The SmackDown Files: And The Idiot Of The Week Goes To...AJ Styles (2-6-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 2-6-2018

Location: Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri

Graphics Be Gone: A little complaining takes the WordArt away. For the most part...

·        SmackDown Live kicked off with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan having a tense conversation regarding their business relationship as of late. McMahon questioned Bryan for giving Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn undeserved opportunities at the WWE Championship in recent weeks. Shane-O-Mac got emotional as he accused Bryan of living vicariously through Owens and Zayn because he can no longer compete in the ring. Before Bryan could respond, AJ Styles made his way to ring.

·        Styles called out both men for their piss poor managerial skills as of late. Styles had no problem taking on all comers, but he was tired of his bosses having a proverbial pissing contest to see who had the real power on SD Live. He told Bryan and McMahon to stay backstage during the Owens-Zayn match because he controlled his own destiny heading into Fastlane and WrestleMania as the opening segment came to an end.

·        This was a fine way to start the show. Power Struggle 2018 is back in full swing as Bryan and McMahon continue to butt heads over Owens and Zayn. McMahon’s words cut deep which could lead to a possible match between him and Bryan at WrestleMania. This is pure speculation at the moment, but WWE has been dropping breadcrumbs over the past few months. If Bryan is medically cleared, all bets are off. If not, the company is playing a deadly game of Russian Roulette that could bite them in the ass if they’re not careful.

·        Charlotte defeated Liv Morgan with the Figure Eight in a decent match. The Riott Squad tried to interfere down the stretch, but the referee caught them red-handed. The ref ejected Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan from ringside which set up the finish moments later. One down. Two to go.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers destroyed another random tag team when Rowan pinned Random Wrestler #1 with a double chokeslam. It was short, sweet, and effective.

·        The Usos cut another awesome promo about how they reinvented themselves last year. 2018 would be no different as Jimmy and Jey intend to keep the tag team division on lockdown. Most importantly, there was no jail ceil graphic on the television screen during their promo. Perhaps the WWE Graphics Team learned their lesson from last week.

·        The first ever SD Live 10 Ten List has been revealed:

10) Tye Dillinger

9) Randy Orton

8) Becky Lynch

7) The Usos

6) The New Day

5) Bobby Roode

4) Naomi

3) Shinsuke Nakamura

2) Charlotte Flair

1) AJ Styles.

·        Rusev failing to make the cut saddens me. The shade of it all…

·        Bobby Roode retained the United States Championship when he defeated Rusev with the Glorious DDT in a good match. The bout was perfectly early on, but it didn’t suck me in emotionally until Rusev nailed Roode with the Machka Kick for a near fall. From there, the action was on point as the crowd cheered for both men.

·        Rusev tried to put Roode in the Accolade, but Roode countered with his finisher for the win. The Glorious One didn’t get a chance to celebrate because Randy Orton nailed him with an RKO out of nowhere.

·        Aiden English and Rusev suffered the same fate as the Kansas City crowd popped something fierce. Orton might not be in a front-burner storyline right now, but he is maximizing his minutes by doing very little while getting paid at the same time. The Viper is living the dream.

·        Those damn graphics…Ugh…

·        Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable defeated The Ascension when Benjamin pinned Viktor with the Powerbomb/Diving Clothesline combination in a decent match. Viktor looked impressive as his offense was smooth and crisp throughout. It’s a shame that he doesn’t get a chance to showcase his talent on a regular basis because he’s really good in the ring.

·        Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens ended in a double disqualification after AJ Styles attacked both men at ringside. Before the screwy finish, Owens and Zayn had a very good match that was on the verge of becoming the best television match of 2018 thus far. Both men know each other very well as they delivered the goods with great wrestling and dramatic near falls.

·        Zayn had Owens on the ropes when he confronted Styles at the announce table. Styles told Zayn to take care of Owens, but Zayn continued to run his mouth. Styles turned away from Zayn, but he swung Styles around which led to the Double DQ finish.

·        Styles laid out both men and wanted a winner despite how the match ended. Daniel Bryan appeared on the main stage and announced that Owens and Zayn will face Styles in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship at Fastlane next month. SD Live went off the air with The Phenomenal One fuming in the ring while the announcers bickered about Bryan having an ulterior motive.

