WWE SmackDown – September 18, 2020 (Review)

Going into the episode of Smackdown, there were a few questions that needed some answers. Why is the Miz deciding where wrestlers can go now? Why is Sasha Banks coming back so early? And what in the world is going on with Alexa Bliss???

The Alexa Bliss thing may be one of the strangest things on SmackDown right now. Starting during the Fiend and Braun Strowman feud, where Bliss was a prop. But you know what they say, no one is the same after encountering the Fiend. And it seems like Little Miss Bliss is no different.

Now let’s get on with the review.

The Best of SmackDown

Lacey Nikki and … the Fiend?

The Lacey Evans and Nikki Cross match was always on the cards for the night, but it was kicked off by Lacey interrupting a Moment of Bliss segment. Evans starts bothering the two, calling Cross too weak and nice to win against Bayley at Clash of Champions. Evans’ torment caused Cross to take Evans’ own hanky, blow her nose into and then throw it back at her.

While it had a bit of a strange start, it then leads into an enjoyable match, made better with Bliss joining Cole and Graves at the commentary desk. Evans dominated much of the match, but Cross picked up the win after Evans squirted hand sanitizer in Cross’ eyes. A bit strange seeing as the ref was watching.

WHAT?!#SmackDown @LaceyEvansWWE @NikkiCrossWWE pic.twitter.com/tx570lcyQA

— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2020

The real highlight of the match though was afterwards where Lacey says something about the Fiend, causing Bliss to go into the trance once again and hit Evans with Sister Abigail. This is a great storyline and its interesting that they didn’t just drop it, seeing that Strowman nor the Fiend wasn’t on this episode at all.

Big E Returns

While Sheamus and Corbin were talking, a security guard came backstage. Turns out that this was the guy that helped Sheamus arrange the ambush that wrote Big E off TV a few weeks back. They chatted for a bit until the security guard remembered that he was supposed to tell Sheamus that his car was getting towed.

The two ran out and guess who was waiting for them, Big E. Big E hit Sheamus but tells him to run off. With a new intensity and attitude, Big E completely brutalized the security guard. He hit a big belly-to-belly suplex on the roof of a car, after throwing him all over the parking lot. It was only when he attempted to lock him in the trunk of the car where we got our first appearance of Adam Pearce. Pearce told Big E that he had to leave the building, and while not happy about it, Big E complied.

"YOU THINK THIS IS A GAME?!?!" #SmackDown @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/hW8ZhCBF9n

— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2020

This was great, while continuing the feud between Big E and Shamus, it also gives Big E this new edge that his character needs now that he’s not completely tied up with the New Day. It was also good continuity that we don’t always see with WWE with the use of the security guard.

The Samoan Street Fight

The match started with Roman Reigns and the advocate Paul Heyman showing up to the ring before the match started. This was good seeing the major complaint with the new heel Roman is, how does he keep showing up to the match after it starts? Reigns explained that it was just a miscommunication but he doesn’t want anyone to say that this week. Interestingly, Heyman says nothing.

The match kicked off – it was quite frantic but not as wild as, say, another street fight this week. Reigns and Jey Uso picked up the win, with Uso hitting Corbin with the Universal Tittle.

Uso’s celebration was like he was the new champion. Reigns celebrated with him, they smiled and embraced. Uso tried to get Reigns to walk up the ramp with him but he stayed in the ring where his facial expressions changed, completely dropping the smile.

With another tag team victory under their belt, will it continue to be all smiles between @WWERomanReigns and Jey @WWEUsos heading into #WWEClash? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/5FKk3eSTAE

— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2020

This match, while not as intense as a street fight can be, was great for building the feud between Roman Reigns and Jey Uso. Reigns’ facial expressions were so on point that the viewers know come Clash of Champions, Reigns is going to obliterate his cousin, who at the moment has absolutely no idea what’s coming his way.

The Worst of SmackDown

Know Your Bro

Following a brief video package about Matt Riddle, we were treated to “Know Your Bro.” The segement was just Riddle explaining why he uses the word bro, because it can convey all emotions.

He then proceeded to say bro in different tones. Showing happiness, fear, sadness, anger etc. It was a three minute segment tops but it served no purpose given that Riddle is in no real storyline at the moment. It just made him look like a dumb surfer boy, taking a way from any character he had left after coming up from NXT. And according to the internet, this is going to be a recurring segment… great.

The universal language of BRO.#SmackDown @SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/podrv0fL5i

— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2020

Otis Gets Served

Backstage, Otis and Tucker were just talking when a lawyer came backstage with a yellow envelope telling Otis that he’s just been served. Otis being Otis thought it was a hot meal or something, but Tucker told him that he was getting sued by The Miz.

He explained that The Miz is giving him one week to decide to either give them the MITB contact, or else Otis is going to court. Otis then tells Tucker, “oh no we’re in trouble,” and Tucker says that only Otis is and walks off.

.@otiswwe has been served with a lawsuit?!?! 👀#SmackDown @tuckerwwe pic.twitter.com/pzTcRadGAk

— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2020

This whole angle makes no sense. Miz’s lawsuit is a bit ridiculous, naming something about his first amendment rights being violated and public humiliation. Tucker abandoning Otis at this moment also makes no sense, considering there were no signs of this coming out of anywhere, and Otis honestly didn’t even seem that upset that it was happening.

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

This episode of SmackDown, while a bit light in wrestling with only having four main matches on the card, was great in terms of progressing storylines for Clash of Champions next Sunday. This episode was an improvement from last weeks episode.

The best thing on this show was definitely the build to the Reigns vs Jey Uso match which has so many layers. Reigns’ heel work has been magnificent since returning and that match might be the thing that people that are looking forward to. However, the Otis and Miz stuff, which started off the show and then brought it up till the main event, does bring the show down a bit.

This show is a Smack Bang in the Middle due to the building of storylines, but honestly, there was just not enough wrestling on the show to warrant an any higher rating.

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