Exclusive Smackdown Live footage rocks Rusev and Lana courtesy of a Aiden English. What happened when Samoa Joe visited the Styles residence?
As Lana and Rusev deal with a bombshell Daniel Bryan challenges Shelton Benjamin in a pay per view caliber showdown. AJ Styles faces the consequences of maintaining his WWE Championship following an invasion of his home.
Results from this October 30th addition of Smackdown Live kicks of with general manager Paige addressing the Samoa Joe issue.
The Show Must Go On
Paige opens the show with the fallout from Samoa Joe’s actions the previous week. Although the WWE recommends termination of Joe for showing up at the Styles residence, AJ Styles prefers to administer his own brand of punishment at Super Showdown. Their match proceeds as previously negotiated despite Samoa Joe nearly break an entering into Styles’ family residence last week.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdRtun_Rfww]
Styles delivers a previously taped promo from his couch at home. He apologizes for not being at the venue this evening but advises his children need him following Joe showing up unannounced to threaten them. Joe will suffer defeat according to Styles who threatens to bury his opponent alive. The vitriol with which Styles delivers this promos towards Joe continue to be believable and compelling. The setting of this promo delivered from Styles’ living room couch adds to the realism this feud has conjured thus far.
100 Truths
R-Truth and his new found compatriot Carmella take on Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zalina Vega.
Among some initial grand standing on the part of each team there exists some substantial technical wrestling and story telling within the match itself. Zalina Vega wraps Carmella on the ropes with a unique submission. Both Carmella and Vega attempt to out moonwalk each other as the high flying offense of Truth and Almas are on full display.
Carmella shines in this match with some new offense but Almas breaks up a pinfall, violating the rules of the contest that prevents inter gender combat. R-Truth neutralizes Almas but Zalina attempts to roll up the distracted Carmella. After some brilliant chain wrestling Carmella emerges with her Code of Silence submission maneuver. Vega taps out and The Fabulous Truth is victorious.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIu7-8sebkY]
This Mixed Match Challenge teaser makes me want to watch the show itself. The exclusive Facebook Watch medium may eliminate some normal viewership but WWE may provide insensitive to watch with matches like this. All Superstars were used correctly and the match told a story. This was an all around great segment.
Vicious Ten
After choosing Tye Dillinger as his next victim, Orton must answer a challenge issued by The Perfect Ten.
Dillinger strikes first with a lariat on the entrance aisle. However it is not too long before the veteran Orton uses his experience to out wrestle Dillinger. Orton brings Dillinger to the outside of the ring where The Viper gets sadistic. Orton positions a finger of Dillinger’s in the turn buckle and begins to crank. Agonizing screams from The Perfect Ten sickens fans at ringside as his digit bends in horrific fashion. Once his victim passes out from the pain a satisfied Randy Orton retires to the locker room.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47RMQr57ZVQ]
Orton continues to demonstrate his vile mean streak. He is channeling the classic, brutal heel character who’s tendencies are beyond manageable. This is Orton’s true calling as a character and can hopefully translate within the main event scene at some point. This could evolve into Austin level unpredictability, catapulting one of WWE’s home grown Superstars to more legendary status.
Utilizing this character in the right way could yield exhilarating viewing.
That Night In Milwaukee
This has been quite possibly the longest week in recent professional wrestling history.
Aiden English is set to deliver on his promise to provide video evidence of alleged infidelity on the part of Lana. English claims the wife of his former best friend Rusev has been less than forthcoming in regards to a faithful night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Rusev and Lana stand together as a unit in the ring, calling out English. They demand to see proof of his claims.
English emerges and premiers a clip from his smartphone. It shows English in a hotel room, warming up his voice before a show. Lana knocks on the door and enters his room as the phone’s camera continues to record.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5g0CUSikqQ]
Lana almost immediately comes clean and seems to professes “I want you” to English and immediately after the footage pauses.
English claims that he is unable to play the rest of the footage due to a pending contract with TMZ. This sickening ploy furthers the vile nature of English’s intimidation tactics.
Rusev is understandably agitated by this footage and is discernibly skeptical of Lana following this revelation. He chases English backstage, leaving Lana to absorb boos from the crowd in the middle of the ring.
There is clearly more to this footage which shows evidence of editing via an abrupt cutoff. English has already established immense heat through manipulating his former friends. The only way WWE could hinder themselves is by allowing English to become an antihero. Lana should be portrayed as victim through additional footage. This misleading clip will most likely be revisited in Lana’s favor and surely turn her full face. The goal of this angel should be to advance Lana and Rusev as a revered power couple akin to Randy Savage and Mrs. Elizabeth.
Mini Dream Match
Shelton Benjamin gets an incredible opportunity to face Daniel Bryan on tonight’s Smackdown Live. The Miz insists his influence is what results in the match up this evening and encourages Benjamin to inflict as much damage as possible upon Bryan. With an upcoming Super Showdown match for a shot at the WWE Championship against Bryan, The Miz is transparent in his motivations which does not impress Benjamin.
The two former independent stars put on a clinic of professional wrestling until The Miz leaves his position on color commentary to distract Bryan from the ring apron. Benjamin uses this the opportunity to hit his Pay Dirt finisher on Bryan, gaining the high profile victory.
Although Bryan’s record since returning is not impressive this is still huge win for Benjamin. Bryan’s loss elevates Benjamin and gives The Bearded One another reason to despise The Miz. Hopefully Both Super Showdown competitors can deliver on a potentially amazing match up. Their SummerSlam encounter was less than desirable. Hopefully the two can craft a match that tells a story, resulting in another Miz victory.
Lass Kicking Finale
Becky Lynch once again takes over the final segment of Smackdown Live. High on her successful heel kick, Lynch unleashes a tirade over how Charlotte continues to garner media success despite being overthrown at Hell In the Cell.
Lynch challenges the HHH vs Undertaker match by claiming she is the face of the Smackdown Live brand and deserves marquee status among the legends. Lynch dramatically unveils a new Super Showdown poster for the upcoming pay per view. The image features Lynch standing with one foot resting upon a downed Charlotte.
This immediately prompts Charlotte to emerge from the locker room ready to fight Lynch. Both competitors charge at each other and Charlotte quickly gains the upper hand. Up until this point Lynch seemed to have had Charlotte’s number but tonight sees The Queen look more like her normal, dominant self.
This could be in preparation for a Lynch victory in Australia. The WWE would be ill advised to take the belt off of a hot commodity such as Lynch. The fans will undoubtedly propel Lynch to a successful first title defense.
Important to note that no matter how much WWE demonizes Lynch the crowd reaction continues to be increasingly behind The Irish Lass Kicker. Lynch possess strong antihero qualities that they must not mess with. For now the name of the game should be to go with the flow until something that makes sense comes along to re direct Lynch.
