0 That never came to fruition.\u00a0 Over the past 16 years, WWE has featured two iterations of roster splits for Raw and Smackdown (2002-2011 and 2016-present).<\/p>\n<p>There are many wrestlers and general managers set to make their return this evening.\u00a0 Batista and Ric Flair return to join storyline COO (and current DX member) Triple H and current Smackdown resident Randy Orton to reform Evolution.\u00a0 Rey Mysterio returns, joins the active roster, and will compete for the right to be in the World Cup slated for Crown Jewel.<\/p>\n<p>As of yesterday, here is a list of others to expect tonight based on local advertising and web reports&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>-Torrie Wilson<br \/>\n-Michelle McCool<br \/>\n-Undertaker<br \/>\n-Kane<br \/>\n-James Ellsworth<br \/>\n-Edge<br \/>\n-Booker T<br \/>\n-Big Show<br \/>\n-Teddy Long (former G.M.)<br \/>\n-Vickie Guerrero (former G.M.)<\/p>\n<p>There are two World Cup qualifying matches scheduled.\u00a0 According to Wikipedia, WWE Champion A.J. Styles is scheduled to wrestle as well, but the opponent is TBD.\u00a0 If James Ellsworth is set to return, how ironic would it be if he were A.J.\u2019s opponent given their history a few years back?\u00a0 (I\u2019m trying not to think about it, but reality is reality folks.)<\/p>\n<p><strong>World Cup Qualifying Matches: Rey vs. Shinsuke, Rusev vs. Miz<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3288974574\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Tonight, we will round out the World Cup tournament slated for Crown Jewel to take place in (where? WWE didn\u2019t give the location last night on Raw.\u00a0 I\u2019m asking for a friend.)\u00a0 My sarcasm aside, the last two participants will be determined.\u00a0 Rusev will take on the Miz, and Rey Mysterio makes his return to WWE to take on U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura.\u00a0 As I said in last week\u2019s primer, Mysterio joins the active roster as he has signed a two-year contract.\u00a0 He supposedly can opt out in 18 months, which is around WrestleMania in 2020.<\/p>\n<p>The World Cup, as we know, features four wrestlers from Raw and four from Smackdown.\u00a0 Here\u2019s who is in the tournament thus far:<\/p>\n<p>Raw:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Free Agent John Cena<\/li>\n<li>G.M. Kurt Angle<\/li>\n<li>Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins<\/li>\n<li>Raw Tag Team Championship Co-Holder Dolph Ziggler<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Smackdown:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jeff Hardy<\/li>\n<li>Randy Orton<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The brackets are to be determined.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis:\u00a0 The six participants thus far for this \u201cWorld Cup\u201d are American born.\u00a0 Tonight, we can potentially get at least one wrestler not born here in the \u201cstates\u201d if not two with Rusev being born in Bulgaria and Shinsuke born in Japan.\u00a0 I have no issue if a tournament in and of itself features all Americans, but don\u2019t call it a World Cup.\u00a0 Anyway, my complaints aside, the big takeaway for me here is the return of Rey Mysterio.\u00a0 This is a HUGE return for this brand.\u00a0 He has had matches with men of all size and except for an odd feud with the Undertaker back in 2010, he has always delivered.\u00a0 He is well-liked by the fans, and he lengthens the roster by giving you a babyface you can put in matches with just about anyone.\u00a0 This match tonight with Shinsuke is an EXCELLENT way of bringing him back.\u00a0 A feud over the U.S. Championship could start from this for certain, and Rey could be the guy to take the title from Shinsuke.\u00a0 As far as Miz and Rusev they haven\u2019t had a storyline yet.\u00a0 Both wrestlers are good enough to make you think they can have a great match\/feud, but let\u2019s see it to believe it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Undertaker Returns<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For a great many years, the Undertaker was a staple of Smackdown.\u00a0 He had many great opponents including Randy Orton, Batista, Edge, Mark Henry, the Dudley Boyz, and his brother Kane.\u00a0 Edge, Henry, and the Dudleys are all in the Hall of Fame.\u00a0 Orton, Batista, and Kane are certain to follow at some point.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-4174478592\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Undertaker is currently involved in a storyline teaming with his brother Kane on Raw and will take on Shawn Michaels and Triple H (D-Generation X) at Crown Jewel set to take place in (where?\u00a0 WWE didn\u2019t say\u2026.oh never mind we know where it is).\u00a0 Tonight, he makes his return to the brand he dominated from 2002-2011.\u00a0 Undertaker was initially drafted to Raw by then \u201cowner\u201d Ric Flair, but moved to Smackdown in August of 2002.\u00a0 He remained on Smackdown until the first roster spilt ended in 2011.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis:\u00a0 You can\u2019t have a landmark episode of Smackdown without the Undertaker.\u00a0 I always felt he fit Raw better, but I believe he was on Smackdown in an attempt to keep people watching the show.\u00a0 If <a href=\"http:\/\/wrestlinginc.com\/\">Wrestlinginc.com<\/a> is accurate and Kane is there as well, it\u2019ll be interesting to see if any mention is made of their current feud with DX.\u00a0 Bear in mind, Evolution will be on the show and that stable features Triple H of DX.\u00a0 Evolution, whom I\u2019ll get into next, features wrestlers all of which Undertaker has worked with through the years.\u00a0 Also look to see how Undertaker (&amp; Kane) are framed as they are currently the heels in their storyline on Raw with DX.\u00a0 Undertaker was a babyface for his entire Smackdown tenure.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Evolution Returns<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>From 2003-2005, a stable known as Evolution made their mark on the Raw brand.\u00a0 You could almost look back on them as the \u201cFour Horsemen of the 2000s.\u201d\u00a0 It featured Triple H, Ric Flair, and two up-and-comers at the time.\u00a0 Those up-and-comers were Randy Orton and Batista.