Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (8/29/17)
The Prizefighter is infuriated with his losses, how will he get back what was his?

All images courtesy of the WWE’s official website and Twitter
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin VS The Ascension; Gable & Benjamin win.
- United States Championship Open Challenge: AJ Styles VS Tye Dillinger; Styles wins and retains the United States Championship.
- Mike Kanellis w/ Maria VS Bobby Roode; Roode wins.
- Aiden English VS Sami Zayn; English “wins”, later stricken from the record.
- The Usos VS The New Day; The Usos wins and can choose stipulation for their SmackDown Tag Team Title Rematch.
- Tamina w/ Lana VS “local competitor”; Tamina wins.
- Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Rusev & Jinder Mahal; Orton & Nakamura win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Singh Brothers once again introduce “YOUR WWE Champion”!
The Modern Day Maharaja, Jinder Mahal! He plans to show his “superior in-ring skills” as he teams with the Bulgarian Brute in the main event. The fans jeer and boo as Mahal says he will take out his top two rivals, in the Viper and the King of Strong Style. First, understand that you do not understand what it is like to be Mahal. As a representative of India and Asia, he is shown nothing but disrespect. The fans prove him right as they chant “U S A!” at him. He gets disrespected at airports and hotels, this “disdain” is wrong, he should be revered as our WWE (World) Champion! Not from the fans’ perspective. Shinsuke made Mahal look like a fool, but he is not a fool! He is the best of the best! Someone will pay the price for this! The Singh Brothers take credit for the failure, and publicly apologize to the “1.3 billion people of India”, the people of all Asia, apologize to their own family, and above all to Mahal, their Maharaja. Last week, they embarrassed Mahal in failing to take down Shinsuke 2v1 and then letting Shinsuke hit Mahal. They vow Shinsuke will never touch Mahal again. They don’t deserve to serve Mahal, they postrate themselves before Mahal and India. They shall kiss his feet!

The Singh Brothers kneel, but before they bring lips to boots, Shinsuke Nakamura appears! The Singh Brothers try to shield Mahal, Nakamura pushes them apart and he starts fighting all three! However, that’s two too many, Mahal gets to boot Nakamura down and then the Singhs hold Nakamura down so Mahal can stomp him out. Randy Orton comes to the rescue!

Orton throws the Singh Brothers aside to club down Mahal, Rusev comes in to SUPERKICK Orton! Mahal and Rusev both beat down Nakamura, the Singh Brothers feed him to the KARAS! Maharaja and Brute stand tall to start the night, will this stay the same at the end of the night?
Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin VS The Ascension!

This new team just formed last week in the absence of Jason Jordan, is the Golden Standard #ReadyWilling&Gable to take on the Wasteland? Gable starts with Viktor, they tie up, arm wrench and wristlock but Viktor pulls hair. He puts Gable in the wristlock but Gable lifts and throws Viktor, whips and gives the kitchen sink knee, tag to Shelton! Shelton backs Viktor down with punches, corner to corner whip and butterfly suplex! TWO, but Shelton isn’t deterred. He tags Gable, whip to belly2belly. A shot for Konnor, Viktor whips and Konnor pulls down the ropes, Gable tumbles out as we go picture in picture. Tag to Konnor so he can fetch Gable, he puts Gable into the apron and then into the ring. Chinlock, fans rally for Gable. Gable gets up, but gets brought back down with a takeover. Gable crawls and endures the wrenching, he gets up again so Konnor goes to facelock. Gable manages to power Konnor back a step so Konnor gives him a knee and European Uppercut. Tag to Viktor, whip clothesline to knee strike, Shelton breaks the pin. Viktor puts Gable back in a chinlock, staring Shelton down as he does. Fans rally again, Gable gets up and fights out. Gable backs Viktor down so Viktor knees him. Viktor whips and sccops Gable, Gable slips out to roll up, TWO, Viktor drags Gable from Shelton to tag Konnor. Viktor anchors Gable with a grape vine, Konnor hits a leg drop! TWO, and back to the chinlock. Fans rally one more time, Gable works his way back to his feet, Gable again powers Konnor towards his corner as we go single picture. Gable can’t get away, but then he tries on the second effort, spinebuster from Konnor! TWO, so Konnor tags Viktor. They keep Gable down with punches and stomps, the fans cheer Gable on. Viktor chops Gable, Gable chops back. More chops, but then Viktor backs Gable down with knees and forearms. Tag to Konnor, he glares at Shelton, Gable jumps, sunset flip but Gable goes for Shelton, Konnor uses Gable’s own singlet to yank him back. Konnor runs at Gable in the neutral corner, misses! Gable and Konnor crawl, tags to Viktor and Shelton! Shelton rallies on Viktor, whip to back drop! Shelton gives the dragon whip kick to Konnor, Viktor pounces. Whip reversed, Shelton puts Viktor sideways on the ropes, slingshot to round house! Shelton goes up, flying clothesline!