·        This was a strong way to end the show. Styles being on guest commentary during the main event was a clear sign that Owens vs. Zayn was going to have a controversial finish. Styles took the bait and KO and Zayn laid the trap like a couple of weasels. Styles’ words came back to haunt him as he claimed he had everything under control during the opening segment. He was in charge of his own destiny and didn’t need Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon meddling in his business. Bryan did just that which will cause further tension between him and McMahon next week.

·        Styles he has to walk through the fire in order to face Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Title at WrestleMania. The Triple Threat Match should be a Match of the Year contender if it’s not overbooked to death. I have feeling that Shane-O-Mac and Bryan will get involved, but that’s par for the course as of late. Here’s hoping this is leading up to something big at Mania because WWE continues to throw out red meat when it comes to Bryan’s in-ring status. Is this another mind fuck or something more? We shall find out soon enough.

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was solid. The main event saved the show from drowning in a sea of mediocrity. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have wrestled against each other hundreds of times, but they always bring something different to the table. It’s a rivalry that will never get old despite both men burying the hatchet for the time being. Despite getting another shot at the WWE Championship, I don’t think KO and Zayn will cede the spotlight heading into WrestleMania unless one forces the other to do so. We shall see how it all plays out over the next few weeks.

·        The rest of the show was fine, but it didn’t feel must-see until the main event segment. The in-ring action has been subpar as of late which shouldn’t be the case. There are a couple of feuds bubbling beneath the surface, but the blue brand lacks a spark right now. There is no Miz or John Cena to carry the broadcast from a promo standpoint this year. With one more major PPV before Mania, the creative team needs to lay the foundation for something huge that will propel SD Live to the Promised Land. Here’s hoping they get the job done. Fingers crossed!

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!

The SmackDown Files: From Kinshasa to Washington D.C. - All Aboard The RKO Express (1-23-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 1/23/2018

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.

Prelude to the Royal Rumble: It’s a bird…It’s a plane…It’s an RKO out of nowhere!

·        SD Live kicked off with a needlessly long opening segment featuring Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and AJ Styles arguing about who has the advantage heading into the 2-on-1 Handicap Match for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble on Sunday.

·        Styles showed confidence heading into the title bout, but Owens and Zayn wanted to soften him up by using Styles’ words against him. They tossed to a video clip of Styles stating that he was willing to fight both men on the same night during an in-ring interview with Renee Young two weeks ago.

·        KO and Zayn wanted Styles to be a man of his word. Before he could respond, Daniel Bryan appeared on the main stage. Bryan was about to wax poetically on Styles’ behalf, but Styles cut him off mid-sentence. Styles didn’t trust Bryan’s motives and decided to accept Owens and Zayn’s challenge to fight them in back-to-back matches as the opening segment came to an end.

·        Zayn’s over-the-top character saved this segment from being a total bore and that’s all I have to say about that.

·        Chad Gable defeated Jey Uso with a German Suplex in a solid match. Gable’s amateur wrestling came into play early on until Jey turned up the volume after the commercial break when he laid out Gable with a dive.

·        Jey went for the Splash, but Gable moved out of the way. Jey countered with a Samoan Drop only for Gable to catch him with a sick rolling kick followed by the German Suplex for the win. This was a nice way for Gable and Shelton Benjamin to build momentum heading into their 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at the Rumble on Sunday.

·        Naomi defeated Liv Morgan with a Sunset Flip in a decent match. It was rough in spots, but I got a kick out of Morgan dodging Naomi’s enzuigiri like a human windmill before getting kneed in the face.

·        After the match was over, Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan attacked Naomi from behind. Becky Lynch made the save as Natalya, Carmella, and Lana joined the fray as the ladies offered a preview of the women’s Royal Rumble match. Natalya was the last woman standing until Naomi and Lynch made her leave the ring.

·        In a surprising turn of events, Lynch tried to throw Naomi over the top rope, but her plan backfired as Naomi caught herself on the ring apron. Both ladies exchanged a glance as Charlotte appeared on the main stage.

·        The Queen admired Lynch’s moxie and warned the ladies that friendships and alliances are thrown out the window when it comes to getting an automatic title shot at WrestleMania. Charlotte wished them good luck as the segment came to an end.

·        Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin ended abruptly when Randy Orton nailed Nakamura with an RKO out of nowhere in an incredible spot. Nakamura was about to hit Corbin with the Kinshasa when Orton hit him with his finisher in mid-stride. The crowd went insane as Orton sailed into the air like a gazelle.

·        Corbin suffered the same fate as Orton put the SD Live roster on notice that he was going to win the Rumble in back-to-back years.

