WWE SmackDown Live – September 10, 2019 (Review)

SmackDown certainly had a lot to live up to last night. Not only was it following a generally well-received edition of Raw, but it also carried the expectations associated with an appearance at WWE’s traditional home base, Madison Square Garden.

So how could it possibly measure up? It appeared that WWE’s legend load had all but been spent on Monday, with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin being recruited to do much of the heavy lifting. But it turned out that the chamber was far from empty, as the blue brand had a few of its own tricks lined up. Most notably, the return of The Undertaker.

The ‘Deadman’s return to SmackDown Live – and New York City in particular – was certain to hit all the right nostalgic zones, while also providing some rather intriguing narrative possibilities. It has long been reported that, in contrast to Austin (who was merely relied upon to move tickets), ‘Taker was back for a very specific storyline reason.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Px290hvTO/

And coupled with Bray Wyatt’s “19/11” tease on Raw, that could only mean one thing. Bray Wyatt is opening a chain of unique convenience stores, with operating hours spanning 7pm to 11am, as competition for 7-Eleven!

Either that or he’s possibly referencing the date of Undertaker’s WWE debut, which occurred on 19 November 1990… Actually that latter option makes a lot more sense given the context.

Either way, the possibility of ‘The Fiend’ crossing paths with the ‘Deadman’ has me excited. And not even the usual last minute rewrites – preempted by an unfortunate injury to Elias – could temper my enthusiasm.

All of the ingredients for a classic show were lined up, and WWE just needed to mix them in the right quantities. Let’s get to the review.

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The Best of SmackDown Live

No Bye for Gable

Chad Gable entered Shane McMahon’s office to be told that Elias had broken his ankle and wouldn’t be able to compete in their King of the Ring semi-final match. Despite this, however, Gable would not be receiving a bye into the finals. He would instead have to face someone from either Raw or SmackDown – perhaps even someone who had already been eliminated from the tournament.

Oh God, it’s going to be Shane isn’t it?

Since @IAmEliasWWE is injured, @ShaneMcMahon will find a replacement opponent for @WWEGable in tonight's #KingOfTheRing match! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/4x4s7kOT4R

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 11, 2019

On the proviso that the ‘Best in the World’ doesn’t book himself into the tournament at the eleventh hour, this should be considered a positive. Any chance to see Chad Gable wrestle a competitive match is always a plus.

Kevin Owens Gets a Job

Spoiler alert: Shane did book himself to face Chad Gable. But it turns out that not all is lost!

Backstage, Kevin Owens was summoned to speak with the boss’ son. Here, Shane informed KO that he had been thinking about the $100,000 fine apparently still looming over Owens’ head. I thought that had been dispensed with after Kevin apologised last month?

.@FightOwensFight can get his 100,000 dollar fine lifted. All he has to do is referee the #KingfTheRing match between @ShaneMcMahon & @WWEGable… correctly. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/NCecl4pYzy

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

Either way, Shane told Owens that he would strike the fine if KO did a job for him. And then he handed him a referee’s shirt. The implication was clear: Shane wanted Owens to help him beat Gable, through chicanery if necessary.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m completely over the fine business at this point. It’s quite disappointing that an anti-establishment, renegade babyface should be so terrified by the prospect of losing money. It completely neuters him. BUT – I am intrigued to see how Owens responds to the request to do Shane a solid. Would he comply? Or would he screw Shane?

A fairly bland King of the Ring matchup just became somewhat interesting.

Rowan is on the Loose

An untethered Rowan took to the ring next to explain why he tried to murder Roman Reigns twice. Surely this is something he’d be better served holding onto, until the inevitable jury trial down the road.

Rowan resented that everyone thought he was being controlled. He made his own decisions, he was his own governor! This immediately made me think that someone was telling him what to do.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2QIy7zB9nc/

Rowan’s speech brought out Roman Reigns and the two large men brawled into the crowd. Security attempted to break up the fight, but honestly what good are a dozen regular-sized security personnel against two giant, sweaty men?

So Rowan simply tossed a fan over the barricade into the crowd of officials and continued brawling with Reigns. Eventually they fought up the ramp and Rowan swung a jib camera into Roman’s face.

While not the most exciting brawl of all time, it was nevertheless an effective way to build excitement ahead of their meeting at Clash of Champions.

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The Worst of SmackDown Live

Putting More Souls in Holes

Much like Raw the night before, SmackDown unloaded its trump card early.

The Undertaker was first on the call sheet, and he began his monumentally slow walk to the ring. Fun fact: ‘Taker’s actually only 30, it just takes him twenty-five years to make his entrance.

He – again, much like Austin – recounted the legacy of MSG, before saying something about souls and graves or something. He ended by claiming that it was time to hand over the reigns to the younger talent.

"I'm asking you to leave this ring and pass the torch… the future is in good hands with @SamiZayn."

