Smack down promised a face-off between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton as the key event of the evening, and we almost got sidetracked by Baron Freakin’ Corbin. Fortunately, the series ended with a satisfying conclusion that introduced a whole new direction.
The first image we saw of Rhodes was of The American Nightmare entering the arena in Sacramento wearing glasses, so you know he was in a serious mood.
Although he looked thoughtful, he must have been happy later in the show after spotting a few people in the crowd wearing Street fighter merchandise in the form of plastic wigs to resemble the exaggerated flattop of his character Guile.
Given that Rhodes was wearing workout clothes instead of a robber baron costume, viewers naturally expected a fight with Orton. What we got instead was Baron Corbin.
Yes, Baron Corbin, whose entrance music hit in place of The Viper’s, and who quickly got physical with Rhodes. Somehow they thought they could make us believe that it was time for a real match between these two and that Randy would just stay backstage. put your things in someone’s trunk do embroidery.
Both men fought pretty hard for a few minutes, but we all knew Orton was going to make his presence felt soon. Well, Randy did not disappoint, and the match ended in a disqualification as Orton manhandled Cody outside the ring.
Rhodes managed to avoid a Punt from Orton, and he looked like he was about to initiate the move himself before Baron resurfaced to end the party.
Orton retreated to the aisle, but at least we got to see Rhodes Punt Baron. The crowd chanted “one more time,” as Orton appeared perturbed and retreated to the back.
While it still didn’t feel like a drastic change, Cody came closer tonight to embracing some buried, darker instincts. I wouldn’t expect a true heel turn yet, but this advantage could certainly inject some new energy into this feud.
Before we delve deeper into the series, I recommend checking out a full preview of all the action at Smack down from Claire Elizabeth’s always excellent live blog.
Before the Cody and Randy Show, Sami Zayn kicked off the evening with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae to remind us that he is the last real good guy.
He was quickly interrupted by Trick Williams, and the crowd really wanted to see these two go at it, but Gargano ended the tense standoff. Of course, WWE won’t reveal Trick vs. Sami on a Smack down, so Johnny Wrestling will get yelled at instead.
Trick controlled most of the action early on until LaRae (naturally) provided a little distraction for her husband to take over. Things stalled a bit while they were fighting outside the ring – the split-screen commercial break didn’t help – but the pace picked up when Trick went back on the offensive.
Williams (mostly) landed a Trick Shot knee on a slinging Gargano, but curiously chose to execute a manhandled slam before pinning his opponent cleanly.
The ending was exactly what should have happened, but I found myself slightly relieved considering WWE’s pension for having messy interference leading to non-finishes.
Zayn being replaced by Gargano/LaRae still seems a bit random, but I feel like it works, mainly because the trio is made up of veterans/pros. And having Trick on the map is always a bonus…so, a pretty decent opening.
Nikki Bella and Paige are still arguing, apparently…
Considering how half-heartedly WWE has handled this rivalry, I was somewhat surprised that Paige and Bella faced off tonight after Nikki cheated to beat the English star last month.
I kind of assumed the feud was being put on the back burner until Brie returned from her injury, but maybe WWE wanted Nikki to clear her plate to challenge Chelsea Green for the Women’s Championship (more on that later).
Despite my own lack of enthusiasm about this match – and that’s no disrespect to either woman – the fight had some standout moments.
Nikki threw Paige off the apron onto the outside floor in what looked like a brutal bump. Paige acted as if her already compromised neck had been injured shortly after, and the crowd got into it as the fight continued.
Paige pulled out a Five Knuckle Shuffle to taunt Bella about her former fiancé, John Cena, but Nikki quickly responded with an STF submission of her own.
Two other things I didn’t expect: Paige got the win, even though she had to cheat with a foot on the ropes, and the fact that I ended up enjoying the match. Maybe there’s some life in this feud after all, at least until Nikki is building (still to come).
The construction of CM Punk and Kevin Owens continues
Although it was brief, CM Punk and Kevin Owens exchanged words backstage. Smack down General manager Nick Aldis has promised a rematch between the two once both are healthy. Is Sami out of this whole situation yet?
Either way, these two tell a good story in the ring, as well as in promos.
R-Truth and Damien Priest didn’t solve anything
At 54 years old, R-Truth continues to defy time. He begins this match with an aerial assault before Damien Priest takes control.
The former tag team partners have good chemistry against each other, and Priest is better in aggressive, heel “El Malo” mode. Yet their problems didn’t appear to be over as the referee stopped the match after Truth suffered a bad landing following a missile dropkick.
Fraxiom quickly entered the ring to protect Truth, which could allow Triple H to continue his favorite pastime of building warring factions. At the very least, it looks like we’ll see Priest and Truth face off again down the line.
Jacy Jayne is still a heat magnet
Fatal Influence interrupted Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley celebrating their recent WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship victory. The leader of this particular faction, United States Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, was serenaded with boos.
Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid wasted no time in attacking, but the champions pushed them back. It felt like a wasted opportunity for more confrontation, but WWE at least managed to give Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab some screen time when they teased backstage tension with Fatal Influence.
Finally, a way forward for Ricky Saints?
Simply put, Rey Fenix is a show stealer. His innovative attack never fails to impress, and he sells his ass, as he showed tonight against Ricky Saints.
The Saints, meanwhile, remain underestimated. Despite his undeniable talent, Saints hasn’t found his place on the main roster, although that has a lot to do with his booking. But maybe this match could be a turning point.
The Saints’ encounter with referee Charles Robinson led to him being disqualified and thus failing in his challenge for the AAA Cruiserweight World Championship.
Given that he’s already moved quickly through NXT, could this be a sign that the Saints will have a spot in AAA? I hope so.
•Blake Monroe was talking backstage with Aldis, because she doesn’t really want to wrestle, and she was interrupted by Chelsea Green. Monroe said Chelsea’s league reign had lasted longer than expected, leading Green to respond: “How long did you last it?”
Maybe it was how unscripted the line seemed, but it really made me laugh.
•Chelsea was backstage continuing to prepare Nikki Bella to challenge her for the title in a match that I don’t think many people really want to see. No shade for Nikki, but I’d rather see Chelsea vs. Blake at this point. Can you please book that one, Nick?
• R-Truth’s pre-fight promo started with him in serious mode only for him to then quote the theme from Golden Girls. Please don’t ever retire, Mr. Killings.
•I still don’t know what I think about the presence of Michael Hayes Agent of Shadows. We’re not supposed to take his role seriously, are we?
•We also had a very brief segment with GUNTHER and Danhausen, but instead of setting up a rematch, the moment seemed to mostly exist in order to push The Ring General to compete with an MIA Finn Bálor. I will withhold judgment on this feud for now.
Overall, Smack down It was okay tonight. There’s nothing that really blew me away, but there’s nothing terrible either. A frequent downfall of the show is too many unnecessary backstage segments, but these were kept to a minimum tonight and mostly felt like they had a purpose.
What do you think, Cagesiders? How would you rate tonight’s SmackDown? Let us know in the comments.
Gn entert
