The NEW Queen Nia Jax
Didn't Matter ⭐️⭐️
This segment was a poor way to open the show. Nia Jax calls out Bayley to have a showdown, but Piper and Chelsea jump Bayley and proclaim Bayley won't be the one facing Nia Jax at Summerslam. Nobody looked good in this segment. Bayley was a nonfactor because she was jumped before she said a word. Nia Jax didn't get to do anything with Bayley, and Piper jumped Bayley with help from Chelsea so she doesn't look stronger.
Austin Theory vs. Ciampa
Didn't Matter: ⭐️⭐️
Another poorly executed moment on SmackDown. The match itself wasn't important. Ciampa beat Theory because of a distraction and it didn't change anything. The real meat and potatoes of this segment were Grayson Waller saying to the commentary team that Theory is only relevant because of the Grayson Waller rub. This comment distracted Theory and caused a riff. However, there is no foundation for this angle. Why would Grayson fly off at the mouth like that? Theory and Waller are a great team, and the setup for this breakup seems very contrived to me.
Andrade vs. Apollo
Didn't Matter ⭐️⭐️
This match was fine, but didn't move the needle for either guy. Apollo is cold, and he lost, but who cares at this current moment? Andrade won, which is better than losing, but there was nothing to invest in other than the literal wrestling, and as I said, it was just okay.
Paul Heyman Pleads With Kevin Owens
Didn't Matter ⭐️⭐️
Paul begs Kevin to back off the Bloodline because they will do something horrible if he doesn't. Kevin says he doesn't respect the New Bloodline, and he will never back down. Then, in the best moment of the Segment, Paul gives a frustrated monologue about how nobody will listen to him. However, in his frustration, Paul accidentally hits Kevin Owens, but before he can be attacked, the Bloodline shows up. Then, the Street Profits showed up to even the score.
We Didn't gain much from this segment. Paul is doing the same. I'm trying to help you, shtick that he always does. Kevin Owens was never going to back down. The Street Profits coming out was random and hell. But the biggest problem was the Bloodline. They are supposed to be doing what Bron Breakker is doing on Raw. They should be dangerous and uncontrolled. If this new Bloodline doesn't have that dangerous edge, then they have nothing, and they are just a bunch of mid-level guys.
Street Profits vs. The Bloodline w/Solo
Didn't Matter ⭐️⭐️.5
The match was pretty entertaining because the Street Profits are one of the best current tag teams in WWE. However, the Bloodline got a clever win by waiting for Ford to hit the FROM THE HEAVENS SPlASH and then having the brother who had secretly tagged in capitalize. However, the winner or loser of this match didn't move any story along. Also, why have the Street Profits lost so much?
Naomi & Bayley vs. Piper and Chelsea
Didn't Matter ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This match was easily the best of the night. It was hotly contested, and Naomi and Bayley were surprisingly upset. However, there was nothing on the line. I don't think Naomi or Bayley look much worse for losing, and Piper and Chelsea look a little better, but I just wish there was more to sink our teeth in. For example, a stipulation like if Chelsea and Piper lost, then Chelsea couldn't be ringside, but if Naomi and Bayley lost, Naomi couldn't be ringside.
AJ Pulls A Mark Henry
Mattered ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
AJ came out to retire, and like a good sport, Cody came to pay his respects, but it was all a trap. AJ lured Cody out there so that the Club could stop anyone from interfering as AJ unleashed a savage beating on Cody. Cody must feel like such a goof. AJ hit him with a Styles Class off the steel steps and onto the floor. It was a difficult spot to watch. It's clear AJ will do anything to get back on top. He's older and desperate. Will this all pay off, AJ? I'm very interested in finding out after this segment.
Reverse Hipster Final Grade 50/100 F
Most of the show was irrelevant or poorly executed. If you watched the AJ segment then you saw everything you needed to see from this SmackDown. This felt like SmackDown was just trying to put on a passable product to get to whatever they have next, but they failed to do that with this episode. The individual segments and matches aren't gonna make your eyes bleed, but the sum of SmackDown's parts was an F.
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