·        Before the batshit crazy finish, Nakamura and Corbin were having a good match. It started off slow, but the action picked up after the commercial break. This was one of their better matches as the near falls were on point down the stretch. The non-finish helps both men save face heading into the Rumble despite getting owned by Orton. Will The Viper become a three-time Rumble winner? The Magic 8-Ball says: “Very Doubtful”.

·        The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) & Bobby Roode defeated Jinder Mahal, Aiden English, & Rusev when Woods pinned English with an Elbow Drop. The match was short, but fun while it lasted.

·        AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens when he made Owens tap out to the Calf Crusher in a quick match. Owens has been working a reduced schedule in order to nurse some nagging injuries over the past couple of weeks. This was WWE’s way of giving KO an out heading into Sunday’s PPV which should give him enough time to heal up.

·        Sami Zayn defeated AJ Styles with the Helluva Kick-Blue Thunder Bomb combo in a good main event match. It was fairly one-sided as Zayn dominated the action until Styles made a babyface comeback towards the end.

·        Owens was being treated by medical personnel at ringside while the match was going on. Styles took a cheap shot at Owens that cost him early on when Zayn laid him out with a clothesline.

·        Towards the end of the match, Styles decided to leave the ring on his own power and flip Owens off the stretcher which set up the finish moments later. Styles’ overzealousness got the best of him which puts the Phenomenal One at a serious disadvantage on Sunday.

·        SD Live went off the air with Owens and Zayn standing over Styles as the prospect of them becoming co-WWE Champion is damn near plausible. I doubt it’s going to happen, but all three men will deliver the goods on Sunday if they are given enough time to shine.

·        As for Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon, their power struggle was on full display as McMahon questioned Bryan’s ability to do his job as General Manager. Expect both authority figures to play a role in the 2-on-3 Handicap Match on Sunday. Who’s turning on who? We shall find out soon enough.

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. This show was miles better than the dreck that aired last week. The in-ring action was solid as WWE hammered home the key matches taking place at the Royal Rumble on Sunday.

·        The hype for this year’s Rumble has been disappointing. The company has been shilling the card for weeks, but there are no clear front-runners on the men and women’s side at the moment. Maybe the creative team is banking on a few surprise entrants from both matches to justify the so-so buildup thus far. In any event, it should be a good show if it’s timed properly. The Royal Rumble sells itself, but it would’ve been nice if the E put in more effort from a promotional standpoint.

·        Selfie videos can only do so much when it comes to securing one of two spots at WrestleMania. Everyone else is fighting for scraps on the table which should make the scrum towards Fastlane exciting to watch come March. Here’s hoping SD Live delivers compelling television in the weeks to come because the show has been duller than dishwater as of late.

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!

The SmackDown Files: Just Say The Word - Daniel Bryan's One-Step Guide Towards Match Booking (1-9-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Location: Legacy Arena at The BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama

Date: 1-9-2018

Rallying Cry: Roll Tide!

Somber Cry: Poor Dawgs...

·        SD Live kicked off with Renee Young conducting a sit-down interview with AJ Styles. Young asked Styles if he thought his 2-on-1 handicap match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble was unfair. Styles sidestepped the question because he didn’t want to throw Daniel Bryan under the bus. Renee pressed the issue again which caused Styles to admit that he felt that the decision was unfair because Bryan took his sarcasm as gospel.

·        However, Styles vowed to beat Owens and Zayn at the Rumble to prove that SD Live was still his house.

·        Owens and Zayn came out and accused Styles of backtracking because his mouth got him in trouble last week. The dynamic duo planned to do something that hasn’t been done since the days of Laycool: Become co-Champions! Ah, the good old days… *sniff*

·        Shane McMahon appeared on the main stage and announced that KO and Zayn will face Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles in a 3-on-2 handicap which will take place later tonight. Despite McMahon not agreeing with Bryan’s decision from last week, he still supports him. For now…

·        This was an okay way to start the show. AJ Styles’ promo was fine, but Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were the real MVPs of the segment as Zayn continues to crack me up with his over the top celebrations. His leaping ability is something to behold. Trampoline be damned!

·        Becky Lynch defeated Ruby Riott with the Dis-Arm-Her in a decent match. Nothing more, nothing less.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers made quick work of The Ascension when Harper pinned Viktor with a Powerbomb. Harper and Rowan weren’t finished as they dropped Konner with a double Chokeslam for good measure. Total Domination from the two men with no first name. What can I say? It’s a WWE thing.

