Top 5 Moments And Ratings From Smackdown 19/5:
The penultimate Smackdown before Night of Champions is in the books and again it wasn’t the most captivating show ever. With WWE heavily focussing on The Bloodline angle this week, there wasn’t really a lot going on elsewhere. Let’s have a look at the top moments and match ratings from this weeks show.
5 No Clear Path For LA Knight
LA Knight had a tag match this week on Smackdown as he and recently acquired team mate Rick Boogs lost to The Street Profits. Knight got a noticeable pop when he came out and the crowd seemed behind him when he was in the ring but another loss and subsequent attack on Boogs after the match suggest that Knight has no clear path going forward. He still gets reactions, so it may be prudent for WWE to capitalise on them.
4 Is Sheamus Going For The US Title?
Current US Champion Austin Theory came out for a promo this week were he talked about his match on Smackdown last week against Bobby Lashley and Sheamus. Theory mentioned how he and Sheamus are quite similar in ways until The Celtic Warrior came out and remained silent before hitting a Brogue Kick on Theory. Theory needs a strong program for his title as he’s just arrived on Smackdown, will Sheamus be the next challenger, we’ll have to wait and see.
3 Women’s Tag Team Championships Relinquished
It was announced on Smackdown that Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan are going to have to relinquish their Women’s Tag Team Championships after Liv suffered a legitimate injury last week. What’s next for the belts is unknown as it was due to be Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler challenging at Night of Champions, now everything is up in the air. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise for the championships as Liv & Raquel’s run wasn’t too exciting.
2 NXT Call Ups Debut
Three former NXT superstars made their main roster debuts this week. Grayson Waller featured in his talk show, The Grayson Waller effect, with guest AJ Styles. Waller looked comfortable with a live mic in his hand and in the short space of time he had, he certainly showed glimpses of his charisma. Pretty Deadly also debuted on tag team action against Butch & Ridge Holland, scoring the win over the Brawling Brutes pair. Weather Deadly’s act can get over with a casual audience remains to be seen as crowd didn’t react to them too much. Finally, NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn defeated two enhancement talents in very short order. It made them look strong and especially Dawn looked good. We’ll see how these acts get on in the coming weeks.
1 Big Bloodline Problems
Again the main focus on Smackdown this week was the Bloodline angle. Roman Reigns opened the show again, and again his star power is undeniable. Roman barely got a word out before Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn came out and tried to manipulate The Tribal Chief, stating that The Usos are a better team than him and Solo, before Jey and Jimmy came out to run off the tag champs. Roman was furious with The Usos all night, completely abusing and degrading them again, really putting the pressure on for their main event tag match against LWO members, Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar. The match itself was very good and the crowd were into the closing stages as both teams scored big near falls. Ultimately a distraction from KO & Sami led to The Usos being pinned as a seething Tribal Chief looked on. The cracks are well and truly showing in The Bloodline.
Pretty Deadly def. Butch & Ridge Holland 1.75*
Asuka def. Zelina Vega 1.5*
Street Profits def LA Knight & Rick Boogs 2*
Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn def. Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon 1*
Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar def. The Usos 3.5*
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Author: Alex Bakothanasis
Photo Credit: WWE
One Stop Wrestling 