0 out of 7
Credit: WWE.com
Welcome to the WWE Thunderdome. WWE promised a massively new spectacle whose fans could almost interact with the show, debuting at the August 21 edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
Considering how important this occasion would be, Mr. McMahon was ready to open the show. He wanted to reveal this last miracle WWE in person to the WWE Universe.
The main event of this big show building towards WWE SummerSlam 2020 was AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. After announcing The Phenomenal One plan The Charismatic Enigma ended the championship with a definitive victory.
Another title match on the map was a tag team match, as SmackDown tag champion Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro put their titles on the line against Lucha House Party. Kalisto came back to give Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado a big advantage in this fight, but the champions have been unstoppable lately.
Big E has worked to prove he can fight on his own. His last challenge was a former world champion in Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior has his mouth running against everyone, but this time he just had to fight the motivated New Day member.
Braun Strowman wanted to make one last statement ahead of SummerSlam. He unveiled his new look after a brutal Wyatt Swamp Fight, but no one knows what exactly he should do with this new Monster Among Men.
This show had the potential to be a game changer rather than another failed attempt to change the format of WWE. It was all down to how WWE handled its new technology.
1 out of 7
Vince McMahon opened the show with a smile on his face. He introduced WWE Thunderdome only to be interrupted by “The Enemy” Bray Wyatt. Braun Strowman came to the aid of McMahon. Before the SummerSlam brawl could begin early, Retribution arrived.
The Enemy disappeared, leaving The Monster Among Men to be defeated. The SmackDown roster came out to make the rescue. After Retribution backed up, Strowman attacked Drew Gulak and Jey Uso out of frustration.
Class
B-
Analyze
This was a messy overbooked segment, but it was certainly a memorable open. Instead of expecting McMahon as expected, the story shifted to Wyatt vs. Strowman. The two almost came to blows causing a fantastic tease.
Retribution grows at this point too great for one’s own good. There is no way WWE will succeed in satisfying this group with these many members. At least they didn’t go down without a fight.
The Thunderdome will take a lot of time to get used to. It’s not full eyes, but it’s such a distraction from the action. There is too much happening to keep a clear focus.
2 of 7
Big E and Sheamus got into an argument after fighting Retribution, which led to their match early. The Celtic Warrior showed why he is a former world champion by wearing the big man, focusing on rapid repeated strikes.
Big E, however, refused to even fall to a devastating bike lane. Wrestlers circled the ring to protect against Retribution, which led to King Corbin attacking Matt Riddle. The action put Sheamus off, allowing Big E to roll him up for three.
Result
Big E def. Sheamus by pinfall.
Class
B
Analyze
The distractions at rings along with acclimatization to the Thunderdome made it difficult to focus on the action. However, Sheamus and Big E worked extremely well together. This was expected given their tag team passing, but it’s fun to see what the heavy New Day can do one on one in a longer game.
It feels like Big E is on its way to gold. It’s just a matter of continuing to win. If he can go through the region, he should get chances sooner rather than later. The Celtic Warrior struggles to pick up wins, but he puts his opponents in good matches every time.
3 of 7
Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura attacked from behind Lucha House Party as the trio went to the stage.
While Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik pitched when the match began, they were not very fast enough to keep up with the SmackDown tag champions.
Nakamura knocked Dorado down for a while, even losing almost to a few sleeves, but Cesaro got involved. The Swiss Cyborg caught Dorado with an inverted flash of the sun from a Canadian Destroyer to steal the victory.
Afterwards, Kalisto and Dorado got into an argument that Metalik barely stopped changing a brawl.
Result
Cesaro and Nakamura def. Lucha House Party at pinfall to hold the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
Class
C
Analyze
How this managed to go five minutes is not explained. After weeks of building up to the title race, Cesaro and Nakamura stole a win before the action really started to move. While the talent in this prize contest is immense, the short term increased the focus on one awkward botch in the game.
The hint that Kalisto is turning against Lucha House Party brings up an important idea for the future of this trio. Calisto was once a much larger star in itself. He may be flourishing away from Dorado and Metalik instead of working as a cheerleader.
4 of 7
Credit: WWE.com
Corey Graves interviewed Bayley and Sasha Banks, clearly trying to raise issues among the WWE women of the tag champions. Both champions were able to decide who should go against Asuka at WWE SummerSlam first.
Naomi arrived to challenge both women to a Beat the Clock challenge, where the winner had to go second against The Empress of Tomorrow.