·        Mojo Rawley advanced to the semifinals of the United States Championship Tournament when Rawley nailed Zack Ryder with a charging forearm for the win. The match was solid as both men showed nice aggression throughout. Rawley still comes off a bit too hyped for my taste, but I am digging his heel character so far. He’s one of the best talkers on SD Live when he’s allowed to speak in his own voice instead of reading from a script. Here’s hoping Mojo is given more mic time in 2018 because he has potential to get over as a big star if the creative team doesn’t drop the ball on his push.

·        Daniel Bryan continues to get booking inspiration from wrestlers when Chad Gable put his foot in his mouth by claiming that Bryan wanted him and Shelton Benjamin to defeat The Usos twice in the same night. Bryan agreed and booked Gable and Benjamin vs. The Usos in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at the Royal Rumble.

·        The segment ran a bit long, but Gable saved the day with his quirky sense of humor while Benjamin played the straight man who set up the punchlines like a boss.

·        In an odd booking decision, Breezango defeated Aiden English and Rusev when Fandango pinned Rusev with a roll-up. The match was fine, but I question the decision because Rusev and English are more over than The Fashion Police. WWE continues to miss the boat on Rusev Day. Sigh…

·        AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a No Disqualification/No Count Out 2-on-3 Handicap Match when Orton nailed Zayn with an RKO for the win. Owens and Zayn intentionally got counted out which ended the first match prematurely. Shane McMahon came out and restarted the match with no count outs.

·        Match #2 got underway with the babyfaces firmly in control. Orton was about to nail Zayn with an RKO when Owens attacked him with a steel chair which drew the automatic DQ. Owens went after Styles and Nakamura before he and Zayn scurried up the ramp like a couple of rats.

·        McMahon appeared once again to make Match #3 No DQ which resulted in Styles chasing KO backstage while Orton and Nakamura cornered Zayn at ringside.

·        Orton hit Zayn in the face with the steel steps before dropping him with a Belly-to-Back Suplex on the announcer table.

·        The Viper tossed Zayn back in the ring as he got nailed with the Kinshasa from Nakamura followed by Orton’s finisher for the win.

·        SD Live went off the air with Nakamura and Orton celebrating in the ring while the announcers questioned whether or not Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were on the same page based on their actions tonight.

·        This was a good way to end the show. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were outsmarted this week, but did McMahon abuse his power by making the duo pay for their sins 2X?

·        Daniel Bryan can point to Shane-O-Mac letting his personal feelings get in the way of what’s best for business. However, Bryan has shown power-hungry tendencies over the past couple of weeks which puts his impartiality into question as well.

·        Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are playing the roles of Good Conscience/Bad Conscience as they try to defend Bryan and McMahon’s actions as of late. One of them is right while the other is blowing things out of proportion. WWE is doing this intentionally as they try to throw fans off the scent when it comes to who’s playing who.

·        It’s a great storyline that keeps people guessing every week. The big reveal will probably take place at the Rumble or Fastlane PPV in March. For the company’s sake, here’s hoping McMahon is the one turning heel because Bryan is not getting booed unless he beats up Captain Planet in a street fight. Just saying…

·        Overall, I thought this tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. The in-ring action left a lot to be desired until the main event ended things on a high note.

·        With two more live shows until the Royal Rumble, SD Live needs to turn up the volume heading into the first major PPV of the year. The main event and tag team scene is on fire while the women’s division and mid-card scene are treading water at the moment.

·        The women need to branch off into individual feuds after the Rumble while more depth is needed when it comes to viable challengers for the United States Championship. These issues will continue to bog down the show unless the creative team remedies the situation. *Cough* Push Rusev! *Cough*

·        The Rumble is shaping up nicely, but I need WWE to make me care during the home stretch in order to push things over the top. They’ve got two weeks to get the job done. Let’s hope the E takes care of business because I have a feeling that NXT Takeover: Philadelphia might win the weekend if they’re not too careful. It’s happened nine times over the past two years. Can Triple H make it 10-for-10? We shall find out soon enough.

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls! 

The SmackDown Files: Like Sands Through The Hourglass, So Are The Days of Our Rusev (12-12-2017)

By: Keila Cash

Hello everyone and welcome to another installment of The SmackDown Files. Tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live emanated from the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s the go-home show for Clash of Champions which takes place this Sunday from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Every championship will be defended along with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s careers being on the line as they face Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton in a tag team match with Shane McMahon serving as the special guest referee.

