Randy Orton was shown backstage to kick off this week’s episode of SmackDown. Orton stated that he taught Nakamura a lesson last week when he hit him with an RKO. Orton said that nobody will stand in his way from taking the WWE Championship from Jinder Mahal.
"No one will stand in my way of FINALLY taking the #WWETitle from @JinderMahal…NO ONE!" – @RandyOrton #SDLive pic.twitter.com/cxyzDVSlGI
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 6, 2017
Nakamura was then shown backstage. Shinsuke said that he respects the legend of Randy Orton. Nakamura stated that he was chasing his destiny and will defeat him tonight to earn a shot at the WWE Championship.
"The pain that I inflict on #TheViper…will be felt EVERYWHERE!" – @ShinsukeN #SDLive pic.twitter.com/twI07xxtpC
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 6, 2017
Carmella and James Ellsworth were in the ring. Ellsworth started to introduce Carmella but was immediately interrupted by Kevin Owens. Kevin Owens came down to the ring and said that he had some exciting news. Owens announced that he was going to be the special referee for Carmella’s match against Natalya. Owens then demanded that the ref in the ring take off his shirt and give it to him.
SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon then came down to the ring. Shane danced around in the ring and then grabbed a microphone. Shane said that Owens will not be the referee and said that he has to make one thing very clear. Shane then awkwardly paused and finally said that Owens needs to stop blaming him for his losses.
Owens said that Shane McMahon keeps interfering in his matches and stated that Shane never wanted him on SmackDown. Owens said that he never wanted to be on SmackDown and if it were up to him, he would still be on RAW. Shane noted that Triple H gave Owens the Universal Championship and that all talent have to earn their success on SmackDown.
Owens claimed that Shane McMahon was trying to steal all of the spotlight because his father never gave him attention as a child. Owens mentioned Shane’s children and Shane got in Owens’ face. Owens then mocked Shane McMahon’s helicopter crash and insinuated that it was all an effort for Shane to get attention from his father. Owens stated that the McMahon family would have been better off if Shane didn’t survive the helicopter crash.
Shane then lost it and attacked Owens. Shane beatdown Owens ringside and security rushed down and broke it up. SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan helped break it up and shouted “what are you doing?” at Shane as the crowd chanted “yes!”. Shane was then escorted backstage as Daniel Bryan shook his head.
Reaction: While SmackDown has been rather boring lately, this is a storyline that I find interesting. I’m not sure where this is heading, but whenever Shane McMahon is in a match it turns out to be entertaining. I enjoyed this promo and Kevin Owens made things personal.
Kevin Owens was backstage being attended to by WWE officials. SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan showed up and apologized for Shane’s actions. Owens said that Shane was out of line. Owens said that Daniel Bryan better enjoy his job while he has it. Owens vowed to turn SmackDown into the Kevin Owens show and stated that he will sue every member of the McMahon family. Owens said that he is going to take the entire show and WWE down.
Daniel Bryan said that there has got to be a better way to handle this. Owens stated that he was going to press criminal charges on Shane McMahon himself. Daniel Bryan walked away and Corey Graves stated that he understands Owens’ point, but it was his fault because he brought Shane’s family into this. Byron Saxton stated that Kevin Owens should be ashamed of himself.
Carmella vs Natalya
Natalya dragged Carmella to the mat to start off the match. Carmella got back up but Natalya leveled her with a shoulder tackle. Carmella connected with a Dropkick for a two count. Natalya then slapped Carmella in the face and Carmella responded with a slap of her own. Natalya then hit a Clothesline and Carmella rolled out of the ring as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
During the break, Natalya hit a Dropkick and then bounced Carmella’s head off the ring apron. The action returned to the ring and Natalya planted Carmella with a Suplex for a two count. Natalya then applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Carmella broke free and slammed Natalya to the canvas.
Carmella booted Natalya in the face and then moonwalked across the ring. Carmella connected with a Bronco Buster for a one count. SmackDown returned from the break as Carmella had her legs wrapped around Natalya’s midsection in the middle of the ring. Natalya turned herself around and punched Carmella in the face several times.
Natalya then powered to her feet and slammed Carmella to the mat. Natalya went for the Sharpshooter but Carmella blocked it. Carmella then connected with a kick to the face. Ellsworth hopped up on the ring apron and accidentally dropped the briefcase in the ring. Carmella shouted that she didn’t want to cash in right now and Natalya used the distraction to roll-up Carmella for the victory.
After the match, Carmella grabbed the microphone. Carmella said that she knows Ellsworth is sorry. Carmella then called Ellsworth “the sorriest excuse for a human being that she has ever met”. Carmella said that she doesn’t need Ellsworth to succeed and asked why Ellsworth had a job in WWE. Carmella called Ellsworth a charity case and said that his mother should have given him away at birth. Carmella stated that she was through with Ellsworth and the crowd chanted “yes!”. Carmella then exited the ring with her briefcase.
Winner: Natalya
Reaction: This match was pretty boring. I am hoping that Carmella actually separates from Ellsworth and that this is not just some dumb storyline that gets dragged out for weeks. Carmella has proven that she can hold her own on the microphone and in the ring. I don’t really see why Ellsworth has to accompany her to the ring anymore.
Shane McMahon was shown pacing around backstage and was clearly frustrated with himself.
Dolph Ziggler came down to the entrance ramp and stated that he doesn’t appreciate the reaction he is getting from the crowd. Ziggler claimed he was the greatest performer in WWE history and that fans would rather see some dumb gimmick rather than him. The lights then went out and Cena’s music hit. Ziggler then returned with Cena’s hat on.