The Glow came out in a flurry against The Legit Boss, but Banks was too sloppy for them. The boss turned Naomi into position for the bank issue, forcing a tap out at 3:39.
Bayley takes her games mostly slowly and cautiously, but she was quick to finish to beat Banks’ time. This allowed Naomi to ride in the Rear View and grab a surprising win in less than two minutes.
Asuka came and promised to become the Empress of every title. She pulled Banks onto the ramp, then lifted the role model into the ring with a sliding knee. Bayley bailed and ran right past Banks hurt on stage.
Result
Banks def. Naomi by submission in 3:39; Naomi def. Bayley by pinfall.
Class
B +
Analyze
The content of this segment shone over the minutes the women got. Banks and Bayley continue to work in an unusual alliance where both women are too self-centered to play honestly with their titles on the line. It seems that a break-up is inevitable.
Naomi could have easily lost both of those matches, and it would have been the same-old story. Instead, The Glow defeated Bayley. The role model should never lose in less than two minutes, but at least Naomi did not lose twice in two seven minutes.
The Glow brought their best to these matches. Her athletic and smooth offense looked better than she often has in the ring. Hopefully she gets a future title shot at Bayley after The Role Model probably escapes SummerSlam with her title.
5 out of 7
Credit: WWE.com
Mandy Rose asked Sonya Deville to put this whole feud behind her and come back to stand together as friends. Deville refused to respond backstage and slammed Dana Brooke for showing sympathy for the former MMA fighter after recent events.
Upon arriving on stage, Deville laughed at the idea that God’s greatest creation wanted to escape the battle just before it happened. She promised that the loser’s career would end at SummerSlam, turning her game into a game with no disqualification Loser Leaves WWE.
Nikki Cross was asked about Alexa Bliss. She showed her concern for The Goddess, saying that Bliss was not the same after her encounter with The Fiend.
Class
IN-
Analyze
Deville has ignored every promo since the whole turn. This was no different. From her loud beating of Dana to her nonchalant laughs about the idea that Rose wanted to return to the way things were, she added even more fire to this fame.
Whatever happens to Bliss will cross from Heart. It will be best for both of them when they go solo, but The Goddess’s best friend sold how hard it will be to lose her partner to the aura of The Fiend.
6 of 7
During the opening brawl with Retribution, AJ Styles kicked Jeff Hardy in the back of the right leg. Coaches had to look to The Charismatic Enigma, which was barely removed for action. He hobbled to the ring with a crowbar.
The Phenomenal One went from the beginning to Hardy’s knee. While Hardy could barely move at times, he refused to tap into the Calf Crusher. A cocky Styles set a Styles Clash just for Hardy to blow him with his kneecap.
The shot with the brace contaminated Styles, allowing The Charismatic Enigma to connect with the Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb for the win. Afterwards, Charly interviewed Caruso Hardy and explained that this was a dream come true for him.
The Phenomenal One lost it behind the scenes when Caruso interviewed him. He cried to Joseph Park, who was not sure what to do.
Result
Hardy def. Styles by pinfall to become the new WWE intercontinental champion.
Class
B
Analyze
The Phenomenal One and The Charismatic Enigma worked well together here. While Hardy limped through the match to sell off his injury, he did not change his set much. He would already have to try to protect his knees in every game after all these years.
It was a good title match with a somewhat surprising finish. Styles has been such a big part of SmackDown as champion week after week. Taking the title away from him for Hardy, who is now a five-time IC champion, does not add much to the blue market.
7 of 7
Bray Wyatt talks about the romance of Braun Strowman with Alexa Bliss. He reminded everyone that love is dangerous, and it is best for everyone involved that he stop it. While he was talking, The Monster Among Men came into the Fun House and knocked Wyatt out, dragging him back to the arena.
The brawl went on to the backstage area, where The Monster Among Men yelled at Wyatt for messing with his head. He chokeslammed his rival on concrete. Unconscious, medical staff strutted Wyatt into a nearby ambulance.
When the ambulance drove away, it suddenly stopped and backed away. From the ambulance, the Fiend got up, laughed around the camera.
Class
B
Analyze
While it would have been a better audience-pleasing ending for AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy to end the night, this go-home show was needed to end with a SummerSlam sale. Wyatt Vs. Strowman is SmackDown’s biggest selling point, so this brawl was the best bet to convince fans to vote in favor on Sunday.
The ending added to the horror aesthetic that has been a staple with The Fiend. While Wyatt is vulnerable, The Fiend appears in pain. He is an executioner of pure evil outside of wrestling. It will be fascinating to see how WWE books his match with The Monster Among Men.
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