Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
After Money in the Bank last month, SmackDown has been building toward final clashes ahead of SummerSlam. Once more, Jinder Mahal will face Randy Orton this time inside the Punjabi Prison while Kevin Owens and AJ Styles will go one-on-one for the United States Championship.
While I always have higher hopes for a SmackDown pay-per-view than Raw, SmackDown's build to this show has not been great. In fact, combined with odd stipulations to matches including reintroducing John Cena with a flag match, this might have been my least anticipated SmackDown PPV since the brand split.
While I always have higher hopes for a SmackDown pay-per-view than Raw, SmackDown's build to this show has not been great. In fact, combined with odd stipulations to matches including reintroducing John Cena with a flag match, this might have been my least anticipated SmackDown PPV since the brand split.
Ah, the Kickoff match where we throw our small midcard division a bone by giving them 6 minutes.
Aiden English def. Tye Dillinger
Overview: Aiden English was caught off guard early by Tye Dillinger once more showing his emotional frustration at not being able to get the better of his rival. However, English managed to overcome his anger and send Dillinger into the top turnbuckle followed by the Director's Cut for the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a short match but probably the strongest these two have looked together. The two moved the match along throughout, and it felt like a natural extension of their last Kickoff match bout even if the rivalry had not continued to build. If there are actual plans for these two, it is fine to have Tye lose here, but they probably don't.
Highlights:
- English caught Dillinger with a headbutt into a running knee to the back, sending him into the middle turnbuckle.
- Dillinger caught English diving with a dropkick.
- Dillinger caught English coming back into the ring with a spinebuster.
- English blocked a superplex with a headbutt then was nearly rolled up off a diving crossbody.
- English dodged a Tye Breaker, bouncing Dillinger's neck off the ropes followed by DDT only for a nearfall that caused English to freak out.
- English attempted Dillinger's Tye Breaker, but Dillinger fought out.
Analysis: This was a short match but probably the strongest these two have looked together. The two moved the match along throughout, and it felt like a natural extension of their last Kickoff match bout even if the rivalry had not continued to build. If there are actual plans for these two, it is fine to have Tye lose here, but they probably don't.
Rating: 7.5/10
If we have to sit through 400 days of this again...
The New Day def. The Usos to Become the New SmackDown Tag Team Champions
Overview: From the start, it was clear this match was going to be a tough one to reach its finish with numerous nearfalls off both teams' best moves. Only when Kofi connected with Trouble in Paradise followed quickly by Woods' springboard diving elbow drop did New Day finally get the three.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was Xavier Woods' match from the start, getting beat then rising back up to start the flurry. While he has rarely been the lead man of the group, he always proves his worth when he gets in the ring. This was a strong improvement on an already excellent first encounter at Money in the Bank that started the show off hot.
Highlights:
- Kofi opened with a dropkick then tagged in Woods for a running low-angle sidekick into a low-angle elbow smash then a standing splash into a diving elbow drop.
- Woods blocked a superplex with three consecutive headbutts then hit a missile dropkick.
- Kofi hit the Boom Drop followed by an attempted Trouble in Paradise with both Usos getting involved and being sent to the floor only to catch Kofi with a double powerbomb on the floor.
- Woods caught Jimmy with the Honor Roll.
- Jimmy put Woods in a fireman's carry and ran him headfirst into the turnbuckle then The Usos hit an assisted Samoan drop on Woods.
- Woods finally found separation with an enzuigiri but his springboard diving elbow drop was stopped midair by a superkick.
- The New Day hit the Midnight Hour but only for a nearfall.
- Kofi took a superkick into a Superfly Splash but again only for a nearfall.
- The Usos went for a double Superfly Splash with Woods breaking up one then Kofi dodging the other.
Analysis: This was Xavier Woods' match from the start, getting beat then rising back up to start the flurry. While he has rarely been the lead man of the group, he always proves his worth when he gets in the ring. This was a strong improvement on an already excellent first encounter at Money in the Bank that started the show off hot.
Rating: 9.25/10
Remember when strong style meant something?
