Earlier in this week’s episode friday night smackdownthey began laying the groundwork for Roman Reigns, who complained about Sami Zayn shining a little too brightly while in the ring with him, referring to Honor Uce chanting out loud last week. I got
As Paul Heyman said, it’s just bad optics.
Reigns played off to Zayn like it didn’t matter, but it definitely felt like something to watch out for if there was a downline. Later there was a game against two teams against the legendary John Cena.
I had a feel for that match. It felt like a really important thing, with the great vibe from the live crowd in Tampa. Professional wrestling is no longer enough.
They put together a fun match, too, and did a great job building a hot tag to Cena that the crowd was absolutely begging for. Because I could hear them tell them to take it home and give them a rushing countdown to the finish. I wondered how much better this would have been.
Eventually, Owens, who opened his eyes pretty badly, scored a pinfall on Zayn. Hmm, I wonder how Reigns will react next week.
This was great. I wish it had more time, but it was still great and set the future well.
First, let’s shout out Raquel Rodriguez here. She was placed in a slightly enviable position on this show, learning that she wasn’t going to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship, and ultimately, despite her loss-protected ways, was completely overshadowed by major returns. The title was changed immediately after that.
All things considered, Rodriguez got a very good match from Rousey and deserves a lot of credit for what she’s done here.
However, Charlotte Flair is inevitable.
Flair has been out since May, taking time off to get married, go on her honeymoon and generally enjoy a life away from professional wrestling. It was only a matter of time before she won the title again.
I didn’t expect these two things to happen so close together.
Flair won the title literally minutes after his return, challenging Rousey to a match on the spot and winding up to regain the title he lost earlier this year. I guess they wanted this to be a big show.
Flair is back and I couldn’t be happier. This department needed her.
Is that so?
Is it possible?
He’s a few inches shorter and tracks.
I can buy that’s his build.
Yeah I’m ready to say it
Uncle Howdy is Bo Dallas.
Let Uncle Howdy be Bo Dallas.
This time, it came after Bray Wyatt and LA Knight agreed to a match at the Royal Rumble. Howdy stepped into the ring, looked down on both men, and hit him with Sister Abigail when it appeared as if he had taken Wyatt’s side.
The message seemed clear enough — Wyatt wasn’t giving in to his violent impulses. You will have to pay the price.
like he did here.
In my opinion.
Knight has been amazing during all of this. He seems to be getting more and more comfortable with his former self each week, and each of us is in good shape for that.
But we’re also being honest with this story about a move for good, and it’s a very welcome sight indeed. I have to admit that I am here for that.
Especially when Howdy is in Dallas.
come!
all the rest
- Solo Cicore defeated Sheamus in a singles match that saw a lot of interference from both The Bloodline and The Brawling Brute. When Drew McIntyre returned after a few weeks away and cleared the ring, he was on the verge of taking Sheamus out completely. This doesn’t feel like a settlement between these two sides, and indeed, later in the show, McIntyre and Sheamus announced they would get a title match against The Usos, which they missed.
- We had the whole locker room fun, teasing Top Dora for not being able to jump over the top rope a few weeks ago. I also enjoyed how he responded to this by getting better and getting pissed off and getting ready to fight people over it. I haven’t done anything. That’s all I do.
- Imperium and Braun Strowman had a confrontation that was mostly a bit of a brawl, with neither side actually appearing to be much stronger than the other. , Ricochet showed up to help him and chased everyone away (unfortunately nailing Gunther with a chair shot that can only be considered an accident). It was done to prepare for the announcement of Gunther vs. Strowman for the Intercontinental Championship.
This was an insanely good show.
Class A-
your turn.