Tonight’s WWE Smackdown Live was held in Des Moines IA at the Wells Fargo Center.
Can I get a gimmick? I don’t hear an amen. Nevermind, I’ll ellaborate later when my point is proven by tonight’s Smackdown Live. I love being right.
Tonight’s show opened up with the king of strong style Shinsuke Nakamura. Renee Young was going to interview the enigmatic superstar, but Dolph Ziggler had a different plan. Renee was not even able to get a single sentence out before Ziggler decided to make his appearance. Once in the ring Ziggler quickly had Renee leave the ring so that he could “play interview” with Nakamura.
Ziggler began by mockingly asking Nakamura his plans. Before Nakamura was able to answer, Ziggler ripped the mic away and said that he would translate for the former NXT champion. He then went into this odd story about how Shinsuke was really Michael Jackson. WTF? Anyway, he continued saying that he fled to Japan to become Shinsuke Nakamura, and that is why he is such a freak. I now see why that stand up comedy career died Dolph. I know you wrote that yourself, don’t lie.
Shinsuke must have heard enough because he ripped the mic away and did a bit of mock interview himself. He asked Dolph what his problem was. Then as Dolph was answering, Shinsuke did some translating of his own in Japanese. However, the message was clear when Nakamura finished his translation with “Jackass!”. Taking this to heart Ziggler kicked Shinsuke in the gut. He attempted to finish him off with a superkick, but Nakamura was ready for it and hit Ziggler with a suplex. Nakamura was set up for a Kinshasa, but the veteran Ziggler saw it coming and ducked out of the ring.
I’m liking this pairing, I really am. Dolph is one of the best at selling moves and Shinsuke can certainly be explosive with his. I am a bit worried that Ziggler was right about the shine of a new toy wearing off prediction he had. This crowd did not seem as energetic as the previous two weeks when Nakamura was in the ring. A few fans even tried a “WHAT?” chant when Nakamura was speaking. Filthy peasants, be respectful of the king. I hope this was just a fluke.
AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin
Our first match of the night was AJ and Baron trying to get some closure from their past dealings in the race for the U.S. Title. Kevin Owens again joined the announce team and it was again a treat. If, God forbid, Owens ever gets hurt he would easily have a spot on one of the big two teams. AJ and Corbin had another very sound match. AJ held his own against the strength of Corbin, which over the past few weeks seemed difficult to most. The end of the match came after a failed powerbomb attempt by Corbin, which AJ countered into a roll up for the pinfall.
Kevin Owens, who had been kicked by Styles earlier for interfering, jumped in the ring and started hammering Styles. Corbin got in the mix as well, but Owens took exception and pulled Corbin off. A brief staredown occurred but both men continued on pummeling Styles. Enter Sami Zayne. It looked as if Sami was going to save Styles, but fell short after Owens threw him out of the ring after a Helluva Kick to Corbin. Owens put the icing on the cake with a pop up powerbomb to Styles. The new face of America left the wreckage behind him, looking very strong going into Payback.
But what I was talking about in the beginning of this article, and previous ones, holds true here. We have two very talented superstars in a good match that I wasn’t very interested in. I find this happening a lot lately. You need a character, a backstory to help fans connect with these matches. There is certainly room for talented wrestlers with just attitude, but it can’t be most of them. Give me a gimmick.
Charlotte gave a pretty great short interview backstage following the match. She oozes the confidence of a queen. She is truly her father’s daughter. This is the first example tonight of someone who proves my point. That with a little bit of backstory, fans can get invested in her character, which in turn produces emotion from the fans.
American Alpha vs. The Colons – Beat The Clock Match
This match was one of two matches of the same type tonight for the tag team #1 contender spot. The basic rundown of the match is that whoever wins this match will set the time. The winners of the second match will have to beat that time with their win, otherwise the winners of the first match get the #1 spot.
We are two for two tonight in matches with above average talent that did not hold my interest. Don’t get me wrong, just like the first match I think they did a great job. Both teams hit their spots without any issue, and AA never disappoints with their athleticism. I just wasn’t into it. American Alpha won the match with a Grand Amplitude finisher with a time of 5:36. No surprise here. It looks like they are going to try and get a rematch going between AA and the Usos.
I think this was a decent move by the WWE writing team. It’s obvious that they want most, if not all of their roster represented in each show. This match where the point is to get it over fast is a good ploy to hide that fact. I’ve complained about “non-matches” in the past on Smackdown Live. Where they just shoehorn talent in the show with matches that end in a hiccup. At least there was a reason for it this time.
We find out why Rusev hasn’t been present at Smackdown Live since the Superstar Shakeup with a short video message from the Bulgarian Brute. He revealed his distaste for both Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon. Rusev also voiced his disapproval for the whole shakeup in general. He finally provided an ultimatum. If he is not given a title shot at Money in The Bank, he will pack his bags and leave the WWE. I think this is a good example of his character, which I’m sure is covering for some time off for himself and Lana. I honestly can’t wait for his return.