Those are some BOLD WORDS to say to The #Undertaker. #SDLive pic.twitter.com/RDHHiQM5N5

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 11, 2019

This brought out Sami Zayn of all people! He started by complimenting the ‘Deadman’ for selling out The Garden for thirty years as well as everything he’s done to pave the way for the future. But, Sami asserted, it should’ve been him opening the show, as Sami represents the future. And the future is now. (I think Jay-Z said that once.)

Zayn asked ‘Taker to pass the torch to him. Undertaker responded by handing Sami his microphone… and then promptly chokeslamming him.

Another soul taken by The #Undertaker. #Chokeslam #SDLive @SamiZayn pic.twitter.com/xWsgoO38Pw

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

Overall, a pretty boring segment. And the burial of Sami Zayn continues.

The Intercontinental Picture

Miz took on Andrade in what I imagine was a perfectly acceptable bout. Unfortunately, much of it played out during a commercial break. And the part that I did get to see was completely overshadowed by Shinsuke Nakamura on commentary.

crash and 🔥. #SDLive @AndradeCienWWE @mikethemiz pic.twitter.com/Pvlt6oEjAC

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

The Intercontinental Champion’s latest gimmick is that he can no longer speak English, which is fair enough when he has his mouthpiece, Sami Zayn, there to interpret. But having been dispatched by The Undertaker earlier in the night, Sami was nowhere to be seen.

So instead we had Nakamura on commentary, muttering the occasional Japanese phrase, which Corey Graves would then turn into a joke. Very little of it had anything to do with the action in the ring. And then The Miz won and Nakamura beat him up afterwards.

Spoiler for #WWEClash of Champions? #SDLive @ShinsukeN @mikethemiz pic.twitter.com/LD8Yh72WWO

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

At one point, an exasperated Byron Saxton exclaimed: “I’m trying to understand. I don’t know what’s happening.” …Same here, Saxton. Same here.

Gable’s Opponent is Revealed

Shane McMahon went to see Chad Gable in the locker room. Here, Shane informed Gable that his opponent, for a spot in the King of the Ring finals, would be… Shane McMahon.

WHAT A TWIST!@WWEGable will face The Best in the WOOOOOORRRRRLLLLDDDD @ShaneMcMahon in the #KingOfTheRing Tournament Semifinals TONIGHT! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/fvHr92X0Pn

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

I actually swore out loud as he said that.

Mandy Rose is Attractive

Continuing my slow descent into wrestling madness, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville were out next. Mandy mocked Nikki Cross for not being as pretty as she is. Apparently handsome men open doors for Rose, but slam them in Cross’ face.

The deafening silence of the audience perfectly echoed my reaction to this unimaginative, weak character work. At least the men have the decency to mock babyfaces for being short!

Don't make her angry. You wouldn't like her when she's angry. #SDLive @NikkiCrossWWE @WWE_MandyRose pic.twitter.com/doK3x0ONw2

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

Anyway, Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss mercifully intervened. Cross and Rose had a three-minute match, which Cross won with a roll-up. You might say “at least it was short”, but honestly it was still about as much as I could take.

Ember Confronts Bayley

Ember was utterly flabbergasted that Bayley would attack Becky Lynch. This wasn’t the Bayley she knew. Which is apparently a very different Bayley from the one who attacked Ember just last month during their brief feud. Christ Almighty!

Save it for tonight. #SDLive @WWEEmberMoon @itsBayleyWWE pic.twitter.com/MQM8k1LTuf

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

Regardless, Moon contended that Bayley’s recent character shift (such as it was) must be a result of Sasha Banks’ influence. Bayley countered by claiming that she hadn’t changed, and that everything she had done was purposed at elevating the women’s division and the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

Ember disagreed, the two women had a bit of a stare down, and Moon told Bayley to save it for their match later on. This was nonsense.

Heavy Machinery Make Light Work of Jobbers

Heavy Machinery got the ‘Viking Raiders treatment’ this week by facing a pair of jobbers. They beat them in less than a minute and Otis did a sexy dance.

Anyone else getting Chris Farley Chippendales vibes?@otiswwe (and his dance moves) & @tuckerwwe are VICTORIOUS on #SDLive! pic.twitter.com/L0QM38x0wP

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 11, 2019

I’m really not sure what to say about this.

Bayley and Ember Moon vs. the Commercial Break

This once again looked to be a very good match, sadly obscured for the most part by a lengthy commercial break.

I’ve long been an avid fan of Ember Moon and so desperately want to see her with a championship. Or at least treated with some relevancy. Unfortunately this wasn’t that time, as a failed attempt at the Eclipse was turned into a Bayley-to-Belly to finish.

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Charlotte, who had been on commentary throughout (and will be facing Bayley on Sunday), offered a polite golf clap, before getting in the ring with the SmackDown Women’s Champion. They stared at one another for a bit, before Bayley slowly backpedalled up the ramp. Not exactly an electrifying final chapter ahead of their meeting at Clash of Champions.

