WWE Smackdown Live – August 28th 2018: Results & Review

Welcome to this week’s Smackdown Live review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have a women’s title match in the main event, as well as the return of The Colons, who have been away from the main roster for some time. Let’s not waste any time and get right to it.

Match #1: The Bar def. Gallows & Anderson and The Colons

The following is courtesy of WWE.com:

With the stakes as high as they could be, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, The Bar and the returning Colons squared off in a wild Triple Threat Match that would bring the winner one step closer to challenging The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at the WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event. The action was furious from the jump as all three teams looked to stay steadfast above the commotion and move one step closer to challenging for the titles. In the heat of the action, The Colons took down The Good Brothers, but Cesaro & Sheamus capitalized when The Swiss Superman made a blind tag into the contest, and he and The Celtic Warrior brutally disposed of Primo & Epico with a Brogue Kick and an uppercut before Cesaro picked off the remains of Gallows for the win.

My Take: This was a good match that had lots of action. The Colons looked excellent in their return and have returned none too soon. Hey, I used a real phrase in a sentence. I think I’m getting a handle on this writing thing. Mukluk! It sounds dirty but it’s just a shoe for ice people. It could be good fortune for hillbillies, now that I think of it. As for the triple threat stipulation itself, this forced these guys into the familiar stop and start pattern that these matches normally have. The bout was simply just one stunt after another, but they were performed quite well. Anderson and Gallows are too good to not to get more of a push in the WWE, so that’s how you know it won’t happen. The Bar have become an excellent team and with them going forward as the challengers, you can bet that the matches will be just as such.

Match #2: Billie Kay def. Naomi

The following is courtesy of WWE.com:

Following Peyton Royce’s victory over Naomi on SmackDown LIVE last week, The IIconics doubled down on their verbal jabs, drawing the ire of the WWE Universe by mocking Naomi and the hometown Toronto Raptors prior to Billie Kay trying to dim The Glow. Naomi looked strong in the early goings after her tough but controversial loss to Royce a week prior, and she began to string together her signature, dynamic offense on Kay. Unfortunately for Naomi, the numbers game would again prove to be too much, as Royce jabbed Naomi in the face when the official wasn’t looking, allowing Kay to secure the victory with a roll-up for the win.

My Take: The best thing about this very dull match was that Billie Kay got the upset victory.

Match #3: Daniel Bryan def. Andrade “Cien” Almas by disqualification

The following is courtesy of WWE.com:

Daniel Bryan and Andrade “Cien” Almas collided for the first time ever, as Brie Bella and Zelina Vega watched from ringside. The two technicians threw down in the early goings, setting a rapid pace right from the get-go. However, right as the match was entering its next gear, The Miz & Maryse arrived, and The Miz attempted to distract The “Yes!” Man and cost him the victory. The Miz paid for his underhanded tactics when Bryan took him out with an unbelievable suicide dive before catching Andrade in the “Yes!” Lock. However, Vega got up on the apron and tried to run interference. Brie Bella made Andrade’s business associate pay for her trouble when she yanked her off the apron and dropped her with a mean forearm. Yet, Brie would then feel a rude awakening when Maryse pounced from behind and threw her into the ring post. From there, The Miz attacked Bryan in the middle of the contest and a brutal beatdown ensued with Almas & Vega getting a few more licks in on Bryan & Bella before Maryse dropped Brie with the French Kiss, and The Miz leveled Bryan with the Skull-Crushing Finale. The It Couple then basked in their handiwork, sealing it with a kiss as they began to look forward to the WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event.

My Take: This was an excellent match that had a lousy finish. These DQ endings just put a knife through the quality of a match. There was a time when an illegal attack on a wrestler during their match meant something, but now it’s just a lazy parlor trick to get out of real booking. Bryan Danielson and La Sombra just had a match and Sombra, now Almas, didn’t even figure into the climax of the match. Only in the WWE could something so good as a match between two of the best be so frustrating.

Match #4: SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair def. Carmella

The following is courtesy of WWE.com

The Queen and The Princess clashed with Charlotte Flair’s title on the line in the main event of SmackDown LIVE. With so much on Charlotte’s mind over the past few weeks due to her unexpected beef with former best friend Becky Lynch, Carmella attempted to prey on the champion’s insecurities. However, Charlotte persevered and nearly drove her rival through the canvas with a Spear that led into the Figure-Eight, which forced Carmella to tap. Charlotte couldn’t celebrate for long, however, as she was quickly met with a blindside attack from Lynch, who knocked her to the canvas and began to hammer away with some stiff haymakers. Becky then grabbed the microphone and told her former best friend that she was going to take the SmackDown Women’s Championship before throwing a massive insult at Charlotte, dropping the title on her lifeless body and boldly walking off.

My Take: This was a good main event that saw Carmella improve her skills, yet again. Losing the title may prove to be the motivation for her to get her wrestling ability to where it needs to be. Charlotte was booed most of the match and is, whether Vince likes it or not, a heel. The crowd wanted Becky Lynch to attack Flair, but this match was booked to actually be a clean contest. Flair did her job well and made Carmella look credible every step of the way. I liked this match and if Carmella can keep improving, then I don’t see why she couldn’t become a champion, again.

News Of The Night:

1. The Miz and Maryse attacked Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella.
2. Samoa Joe is still stalking AJ Styles’s wife.
3. The crowd is vehemently in favor of Becky Lynch to the point that Charlotte Flair is hated by just about every-one.
4. The Uso’s fight SAnitY and Rusev/Aiden English in a triple threat match for a match with The Bar, next week.
5. The New Day were knighted by King Booker (Booker T).

Final Verdict: 2.5 out of 5 – I get it now. Rupert Murdoch has requested that Vince start booking Smackdown like Raw. That’s why Smackdown has been so promo heavy for some time. That’s got to be the problem. Four matches on a two hour wrestling card is just ridiculous. Is Homer Simpson booking this show?