Simple theme this week, we’ve got big fights before Jeddah on this SmackDown in a Nutshell.
Big fights before Jeddah, as in, Night of Champions.
Tonight is not the actual go home show, but this evening is the last live show for the blue brand prior to Jeddah and Night of Champions.
Spoiler alert: next Friday’s show is being taped on May 19th, too. So, if you hate spoilers…they will be out there.
You’ve been warned.
So, tonight will give us some big fights before Jeddah live…and it will probably set some up for next week. It seems likely that most all the matches for Night of Champions is set.
We used last week for some of that, both RAW and SmackDown.
So how big are we talking? WWE has the Tribal Chief back on the show, aiming for final hype ahead of Jeddah.
And, we know how often Roman doesn’t work.
So, no more delays, lets set if we have some…
Big Fights Before Jeddah : SmackDown In A Nutshell
Let’s crack this one open and see how things go!
Best Match of the night:
Santos Escobar and Rey Mysterio against the Usos.
It was the main event for a reason.
Nice to see the LWO getting a big win, and yet, Jimmy and Jey were protected due to the outside interference.
And, it keeps the Bloodline falling apart.
Honorable mention to Pretty Deadly, winning their debut against the Brawling Brutes.
Worst match of the night:
I guess Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn against the jobbers?
Wish they’d drop the NXT titles and just focus on main roster stuff. Dawn and Fyre are talented, they don’t need jobbers to work with.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
This is awesome
Star of the Night
I will take Santos and Rey here.
Spot of the Night:
Loved Sheamus’ Brogue Kick and mic drop.
Jobber of the Night:
Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon.
Upset of the Night:
Suppose LWO over Jimmy and Jey? But not really.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Massive issues within the Bloodline to start the show, and I love to see it.
Honestly feels like we are setting up an interference-based finish for Night of Champions.
That way, the titles don’t change hands, but Roman Reigns also does not take a pinfall defeat.
And, it continues the tensions within the Bloodline.
Botch of the night:
Minor, but Cole momentarily lapsed and said that Sheamus had once held the Intercontinental Championship.
Commentary of the night:
Wade called Cole out on the goof.
LOL Moment of the night:
Watching Jimmy and Jey attack Owens and Zayn…and getting in trouble for it?
Yep, I laughed.
Noteworthy Moment:
Not that long ago-like, earlier this week-WWE was saying that Liv Morgan would not miss much time due to injury.
Now, just a few days later, we learn that Raquel and Liv had to relinquish the belts, and we will have a fatal fourway in a couple weeks to crown new champions.
Couple things on this.
First, WWE title rules are so…inconsistent.
I remember that the rules when I grew up were effectively that a title had to be defended once every 30 days. Failure to comply and the commish could strip you of the title.
In that scenario, Liv and Raquel would still have a little time. Also in that scenario, we couldn’t have champions like Brock or Roman.
Second…Raquel will be in the match with a mystery partner to try and get the belts back. Do we see Aliyah return here?
Or will Dakota Kai turn and re-join her NXT partner?
Overall lowlights:
Not in the mood for lowlights tonight.
Overall highlights:
I like setting up big fights, and WWE did set a couple up tonight.
Sheamus and Austin Theory are going to clash, with the United States title on the line.
LA Knight turned on his brief tag team partner, Rick Boogs, so that seems to be a budding feud too.
I am intrigued with the women’s tag titles. Could see Ronda and Shayna get it…but I am also just pointing out that there’s one set of belts, and the champs were drafted to RAW…and this all developed on SmackDown.
After the final bell:
It’s a pseudo-go home show of sorts, and it was a good one.
We saw big fights set up for next week, and for after Jeddah too.
Lots to like, plenty to enjoy.