The Past Repeating Itself

Kofi came out to relive the feud he had with Randy Orton a decade ago, which would end up adversely effecting his career for years. It was nothing we hadn’t seen and/or been hearing about for weeks now.

UP NEXT: #WWEChampion @TrueKofi relives the MSG moment that made his career at @TheGarden! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/hN0ihVENHq

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

Eventually Orton appeared in the crowd to call Kofi “stupid” (again) and ridicule his accomplishments. While Kofi was content to rest on having won one World Title, Randy had won seven over the past decade. And two Royal Rumbles, and a Money in the Bank briefcase.

He then called out Kofi for being a phoney, from his fake Jamaican accent to the artificial “power of positivity” nonsense. (Except he used a much stronger word than “nonsense”.)

Kingston went to meet his challenger in the crowd and after a short scuffle, started pelting Randy with a steel chair before sending him through a table – reminiscent of the scenes from a decade ago.

🤯🤯🤯 History REPEATS itself inside @TheGarden! #SDLive @TrueKofi @RandyOrton pic.twitter.com/rXP84qVGpz

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

 

And that, in essence, was the problem with this segment. Whether its Kofi beating up Randy, or Orton battering Kingston, it feels like we’ve seen all this before countless times. At this point, I just want to see the match between the two, so that we can all move on with our lives.

King of the Ring Semi-Final Blunder

After being built-up the entire night, Gable pinned Shane in less than thirty seconds to advance. It appeared that KO had no conflict whatsoever in counting the three either – if anything, he was a little too eager.

Oh, that's it? OKAY!

After just ONE German Suplex, @WWEGable PINS The #BestInTheWorld @ShaneMcMahon to advance to the #KingOfTheRing Finals! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/20oedXGGgI

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

I was annoyed that Gable then ran around ringside like a leprechaun who had just scored a World Cup winning goal, as opposed to handling himself like a professional wrestler who had just beat an out-of-shape, middle-aged millionaire. But that annoyance quickly turned to frustration when Shane announced that the match would be converted into a 2-out-of-3 falls contest.

He didn’t fire Owens, or bring out another one of his cronies to shift things unfairly in his favour. Nope, he just added another fall. Which Gable apparently found unacceptable based on his impassioned appeal to KO – completely disregarding the fact that he should feel confident beating Shane McMahon in his sleep. IT’S SHANE MCMAHON FOR GOODNESS SAKE!

Except now Kevin Owens apparently encountered his moral conundrum. It must’ve just taken a fall to truly resonate with him, as he now did everything possibly not to count Shane’s shoulders to the mat and fast-counted any pin attempt on Gable. Where was all of this internal conflict during the first fall? And why must he be made to look like such a chump?

‼️‼️‼️ @ShaneMcMahon just FIRED @FightOwensFight! #SDLive pic.twitter.com/KSpLuY1vpr

— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019

Eventually the decision was taken out of Owens’ hands, as Gable locked Shane in the Ankle Lock and he submitted. Perhaps importantly, the bell rang without any signal from Owens, who just stood there looking confused. And Gable resumed running around ringside like a goof.

In the aftermath, Shane attacked – and then fired – Kevin Owens. No-one looked good here. I hated all of this.

No ‘Fiend’

After all the teasing, after all the subtle hints and promise of a major angle, nothing materialised. The ‘Fiend’ was not on the show in any capacity (other than an un-aired dark match) and The Undertaker was ultimately only there to shift tickets.

With so much potential, this has to be considered a major disappointment.

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Overall Rating for the Show (From best to worst: SmackDamn, SmackTastic, Smack Bang in the Middle, SmackDowner and A Smack in the Face)

Dear Lord, this was a putrid episode of SmackDown Live. As in, historically bad. Or at least a low point of the year.

I found myself getting very bored around the midway point of the broadcast, and just started hoping for the end to come. The end of the show that is, not of all human existence. Although, had it gone another hour…

The utter turgid display by SmackDown Live was such a shame as well, considering how much I was looking forward to it in the build-up. Everything seemed to be in place for a great instalment of the blue brand, from The Undertaker’s appearance to ‘The Fiend’s tease on Monday night.

But ultimately, the show was scuppered by unfulfilled potential, with feuds sputtering into Clash of Champions and Shane McMahon once again placing himself front-and-centre.

The only real talking point coming out of the blue brand was Kevin Owens’ firing. But what little investment remained in Owens was largely evaporated by his continued subserviency last night, as well as the overwhelming hunch that he’ll just be back again next week. WWE rarely delivers on these “firing” or “retirement” angles.

So with no ‘Fiend’, no Undertaker storyline, and way too much Shane McMahon, this was a bad effort by the blue brand. Last night’s SmackDown Live was a low SmackDowner.

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• review
• Smackdown
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