FINALLY THE ROCK HAS COME BACK TO DENVER!!

15 SEP 23, BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO

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On this edition of Smackdown, live from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, we get the BIGGEST Surprise the WWE has given us in a quite some time. FINALLY... THE ROCK HAS COME BACK TO DENVER!

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Smackdown opens with Pat McAfee making his way down to the ring with a hype Denver crowd that seems electric. Pat starts, “Mile High City, I Love You”. Pat McAfee is in town covering the Colorado Buffaloes and Deion Sanders and says there was no way he was missing Smackdown. Pat says, “There was no way he wasn’t making the hours drive to Denver to feel the WWE Universe and it’s his honor to say “Welcome to Friday Night Smackdown!”

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Austin Theory’s music hits, and the look on Pats face says everything that we need to know about how Pat feels about Austin’s appearance. Austin Theory opens by saying, “This isn’t Friday Night Smackdown, this is Austin Theory Live.” Austin talks a lot of trash before telling Pat they have unfinished business and he’s about to drop him and he’ll be sitting behind his desk talking about college football injured just like Aaron Rodgers. Pat says, “Your not going to do a damn thing and that he’s pumped that Austin is dressing like him and wants to be like him”. Austin says, “He looks like a Greek God in a black tank top and Pat looks like he should be flipping fries”. Pat doesn’t want to fight because he enjoying the “local laws” in Colorado. Pat talks about how Austin doesn’t respect the business and the people as a whole, and that Smackdown will never be his show. It's the “Peoples” show, and you know what that means?

RIGHT on TIME...The Rocks music hits and the damn roof flew off BallArena, and THE ROCK HAS COME BACK TO DENVER!!! Literally, no words in the human language can describe that crowds electricity at that moment. I have goosebumps writing this and damn its a good time to be awrestling fan. “Holy Shit” chants break out in the arena and FOX is doing its best to censor it.Austin immediately starts the smack talk and asking The Rock, “Do you know whose ring this is?” The Rock, “Shut your bitch ass up!”, you clearly don’t know how this works!

The Rock, gives us a “Finally, The Rock Has Come Back to Denver!” Austin Theory tries his hand at it and then talks himself up and puts the people down along with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Theory gives The Rock, “It doesn’t matter what The Rock says”. The Rocks corrects Theory and says,“It actually does matter what The Rock says, and it matters what the people say. "You bring up Stone Cold, that’s
The Rock’s boy and this is what he would say, If you want to see me beat this Jabroni’s ass, give me a Hell Yeah!”

 

"The roof just blew off this place cause we’re live and its Smackdown. It's The Rock’s show and IT matters what the people say! "You want to talk trash about Stone Cold, Pat and the People. You're Austin Theory, right? Austin says, “Your Damn Right”. You're from A-Town, right? Austin once again says, “Your Damn Right.” The Rock says, “Something else I’m right about is, You're an a-hole!”

 

"OHH The Rock is gonna show ya because we are live and here is how The Rock is gonna show ya you're an a-hole. Here in about 3 seconds this side of the room is going to chant, Your an. This side of the room is going to say asshole." Theory is fuming mad and the facials expressions of all 3 men are selling the hell out of this segment. 3...2...1...Your an asshole chants break out in the arena. The Rock has goosebumps but we’re gonna give the other side of arena a chance to say, "You're an" and the other side to say, "Asshole." 3...2...1..."You're an asshole breaks out into the arena again. Fox censors it out.

Austin looks like is about to blow a gasket and yelling to shut your damnmouths to the people.
The Rock and the people are having fun baby, here’s a lesson for ya. The Rock doesn’t know you but he knows what you are and clearly the people do to. Let The Rock tell you this, “You're name is Austin Theory and I got a theory for you. Here’s the thing. You come out here on The People’s show, The Rock’s show, Smackdown and you put down the people, they are the reason why, they make it all happen.”

 

"Here’s The Rocks theory, in about 3 seconds The Rock is gonna whip your candy ass all over this arena...3...2..." Austin Theory sucker punches The Rock and gets some heavy shots in before The Rock reverses them and hits a big spine buster. Michael Cole keeps yelling, “Here it comes, here it comes”
over and over again. The Rock prepares the crowd for THE MOST ELECTRIC MOVE in all of ENTERTAINMENT, THE PEOPLES ELBOW! To add to the moment, The Rock invites Pat McAfee to give Austin a People's Elbow and this moment was amazing. Austin Theory’s shoe comes off from the last Peoples Elbow and The Rock chunks it out into the crowd. Pat and The Rock embrace and celebrate together. This segment ate 20 minutes of air time and by damn I’m not even mad about it.
Match 1

 

Finn Baylor (Judgement Day) vs. AJ Styles
Action is underway as the announce team (Michael Cole, Kevin Patrick,Corey Graves) remind us that Judgement Day can be on both brands because they have the Tag Team titles. Right from the start, Priest causes a distraction by reaching in to distract AJ and Finn takes advantage landing some big shots on AJ.
Announce team reminds us Luke Gallows is out injured from the OC so AJ is alone. AJ mounts some offense to see a roll through and a basement drop kick from Finn to turn momentum and a quick cover from Finn, kick out at 1. Announce team Jimmy is having issues adjusting to life outside The
Bloodline and that Judgement day has gone on a full on Deion Sanders recruitment pitch to get Jimmy to The Judgement Day.AJ mounts a come back and Finn rolls out the ring after a hard back breaker.

