Tonight’s WWE Smackdown Live was held at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence RI
No matter what happened tonight in any match, the one thing that resonates are the words “what a waste”. I hate when a bit of horrible writing makes me think that the whole rest of the show was garbage. That’s how toxic something like this can be. I don’t know the reasoning why they decided to do what they did, but it better be a bit of genius in the long run. Let’s try to get through this together!
Show Open
We open the show with the WWE Champion Jinder Mahal, who was welcomed to the arena with a showering of boos. They were so loud that I thought the WWE might have turned up the audience sound a bit. Ohhh wait, they don’t do that, wink wink. The ring is decorated in a much more elaborate setup that normal, which we find out is to celebrate India’s independence day.
Jinder tells the crowd that not only are they celebrating their independence, they are also celebrating the reign of the greatest WWE champion of all time. He calls for a performance, which I believe are the same performers as the ones he had when he won the title. He concluded the performance by introducing a woman who sang India’s national anthem.
The boos during the anthem were deafening, this was producing white hot heat, almost to the point where I felt horrible for the performers the way the crowd was acting. Jinder said that he expected this type of reaction from the American crowd. The boos don’t bother him though, as he says that he is the reason people from all over the world are subscribing to the WWE Network (that’s no what I heeearrrrrd) He concluded his speech by saying that he would defeat Cena tonight more convincingly than Nakamura did two week’s ago.
War Of Words….What?!
As Jinder spoke to his people in Punjabi, Shinsuke Nakamura’s music interrupted him and the King of Strong Style entered the arena. When Nakamura entered the ring, Mahal asked him why he dared to interrupt his celebration. I’m surprised that Nakamura was able to hear him over the crowd chanting his name.
Shinsuke, without his mouthpiece tonight, attempted to answer him. He told the WWE champ that Japan was celebrating this day as well. Today they celebrate the people who have fallen in war, and use this day to pray for piece. However this Sunday, in America, will be the day that Jinder will lose the WWE Championship.
Becky Lynch vs Natalya – Winner : Natalya
The Good
This was a really crisp and technically sound match from both women. There were some really unique sequences and counters throughout the match, as well as fantastic selling. Having Natty without her crew has done wonders for her I think. It gives her a chance to really show that she is a force to be reckoned with that really doesn’t need to cheat to win. She certainly has the skills to beat people clean, which she did here tonight.
The Bad
Naomi was at ringside to join the announce team during the match. Please, for the love of God, I need the Smackdown Live writers to keep this to a minimum in the future. The announce team tried to ask her questions, but it was like pulling teeth to get her to answer in more than one sentence. It was so awkward it distracted me from the match a few times.
The Ugly
Carmella and Ellsworth came out to grace the crowd with their presence. It was really worthless as Carmella was basically out there to be a heel and wish both Naomi and Natty good luck this weekend. Carmella was just too animated on the mic tonight, and that is what made it my Ugly pick. When she is a bit more calm on the mic she comes off great, but when she goes over the “heel” top, it just comes off as annoying.
Backstage Spots
Lana and Tamina
Tamina is angry at Lana because she didn’t have a match tonight. Tamina was under the impression that Lana was going to use her “ravishing ambition” to help Tamina get to the championship. Lana stated very calmly “Tamina, you’re not ready”. This made Tamina even more upset. Lana continued on telling her that no one sees her, they literally walk by her. More importantly though, no one fears her…..yet. Lana promised Tamina that if she followed her lead, Tamina would be the most destructive force in the women’s division.
Usos
The Usos caught up with Daniel Bryan backstage to ask which formation of the New Day they would be facing at SummerSlam. Bryan informed them that it would be Big E. and Xavier Woods. After that the Usos requested a match with Xavier and Kofi tonight to get some revenge for the beating they took last week.
Rusev vs Chad Gable – Winner : Double Count Out
The Good
This was a rematch I was really happy to see. I feel like a feud between Gable and Rusev can really be good for Chad to elevate him in the roster. He is smaller so Rusev can really throw him around, but Chad is also extremely strong so he can mount explosive and believable comebacks.