Konnor breaks the pin, Gable dumps Konnor out. Gable grabs Viktor, feeds him to Pay Dirt!

Shelton and Gable win! The SmackDown Tag Team Division just got that much more competitive!
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
The Lone Wolf “squandered” his Money in the Bank cash-in but he says it was John Cena’s fault. Then Cena goes running to Raw to hide, but “that’s life”. Corbin is tired of people mockingly ask him about his briefcase. Corbin doesn’t live in the past, he’s looking forward to the US Open Challenge. Corbin’s gonna cash in on that, so get ready to call him the new United States Champion. Will he be first in line to challenge the Phenomenal One?
United States Championship Open Challenge: AJ Styles VS ???

It was promised, and here it is! AJ Styles, after letting the fans give him their thunderous ovation, explains that Kevin Owens lost his last chance to challenge for this title so long as Styles is champion. So now in the “House that AJ Styles Built”, we reopen this open challenge to the SmackDown Roster! Who steps up? The Perfect Ten, Tye Dillinger! Except Baron Corbin gets in his way.

The Lone Wolf called his shot, this is his. No, Tye got out here first, it’s his. They push and shove, Corbin clobbers Tye from behind! Corbin and Styles stare down as Corbin circles the ring, but Tye comes back to take the fight to Corbin! Corbin gets bounced off the post, Tye’s in the ring, it’s TYE who has the shot! Styles goes for the Phenomenal Blitz but Tye counters it, he gives Perfect Ten corner punches! Corner to corner whip, Styles boots and goes to the apron, prepares it but Tye catches Styles, Tye Breaker denied, Calf Crusher!

Tye reaches, flails, endures, taps out! Styles win a fast and furious fight, Corbin keeps the fight going by putting Tye into barriers. He gets in the ring, Styles gives him a forearm! Corbin gets out in a rage, Styles holds up his belt. The fans are thunderous for him again as Corbin rants and raves. Styles dares Corbin to come back in for more, Corbin instead takes a walk. Will the Lone Wolf successfully cash in next time?
Rusev and Jinder Mahal talk backstage.
Bulgaria, India, standing together to crush Orton and Nakamura. Rusev knows it’s not about any of their countries, it is about revenge. Yes, that, too, my friend- No, Rusev is not Mahal’s friend. They’re not going to do a Ride Along, they’re here to win. And when they do, Rusev wants at the title. Can Brute and Maharaja keep it together to stave off the Viper and King of Strong Style in the main event?
Mike Kanellis w/ Maria VS Bobby Roode!
For the first time on SmackDown, The Lover and his First Lady get to experience the GLORIOUS One in person! Roode jogs a bit as he and Mike tie up, Mike gets the arm-wrench and hammerlock, Roode slips around to put on his headlock and waistlock, slamming Mike on the mat and floating all over him. It’s not just fun, it’s… GLORIOUS! Mike and Maria are furiously upset already as Roode enjoys the applause. They circle and tie up again, Roode backs Mike down, corner causes a break but Mike dirties it up, then he goes on Roode with punches and stomps. Mike is backed down by the ref, Roode gives Mike stiff chops. Corner to corner whip reversed, a hard right hand from Mike is returned with a back elbow from Roode. Roode rallies, he’s all fired up! Roode gives Mike a big clothesline in a corner, corner to corner whip reversed but Roode boots back, flying blockbuster! Roode goes corner to corner but takes a back elbow, SPINEBUSTER! Roode grins, the fans see it coming… GLORIOUS DDT!

Roode wins again! GLORIOUS!
Aiden English has the spotlight.

The Shakespeare of Song, the WWE’s Drama King, sings his introduction, only for the Prizefighter to come out.

