Beantown set the stage for tonight’s SmackDown with the TD Garden playing host to the weekly Friday night show. The post-SummerSlam shockwaves (the bookings that saw Rollins cash-in successfully on CM Punk and Brock Lesnar’s return to the company after a two-year hiatus to deliver a post-match beatdown on John Cena) continue to create conversation in the social media realm of the WWE Universe. However, the storyline involving Lesnar and Cena has yet to manifest itself creatively on screen, while the outside narrative of Cena or Triple H deciding the former’s final few opponents.
Clash In Paris is the next PLE, and Survivor Series in November represents the final PLE of the “Big 4,” their tentpole events that include WrestleMania, in the current era of distribution. Tonight’s show was dedicated to expanding the roster and getting more from everyone to create a balanced show from top to bottom on the card.
Sami Zayn Finally Ready For A Run At Gold… But Still Not Top Spot
Sami Zayn has been one of the most consistently good superstars with a versatile ability to deliver comedy gimmicks as well as drama-filled matches at the highest level. Along with Drew McIntyre, Zayn has kept his fingers on the pulse of the fans night in and night out, regardless of where his segment on the show landed.
This week on RAW, Zayn was led to believe he was on an open run for the heavyweight title with Rusev on the night’s docket. The Solo-led MFTs jumped brands for the night, only to interfere with Zayn’s match. So, it was not surprising when Zayn came out during Solo’s promo to open the show. Like most Bloodline/MFT opening segments, a six-man tag match was eventually booked with Zayn acquiring the services of both Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso.
Though Solo complained that Sami was not a SmackDown wrestler, it was later that SD GM Aldis announced that Sami was officially a member of the Friday night roster.
It never serves weekly viewers to scrutinize over brand crossing because the lack of continuity is unbearable, so random swaps and trades are typically taken with a grain of salt. In this case, it is worth noting that, despite two shows, there is technically only one booker. Now, that job might be more of a committee these days, but regardless, the decision to relegate Sami from his heavyweight title chase to a secondary title on an entirely different brand feels like the pulling of a creative plug—similar to Jey Uso’s own sudden departure from the top spot.
Sami was never on top, but it is that same Bret Hart/Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan in WWE) underdog spirit that the fans get behind—the ‘chase’ as they call it. Cody’s the most recent benefactor from ‘the face chase’ storyline, but Sami seemed to be on the verge of his own since not turning heel as was suggested post-Mania. It takes a tremendous amount of confidence in a superstar to believe that he can pull it off, but it also takes confidence in oneself as a booker to believe that you know when it is right and when it could work while knowing there’s always a chance it doesn’t. The problem is that you have sacrificed certain superstars on the road of this story—in this case, that would be the entire MFTs months after being established, and it also means bypassing others that might’ve benefited better from a push, guys like Jacob Fatu, Jey, and Jimmy Uso.
Later in the show, but before the main event, Solo was seen chopping it up with The Street Profits, amongst others. It played out as a comedy angle, something that Solo has shown the ability to do successfully, but that does not feel like the direction for the faction that is supposed to strike fear in the locker room.
MAIN EVENT: Sami Zayn, Jacob Fatu & Jimmy Uso vs. MFTS
Sami and Fatu were teaming for the first time, and so Zayn attempted to find peace between the former faction rivals, but Fatu was not ready to ‘call him bro.’ Walls were high before the match started, but the two faces finally connected when it mattered most in the match.
Sami picked up the pinfall for his team and a ‘homeboy embrace’ from Fatu following the match. This segment completed the theme for the night’s booking, but even if Sami is fine with the sudden pivot, the question remains: Is it fair to the fans who bought into the story and wanted to see it play out for better or worse?
Drew Is On The Loose
Drew McIntyre was let out of the cage tonight to deliver a solo promo segment on Cody Rhodes, a week removed from putting the champ’s head through the commentator’s desk. Drew has gone to dark places before, but in this instance, he used a rationalized logic to show Cody as the aggressor and the “Scottish Psychopath” merely defending himself. The narrative tonight was that there has been ‘no medical update’ for Cody; this could likely be the current direction because of Seth’s ‘faux injury’ angle playing out recently.
It was an amazing promo considering there was no Cody or Punk to drive the crowd; instead, Drew went off on pure emotion and let that drive the segment. They will have to raise the bar on this feud before they clash in Paris.
Tag-Team Turmoil Continues In The Deepest Division In Wrestling
Street Profits defeat DIY by pinfall
FIGHTSATW.COM has put over the effort and excitement of the SmackDown tag team division for quite some time, and it has been obvious to the entire staff that the blue brand has an argument for the ‘best tag division’ at the top level. However, it has become something very different since the lead up to Summer Slam, and while it was clear that the division was headed for a ‘ladder party’ match, it is doubtful anyone considered the Wyatt Sicks would reign over established teams like Motor City Machineguns, Street Profits, and DIY, the ladder delivering a quality tag match.
Tonight’s booking for the division’s overarching narrative followed the same plot as the past few weeks—members of the Wyatt Sicks stalking these athletically talented teams. The Wyatts stalked the Profits and MFTs in the back, then again during the Profits’ winning effort over DIY. Following the match, the MCM were seen discussing a potential title rematch, but The Miz and Melo interrupted, likely setting up a match that could be sneaky good.
The Miz and Melo defeated Fraxiom in tag action earlier in the night, and they looked great despite some friction between the winners at the end of the match after Miz took the spotlight from Melo in typical fashion.
Other Tidbits/In-Ring Action
The Truth About Truth
R-Truth had a short segment towards the start of the night’s final segment. The former Ron Killings was asked about Cena’s recent “attitude adjustment” before Alister Black popped in frame. They spoke about Damian Priest, and Truth dropped the loveable act and we got a glimpse of a possibly ‘hybrid’ version of the character, but if things continue down this road, then only time (A LOT OF IT) will tell.
Alexa Bliss defeats Piper Niven By Pinfall
Alexa Bliss took care of one half of Chelsea Green’s ‘She-Cret Hervice’ with the rollup pinfall. But the 3 on 2 numbers post-match were too much for the tag champs to overcome as Green and co. stood tall to end the match.
Not Time For Tiffy To Fight Jax… AGAIN
Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill argued in front of Aldis as the Queen of the Ring demanded another title match. Nia Jax interrupted and out of frustration, the champ just challenged Nia. All we can hope is that this is not the direction.
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