Charlotte Flair returns!
Kevin Owens addresses the Vince McMahon headbutt!
And Jinder Mahal’s new gimmick is being racist!
I’m Oli Davis and this is the 19th September 2017 edition of Smackdown Live...in about
4 minutes.
Shane McMahon Promo Shane McMahon opened Smackdown with his best
Pulp Fiction promo - promising to strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious
anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my father, condemning Kevin Owens
to Hell in a Cell.
But Samuel L. Jackson Shane is quite obviously not.
The words presumably looked good on paper, but they didn’t fit McMahon’s character,
and Shane’s delivery came off as overly scripted rather than the realism last week’s
angle deserved.
Randy Orton beat Aiden English Finally avenging English’s DQ win against
him several months ago, Randy Orton beat the Shakespeare of Song with an RKO from - guess
where?
Go on, I’ll give you a mi-Outta nowhere!
Rusev beat Randy Orton Rusev took inspiration from Orton, having
his Summerslam rematch also from - second time’s the ch-OUTTA NOWHERE - quickly beating
a surprised Randy.
Rusev was so good throughout this segment, he got the crowd to chant Rusev No. 1.
Hopefully this push actually amounts to something.
Jinder Mahal Gets Racist Because last week’s Jinder Mahal promo went
down so well (I’m being sarcastic, it really didn’t), Smackdown doubled down on the Maharaja’s
racist undertones against Shinsuke Nakamura - mocking the Japanese accent by saying “You
always ‘rook’ the same”, and comparing him to Japanese stereotype Mr Miyagi which
prompted the crowd to chant “That’s too far.”
It’s a classic hypocrite heel move - accusing the audience of something, and then indulging
in the exact thing you’re accusing them of.
But racial stereotyping or racism-based storylines are very sensitive issues, making them very
complicated ideas to get across.
And, whether it be Jinder’s performance, the scripting or the audience’s mood - the
concept isn’t working.
Which is something WWE appear to be aware of, with this promo being the only segment
from the show not uploaded to their YouTube channel.
Jennifer Lopez Video Package Rather tactfully, Smackdown ran a promo for
Hispanic Heritage Month immediately afterwards.
I wasn’t really paying attention, but from what I can tell, Jennifer Lopez is wrestling
Luke Harper at Hell in a Cell.
AJ Styles vs Baron Corbin The United States Championship must be the
most consistently faked-out title in WWE this year.
After numerous referee mistakes between Kevin Owens and AJ Styles, this match never even
got started with Baron Corbin - with the Lone Wolf attacking AJ before the bell rang, and
then Corbin was “violated” - his peculiar choice of words, not mine - by Tye Dillinger.
This three way feud is proving an effective way to get Dillinger over.
Charlotte’s Ric Flair Update Capitalising on the real-life health troubles
of Ric Flair, Smackdown have positioned the returning Charlotte as their top babyface
title challenger.
It’s a smart move, especially in a segment so well done with the rest of the women’s
division.
Charlotte and Natalya talked over each other like real people having an argument, Lana
cracked a good crazy cat lady joke and Becky Lynch is fantastic on the mic.
Daniel Bryan made a Fatal Four Way No. 1 contenders match between them for the main event.
New Day beat The Hype Bros Fresh from their tag title win last week,
The New Day beat the Hype Bros in a quick match.
Rawley and Ryder are sick of losing, though, and they teased something drastic backstage
- which is actually very intriguing.
Kevin Owens Live Via Satellite Move aside Chris Jericho’s Best Friend.
Take a seat, Face of America.
This is the Kevin Owens we deserve - psychotic and dangerous, more in common with his Steen
persona from Ring of Honor.
He delivered a fantastic promo looking straight into the camera, apologising for assaulting
Vince McMahon, but then blaming his actions on Shane - brilliantly referencing Smackdown’s
opening promo by delusionally saying people like him don’t go to hell, they go to heaven.
It fits with the best version of KO’s character, blaming everyone else for his heelish acts
- just like how it was Sami Zayn’s fault Owens turned on his best friend in NXT.
Dolph Ziggler Schtick Tonight Matthew, Dolph Ziggler is Triple H,
Shawn Michaels and DX.
The crowd chanted a much better idea, though: CM Punk.
Charlotte beat Naomi, Becky Lynch & Tamina Charlotte beat Naomi, Becky Lynch and Tamina
in a very good 10 minute match - not just setting up a Flair vs Natalya feud for the
title, but also a secondary program between Tamina and Naomi when Lana pulled the former
champion out the ring.
It’s great to see the women’s division getting multiple storylines again, and that’s
not even including Carmella’s Money in the Bank briefcase.
Sadly, though, Becky Lynch finds herself lost in the shuffle again.
So that was this week’s Smackdown Live in about 4 minutes, here’s the usual ratings
recap from top to bottom: SmackDamn, Smacktastic, Smack Bang In The Middle, Ellsworthy and WWE
Go-Home Shows.
I’ll reveal my score very shortly, but first, vote in the poll above my head to give it
your own rating.
I’ll announce the results in tomorrow’s WrestleTalk News.
Although I enjoyed this episode - with a decent main event, a fantastic Kevin Owens promo
and Rusev rejig - the episode felt light on wrestling and the top championship feud is
becoming increasingly problematic.
And where are the Fashion Police?!
This week’s Smackdown is Ellsworthy.
Could Paige be returning to WWE soon?!
And Roman Reigns shoots on John Cena burying younger talent!
Click the videos to the left to learn more, press subscribe and support WrestleTalk on
Patreon.
I’ve been Oli Davis and that was wrestling.