Kevin Owens tells Aiden not to waste his time with the uneducated Arkansas fans. Please leave, Kevin won’t ask twice. Aiden is polite enough to give Kevin the ring. Kevin appreciates that, but he doesn’t appreciate that Shane McMahon went back on their promise of Kevin choosing the guest referee. For Kevin did NOT choose Shane, yet that’s who he ended up getting the job after Shane intervened and Baron Corbin quit. What gives Shane the right to interfere with the official referee and then become the referee? One year ago, the greatest moment happened when Kevin became Universal Champion. Now, he’s not a champion of any kind! All because Shane screwed Kevin! Twice!
This wouldn’t happen on Raw, Raw’s lovely Stephanie McMahon wouldn’t abuse her powers. No, this is SmackDown, “The Land of Opportunity”, or rather, “Shane’s Personal Playground.” Speaking of Shane, here he comes!

The SmackDown Commissioner is “right on cue.” Gotta take away the spotlight again. Shane is not here for Kevin, perhaps Kevin needs a proper explanation. Kevin chose Corbin for his referee, but then Corbin was biased in Kevin’s favor, and Corbin chose to quit. Therefore, someone needed to be the ref, Shane volunteered, counted the pin fairly “1 2 3”, Kevin lost. He did not! Shane screwed Kevin, AGAIN! If that’s what Kevin thinks, fine, this conversation is over and everyone is tired of Kevin’s complaints. Aiden English is going to get back in the ring, to face… Sami Zayn!
Aiden English VS Sami Zayn!
The Drama King gets to do what he was meant to, in taking on the Underdog from the Underground! Kevin is not content to just leave, he’s going to join commentary. English goes right at Sami, putting him in a corner for stomping and grinding of the forearm. English suplexes Sami, covers, Sami out at one but English keeps on Sami. English’s whip is reversed, Sami clotheslines him out. Sami takes aim, speeds up, and FLIES!

He takes English out, maybe tweaks his own foot but he walks it off and gets English in the ring. TWO, Kevin can’t take how this ref is not doing his job right. He gets in the ring, takes the referee’s shirt and puts it on! English and Sami fight on the top rope, English goes down, Kevin is ref.

Sami is confused, Kevin counts at him, Sami gets off the corner. Sami and Kevin argue, English clobbers him, Kevin hits a Pop Up Powerbomb!

English takes the cover, Kevin counts fast, English wins! Kevin has taken things into his own hands to screw over his Best Frenemy again, what more will he do to stick it to McMahon?

Shane McMahon responds to Kevin Owen’s actions.
Kevin was not allowed to become the referee, therefore that match is stricken from the records, Sami did not lose and English did not win. Shane knows Kevin has left, which Shane will momentarily. This matter will have to be settled next time, what will the consequences be?
Backstage interview with Dolph Ziggler.
The Show-Off promised to unveil a new side of himself, but being in Little Rock, expect “nothing”. Turns out this project is going to take a bit longer, so it won’t be happening this week. What inspired this change? Well, being the best in the business for a decade but having nothing to show for it or anything given back, he’s forgotten. He should be the star. But fans get distracted by lights and jackets and hand signs, all of it means nothing! Raw is even worse. Some guy gets to play guitar for nothing! Does Ziggler have to ride a motorcycle or play an instrument to get noticed? Or maybe he’ll “drink” beer or get painted like Balor so people will forget he’s a charisma vacuum. Or maybe he’ll have pretty ladies, or he’ll dress up like a superhero! “Zigman!” All these years of dedication have amounted to nothing. If you want flash and no substance, that’s what we’re getting next week.
The Usos VS The New Day!

Jimmy & Jey are set to have a SmackDown Tag Team Championship rematch with the history-making team of Kofi Kingston, Big E & Xavier Woods, but a stipulation shall be chosen by the victors here tonight! We go picture in picture as both teams get face to face. They calm down and we start with Big E and Jey, Jey kicks and uppercuts and chops Big E to a corner. Jey gives another chop, whips but Big E uses power to deny it. Big E reels Jey in for the Abdominal Stretch and spanks! Big E then shoves and runs Jimmy over, TWO, Jimmy gets out. Tag to Kofi, Kofi gets running, Big E launches him onto both Usos!

