SmackDown Live Review, 9/18

MIZTV

Miz announces a number one contender match against Daniel Bryan at Super Showdown. Maryse announces to thunderous applause that this is her last night on SmackDown Live. Daniel Bryan comes out to beat the balls off of Miz and knocks him into Maryse. Miz barely touched her and she needs a stretcher. You can see her smiling and Miz is about to attack DB as soon as he gets up and we’ll see she’s faking. It’s exactly what happens, and this time she gets tagged good. Excellent.

Segment Rating: Six This Is Your Lifes

 

CESARO VS. KOFI KINGSTON

Both teams jaw at each other before the match. I enjoyed Sheamus taking a picture with Cesaro having Kofi in a submission hold. Unfortunately that’s the only part of the match that I enjoyed. My issue with Kofi is that he bounced off the ropes for a move, but it didn’t serve any purpose or enhance the move. Often times he does stuff like that just to do it, and the match suffers. It’s really not a big deal anymore, we see something every time he’s out there, and when it’s the only portion of his offense that leaves any impression, it’s just boring now.

Match Rating: Participation Award

 

Randy Orton threatens a tech in the production truck as he’s watching back what he did to Jeff Hardy. He’s disgustingly psychotic.

Promo Rating: Seven Jake Roberts

 

BACKSTAGE PROMO: AJ STYLES

AJ acknowledges he got lucky and, without directly saying it, that Joe is in his head.

Promo Rating: Three Stone Colds

 

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: RUSEV W/LANA & AIDEN ENGLISH VS. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA

Dissension is Rusev Day! Funny enough, English is right. He’s the best thing about the Rusev Day phenomenon,and I’m sure he sees his gravy train leaving the station. Maybe it’s just me, but at this point, I really don’t care about a rift between Rusev, Aiden English, and Lana. Ignoring what’s going on outside the ring, the match is really good inside. Lots up kicks, right up my alley. I find it funny when guys sell pain after hitting a padded turnbuckle, but they’re totally fine after hitting a bony body. Rusev hit one of his best Machka Kicks of all-time as Shinsuke ran right into it. Rusev then idiotically focuses his intention on telling Aiden English to get off the apron as Shinsuke rolls him up for the pin. English attacks Rusev after the bell and destroys the microphone over Rusev’s skull as Rusev Day is officially dead, with Lana screaming like a fucking banshee. After just saying I didn’t care about the feud, they did that breakup well and may have changed my mind.

Match Rating: Six Gold Medals

Post-Match Booking Rating: Four Dustys

 

ANDRADE “CIEN” ALMAS W/ZELINA VEGA VS. AJ STYLES

Almas showing why he’s one of the hottest heels on SmackDown Live right now with a brutal attack before the bell. Vega helps with that heat when she smacks AJ with the ref’s back turned during the match. Almas has a very cerebral approach, he knows what his opponents are going to do before they do it and he stops attacks almost before they happen. The match was really good and the ending sequence was awesome.

Samoa Joe is fucking furious. I’m amazed that after that match AJ was still able to chase him off.

Match Rating: Seven Gold Medals

 

BILLIE KAY W/PEYTON ROYCE VS. ASUKA W/NAOMI

Billie got way too much offense in early for this match to be believable. Asuka’s only offense was the Asuka Lock for the win. This made no sense.

Match Rating: Participation Award

 

IN-RING SEGMENT: BECKY LYNCH & CHARLOTTE FLAIR

Becky is rubbing in the title win as much as possible. She goads Charlotte into attacking her and then beats the piss out of her. This is more of a full-fledged heel Becky Lynch. I was hoping they’d continue to feed into the reaction she’s getting and make her a tweener. An article I read today seems to suggest that they started going in that direction but that it probably will not continue, unfortunately.

Segment Rating: Seven This Is Your Lifes

 

Tonight felt like a big step backwards for SmackDown after a month’s worth of excellence.

Overall Show Rating: Five Gold Medals