Shinsuke Nakamura def. Baron Corbin By Disqualification
Overview: This was a physical striking encounter between Shinsuke Nakamura and Baron Corbin. When Nakamura realized Corbin wouldn't rise for him to hit the Kinshasa, he tried to pull him up only for Corbin to hit a sudden low blow to cause a disqualification. Afterward, Corbin assaulted Nakamura with his briefcase.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was supposed to be Nakamura's chance to take the next step forward, but, once more, he demanded that his opponent do all the work. Corbin is not a lead performer, working better as the follower and obstacle in a contest. While there were some strong moments, this came off as a sloppy TV match.
Highlights:
- Nakamura caught Corbin still standing with a cross armbar with Corbin lifting him into a big boot.
- Corbin locked in a bear hug then ran Nakamura into the corner.
- Nakamura missed a roundhouse but hit with second foot then landed an enzuigiri, finally grounding Corbin with a final running dropkick.
- Nakamura hit two Good Vibrations in a row.
- Corbin fought back with a return running clothesline.
- Corbin turned a Kinshasa into a Deep Six.
Analysis: This was supposed to be Nakamura's chance to take the next step forward, but, once more, he demanded that his opponent do all the work. Corbin is not a lead performer, working better as the follower and obstacle in a contest. While there were some strong moments, this came off as a sloppy TV match.
Rating: 7.5/10
Since when would these two ever shake hands? Has WWE lost track of what characters these two are as much as everyone else?
Natalya Wins a Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match to Become the New Number One Contender, Last Eliminating Charlotte Flair
Overview: Lana and Tamina formed an alliance early in this match that allowed them to isolate and beat down Charlotte Flair. However, Tamina was too focused on saving Lana, running into a Dis-arm-her and tapping out. Lana tapped out as well soon after with Tamina not there to save her.
While Lynch was recovering, Natalya snuck up on her and rolled her up with a handful of tights for the elimination. Finally, Charlotte looked to be on a roll only to moonsault into Natalya's knees then be blasted into the bottom turnbuckle to set up the final elimination. Afterward, Natalya refused to shake Naomi's hand who watched the match on commentary.
Highlights:
Analysis: How did Corbin vs. Nakamura get 12 minutes while this, a match with four falls, got 10? The women were on a roll with Tamina and Lynch battling it out for the title of MVP of the match then every elimination came back-to-back for no good reason. At least they've finally gone with Naomi vs. Natalya, a feud that took too long to start when it made sense months ago.
While Lynch was recovering, Natalya snuck up on her and rolled her up with a handful of tights for the elimination. Finally, Charlotte looked to be on a roll only to moonsault into Natalya's knees then be blasted into the bottom turnbuckle to set up the final elimination. Afterward, Natalya refused to shake Naomi's hand who watched the match on commentary.
Highlights:
- Lynch saved Charlotte with the duo hitting side-by-side exploder suplexes on Lana and Tamina.
- Lynch hit the Bexploder on Natalya and Lana before running into Tamina's big boot.
- Natalya took a Samoan drop from Tamina but managed to fight back when Charlotte tried to capitalize on the move, locking Charlotte in the Sharpshooter.
- Tamina broke up the Dis-arm-her on Lana then Samoan dropped her before Spearing Charlotte outside.
- Charlotte powered Natalya up for a powerbomb.
Analysis: How did Corbin vs. Nakamura get 12 minutes while this, a match with four falls, got 10? The women were on a roll with Tamina and Lynch battling it out for the title of MVP of the match then every elimination came back-to-back for no good reason. At least they've finally gone with Naomi vs. Natalya, a feud that took too long to start when it made sense months ago.
Rating: 7.5/10
Glad we got in that untelevised title change to make sure this result meant something.
Kevin Owens def. AJ Styles to Become the New United States Champion
Overview: AJ Styles and Kevin Owens showed their in-depth knowledge of one another with reversal after reversal with a high-octane match. However, after the referee went down during the contest, KO was able to catch Styles with bridge back for a surprise pinfall on Styles.
Highlights:
Analysis: Once more, KO and Styles are great together, but they were hampered by the finish of their match. While the finish at Backlash was weak, this was just confusing which hurt the contest even more than the previous encounter. Not only was it surprising to so quickly take the title off Styles, it was also hard to explain why they chose this finish. Hopefully the two get one more chance to show their skills.