Coming back from the break Kevin Patrick mentions its a sold out crowd in the Ball Arena (14,520).
Finn and AJ are in the ring and both men have the same idea and a soul crushing double cross body but during the break Dirty Dom caused a distraction and Priest delivered a choke slam to the corner of the ring with Finn capitalizing with a drop kick on AJ. AJ lands a hard combo and a big splash into the corner. Dom causes the distraction and FINN rakes the eyes. AJ with a slam and a quick pin, Finn
kicks out. AJ takes Finn to the corner and attempts a Hurcanrana but Finn blocks. AJ hits the mat hard. Finn climbs to the top and looks to deliver the Coup De Grace, but AJ is back up, sweeps the legs, and Finn lands hard across the top rope. AJ has Finn set up for a styles clash but Finn fights hisway out. AJ still manages to get Finn up for a devastating neck breaker and Finn immediately rolls out.
AJ is on his back from the hard shots from Finn fighting out of the styles clash, AJ over the top but barely hits Finn as Dom/Priest get out of the way. AJ throws Finn back into the ring and Dom tries to attack AJ but AJ hits him with a hard clothes line and then stares daggers into Priest. AJ goes to get in the ring but Priest grabs his leg for a distraction and the referee sends The Judgement Day to the back. Finn tries to hit AJ while distracted but AJ catches him coming in with a Forearm. AJ went for the Phenomenal Forearm but Finn gets out of the way just in time. AJ sets up Finn for a styles clash but we see Jimmy Uso run up
and cause a distraction. Finn rolls up AJ off the distraction for the 1...2...3. The referee never sees the distraction from Jimmy Uso.

Backstage Segment
Coming back from the break we see The Rock and Pat McAfee laughing and joking about how the crowd could've went the 2 hours with Your an asshole. The Rock thanks Pat McAfee for such a great moment and they are hugging it out. As Pat McAfee walks off he tells the Rock there’s a guy heren to see him. Camera pans and the Rock is face to face with John Cena. John has a serious look on his face but looks like he's about to crack up. The Rock cracks him and says, "I see you trying to smile." John Cena is trying to hide it, lets it go, and smiles. He says "Welcome Home." They shake hands and hug. The nostalgia tonight is getting to me and reminding me of easier times.

 

Backstage Segment
Camera cuts from the Rock to Jimmy Uso and we see Paul Heymen creeping behind him before Finn walks up. Finn thanks his uce and his dawg for the assist and Jimmy said he was justreturning the favor and has nothing to do with The Judgement Day and they are even.

Finn brings up they saw Jey on Monday and he's sure Jimmy misses him, and says he misses his brothers all the time and that he spoke with Jey about joining the judgement day and he didn’t say no. Finn says it got him thinking, what if both the Usos join The Judgement Day? Tthat would take care of the John Cena/AJ Styles problem Jimmy is having right now. Jimmy says "They're" good?, Finn says the cool thing about The Judgement Day is there is no leaders and that means there is no Roman. After this interaction, Paul Heyman, who has been creeping in the corner, walks up to Jimmy pointing at Finn.

Camera cuts back to the ring and the entire LWO is in the Ring, Rey opens it up with a, “What’s good Denver?”, and the crowd pops. Rey says nothing but love and respect to the crowd and the same to his family the LWO.Rey is talking about how he was going through one of the hardest time in
his life when he came to Smackdown a year ago. He says he wont go into details but he was devasted and heart broken. The LWO reminded him of who he is and what family really means and now he's the US champion.

 

Santos Escobar starts to talk how the family is champions and when Theory took him out so he couldn’t compete for the title, Rey stepped up and Santos is happy Rey did it. Santos continues that Rey took his place and took Theory out to become the new US Champion, like the legend he is. Santos goes on to say that his career dream has always been to face his idol, Rey Mysterio with the title on the line and asks if Rey will him. Rey asks Santos if he is serious, after all they been through, if he is asking for a title opportunity? Santos says that he has nothing but love and respect for Rey, and Rey says he feels the same way and laughs off the serious tone and says of course I'll accept and the two hug it out.
 

Bobby Lashley’s music hits and out comes Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits dressed for a fight. That’s a big crowd reaction, for the Colorado native Bobby Lashley. Bobby tells the Street Profits that tag teams are
crumbling around them and we got tag teams having this awkward love festin the middle of the ring. Bobby says a few weeks ago, he said they were taking over and from the looks of it, its going to be easier than he imagined. Angelo Dawkins says, he ain’t lying. We got Santos out here asking for opportunities and Rey giving them like he's Oprah. "You get a opportunity, You get a opportunity" Legado Del Fantasma (Cruz Del Toro/Joaquin Wilde) tells them they talk to much and the LWO is always ready for a fight.

