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This week's episode of SmackDown, airing on the SyFy Network, comes from Little Rock, Arkansas. This is the go home show for the WWE's Night of Champions pay-per-view this Sunday, Sept. 20 on the WWE Network. For full results and the live blog click here.
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Keeping Your Enemies the Closest
This week, the United States and WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, started the show with an in ring promo. He stated that his opponents this Sunday at Night of Champions, Sting for the WWE WHC and John Cena for the US Championship, are both future first ballot WWE Hall of Famers, but that will not matter, because he is the MAN in the WWE. He promised to crush Cena's spirit and expose Sting for the painted face freak that he is.
As for tonight's main event, Rollins explains why he would partner with Sheamus, Mr. Money In the Bank, against his former Shield brothers, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. It is as simple as keeping your friend's close and your enemies closer. Sheamus interrupts the dual champion and, after a cheap "You look stupid" joke, wondered where he stood with Rollins. Is he friend or enemy? After all, why wouldn't Rollins assume Sheamus is doing the same thing? Sheamus pointed out that he has the advantage of watching Rollins up close tonight with the ever looming threat of a cash-in in every word.
I will be honest, when I heard Rollins' music, I was prepared to not like this segment. I liked this segment. It teased something that the WWE really rarely does: a heel versus heel scenario. I still do not enjoy Rollins as a heel on the microphone but I feel like he has a weird chemistry with Sheamus. A mutual hate-hate thing, if you will. The tension between Rollins and Sheamus was clear in the main event, which saw Ambreigns take the early advantage. I must also say that I am glad that, even though Ambrose and Reigns are not an official tag team, they use a lot of tag team moves and psychology in their matches.
Eventually, Rollins and Sheamus got on the same page and took control over Ambrose. Well, the two were mostly on the same page. Their tags seemed to have a bit of animosity behind them. Then, it happened. They started fighting with each other after Sheamus refused to tag in. Rollins tricked him by grabbing the MITB briefcase to tag him in and pretty much left him to get killed by his former brothers. So, score one for the Architect. I cannot really blame him at all here.
Then, of course, after Ambreigns wins, Bray has to appear and remind everyone that he is still obsessed with Roman Reigns. Run!
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A Worthy Cause to FEEL THE POWAH!!
Tonight, the Greatest of all Time (GOAT) and one third of the current WWE tag team champions, Kofi Kingston, took on D-Von Dudley, one half of the legendary tag team, the Dudley Boyz. Before the match, Xavier Woods, Big E, and Kingston reminded the WWE Universe of the terrible waste of tables by the Dudley "Yes, they ARE boys" Boyz. They are not only disrespecting man and woman but also Mother Nature. You got to respect your mama, guys.
I do not mean to sound like I'm a New Day shill or anything, but they do have a petition to save the tables. I know some of you think this is a silly cause, but you never know how much you need a table until you don't have one. I am so glad that the New Day has brought this dire issue to my attention. I support New Day to save the tables. Don't you?
The Dudley Boyz came out and, as usual, were disrespectful when D-Von broke the mini table attached to the petition. Fortunately, the New Day was able to save a bigger table those dastardly Dudleyz stashed under the ring, and the GOAT got a win! It's a glorious day when you bask in positivity. This is why New Day will defeat those Dudleyz and retain the tag team titles at NOC this Sunday. They are doing the Lord's work here, people. This should be applauded.
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It's a Bellabration!
Nikki Bella is delusional. I am convinced that this is the gimmick now. It took a while but it is starting to show. She thinks she's a good person and everyone loves her and she's so great. But, she's really not. She's a horrible person who stabbed her sister in the back then manipulated said sister into cheating to win and retain the Diva's Championship. Brie has helped her so much and for so long that Nikki is now the longest reigning Diva's champion in the history of WWE. Brie either is afraid of her sister or she pities her. It's probably a little bit of both. I have imagined what it must feel like inside of Nikki Bella's World. It was a scary place.
No one came to Nikki Bella's party. Because no one likes Nikki Bella. Team PCB did drop in to rub it in her face about her party and the fact that she no longer has a champion's advantage in her match against Charlotte this Sunday. Then Adam Rose came in to tell Nikki that her party sucks and she threw a hissy fit. This was the best Bella segment ever because I understand perfectly now.
P. S. Becky Lynch is the most adorable woman in WWE right now to me.
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All the Rest:
Paige and Becky Lynch versus Naomi and Sasha Banks: I enjoy Team BAD with Naomi and the BO$$ partnering and have for a while. I think Naomi is learning how to slow things down and heel it up. The story here is that Paige was pinned, yet again, and the frustration was written all over her face. She just cannot seem to beat Team BAD, especially Sasha Banks.
Cesaro versus Big Show: Cesaro was great here. Unfortunately, he lost to Big Show, clean. And I'm thinking of starting a certain petition of my own . . . . .
Ambreigns promo: Teasing that mystery partner against the Wyatts this Sunday again. And, remember kids, once again, if it does not work, it was Ambrose's idea.
Kevin Owens versus Dolph Ziggler: This was a battle but, for some odd reason, Ryback just ran out and attacked KO during the match and KO fled the ring. I do not get this. Ryback was just face to face with the man in the ring on Monday and was not violent. Why wait until he is in the middle of a great battle with Ziggler to do something? Odd.
Dolph Ziggler/Summer Rae segment: Poor Rusev.
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SmackDown continues to do its duty to advance the stories that revolve around the WWE's flagship show, Monday Night RAW. I'm enjoying the beef between Rollins and Sheamus, partially because I do not care who wins and I want to see them both get punched in the face. It's a win-win for me. I finally understand who Nikki Bella really is and New Day is a science and a religion. I have no clue what that last part even means and I am fairly certain it is still true.
Rating: B +
Cesaro losing to Big Show in any fashion: FFFFFFFFFFFFF +
That's all for this week, Cagesiders! What are your thoughts on the show? Let me know what you think in the comments.