Highlights:
- Styles got his knees up on a running senton, beginning a flurry of forearms only to spin into a KO DDT.
- Styles planted Owens with a close clothesline then hit a running low-angle forearm.
- Styles caught KO with a fireman's carry neckbreaker then went for a springboard 450 right into the knees of Owens.
- KO blocked the sunset flip powerbomb but could not prevent the transition into a torture rack slam.
- Owens ducked outside when Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm then tripped Styles off the apron shoulder-first.
- Owens accidentally threw Styles off right into the official as he tried a Styles Clash then hit a superkick before going for the pump-up powerbomb which Styles turned into a Calf Crusher that KO turned into a crossface.
Analysis: Once more, KO and Styles are great together, but they were hampered by the finish of their match. While the finish at Backlash was weak, this was just confusing which hurt the contest even more than the previous encounter. Not only was it surprising to so quickly take the title off Styles, it was also hard to explain why they chose this finish. Hopefully the two get one more chance to show their skills.
Rating: 8.5/10
John Cena is back and flying awkwardly for America. It's like he never left.
John Cena def. Rusev in a Flag Match
Overview: Rusev ended up being the first man to get his flag down, but John Cena refused to stay down and got the United States flag down as well. The two battled to the stage where Rusev tried to incapacitate Cena with The Accolade, but his second attempt was turned into an AA through a table off the stage to allow Cena to plant his flag and win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was tough to watch. Not only was the crowd uninterested, the wrestlers both struggled to keep the pacing up in this match. It was messy and slow with Cena not able to do more than he usually does in a match. In fact, this felt like the kind of match Cena would have had at the height of his run atop WWE rather than now when he has truly found his niche in the ring.
Highlights:
- Rusev planted Cena with a DDT only for Cena to catch fire with shoulder tackles into the Five Knuckle Shuffle but had the AA turned into a spinebuster.
- Cena used the flag post to support him for a series of strikes to plant Rusev then had his diving leg drop turned into a powerbomb.
- Rusev took down his flag only to take a dropkick that sent the flag into the ropes then took an AA.
- Cena turned a powerbomb into the STF.
- Rusev tried to AA Cena through tables off the podium with Cena surviving and both going down to a collision of clotheslines.
- Rusev stopped Cena from setting his flag then knocked out Cena with The Accolade.
- Cena stopped Rusev from planting his flag and went for an AA only to have it turned into a side kick.
Analysis: This was tough to watch. Not only was the crowd uninterested, the wrestlers both struggled to keep the pacing up in this match. It was messy and slow with Cena not able to do more than he usually does in a match. In fact, this felt like the kind of match Cena would have had at the height of his run atop WWE rather than now when he has truly found his niche in the ring.
Rating: 6.75/10
So when are we getting the true main event bout of Sami vs. Maria?
Sami Zayn def. Mike Kanellis
Overview: Once more, Sami Zayn was dominating until Maria Kanellis distracted Zayn to set up a cheap shot from Mike Kanellis outside. However, Zayn began to see through the tactics and ended up hitting an exploder suplex into the Helluva Kick even after Maria tried to save him again to take the win.
Highlights:
Analysis: This was a TV-quality match and one of the weaker contest Zayn has had in a while. It was too short and one-dimensional. Mike has more talent than he showed her, not pulling out much from his moveset, making this almost feel like an extended squash with how little Mike did during the contest.
Highlights:
- Zayn bounced out of the corner right into a big foot from Mike.
- Zayn fired up with a series of clothesline then a back body drop before sending Mike outside for a somersault plancha.
- Zayn took out MIke with a rope-walk tornado DDT only for Maria to get in the way of an exploder suplex with Zayn avoiding the this time and hitting an exploder successfully.
Analysis: This was a TV-quality match and one of the weaker contest Zayn has had in a while. It was too short and one-dimensional. Mike has more talent than he showed her, not pulling out much from his moveset, making this almost feel like an extended squash with how little Mike did during the contest.
Rating: 7/10
That's right. It's the return you never even though was possible because it would be too horrible.