Daniel Bryan wasn’t thrilled with McMahon inserting himself in the match which might cause Bryan to make some power moves of his own in order to seize control from his boss. Is Bryan on the verge of joining the dark side of the force or will he find his moral compass in the nick of time? The answer to that question can be found throughout this blog. Without further ado, let’s dissect tonight’s show in no particular order.  

·        Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn wearing “Yep! Yep! Yep!” t-shirts in the style and vein of Daniel Bryan’s vintage “Yes! Yes! Yes!” shirt is awesome.

·        The Singh Brothers offered their professional services to AJ Styles after Jinder Mahal beat them up two weeks ago when they failed to beat Styles in a 2-on-1 handicap match.

·        The Singh Brothers talked about how Mahal mistreated them when it came to subpar flight/hotel accommodations, confusing them for being identical twins by forcing them to wear the same clothes and kissing his smelly feet.

·        Styles did a great job egging them on as he revealed a photo of Singh One and Singh Two still pledging their allegiance to Mahal during a live event in India this past week. He saw through their ruse and proceeded to kick their ass as Mahal looked on from ringside. Styles invited Mahal to get in the ring, but the modern-day Maharajah backed down to check on his minions as the opening segment came to an end with the Phenomenal One standing tall.

·        This was a fun way to start the show. The Singh Brothers were entertaining on the mic while Styles did a great job no-selling their sob story. The creative team taking the comedic route five days before Styles’ WWE Championship title defense against Mahal was an interesting choice, but it was harmless for the most part. Here’s hoping their feud culminates with a Styles win on Sunday because the Mahal Experiment was more miss than hit despite him getting more comfortable as a main eventer in recent months.

·        Charlotte vs. Ruby Riott ended via disqualification after Natalya clotheslined Charlotte at ringside. The Riot Squad continued their attack on Charlotte and was about to slam her face first underneath the steel steps when Naomi made the save. Naomi delivered an insane double dropkick to Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan before going after Riott with a series of sick forearms before laying her out with The Rearview.

·        The Riot Squad tried to escape, but they were greeted with a sneak attack from Carmella, Tamina, and Lana which tips the scales heading into the SmackDown Women’s Championship Lumberjack Match between Charlotte and Natalya at Clash of Champions.

·        Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler ended via disqualification when Bobby Roode dropped Ziggler with a Glorious DDT. Corbin suffered the same fate as this was a nice callback to Ziggler doing the same thing to Roode and Corbin last week. This was an okay way to the hype their Triple Threat Match for the United States Championship at Clash of Champions.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers destroyed the team of Colin Delaney and Joe Monroe when Harper pinned Delaney with the Double Chokeslam. The highlight of the match was Monroe’s outstanding facial expressions and high pitched scream when Harper dropped him with a Powerbomb. I think WWE has found the next James Ellsworth. They need to sign that man to a contract. Stat!

·        Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s Yep Movement paid dividends when Daniel Bryan announced that he would be the second special guest referee in Owen and Zayn’s match against Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton. With Shane McMahon vowing to fire KO and Zayn if they lose, will Bryan tip the scales of power by willing his former buddies to victory? We shall find out soon enough.

·        Aiden English and Rusev defeated The Usos when English pinned Jey Uso with a DDT in a solid match. English and Rusev are riding a wave of momentum heading into Clash of Champions as they face The New Day, Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin, and The Usos in a Fatal 4-Way Match for SmackDown Tag Team Titles. This could be a show stealer if everything goes according to plan.

·        Jinder Mahal attacked AJ Styles backstage and warned Styles that he wouldn’t overcome the odds on Sunday. Based on Styles staring at the lights five days before a PPV, booking suggests that he retain the WWE Championship on Sunday. I think…

·        Kevin Owens defeated Shinsuke Nakamura with a Popup Powerbomb in a very good main event match. However, the night ended on a controversial note when Daniel Bryan inserted himself in the match to count the pinfall. Owens inadvertently knocked out the first ref which caused Bryan to intervene down the stretch. Nakamura had Owens pinned for the win, but Bryan took a pregnant pause before getting in the ring to make the count.

