Roman Reigns vs Shinsuke Nakamura (c) for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Michael Cole and Corey Graves make a bit of a fuss over Roman’s #1 draft pick status with The Big Dog rocking blue-accented ring gear once again. The crowd is into this one more than I’ve heard for most Roman and pretty much all Nakamura matches lately. I find it a little ironic that the stereotypical fan base for either man generally dismisses the other as both have a measured, strike-based offense. Roman is ready with the “Whooo-ahh!” when he’s struck from behind by the scepter of King Corbin… ostensibly due to some comments on Twitter. *sigh*
This brings out Daniel Bryan who rushes to the defense of his new-found ally. He manages to clear the ring and (even without Teddy Long) we get the announcement of a tag team match (playa) later in the night.
The New Day is hanging out in the locker room when a table is thrust in front of them. Tucker of Heavy Machinery tells them that, even though they’ll be competitors in the massive tag team turmoil match at Crown Jewel, he and Otis want to give good vibes to New Day and especially Kofi after having lost the WWE Heavyweight Championship. Kofi says that he doesn’t need his spirits lifted because New Day’s always positive (he says as he unconsciously grinds two pancakes into crumbs.) Otis comes in with pancake batter with extra protein powder and guzzles it down after New Day passes. Big E loves these guys.
Shorty Gable vs Curtis Axel (w/ Bo Dallas)
After some good technical catch-and-counter, Gable taps Curtis Axel with the ankle lock. After the match, Kayla Braxton asks him about his recent name change. Gable says that he’s had insecurities about his height but it’s one of the things that makes him who he is. He says nobody should be ashamed of who they are. He’s Shorty Gable… but that can be shortened to “Shorty G.” The crowd seems to like his message and the new nickname.
Turns out that King Corbin vs Roman Reigns isn’t the only social media beef in WWE. With Seth Rollins pulling out of the Team Hogan vs Team Flair challenge, Flair has taken swipes at Hogan’s incomplete team. Smackdown Skypes live to Florida for a word with The Hulkster. He says that Shorty G and Ali are his next picks to join Ricochet and Rusev but that he’ll have a big announcement later in the night.
Heavy Machinery and The New Day vs The Revival (c) and Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler
New Day and Heavy Machinery seem made to be collaborators. Tucker, Otis, Big E, and Xavier Woods have All-American honors, a Pan Am Games medal, a US Open powerlifting championship, and a doctorate in psychology between them. And, if there was ever a kindred spirit to Big E, it’s Lil’ Brother Otis. Xavier spends some time playing Ricky Morton, a role he’s grown into as he’s matured and improved during his career. Otis is the one getting the hot tag to turn the match around. He cleans house more than once and, after a rally attempt by the heels, he suplexes Scott Dawson into Big E and Xavier Woods’ loving arms for a Midnight Hour and the win.
Sure, Otis has a schtick. He’s got that caterpillar worm move and his Chris Farley with CTE persona but, man, can he move and, as a physical presence, he is awesome to behold. He’s looking a little more … robust … lately and, hopefully, he keeps his long-term health in mind because it seems there are long term plans for Heavy Machinery.
In a vignette, Ali is in his quasi-Iron Man outfit, talking about bringing light to the fans and to the world. I have a bias towards Ali but this is a guy I think they can put some steam behind. He’s exciting in the ring and has great personal story that seems tailor-made for a run as US Champion. A former cop, a family man, devout, socially conscious, born of a Pakistani father and an Indian mother. Ali: Only in America.
It’s time for Miz TV with very special guest, Smackdown Women’s Champion, Bayley. The former good girl of NXT comes out with Sasha Banks. Bayley’s character change and overall look still seem to work but, rather than looking stern, she always look like she’s about to cry. Miz gets into the meat of the matter. After the first ever women’s grand slam champion (NXT, RAW, Smackdown, WWE Tag) tore up the Bayley Buddies, audiences and especially young children were devastated. After she told all of us “bitches,” “Screw all of you,” we were shocked. Bayley’s never been a strong promo so she gets the “What?” here but she said that the fans and their parents never gave back as much as she gave them. Every week she was a friendly role model playing fair and playing nice. Every time she lost, nobody was there for her like she was for them so she learned how to get along without the fans and she outgrew the kids before they could outgrow her.
This brings out Nikki Cross and Dana Brooke with short promos about the six pack challenge before Lacey Evans struts right past them and we’re getting ready for the match now.
Nikki Cross vs Dana Brooke vs Carmella vs Lacey Evans vs Mandy Rose vs Sonya Deville for #1 contender status for the Smackdown Women’s Championship
Mandy and Sonya team up (naturally) to decimate the ranks but, eventually, Nikki Cross comes out on top. Nikki rants from the turnbuckles as Bayley and Sasha stare her down. I don’t quite get it but there’s no denying that Nikki is over. Still, for the people that complain about “Too much Charlotte. Too many blondes. Same women at the top all the time,” you have to admit that this match was a “B” pool for a reason. Somebody’s going to get elevated by this match and the program with Bayley. Is Nikki your first choice?
Now that the initial gut punch of the Hell in a Cell finish is past us, the Seth Rollins vs Bray Wyatt program is actually becoming more interesting. The potential for a double turn is just a feather touch away. Probably won’t happen but it’s right there like a ripe peach for the taking.
Braun Strowman vs Drew Gulak
Before the match, we see the RAW contract signing for Crown Jewel with Braun and Tyson Fury. Gulak attempts to educate Braun vis-a-vis a 345 slide PowerPoint presentation. Braun is less than enthralled and proceeds to toss Gulak around and even ran over him during a “jogging route.” He tells Tyson Fury to pay attention before putting Gulak away.
I don’t know what’s ballsier, WWE mentioning Saudi Arabia so frequently these days or, in light of in-game footage we’ve seen thus far, Corey Graves hyping WWE 2K as improving in terms of gameplay and graphics every year.
Baron Corbin & Shinsuke Nakamura vs Daniel Bryan & Roman Reigns
Prior to the start of the main event, Roman is announced as the captain of Team Hogan for Crown Jewel. It’s interesting to note that, while Daniel Bryan was the first to the ring (for his first Friday Night Smackdown match,) Roman was brought out last after the heels, apparently to get the announcement on TV. Our finish sees Roman spear Corbin through the timekeeper’s area and Daniel Bryan pinning Nakamura after a running knee. The match followed suit of what appears to be Friday Night Smackdown’s running theme: No spot checklist. Run a match and do the spots for reasons that fit the match.
After our main event, we are reminded by FOX announcers that, next week, we’ll be watching Friday Night Smackdown on FS1! It’s explicitly stated that this will be “one night only” due to the World Series broadcast but, with underperforming ratings, could this be a test run for a new channel? Contracts are contracts but Vince has taken wild bets before.
Smackdown in Indianapolis is currently streaming on FOX’s website