\u00a0 While the stable dominated Raw, Orton and Batista would eventually find success on the Smackdown brand through the years as both men would win multiple championships.\u00a0 Triple H would have a championship run on Smackdown as well towards the end of the first roster spilt.\u00a0 Ric Flair ended his wrestling days with WWE on Smackdown.\u00a0 He would have a legendary match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania in 2008 to end his WWE wrestling career.<\/p>\n<p>Randy Orton still resides on Smackdown as a top heel.\u00a0 Triple H is the storyline COO of WWE.\u00a0 Tonight, Ric Flair and Batista make their returns to join Orton and Triple H and reform Evolution.<\/p>\n<p><em>Frank\u2019s Analysis:\u00a0 It\u2019s still odd to see Evolution reform on a brand in which never performed, even though individually all men had tenures on Smackdown.\u00a0 I get the sense since this has a lot to do with Batista\u2019s schedule, as he was not at Raw 25 earlier this year.\u00a0 That show would have made much more sense to feature Evolution.\u00a0 As I talked about earlier with Triple H and Undertaker currently featured in a storyline on Raw, and with Undertaker appearing tonight, it will be interesting to see if there\u2019s any \u201ccross-over.\u201d\u00a0 Undertaker never had dealings with Evolution as a stable, but he did have WrestleMania matches with every member although not while they were part of the stable.\u00a0 Batista, according to <a href=\"http:\/\/monstersandcritics.com\/\">monstersandcritics.com<\/a>, is interested in a short-term WWE return. \u00a0The article claims he\u2019s interested in working Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, and WrestleMania.\u00a0 He returned to WWE in 2014, won the Royal Rumble, and unsuccessfully challenged for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.\u00a0 Evolution then reformed briefly and would feud with the Shield.\u00a0 He then left citing he was unhappy overall with his return.\u00a0 Tonight\u2019s return could lay the groundwork for another run.\u00a0 With Orton being the sadistic heel, it\u2019ll be interesting to see how he fits back in with the stable that essentially gave him his start.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Other Items from Smackdown Last Week<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aiden English\u2019s \u201cOne Night in Milwaukee\u201d with Lana turned out to be a video showing Lana rejecting Aiden\u2019s sexual advances.\u00a0 Aiden failed in his attempt to blackmail Rusev into reforming Rusev Day.\u00a0 Remember, Aiden attacked Rusev many weeks ago after a U.S. Championship match with Shinsuke Nakamura.<\/li>\n<li>Smackdown Women\u2019s Champion Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair fought to a double count out in their championship match.\u00a0 A Last Woman Standing match for the title was announced for Evolution (not to be confused with the returning stable) set to go Oct. 28.<\/li>\n<li>Daniel Bryan and WWE Champion A.J. Styles were on MizTV to discuss their upcoming championship match at Crown Jewel on Nov. 2 in (you know where\u2026sorry can\u2019t help myself).\u00a0 There was quite a verbal exchange between all three men that including Miz pointing out how A.J. Styles has never main evented a PPV defending the WWE Championship.\u00a0 A.J. would later defeat Shelton Benjamin, who had beaten Daniel Bryan a week earlier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Start Time &amp; Matches Advertised<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The arena website shows a start time of 7:30 p.m. local time with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.\u00a0 They advertise these matches:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A.J. Styles &amp; Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz &amp; Samoa Joe.<\/li>\n<li>Six-women tag: Smackdown Women&#8217;s Champion Becky Lynch &amp; The IIconics vs. Charlotte Flair &amp; Asuka &amp; Naomi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>They show the returns of Evolution, Rey Mysterio, Undertaker, Michelle McCool, Teddy Long, Vickie Guerrero, and Torrie Wilson.\u00a0 For current wrestlers they advertise Smackdown Tag Team Champions New Day and U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura.<\/p>\n<p>They don\u2019t show James Ellsworth, Kane, Edge, Booker T, or Big Show.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Follow me on Twitter @FrankPeteani and ask any questions you may have.\u00a0 Thank you for reading!<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>NOW CATCH UP ON LAST WEEK&#8217;S SMACKDOWN REPORT:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/10\/09\/10-9-wwe-smackdown-report-kellers-report-on-fallout-from-super-show-down-becky-vs-charlotte-rematch-world-cup-matches-including-return-of-big-show\/\">10\/9 WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT: Keller\u2019s report on fallout from Super Show-down, Becky vs. Charlotte rematch, World Cup matches including return of Big Show<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-3617775464\"><div id=\"pwtor-2544471989\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER OCTOBER 16, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. AT THE CAPITAL ONE ARENA AIRS ON USA NETWORK 8:00 P.M. EDT BY FRANK PETEANI, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR\u00a0 Arena \/ Brief Smackdown History \/ Returns Advertised \u00a0In the <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/10\/16\/wwe-smackdown-primer-10-16-1000th-episode-returns-of-evolution-undertaker-and-others-world-cup-qualifying-matches\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN PRIMER 10\/16: 1000th Episode, Returns of Evolution &#038; Undertaker and others, World Cup qualifying matches\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,4403,27,5893],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-smackdown-primer","category-specialists","category-tvprimers"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/10\/Smackdown1000_3x2_600.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67688"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67690,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67688\/revisions\/67690"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}