Last week, the emphasis was on SmackDown and the landmark 1000th episode. Although the events of this week’s Monday Night RAW pretty much eclipse anything else going on in WWE (or all of pro wrestling,) SmackDown ultimately has the job of being the go home show for Evolution. It’s a tall order but less so with the number one feud in the company. Add in some future Hall of Famers hyping WWE World Cup and you’ve got yourself a show.
New Day makes their way to the ring and let us all know that they can’t understand why Big Show would side with The Bar. Xavier wonders if that makes him The Bartender but his teammates are less amused, saying that Big Show flip flops like a flapjack. The Bar and Big Show come out and it’s go time.
New Day vs The Bar & Big Show
This is a quick one. Big Show manhandles Kofi until the rest of both teams get into the mix. It breaks down into a schmoz and the referee calls for the bell. The Bar overpowers New Day, resulting in chokeslams to each one of your boys.
Result: No Contest
The Blue Team recaps the opening to RAW and Roman Reign’s revealing his history of leukemia and imminent hiatus. “Thank you, Roman!” chants fill the Prudential Center.
AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan vs The Usos
Usos give a nod to their cousin, doing Roman’s lock-n-load gesture before this re-match from last week. DB and AJ clear ring early but, just like last week, The Usos use that good ol’ Jim Cornette-approved tag team wrestling to turn it around. During the scramble, it’s a reversal of last week as AJ accidentally nails Daniel with the Pele kick and The Usos capitalize once again. Superkick and top rope splash get the pin.
Winners by pinfall: The Usos
Backstage:
DB insinuates that AJ botched the Pele on purpose and mocks the Hungarian Wolf/Too Sweet sign. No need to tune into Total Bellas to catch passive-aggressive D-Bry.
Video of Charlotte and Becky Lynch’s fight at the Performance Center
Charlotte talks to Performance Center and NXT trainees about her start and about the business being built on respect. Becky interrupts a Q&A session, telling the rookies “You should get advice from the champ. Cut out friends. They hold you back.” She steps towards Charlotte, who takes it very personal and steps to meet her. Sara Del Ray steps between them and Becky uses the distraction to strike. They brawl and get pulled apart. Cut to Charlotte on video telling Becky that it’s unforgivable that she crossed the line of disrespecting their start and the PC.
Rusev w/Lana vs Aiden English
Aiden comes to the ring in his own T-shirt, calls Newark “a city of dirt and rust,” and propositions Lana. Rusev plays demolition derby outside the ring but Aiden pounces once Rusev follows him into the ring. He stops to taunt Lana, though, and she throws her shoe at him (From Russia with Love!) Rusev recovers to land the Machka Kick and locks on The Accolade.
Winner by submission: Rusev
Miz TV!
Miz hypes last week’s SmackDown 1000. In addition to his defeat of Rusev to qualify for WWE World Cup, he brings up the return of his guest, Rey Mysterio. As they settle into their chairs, Miz mocks Rey’s perpetual “little guy” underdog story as “so 90s.” He says that today’s audience craves larger than life stars like Miz. Miz taps into reality and tells Rey that he left and Miz stayed, beating the big, the medium, the little and that he became the premier WWE Superstar. Miz says that he’s going to Crown Jewel to become best in the world and he’s sorry to disappoint Rey. Rey is disappointed; he thought he was being booked for Truth TV. Miz is still a little sore about that. Rey challenges him to a match then and there. Miz refuses despite the crowd’s cheers. Sneak attack! Of course.
The Miz vs Rey Mysterio
Low-key, this match is a great showcase of how far Miz has come as an in-ring performer. He keeps up with Rey, using his usual repertoire at a much faster tempo than usual. Still, Miz plays the slowdown heel, capitalizing on Rey’s lightning fast miscues and using the size advantage. End sequence sees a Skull-Crushing Finale from the top turned into a victory roll before 619 and drop the dime. Rey Rey gets the 1-2-3.
Winner: Rey by pinfall
Naomi & Asuka vs Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose
Before the match even starts, The IIconics come out to hype Evolution and dump on Newark. But then Lana comes out to wish us a Happy Lana Day? Carmella says New Jersey wants a dance break and starts but Zelina Vega comes out for a blindside and the donnybrook is underway. Zelina looks like the last woman standing … until Asuka gets back in for a head kick and momentum going into Evolution.
Result: No Contest
In-ring:
Here comes the money! It’s Commissioner Shane McMahon! CM Punk chants are shrugged off with “I don’t believe he’s in the tournament.” He addresses the WWE World Cup picture and lets us know that The Blue Brand has the best shot in a field of Grand Slam champs.
Jeff Hardy vs Randy Orton
We’re reminded that this could easily be considered a grudge match and it sure does feel like it. Orton up early by playing the gong on the ring steps with Jeff’s head. Randy methodically torments Jeff with the Garvin stomps, tearing and twisting at Jeff’s gauge holes, and the classic Randy Orton back suplex (with exceptional altitude!) onto the announce table. Jeff’s rally is cut short when attempts a dive outside and gets a flat back against the concrete. Counter for counter at the end until the RKO gets a W for The Apex Predator.
Winner by pinfall: Randy Orton
Altogether a good multi-tier balancing act. Four decisions but seven action sequences. The first ever all-women’s PPV a week before Crown Jewel and the controversy that surrounds it. Some rivalries seem to be wrapping up. Others are reaching a crescendo. And two weeks from the build for Survivor Series?
Smackdown Live in Newark Rating: 8/10
-Matthew Widdis