The New Day is all fired up as Xavier plays Francesca 2 Turbo. Kofi gets Jimmy in the ring, tag to Big E, they stomp on Jimmy at the apron. Big E goes for a splash but misses! He hits the apron hard, then Jimmy blasts him with a dropkick! Now the Usos are in control as Big E is rammed into the apron, and hauled into the ring. Cover, TWO, Jey tags Jimmy as we go single picture. Jimmy gives Big E a skateboard dropkick, then some heavy right hands. “Uce! O!” Jimmy runs, Big E gives him a big urinagi slam! The fans rally for the New Day, tags to Jey and Kofi! Kofi rallies on Jey with clotheslines, then fires up for the “NEW! DAY!” Boom Drop! Kofi gets the fans going again, Trouble in Paradise ducked, mule kick and then Jey throws Kofi at the corner, Kofi crossbodies back out, Jimmy breaks the pin. They put Kofi in a corner, SUPERKICK to Big E!

Kofi slips out and kicks back, then climbs up but jumps over Jey. Jey with the pop-up, but Kofi with the dragon sleeper guillotine! Kofi has to fight off Jimmy, Jey grabs him, Jimmy tags when Kofi isn’t looking, roll up, tights held, The Usos snag the win! They get to choose the stipulation for their rematch! What will they choose?
Backstage interview with Carmella.
Pretty Jimmy Dream takes the mic from Dasha Fuentes, to properly introduce Ms. Money in the Bank. What’s next for her? She’s not telling, Ellsworth’s big fat mouth ruined everything. Yes sorry… But, did she get the flowers? Yeah, but the card sounded like it was from a funeral home. Natalya comes in to say Carmella should’ve been grateful Ellsworth ruined her chance. Natty will make Carmella the “Baron Corbin of the Women’s Division.” Damn… And that plot last week, Carmella will pay next week 1v1. Big mistake. What was that? Just keep the title shiny for Carmella. See you next time. But Naomi comes in, and lets “Ms. Best There Is” know she’s a bit tense. She should take a cat nap, she’s got a difficult two weeks. Wait, two weeks? Yeah, because if Natty is still champion after facing Carmella next week, Naomi gets her rematch for that title. Meow meow, bye bye. Can Natty run the gauntlet to stay SmackDown Women’s Champion?
The Ravishing Russian is in the ring.

Lana returns to her managerial ways as she introduces The Ravishing Revolution’s “most feared female superstar”, and the future champion, Tamina!
Tamina w/ Lana VS ???

Ms. Stock gives what she can against Tamina, but “Tamina! CRUSH!” Tamina tosses Stock into the corner, and goes off with clotheslines and headbutts! Tamina roars, hip attack, then a toss! SUPERKICK! Tamina wins! Lana’s guidance is definitely showing results already, will Tamina rise to the top with this Ravishing Revolution behind her?
Fashion Files returns with a Season 2 Premiere!
Breezango is back and with a bigger production budget. Their one clue from last season “Two B”. Breeze says they need to focus in on their biggest case yet. Let’s check that new tech! Headphones? No, long distance listening devices. Black light lets you see things you can’t with just your eye. This belt. A title. No just a regular belt. For pants. Oh. And finally… Friendship bracelets. What do they do? Make their friendship stronger. Sweet. Test time. Black light shows the shirt off. But wait. Invisible ink! An arrow that points to an arrow that points to an arrow that… Wait it’s a circle. Unless… You redirect them… “Two B or not Two B”. That’s the answer! Clap on. So, Shakespeare, poetry, art… “Confusion hath now become his masterpiece.” English, Breeze, English. English! Aiden English! Finally a solid lead. To be continued!
Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Rusev & Jinder Mahal!
The Viper and Rockstar look for revenge from tonight’s opening assault, but it was also announced they’ll be going 1v1 next week to decide a #1 contender to the WWE Championship. Can either team coexist long enough for a victory? It’s enough for them to take the fight to Rusev and Mahal before the bell! A brawl breaks out and goes all around the ringside! Mahal gets dumped into the timekeeper’s area, Orton and Nakamura control the ring as we go to break.
We return, things have finally become a match. Mahal whips Nakamura but Nakamura reverses to knee and kick Mahal down. Nakamura reaches for Orton but Mahal drags him away, Nakamura kicks Mahal away but Mahal is upon him again as he rains hands down. Mahal drives a knee into Nakamura’s back, then wraps on a chinlock. The fans rally for Nakamura and Orton, Nakamura gets the ajawbreaker, tag to Orton! The Viper rallies as he punches Mahal back. He stomps and headbutts Mahal in a corner, EuroUppers as well. Orton whips Mahal corner to corner but is reversed, he fires out, RKO denied, Mahal gets out of the ring. Orton pursues and runs Mahal over! Orton picks Mahal up, back suplex onto the barriers! The fans are fired up as Orton drags Mahal in, no DDT but Mahal does get tossed with a Fall Away Slam.