·        Randy Orton and Sami Zayn brawled inside the ring as Bryan gave them leeway to fight it out. Zayn poked Orton in the eyes at ringside and tried to distract Nakamura when he had Owens in position for the Kinshasa. Nakamura pushed Zayn off the ring apron, but the diversion gave Owens enough time to hit his finisher for the 1-2-3.

·        SD Live went off the air with Owens and Zayn celebrating on the main stage while Byron Saxton proclaimed that the fix was in heading into the PPV on Sunday with Bryan in KO and Zayn’s back pocket.

·        Saxton was pushing the narrative that Bryan was stepping on Shane McMahon’s toes by naming himself with second special guest referee without talking to his superior first. Bryan downplayed the issue by noting that WWE is in the business of doing the unexpected and vowed to work with McMahon during the week to determine how they’re going to officiate the tag team match on Sunday.

·        Saxton was relentless towards Bryan on commentary which means only one thing…Swerve Alert! When WWE tries to hammer an angle to the point that the outcome is damn near academic, expect the opposite to happen. Bryan has been hinting at joining the dark side of the force in recent weeks. With Saxton accusing Bryan of being corrupt based on his actions during the main event, one can assume that Bryan is poised to turn heel at Clash of Champions.

·        However, WWE history suggests that it’s usually the other around when it comes to heel turns. Shane McMahon has been power hungry as of late. His thirst for revenge might ring true, but he’s a McMahon which makes inherently evil by default. Is there a greater scheme at play? Will Saxton’s conspiracy theory about Bryan come to fruition? The answers to these questions can be found on the WWE Network this Sunday. It should be an interesting night, to say the least. Get your popcorn ready!

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode was middling at best. The go-home show for Clash of Champions featured good hype for the key matches, but it didn’t make me more excited for the PPV on Sunday. The in-ring quality was so-so with two matches ending via disqualification in consecutive segments. It made sense from a storyline standpoint, but it lacked creativity in the grand scheme of things.

·        The main event salvaged saved the show which makes me excited for the tag team match featuring Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan serving as special guest referees. I highly doubt that Owens and Zayn are going to be fired from WWE which means one of the special refs is going rogue. Based on what happened tonight, my money’s on Shane-O-Mac to do the honors. We shall see how it all plays out, but expect a jaw-dropping conclusion that will leave the wrestling world buzzing.

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls! 

The SmackDown Files: The Twelve Days Of Rusev Edition (12-5-2017)

By: Keila Cash 

Hello everyone and welcome to another installment of The SmackDown Files. Tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live emanated from the Valley View Casino in San Diego, California. With twelve days to go until Clash of Champions, WWE announced three title matches via their app late Friday night.

Nothing jumped off the page as must-see, but the company got the word out in order to generate buzz for the final PPV of 2017. Did they deliver similar results on the west coast or lay an egg instead? The answer to that question can be found throughout this blog. Without further ado, let’s dissect tonight’s show in no particular order.

·        Sami Zayn offered a tutorial on what it meant to be at ringside by gloating that he didn’t break the rules when he attacked Randy Orton on the entrance ramp during Orton’s No Disqualification match against Kevin Owens last week. Owens and Zayn were proud that they played within the rules while putting the screws to McMahon at the same time.

·        As Zayn was schooling the audience on how to cheat their way through life, Orton nailed Owens with an RKO out of nowhere which popped the crowd something fierce.

·        Shane-O-Mac appeared on the main stage and announced that Zayn and KO will get their chance to bask in the spotlight when they face Randy Orton and a partner of his choosing in a tag team match at Clash of Champions next Sunday. However, Orton will get his hands on Zayn later tonight while Owens is handcuffed to the ring rope since they understand ringside protocol as the opening segment came to an end.

·        This was a good way to start the show. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn did a great job airing their grievances about being held down by The McMahon. They always find a way to entertain while being completely condescending at the same time.

·        Orton flying in the ring like a gazelle to nail Owens with an RKO was the highlight of the segment. It’s one of the few finishers in WWE that still means something which is rare to see these days. KO sold the move like a champ which pushed things over the top. All in all, this was a nice way to set up the main event for later tonight.

·        Aiden English and Rusev defeated The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) when Rusev pinned Kingston with the Machka Kick in a solid match. The win gives English and Rusev much-needed momentum as a unit while New Day has to get their head back in the game heading into next week’s go-home show because they have a chance to regain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship in a Triple Threat Match against The Usos and Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable at Clash of Champions.

