Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include Finn Bálor battling Talla Tonga, the fallout after Gunther’s attack on SmackDown GM Nick Aldis, final Saturday Night’s Main Event hype, and how will Cody Rhodes react to teaming with Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk at Saturday Night’s Main Event? Here’s our review and grades for tonight’s show, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
WWE SmackDown Card:
- What will be the fallout after Gunther’s attack on SmackDown GM Nick Aldis?
- How will Cody Rhodes react to teaming with Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk at Saturday Night’s Main Event?
- Finn Bálor vs. Talla Tonga
WWE SmackDown Results:
Highlights of Gunther‘s heinous attack on SmackDown GM Nick Aldis are shown as the show kicks off.
GUNTAAAAH!
The Ring General Gunther stomps to the ring amidst a chorus of boos. Gunther says he prides himself on being a professional. Since coming to SmackDown, Gunther has been mistreated. The ONLY reason Gunther isn’t Undisputed WWE Champion is because of Aldis. Aldis is jealous. Gunther bellyaches and moans over having to team with Sami Zayn, who is beneath him. Raw GM Adam Pearce interrupts. Pearce tells Gunther that he needs to thank Aldis. The only reason Gunther still has a job is because of Aldis. If it were up to Pearce, Gunther would be fired.
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Aldis begged and petitioned for Gunther’s match at SNME to go on as planned. If Gunther had waited before attacking Aldis, he would have heard that the stipulation for the SNME tag match is that if Zayn and Gunther win, they are added to the title match at SummerSlam. Gunther laughs. Cody Rhodes‘ music hits, and WHOAAA, Rhodes runs to the ring and attacks Gunther. Gunther escapes up the ramp. Rhodes grabs a mic and says Gunther isn’t going to make it to SNME. Rhodes wants Gunther in the ring tonight. Pearce makes it official!
Grade: B-
Solid open to SmackDown. The segment didn’t overstay its welcome. It not only furthered a major angle, but it also gave us a PLE-level main event match to close out SmackDown tonight. Side note: Rhodes said it’s on-sight with Gunther from here one out, but Rhodes gave up on that buttkicking rather quickly. Rhodes is faking black Air Force energy, and this writer isn’t ok with that.
Finn Bálor vs. Talla Tonga
Bálor lands a flurry, but Talla cuts him off. After the break, Talla lands a big slam. After avoiding a splash in the corner, Bálor fires up. A final cut nets Bálor a near fall. Bálor walks into a tossing Samoan drop. Bálor catches Talla with a head kick and goes up top. Talla picks Bálor off the top for a chokeslam, but as he mockingly walks around holding Bálor high in the air.
Bálor counters with a DDT. Talla misses a big boot and gets hung up on the ropes. As Tama Tonga gets hung up with the referee, Bálor crotches Talla on the ropes. Tama charges in and eats a sling blade. Bálor crushes Talla with a Coup de Gras for the win!
Winner- Finn Bálor
Grade: C+
Fun TV match that is worth checking out. Bálor played the little man to perfection here. Talla hasn’t had a ton of matches on WWE TV, but tonight shows he has a solid handle on playing the giant.
Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier | Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne w/Fatal Influence
Before the bell rings, all of Fatal Influence jumps Stratton. The Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella and Paige make the save. The tag teams fight off. Stratton clocks Jayne as the bell rings. Stratton eventually gets the win after hitting the PME.
Winner- Tiffany Stratton
Grade: C
The match was fine, but the result is questionable. This just further proves they have no idea what to do with the Women’s United States Championship. It’s sad.
Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier | Nia Jax w/Lash Legend vs. Jade Cargill w/Michin and B-Fab
Jax quickly lands a Samaon drop and leg drop. Cargill avoids a splash and lands a superkick. Spinebuster by Cargill. Charlotte Flair hops the barricade and attacks Cargill, causing a disqualification.
Winner- Jade Cargill
After the match, Flair attempts to Pilmanize Cargill. Michin and B-Fab save Cargill. Jax crushes Flair in the corner. Cargill drops Flair with Jaded.
Grade: C
This was a whole mess. You could tell from the start by how fast Jax was moving that this one was going to end quickly. Was it due to a time constraint? Who knows, but this was a big nothing burger.
AAA Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders vs. Axiom
Axiom and Frazer hit fast, ending the first flurry with double dives. After the break, Ivar misses the Doomsault. Frazer and Axiom get a near fall after a superkick/450 splash combo. Axiom and Frazer land a superplex on Ivar. Phoenix Splash by Frazer. Erik breaks up the pin. Ivar and Erik hit Frazer with the Viking Experience. Axiom eats Ragnarok. The War Raiders pin Axiom.
Winners- The Viking Raiders
Grade: C
Standard stuff here. Not sure why the last women’s match seemed so rushed when this got so much time. Odd stuff.
Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther
As Gunther walks to the ring, Rhodes attacks him on the ramp. After an extended beatdown, the fight finally makes its way into the ring. The referee rings the bell. Rhodes tries a springboard, but Gunther pushes Rhodes off the ropes. Rhodes wacks the floor with a sickening thud. After the break, Gunther is working over Rhodes. Rhodes tries a springboard but gets caught. Rhodes escapes and lands a Cody Cutter. Powerslam by Rhodes. Rhodes follows that with a disaster kick. Cody Cutter by Rhodes (yes, again).
Gunther counters Crossroads and lands a dropkick. Gunther slams Rhodes’ leg into the ring post. CM Punk’s music hits. Punk power walks to the ring. Gunther mocks Punk and sets up a GTS. Rhodes counters with a clothesline. After the break, Rhodes has Gunther in a figure four. Sami Zayn hops the barricade and attacks Punk. Back in the ring, Gunther makes it to the ropes. Gunther traps Rhdoes in a choke. Rhodes escapes and lands a dive to Zayn. Zayn sends Rhodes into the ring post, causing a disqualification.
Winner- Cody Rhodes
After the match, everyone brawls.
Grade: B-
This was an exceptional wrestling match with a fun, but quick brawl after the fact.
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