Jinder Mahal def. Randy Orton Inside the Punjabi Prison to Retain the WWE Championship
Overview: This match began with both men trying to escape through a door, but three doors opened and closed without anyone escaping. When the fourth opened, The Singh Brothers appeared and pulled Mahal to safety, leaving Orton in the inner structure alone.
Orton though managed to scale the inner structure and jumped to the high area of the outer wall, catching Mahal. The Singh Brothers managed to repeatedly stop Orton until he destroyed them then Orton struck Mahal into the floor with a steel chair before The Great Khali's music hit, and he came out to hold Orton down while Mahal escaped the Prison.
Highlights:
Analysis: Rating this match is tough because it was unwatchable for ten minutes. Once they finally escaped the inner structure, this contest got going. It was fun and physical with some great moments even if most involved Orton destroying The Singh Brothers.
I hate that they brought back Khali, but I suppose the plan is for Mahal to lead a stable with Khali as his bodyguard, hopefully not wrestling. It might help Mahal though his match quality will continue to suffer. No matter what, this does stand as the best Punjabi Prison match ever, a low bar somewhat successfully vaulted.
Orton though managed to scale the inner structure and jumped to the high area of the outer wall, catching Mahal. The Singh Brothers managed to repeatedly stop Orton until he destroyed them then Orton struck Mahal into the floor with a steel chair before The Great Khali's music hit, and he came out to hold Orton down while Mahal escaped the Prison.
Highlights:
- Orton attempted an elevated DDT, but Mahal sent him into the wall of the Prison.
- Orton twice suplexed Mahal into the structure followed by whipping him off the top rope.
- Orton sidestepped the running high knee and hit a powerslam.
- Orton called for the final door and went for an RKO only to walk into a high knee but reverse The Khallas into an RKO.
- Mahal began striking Orton with a kendo stick not ready for when Orton pulled out his own and beat Mahal into the floor.
- Samir Singh slipped through an opening in the structure only to be punched off the top through an announce table.
- Mahal missed a running knee and got his leg trapped in the outside wall, setting up an elevated DDT.
Analysis: Rating this match is tough because it was unwatchable for ten minutes. Once they finally escaped the inner structure, this contest got going. It was fun and physical with some great moments even if most involved Orton destroying The Singh Brothers.
I hate that they brought back Khali, but I suppose the plan is for Mahal to lead a stable with Khali as his bodyguard, hopefully not wrestling. It might help Mahal though his match quality will continue to suffer. No matter what, this does stand as the best Punjabi Prison match ever, a low bar somewhat successfully vaulted.
Rating: 8/10
When The Fashion Files become the main event of a SmackDown Live PPV, then the show will get automatic As from me.
Final Notes: In the latest Fashion X-Files, Breezango were ready to find out who had been attacking them and their office with The Ascension attempting to again take credit before lights went out and the two were attacked once more with Fandango dragged away.
Conclusion: This show really did not improve on its build. This was one of the rare shows this year that felt like the wrestlers let themselves down in most of the contests. The only guys who went above and beyond were The Usos and The New Day, and they've had a lot of time off lately in comparison to everyone else.
That said, it was also a mess of booking. Multiple finishes were wildly unsatisfying with title changes that were unnecessary and actively hurt current storylines. Orton and Cena were stuck in match types so bad they had little chance of standing out while the women had a four-falls match go ten minutes.
Great Balls of Fire was a disappointment earlier this month because it wasted potential. This show though felt like it simply met the expectations of its build. It also had some memorable moments and a quality opener which all make me a bit more lenient with what was another disaster of a show.
Conclusion: This show really did not improve on its build. This was one of the rare shows this year that felt like the wrestlers let themselves down in most of the contests. The only guys who went above and beyond were The Usos and The New Day, and they've had a lot of time off lately in comparison to everyone else.
That said, it was also a mess of booking. Multiple finishes were wildly unsatisfying with title changes that were unnecessary and actively hurt current storylines. Orton and Cena were stuck in match types so bad they had little chance of standing out while the women had a four-falls match go ten minutes.
Great Balls of Fire was a disappointment earlier this month because it wasted potential. This show though felt like it simply met the expectations of its build. It also had some memorable moments and a quality opener which all make me a bit more lenient with what was another disaster of a show.