A backstage interview with Becky Lynch revealed her feelings on Charlotte becoming part of the Smackdown roster. Becky voiced her opinion on her former friend very honestly. She said that Charlotte and her relationship is a complicated one. Even though she doesn’t always agree with her tactics, she respects how she gets results. As Becky continued the interview, Charlotte’s “welcoming committee” from last week approached Becky. Natalya asked Becky where she stood on Charlotte, before leaving with an ominous “choose wisely”. Could we see Becky reunite with Charlotte on Smackdown Live?
Randy Orton vs Erick Rowan – No DQ Match
A great match but I think the Smackdown Live writing team dropped the ball here. This would have been a perfect opportunity to tease some of what we might expect in the House of Horrors match. It would have made sense with Rowan being Orton’s opponent. Have Rowan bring out some odd weapons, have locations flash across the bigscreen. The lights could have changed color, unsettling sounds and music could have blared through the arena. ANYTHING!! Again, I’m not knocking the match itself, just some extras that would have made it so much better. As expected Orton beat Rowan with an RKO.
After the match Randy addressed Wyatt. Short and sweet. He isn’t afraid of the match, and it will be Bray who will experience Hell in this match. Remember Spiderman 3 when too much was going on at one time? Two villains? Enter Jinder Mahal.
Jinder continued his tirade from last week tonight. There were pretty much the same talking points. He isn’t respected because of the way he looks. Orton and the WWE Universe lacks tolerance. He even address his “people” in Punjabi, who he promised to return the WWE Championship to.
After addressing his “people” he attempted to cheap shot the champion. Randy got the upper hand and attempted to hit his draping DDT on the Maharaja. Then, just like the RKO, the Bollywood Boys came out of nowhere and attacked the champion. When all was said and done the Viper lay beaten in the ring, with Mahal holding the belt. That wasn’t enough though, he actually took the belt with him as he left the arena. Driving off in a limousine holding the championship high out of the sunroof. Seemed a bit unnecessary at this time. They could have easily saved this spot for after Payback.
Breezango vs The Ascension – Beat the Clock
You know, it’s really too bad that they are pushing American Alpha so hard. I feel like Breezango hasn’t gotten a fair shake in the WWE. They are both super talented and their gimmick makes me laugh. Like I said, we need more gimmicks and theatrics in the WWE. So anyway the time limit from AA was unable to be….wait…..hold on…..
BREEZANGO BEATS THE ASCENSION WITH 2:36 REMAINING ON THE CLOCK! I’m joking around a bit but I couldn’t be more excited for this team. I can’t wait to see how they make fun of the Usos and how they dress. It’s also a nice change from the drab storyline of the Smackdown Live tag team division. Smackdown Live really is the land of opportunity!!
Now we have the biggest example of evidence that I could have as to why we need more gimmicks in today’s WWE. We were treated to what I consider the best video promo package I have ever seen for a match. I’m not exaggerating or being dramatic. This promo for the House of Horros match was amazing. The highlights from Randy and Bray’s matches as well as their history. The combination of haunting music and scenery made me genuinely uneasy. Think WWE meets American Horror Story opneing sequence. It was a true masterpiece and proof of what can be achieved with a great backstory/gimmick.
Go watch it again and tell me I’m wrong. I’m serious, find me something that beats it. I would even go so far as to say nothing the Undertaker ever did in regards to video packages was better than this. I know it sounds crazy, but maybe the promo broke my brain. I’m OK with that.
Naomi vs. Charlotte
Smackdown Live Women’s Championship Match
Remember when people were saying that Naomi was the most athletic female superstar in the WWE? I think they were wrong. Smackdown Live women’s roster? I could get on board with that statement, but seeing her next to Charlotte makes the first statement false. It is clear that Naomi has some holes in her in ring game. They are subtle, but when she is in the ring with Charlotte they become large and in a spotlight.
They need to continue this feud. Naomi needs it. The match overall was good though all things considered. Charlotte’s selling and in ring attitude carried the match. Towards the end of the contest there were a few really close calls that had the fans reacting with each kick out. It looked as if Charlotte was going to complete her title collection with a moonsault off the top rope. Looks can be deceiving though, as Naomi was able to raise her knees at the last minute. Both superstars lay exhausted in the ring struggling to recover.
Hey wanna bring a good match to a screeching halt? Sure why not. As both women were down, Natalya and the rest of her group came to the ring. They pulled Naomi out of the ring and attacked the Queen of WWE. Charlotte made a valiant effort to fight back but the odds were too great. Natalya and crew went Game of Thrones of her majesty and left her fallen and beaten in the middle of the ring. The show ended with the traitors to the thrown standing victorious at the top of the entrance ramp.