Mahal goes to the other apron, the Singh Brothers distract, Mahal feeds Orton to Rusev, who puts Orton into a post. Tag to Rusev, Rusev stomps on Orton on the outside. Rusev drags Orton up and puts him in the ring, TWO, Rusev gets between Orton and Nakamura. Rusev backs Orton down with right hands and kicks, stomping him away in the corner. Cheap shot from Mahal as he grinds a boot into Orton. Rusev drags Orton up in a facelock, fans rally for Orton, Nakamura reaches for that tag. Rusev keeps Orton back, Orton fights out of the hold. Rusev hits Orton with a spinning heel kick, TWO! Rusev is getting frustrated, but he keeps between Orton and Nakamura. Tag to Mahal, stomp and knee drop to Orton, TWO. Mahal puts Orton in the half nelson chinlock, Orton feeds off the fans cheering for him. Orton fights out of the hold, Mahal yanks on that arm. Mahal whips Ortno, Orton dodges and Mahal goes into a post. Mahal and Orton crawl for their corners, tags to Rusev and Nakamura! Nakamura rallies, dynamic dropkick!

Kicks to the chest, but Rusev blocks the buzzsaw, enziguri hits instead! Nakamura takes aim, running knee in the corner, then he sets Rusev up, top shelf knee! Cover, TWO, but Nakamura is not frustrated or unfocused. He picks Rusev up, Rusev resists the suplex with elbows, he swings, rolled into an armbar! Mahal stmops Nakamura, Orton gets him out, draping- no, Mahal gets off the ropes, so just a regular DDT! RKO denied again, flying KINSHASA! Then, taking aim from the ground, KINSHASA!

Nakamura and Orton win! Orton and Nakamura celebrate together, RKO!!

The Viper celebrates alone, will this be how next week ends?

My Thoughts:
Looks like SmackDown caught the wacky bug from Raw. Announcing a main event match last minute, then having an opening promo that turns into a brawl between the main event participants, I feel like SmackDown handed off their booking to a completely different team and that new team doesn’t know how to handle things. Aside from that, there was some good stuff. With that world title scene, there is a lot of good still going, such as Rusev making it clear he’s not on Mahal’s side and wants at the title, and then Orton and Nakamura are named for next week’s #1 contender’s match. Their tag match was typical of putting singles stars together, Orton and Nakamura win so that Orton could make it clear to Nakamura that they’re not on the same side, a nice way to end the episode.
The new team of Gable & Benjamin worked well against The Ascension, not that the Ascension has been treated as a capable team all that much. I almost thought Benjamin was going to swerve Gable already but they’re not going to rush things, I appreciate that. Seems Baron Corbin went from dumpster fire to new running gag of failing to do what he wants. He wanted to be world champion, that got messed up. He wanted to challenge for the US Championship and for right now, that got messed up. Tye and Styles had a great but very fast match, but with Corbin lurking it probably couldn’t be much more than that anyway. This might continue for a few more weeks until Corbin finally gets his fair shot, and who knows how that will go. Kevin gave us a nice twist on what looked to be a Kevin-Shane program, with Hell in a Cell still two months away it is probably best to delay things with a revisit to Kevin-Sami for at least one more match. English doesn’t get the win Kevin helped him with, but he does seem to be a person of interest in the Fashion Files story. However, that is also odd as English no longer has a tag team partner, how is he supposed to take on the Fashion Police in a tag match? Tamina’s match felt like a last-minute throw-in but at least that story isn’t falling behind while Natty is set up against two big challengers the following two weeks. Let’s hope SmackDown snaps back from the stumbles and gives us a good stretch in the Fall.
My Score: 7.8/10
