Daniel Bryan is set to face Samoa Joe in a never before seen dream match up. Which Superstar will go on to compete for the Money in the Bank briefcase?
Smackdown Live determines their final competitor for the Money in the Bank ladder match. That is except for the wild card to be determined from The New Day camp. Shinsuke Nakamura proves he can count to ten and Smackdown Live hosts a dance off. Who will continue to build momentum heading into Money in the Bank?
Smackdown Live comes to us from Raleigh, NC this 29th of May, 2018.
Three’s A Crowd
Samoa Joe kicks off the show with a foreboding promo. The Samoan Submission Machine advises his opponent Daniel Bryan to call his wife and daughter to say his goodbyes before their match on Smackdown Live. The attack on Bryan’s family and subsequent threat prompts Bryan to storm to the ring in an attempt to start their match early.
Before the two can come to blows Big Cass makes an unexpected appearance. Without being medically cleared to wrestle it is not immediately apparent what business the seven footer has at ringside. Leaning on a crutch, Cass explains that he will replace Bryan to challenge for the final spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match later in the evening.
Cass also remarks he is clear to wrestle and uses his crutch to swing at Bryan. Bryan dodges the weapon which connects with Joe as all three competitors engage in an all out brawl. The three men are separated and the status of the main event match seems up in the air. Cass has clearly healed from his injury.
In a backstage segment Paige denies replacing Bryan with Cass. After debating the merits of each competitor, Paige compromises and adds Cass to the Money in the Bank qualifying match.
Adding Cass to the match most likely serves to protect both Bryan and Joe from a true loss. Neither competitor have enjoyed high profile wins since returning to the active roster. WWE are also smart to save Bryan vs Joe for later. Recently, fans have been treated to numerous dream matches which seemingly happen at random. While this is great it would be even better for first time meetings to be supported by a solid feud.
Ten
Shinsuke Nakamura is obsessed with the number ten. This is how many seconds it could take him to win the WWE Championship. Nakamura previously selected the stipulations for his upcoming title challenge, choosing last man standing rules. From walking around backstage with numbered cue cards to challenging “The Perfect 10” Tye Dillinger, Nakamura continues to demonstrate his commitment to psychological warfare against AJ Styles.
Styles seems to once again be playing into the mind games of his challenger. He seems frustrated with being constantly disrespected by Nakamura. Styles must once again prove that his natural ability is not impacted by his emotions.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue5mwzcjmOc]
Nakamura makes quick work of Tye Dillinger. Although Dillinger puts up a good fight Nakamura tries to win the match via count out to further instigate the ten count stipulation for his Money in the Bank match.
Barring Styles executing a clean sweep over Nakamura in their series of WWE matches, it would seem that the challenger comes up with an interesting way to win the upcoming WWE Championship match. Another loss may diminish the impact of Nakamura’s recent heel turn and make it extremely difficult to regain any sort of momentum.
Dancin’ Days
Lana and Naomi compete in what seems to be a friendly dance off for some undisclosed reason. It is not uncommon for the WWE to roll out the occasional dance off. Hopefully this contest serves as a drama building tool given there is no apparent purpose for it.
Both contestants were accompanied by their clique. The Usos and Rusev Day observed from the corners as the two former professional dancers performed. After taking turns Lana and Naomi posed for a photo opp in the center of the ring. At his point Lana executes a reverse neck breaker to her opponent out of nowhere which causes a skirmish. Naomi and The Usos are able to drive the Rusev Day camp out of the ring.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DwEaKDqXE4]
Although Lana accomplished little more than riling up Naomi, her actions give her credibility as a sneaky heel. Her attack on Naomi seems especially malicious tonight and even her team mates seem surprised by her viciousness. There is still plenty of time to build Lana into a credible threat before the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match.
The New Day Shine
The New Day take on The Miz and The Bar in six man tag team competition. Woods, Kingston and Big E have yet to choose who will represent The New Day in the Money in the Bank ladder match.
If you had to pick six Superstars that have had amazing performances over the last year, all of these men fit the criteria. Tonight is no different as their match features fast paced action with several false finishes. The strategies employed by each team tell an excellent in ring story. All Superstars sustain heavy hits from their opponents. With most of the competitors laid out at ringside, Big E is able to pick The Miz almost off of the floor for his Big Ending maneuver. The New Day win this exciting match.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiGOcRl7bHc]
Tonight is not about The Miz or The Bar. Instead the focus is on the choice The New Day must make. Being that The New Day have prided themselves as being equal components of their group, this makes the decision all the more interesting. On the other hand, The New Day are notorious for sharing opportunities and titles. Could the indecision of the group cause them to get creative in sharing the opportunity at Money in the Bank?
Asuka Looks Towards Title Challenge
General manager Paige gives Mandy Rose an chance to prove she is worthy of future opportunities on Smackdown Live. All Rose must do is defeat the once undefeated Asuka.
As Asuka makes her way to the ring she is assaulted from behind by Sonya Deville. Rose’s partner in crime does crucial damage her opponent before the start of the match. This enables Rose to fares surprisingly well against The Empress of Tomorrow. Inevitably Rose falls victim to the Asuka Lock and quickly taps out.
Smackdown Live Women’s Champion Carmella observes from the commentators desk and confronts Asuka after the match, holding her title in her challenger’s face. Carmella is certainly brave but she needs to have something up her sleeve to successfully defend against Asuka at Money in the Bank. This is a one sided contest on paper but Carmella’s character is notoriously sneaky and perfectly capable of stealing a match.
Triple Threat Money In The Bank Qualifier
Big Cass confidently struts to the ring as Samoa Joe sports his usual unflinching scowl. Daniel Bryan completes the triple threat match to decide the next Money in the Bank ladder match entrant.
Bryan and Joe begin double teaming Cass. They are able to put aside their hatred for one another to address the common threat. Once Cass is neutralized Joe and Bryan trade vicious strikes. At one point Bryan launches himself over the ropes to take out the larger competitors on the outside.
Each time one man goes for a pin, it is broken up by the third competitor. Bryan has a few offensive flurries in which he is able to take down Cass and Joe simultaneously. Joe is not phased by the offense from his opponents and powers through the match looking like a beast. Bryan is able to hit the flying knee on Cass and goes for a pin only to be locked in a Coquina Clutch by Joe.
Bryan surprisingly passes out as Joe emerges victorious. The manor in which Joe wins is a reminder of how much of threat Joe can be to the other competitors he faces at Money in the Bank. Although he is a true monster, Joe needed the win tonight and the opportunity to shine among the other upper card talent in the upcoming ladder match.
As for Bryan, he can still do so much with Cass at Money in the Bank as far as story telling. Cass was recently derailed with his knee injury and Bryan can certainly help him get back on track to climb up the card to an eventual title opportunity. For now Bryan is in a great position in the company to enhance relatively newer talent and seems happy to do it.