Ziggler stated that he has another gimmick lined up and then came back down the entrance ramp with a female companion while Macho Man’s music played. Ziggler said that the crowd is responding the nostalgia acts like they used to. Dolph then entered to Naomi’s music and had a glow in the dark wig and robe on. Ziggler danced around the entrance ramp and then quickly removed the glow in the dark attire.
Ziggler said that anyone can do what he just did, but nobody can do what he does in the ring. Ziggler stated that the crowd couldn’t care less and Dolph said that he didn’t give a damn what the crowd thought either. Ziggler said that the crowd makes him sick and walked backstage.
Reaction: I’ve always been a fan of Dolph Ziggler. Unfortunately, I just don’t see this gimmick working out for him. He is insanely talented in the ring, but injuries and horrific booking have made him a difficult Superstar to invest in as a fan.
Aiden English vs Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn interrupted Aiden English’s song before the match. English then was able to quickly roll-up Zayn for the victory. After the match, English tried to finish his song but Sami Zayn interrupted him yet again. Sami then chases English backstage.
Winner: Aiden English
Reaction: I don’t understand why WWE continually makes Sami Zayn look like a joke. I really thought that SmackDown was the perfect show for Sami Zayn. I figured he would be in the mid-card title picture and eventually would break through. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
New Day was shown backstage with SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan. The Usos joined the party and Daniel Bryan said that it was time for The Usos to announce the stipulation for next week’s title match. The Usos announced that it will be a Street Fight next week for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Daniel Bryan then received a phone call and was instructed to head down to the ring right now.
Daniel Bryan came down to the ring and asked Shane to join him. Shane came down to the ring and grabbed a microphone. Bryan brought up The Miz insulting him on Talking Smack and how he was able to restrain himself from attacking him. Bryan said that Shane cannot assault their employees.
Shane agreed and said that he has not have put his hands on Kevin Owens. Shane added that Owens crossed the line when talking about his children. Shane said that he would talk to Kevin Owens and that he will smooth this over. Daniel Bryan stated that it was too late for that as he received a call from Vince McMahon. Bryan announced that Shane was indefinitely suspended and exited the ring. The crowd chanted “thank you Shane” as McMahon left the ring.
WWE Champion Jinder Mahal was interviewed backstage. Mahal said that it doesn’t matter if he has to face Shinsuke Nakamura or Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell. Mahal boasted that he has been WWE Champion for over 100 days and said that he will be watching tonight’s main-event very closely. Mahal then spoke in Punjabi and walked away.
"I represent Asia much better than @ShinsukeN EVER could!" – @WWE Champion @JinderMahal #SDLive @SinghBrosWWE pic.twitter.com/vYfvqHhuUc
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 6, 2017
Baron Corbin vs Tye Dillinger
AJ Styles joined commentary for this match. Corbin got distracted right away with Styles at ringside and Dillinger capitalized by connecting with a Suicide Dive. Back in the ring, Corbin planted Dillinger with a Chokeslam Backbreaker and then followed it up with a massive Clothesline. The match went back and forth for a couple of minutes. Corbin then hit a cheap shot to Dillinger’s throat and connected with the End of Days for the pinfall victory. Corbin stared at Styles before heading backstage.
Winner: Baron Corbin
Tye Dillinger was shown backstage selling the cheap shot to his throat. Styles approached him and offered him a shot at the United States Championship next week. Dillinger accepted and said that would be phenomenal.
Ellsworth apologized to Carmella once again backstage. Ellsworth begged for another chance and said that he would to anything for Carmella to forgive him. Carmella then gave Ellsworth a smooch and then slapped him in the face. Carmella walked away and while Ellsworth had a confused look on his face.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Randy Orton
Orton went for an RKO quickly but Nakamura was able to avoid it. The action then spilled outside of the ring and Orton connected with a Suplex to Shinsuke on top of the announce table. Orton brought Nakamura back into the ring and attempted a cover but Shinsuke kicked out at two. Nakamura battled back and hit a Superplex off the top rope.
Nakamura connected with a series of knees to Orton’s midsection. Shinsuke went for a running knee but Orton countered it into a Powerslam. Randy then hung Shinsuke up between the ropes and planted him with a DDT. Orton attempted the RKO again but Nakamura reversed it into an Arm Bar. Orton got out of the hold for a moment but Shinsuke was able to lock in a Triangle choke.
Orton powered to his feet and Powerbombed Nakamura to break the hold. Orton once again went for the RKO, but Nakamura reversed it into a Backbreaker. Nakamura then connected with the Kinshasa for the pinfall victory.
Nakamura will now face Jinder Mahal again for the WWE Championship at Hell in a Cell. Jinder Mahal and the Singh Brothers were shown watching as Shinsuke celebrated his victory.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Daniel Bryan approached Kevin Owens backstage. Bryan said that Shane has been suspended and that the situation was over. Owens stated that he was just getting started and that he will make SmackDown his personal playground next week. Owens mocked Daniel Bryan and said that there was nothing that he could do about it. Bryan then said that Vince McMahon will be on SmackDown next week to address this situation. Bryan then walked away as Owens looked concerned.
Reaction: Orton and Mahal had a decent match in the main-event. It is hard to get pumped up for another match between Jinder Mahal and Shinsuke Nakamura after seeing their lackluster match at SummerSlam. The only storyline on SmackDown that I am invested in right now is Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens. The rest of the show is boring in my opinion. I’ve enjoyed watching RAW substantially more than SmackDown as of late.
What did you think of this week’s episode of SmackDown? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