·        And just like that, Triple Threat Tag Team Title match is now a Fatal Four Way with English and Rusev added to the mix. This could be a show stealer if everything goes according to plan from a booking and timing standpoint.

·        Daniel Bryan announced that Charlotte will defend the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Natalya in a Lumberjack Match at Clash of Champions with The Riott Squad, Tamina, Lana, and Carmella overseeing the action from ringside.

·        I want to like The Riott Squad, but they are given the worst material to recite every week. It absolutely sucks. They haven’t gelled as a unit which makes them a third-rate version of Absolution who is kicking ass on Raw every week. Here’s hoping they find the magic formula because their act leaves a lot to be desired at the moment.

·        The Bludgeon Brothers destroyed a random tag team with the Double Crucifix Powerbomb in about 90 seconds. It was simple, yet effective.

·        Baron Corbin vs. Bobby Roode ended via Disqualification when Dolph Ziggler dropped Roode with the Zig Zag. Corbin suffered the same fate as Ziggler reminded both men why he belonged in the Triple Threat Match for the United States Championship at Clash of Champions next Sunday.

·        Ziggler is the dreaded third wheel in this scenario, but his presence should elevate the match from a wrestling standpoint because Roode vs. Corbin doesn’t scream must-see television. Just saying…

·        Charlotte made Tamina tap out to the Figure Eight in a serviceable match. After the match was over, Natalya wanted to give Charlotte a preview of their Lumberjack Match for the Women’s Title as Carmella, Lana, and Tamina circled the ring.

·        The Riott Squad joined the party because they wanted to be a part of the feature presentation. The trio got more than they bargained for when Tamina took down Sarah Logan which sent both factions into retreat.

·        Charlotte avoided the 7-on-1 beat down by getting the hell out of dodge.

·        The dialogue from The Riott Squad was cringe-worthy. Their script needs to be burned in a dumpster fire. Stat!

·        Randy Orton defeated Sami Zayn with a roll-up in a very good main event match. Once again, Kevin Owens found a way to bend the rules when he used a bolt cutter to free himself from being handcuffed to the ring rope. Owens tried to interfere, but Orton staved him off in order to pick up the win.

·        After the match was over, Owens and Zayn double teamed Orton until Shinsuke Nakamura made the save. Nakamura nailed Owens with the Kinshasa while Orton nailed Zayn with an RKO for good measure. Since there were four minutes left in the show, the ass-kicking continued with Nakamura throwing Owens into an RKO while Orton held Zayn to eat the Kinshasa as the in-ring portion of SD Live came to an end with the babyfaces standing tall in the ring.

·       Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were watching the aftermath on the flat screen TV as McMahon took joy in how the show ended. Bryan asked Shane-O-Mac if he was done punishing Zayn and Owens.

·        Shane was just getting started because he named himself the special guest referee during Owens and Zayn’s tag team match against Nakamura and Orton at Clash of Champions. If Owens and Zayn lose, they would be fired from WWE. Bryan had a troubled look on his face as the show went off the air which might be a sign of things to come over the next couple of weeks. 

·        McMahon is abusing his power which might cause Bryan to take action at the PPV next Sunday. Tensions have been simmering for a while which gives credence to a Bryan heel turn. With his contract expiring in September 2018, WWE might want their most popular non-wrestler booed on his way out the door.

·        Considering how over Bryan is as a babyface, that would be a dumb idea because smart fans can see through the bullshit. Who would jeer the faction of Owens, Zayn, and Bryan? It makes no sense. Shane might be over with the masses, but his obligatory babyface pop can only go so far when the heels constantly speak the truth on a regular basis.

·        Bryan embracing the dark side of the force will shake up the power dynamic on SD Live, but at what cost? Can he generate heel heat among casual fans? He’s done it before, but he’s too damn likable to get booed out of the building unless he does something reprehensible. We shall see how it all plays out, but it’s safe to say that Heel Watch 2017 is underway.

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. The in-ring action was so-so, but the main event ended the night on a high note.

·        WWE did a nice job fleshing out the Clash of Champions card, but it’s filled with multi-person matches with the exception of the WWE Championship bout featuring AJ Styles vs. Jinder Mahal.

·        The PPV looks meh on paper, but I expect this to be a newsworthy show based on the implications of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura with Shane McMahon as the special referee. I doubt Owens and Zayn will be fired, but how will the endgame play out? Will Daniel Bryan save his former Ring of Honor brothers or is there something else going on beneath the surface? We shall find out soon enough.

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girl