The much-hyped season premiere and return to the USA Network for SmackDown delivered the fans a stellar show. Superstars from Raw were in attendance, and the overall fanfare filled the arena as well as the TV broadcast buzzed with excitement. In addition to a cage match for the Undisputed WWE Championship, the episode saw the return of WWE’s biggest superstar.
Rage in the Cage
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The celebration on SmackDown kicked off with Triple H coming into the ring, hyping up the fans, and introducing the cage match between Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa. Once Rhodes and Sikoa started going at it from the first bell, we could see that the match was going to be brutal, and that SmackDown would push the violence past what they could show on Fox. Cody was busted open early on after a diving headbutt in the corner from the Sikoa. The cage wall itself often became the weapon of choice for both competitors.
The match had several great spots with an elevated level of form for Cody’s disaster kicks and Cody-Cutters. Then Sikoa hit a purely devastating top-rope splash on Rhodes for a near fall. The finish had Rhodes reverse a Samoan spike from Sikoa into the CrossRhodes, followed by a quick pin. Once Rhodes was announced victorious, out came The Bloodline to jump Cody and viciously attack like so many other times in the past.
Roman Reigns, however, would have something to say about this and came out to lay waste to The Bloodline with spears and Superman-punches. The crowd ate up every second of action once Reigns entered the cage, and the original tribal chief looked impressive. Cody and Reigns stared each other down after Rhodes helped clear the remaining Bloodline members out. What a fantastic way to begin this historic episode of SmackDown!
Andrade Gives the SmackDown to Carmelo Hayes
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Andrade and Carmelo Hayes are two of the best workers that WWE has right now. This feud has shown that these two are not just up and coming, but they are potentially what’s next for the WWE and pro wrestling. Every time these two wrestle, they put on a clinic on what a wrestling match should be. Tonight was no different, and the action itself was the highlight of this match.
Andrade hit a top-rope version of his finisher, which he calls The Mission, to impressively finish off Hayes. As we predicted, LA Knight came out after the match to rile up the fans while announcing that Andrade gets a shot next week at the United States Championship. Give all three of these men a raise!
Roman Reigns Supreme
Earlier in the night, after the opening cage match and Bloodline brawl, Roman Reigns informed Nick Aldis that he wanted to speak to the fans. This was in reaction to Solo and Jacob Fatu challenging Reigns to a tag-team match with the partner of his choosing, and that The Bloodline had already signed a contract.
Roman came to the ring for SmackDown’s final segment to likely the loudest fan reaction that SmackDown has ever had. Nick Aldis wanted to hand Reigns the contract, but the original tribal chief just wanted a microphone. Roman proclaimed he was not the original tribal chief, but the only tribal chief. He also said that he didn’t need anyone, especially Cody Rhodes, that this is his ring, and that he is the WWE.
The proclamation, of course, brought out Cody Rhodes. He made sure to prominently show the title belt on his entrance, and then plainly said to Roman, “Not anymore…not since WrestleMania.” The two stared each other down, but due to their incessant nature, The Bloodline sneak-attacked Cody and Roman. But Rhodes and Reigns were again able to clean house.
To close the show, Rhodes signed the contract and handed it to Reigns. Did we just see the forming of a new mega-powers, similar to when Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage teamed up back in the ’80s? The fans sure seem to think so, showing a fervor not often seen to close the show.
SmackDown Review
Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa in a Steel Cage: A-
The action was a little more hard-hitting and brutal than your normal match would have been on Fox. This was well done, and the cage featured prominently as there were some high-flying moves launched from the top, looking both devastating and impressive. This loss might reduce Sikoa’s stock somewhat, but the interference from The Bloodline to bring Reigns to the ring was the real point. Excellent opening.
Michin vs. Piper Niven: C+
The match was not long, and Niven looked like she was going to win. Give the win to Michin, to keep the superstar in the upper levels of the women’s division. However, a beatdown from Niven and Chelsea Green was Michin’s price of victory.
Kevin Owns and Mystery Partner vs. A-Town Down Under: B+
The comedy segment at the beginning of this match was a classic from Owens. He introduced a chump, but he oushed the imposter away before introducing his real tag-team partner, Randy Orton. This match was pure entertainment for the fans, and we saw the usual athleticism from Austin Theory and Grayson Waller, as well as stunners and RKOs. Funny opening segment and a great tag match!
Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes: A+
LA Knight rewards the winner Andrade, as he should, with a title shot next week. Andrade and Carmelo, as stated, put on a clinic every time they wrestle in this rivalry. Each time has gotten better and tonight’s showcase was a fitting end to one of the better feuds that we’ve seen this year.
Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and The Bloodline’s Final Segment: A
For the season premiere episode of SmackDown, the WWE could not have given us a better show! The prominent feature of Reigns is always a huge draw. When the appearance of Roman is combined with a steel cage match for the WWE title, a five-star match from Andrade and Hayes, and the appearance of Randy Orton, it becomes a PLE-level show. What a way to kick off SmackDown, now firmly back on the USA Network!
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