0 out of 5
Credit: WWE.com
With WWE preparing for The Horror Show at Extreme Rules on Sunday, SmackDown on Friday was all about building pay-per-view.
Several titles will be up for grabs this weekend, but the blue brand also featured a championship match when Matt Riddle challenged AJ Styles for the intercontinental title.
WWE also promoted a mystery guest for a special episode of A Moment of Bliss with Alexa Bliss and another episode of The Firefly Fun House.
Even if the Extreme Rules build-up has been a bit lackluster due to current circumstances, several of the matches on the card have the potential to be a lot of fun, especially if WWE does another cinematic match that feels different from what we’ve already seen. .
Let’s take a look at everything that happened on SmackDown this week.
1 of 5
SmackDown opened with a video package before going to the ring for the first game of the night between Cesaro and Big E.
We found out that the winner had to choose the stipulation for a SmackDown tag-title fight at Extreme Rules, so there were real bets at stake.
The two powers immediately pulled the fight out of the ring where Big E crushed Cesaro against the steel steps with a running shoulder. He tried the same thing in the ring but The Swiss Superman dodged it and hit the ring post.
Both men achieved their usual characteristic movements while exchanging control from side to side. After a commercial cut, Cesaro started building momentum with a trampoline uppercut. Big E grabbed him for a muffler submission, but Cesaro responded with a Big Swing on the Sharpshooter.
With a little help from Shinsuke Nakamura, Big Swiss was able to hit the neutralizer to win. Cesaro and Nakamura took a table after the game ended, making it clear which stipulation they chose for Sunday.
Degree: yes
Analysis
Big E and Cesaro are so good at what they do that having a bad game seems impossible. They are too talented to be mediocre.
The only real complaint one could make against this party is that it ended too soon. Kingston and Nakamura were involved outside the ring, but their presence was never a distraction from what was happening inside.
The fight for the tag title at Extreme Rules should live up to the past encounters between these two teams, especially with an unconditional stipulation.
2 out of 5
Bliss and Cross started this segment by talking about the fifth anniversary of the Evolution of Women and what has happened since then.
At first Cross thought she was Bliss’s special guest, but The Goddess had to rain down her parade and inform her that she was not the mystery guest. Before she could reveal who it was, Bayley and Sasha Banks went out to talk some trash.
After she let them speak, Bliss introduced Asuka as her true guest. A fight broke out and Bliss somehow gained reserve power to turn this into a team fight.
We saw the fight in progress again and Cross took control of Bayley with a series of body kicks. The role model used some dirty tactics to turn the tables. This led to Cross being doubly associated for quite some time.
After we saw that each combination of opponents had their moment to shine, Bayley stole the victory by using the ropes as a lever during a pin in Cross.
Degree: C- (Moment of happiness), B (Party)
Analysis
The idea of a mysterious guest was intriguing, but the revelation was a little disappointing. It seemed like Bliss would be bringing out someone who had a huge impact on the Evolution of Women because of the way the segment started.
The game that followed was a good change of pace. Pairing Cross and Asuka together was an interesting combination, even if it was only once.
The fight was the typical tag team fee. The women’s champions showed their usual chemistry level, while Cross and Asuka found their rhythm as a couple halfway.
This was a surprisingly physical contest, especially when it came to Bayley and Asuka. They were swinging toward the fences with their punches. It could have lasted a little longer than necessary, but the four women helped make it a nice combination.
3 out of 5
Wyatt took us on a little trip to his swamp before his match with Braun Strowman on Sunday before The Monster Among Men went out to fight John Morrison.
The universal champion gave a quick promotion about facing his fears before fighting The Friday Night Delight. As soon as the bell rang, Strowman began to destroy Morrison with ease.
It took less than three minutes from bell to bell to defeat Morrison with a PowerSlam. After the champion left, medical personnel came out to check the steering wheel. The Miz helped him up as Lacey Evans made his way to the ring.
Degree: C
Analysis
The short segment with Wyatt was well produced and did a good job of getting his cult leading character back, but Strowman showed more excitement than ever that his showdown really sold.
The promotions were good, but the match between Strowman and Morrison felt unnecessary. We don’t need to see The Monster beat someone half their size, especially when that person is part of one of the best teams on SmackDown.
4 out of 5
Evans tried to take Naomi down with a grab, but it didn’t work and Naomi quickly sent her to the corner. The Sassy Southern Belle regained her composure and dropped an elbow.
The Queen of Glow countered a moon jump, but Evans used her hair against her to tie her against the ropes before nailing her with Women’s Right by Pin and Victory.
Degree: D +
Analysis
Last week Evans came back into vogue after spending the past few months as a babyface, and continued to showcase those characteristics this week with her pre-game promotion.
This game was a little sloppy and did little to push Evans like a heel. Both women are talented, but this was not up to their usual standards. A few more minutes would have allowed them to tell a more coherent story.
5 out of 5
The main event of the night featured Styles defending the IC title against the man who defeated him last month in his SmackDown debut Riddle.
They kept things clean from the start by using basic locks and counters. It didn’t take long for Styles to use a few punches to take control. Riddle showed his power by hitting two wrench suplexes in a row.
After a break, The Phenomenal One regained the lead and began working on Riddle’s leg to prepare for the Calf Crusher. Styles was still in control after a second break until Riddle hit a German suplex out of nowhere.
Riddle countered a Phenomenal Forearm but was unable to capitalize on his own finisher. This allowed the champion to enclose the calf crusher. The challenger invested in his own submission before AJ stacked it for the pin.
Styles offered Riddle his hand, but the show of respect was a ruse. Baron Corbin attacked The Bro from behind and hit The End of Days to cap off the show.
Degree: B +
Analysis
Riddle and Styles have a reputation for hosting exciting matches, so there was a lot of pressure on them to steal the show in this match.
This was a fast-paced match that made both men look good, but sometimes it seemed like they were holding back. There was nothing wrong with this match. It just didn’t get to the level that we all know these two are capable of reaching.
The ending was the right decision, as it protects Riddle while allowing Styles to retain his title. This is probably not the last time they meet. For now, Riddle and Corbin appear to be on a collision course.
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