The Bad
This match was way too short. Even though I loved the finish with Rusev brutalizing Chad, it left me wanting more, but not in a good way.
The Ugly
Was this crowd actually chanting for Randy? The WWE Universe shouldn’t be interested in this feud at all. Also, after Randy RKO’d Rusev and posed for way too long, he looked completely numb when interacting with the crowd as he left. Show some appreciation man.
AJ Apology To Shane
After what happened last week AJ felt the need to apologize to Shane for accidentally kicking him while fighting with Kevin Owens. Shane said that there was no reason to apologize. He was the special referee so that there could be a ref that could get in between him and KO and take a punch. AJ also wanted to ask if this would be a reason to screw him at SummerSlam.
Shane assured him this was not the case. He did add that if AJ puts his hands on him in any way, Shane would put hands all over him in return. AJ thought that it sounded like a threat and I have to agree. Shane’s tone sounded way too forced, especially since he knew that AJ hit him by accident.
KO Gives His Two Cents
Kevin Owens showed up to stir the pot saying that he believes that AJ hit Shane on purpose last week. This whole spot was basically Owens kissing Shane’s butt, completely flip flopping on what he said about Shane being incompetent a few weeks ago. He even went so far as to try and shake Shane’s hand, to which Shane declined. He told Owens to instead shake AJ’s hand…..which didn’t turn out so well.
A shoving match ensued between the two superstars and of course Shane tried to break it up. You could see this coming a mile away. Owens once again ducked a punch meant for him from AJ, but this time Shane blocked it. Shane overreacted to an obvious mistake by AJ. As the two argued KO tried to kick AJ in the back, and wouldn’t you know it, kicked Shane instead.
Owens was beside himself, freaking out and eventually hurrying out of the ring. AJ stood laughing at Owens while Shane sat on the mat collecting himself. The segment ended with AJ telling Shane that what AJ did was obviously and accident, but what KO did was suspect.
New Day vs Usos – Winner: Usos
All Good
First off let me say, Xavier Woods making a Game of Thrones reference, telling the Usos they were going to “bend that knee” made my night. JBL even referenced it later in the match. I could watch these two teams compete against each other every week and not get bored. The “speed line up” of the New Day really had some great teamwork the entire match.
I especially like the New Day against the Usos because the New Day are the type of baby faces that show that they are human. They can bend/break the rules, and they can get really hardcore and beat the crap out of people.
The chemistry between them is next level as well. When you watch their matches and listen to them cut promos, you truly believe that they dislike each other.
Fashion Files
John Cena vs Jinder Mahal – Winner: No one, definitely not the fans.
The Good
If there was anything good about this match, the ugly part of my article makes me forget it every time.
The Bad
Both of these guys are not what you would call good wrestlers in my opinion. This is just two guys with average in ring talent who have larger than life personas. Also, how many times do we have to see the Singh Brothers get kicked out of ringside? Either make them compete or give them the boot. It’s getting old.
The Ugly
This finish was more that ugly, it was disgusting. It legitimately made me upset. So Cena has Jinder beat after an AA from the turnbuckle. Just as Cena was about to win Baron Corbin comes in to stop the count. I was psyched thinking that Corbin would cash in the contract and win the title here. I was happy about this because this would give Shinsuke a better chance to beat Jinder at SummerSlam without the title involved. My fear was that Shinsuke would win the title at SummerSlam just to have Baron cash in there on him. I also don’t want to see Jinder beat Shinsuke. So this was a better option.
But after Baron hits Cena with the briefcase he just leaves. I was disappointed when Baron was walking away…..but then he turned around. He wants to cash it in! The crowd went nuts! However, in a way I’ve never seen before, the ref holds Corbin back to check on Jinder. When the ref finally rings the bell Baron was distracted by Cena who had gotten back up. As Baron swings at Cena, Jinder sneaks up on Baron and rolls him up for the pin. What a waste. All that time building Corbin up, all that push, for absolutely no payoff. I’m still pissed off.