 

Match 2
Street Profits w/ Bobby Lashley vs. Legado Del Fantasma w/ LWO Match made official during the commercial break and action is underway. Joaquin Wilde laying some heavy offense on Angelo in the early going and a quick pin to be broken up by Montez Ford. Cruz runs in and hits a splash on Montez and then goes after Angelo and gets rag dolled over the top rope. Angelo goes after Joaquin and gets hit with a kick, Joaquin attempts something from the top rope and Angelo moves for Joaquin to roll through.
Montez blind tags in but Joaquin doesn’t see the tag and continues to fight Angelo, Angelo pushes Joaquin off the ropes Montez rolls in the street profits hit their finisher for the 1...2...3. Street Profits make short work of Legado Del Fantasma, Bobby Lashley tells the Profits to punish them some more and the Street Profits lay some hambones on the LDF. Santos comes in to help, but Bobby quickly takes
him out.

Back from the break, and the announce team are talking about the Royal Rumble returning to Tampa.

We get the Progressive Match Flo, covering Miz/La Knight and their on- going feud.

 

Match 3
LA Knight vs. The Miz
Match starts out with a collar and elbow tie-up and a headlock by The Miz. LA off the ropes with a shoulder block putting the Miz down. Good back and forth in the early going, and Miz draws him in with some villainous exploits to get the upper hand. The Miz hits some hard chops while the
crowd chants tiny balls at the Miz. Knight out of the corner with some hard chops of his own. Power Slam from LA and a quick cover and a kick out by the Miz. Some back and forth offense and LA with a swinging neck breaker. Big shoulder block from the outside in to the Miz for another quick pin and kick out by the Miz. Miz mounts some offense with a knee to the gut of LA. Corey Graves is putting the Miz way over the only way he can. The Miz insulting LA and the audience to a roar of boos. LA mounting big offense and a pin for a quick kick out by the Miz. Miz baits in LA again and hitssome offense and for a quick pin, LA kicks out. Back from the break and Miz is in charge and laying some hard kicks to
LA. Hard kick off the ropes for a quick pin and LA kicks out. Miz is lining up for his finisher and LA fights out. Good back and forth and LA is laying some hard offense on the Miz. Crowd chanting yeah with the
kicks LA is laying. LA quick pin to the Miz, out at 2 and some back and forth pin fall attempts and Miz hits a DDT but Knight counters, Miz ties LA up in the ropes and Miz hits a meterora and a quick pin, LA out at 2. Miz is lining up for the “It” kicks but LA dodges, and LA drops some hard right hands, before the Miz breaks it up. LA drops Miz off the ropes and hits the BFT for the 1, 2, 3. LA settles the feud and the doubters with no John Cena or special referees involved.

 

LA has a mic..."Let me talk to ya..." Crowd chanting LA Knight! He says he is coming for gold and talks about the top of mountain and it doesn’t matter which champion, and damn sure don’t matter if its Roman
Reigns."It ain't just a catch phrase, I'm easily top 2 and I'm not 2...Yeahhh!! Who's game is it with everybody saying...L...A...Knight...Yeahhhh!!"

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Backstage Segment
Camera cuts to Paul Heyman and Solo watching the monitor and seeing LA Knight walk to the back. Solo says he knows what needs to be handled and he's handling it tonight. Paul tells him that order can only come from Roman and he hasn’t given that order yet. Paul says they need to concentrate on Solo's older brother, Jimmy. Heyman mentions Jimmy cutting deals with The Judgement Day and when that falls
apart, Paul says Solo is going to have to fight that battle. Paul talks about Jimmy picking fights with John Cena, and says John will come for his pound of flesh and tells Solo he will have to fight that battle to.
Paul says Jimmy thinks he's in The Bloodline, he's in the bloodline while looking at his arm but says he's not IN The Bloodline. Paul reminds Solo again that we can only make moves like that when Roman calls and gives that order and says then you can handle that business.Solo says he already knows what he needs to do and he's going to finish this...tonight. Paul appears flustered and says but who gave that order. Paul looks at his phone and says call Roman Reigns.
 

Backstage Segment
Pretty Deadly rolls into Adam Pierce’s office and he says great news Elton the Dr. says that shoulder is healing nicely and they'll be back in no time. Elton lays on the thick pity party and the trauma of Ridge Holland injuring him. Adam Pierce asks why he's in a wheel chair its a shoulder injury? Kit say Elton give me a “Yes Boy." "Yes Boy", and Adam looks flabbergasted as they leave the office.

 

Damage Ctrl Bayley and Dakota Kai are backstage and Bayley is wondering if Iyo is ready for Asuka but Dakota reminds her and says, "Are you ready for Asuka? You’re facing her tonight."

Main Event
Asuka vs. Bayley (Both Grand slam Champions)
Collar and Elbow tie up and both women pushing each other and talking trash. Bayley lays some shots on Asuka and Asuka returns them. They are going back and forth and Bayley tries a quick roll-up. Bayley with the upper hand and the women are trading shots. Top rope drop kick and Bayley rolls out, and Asuka follows and Bayley pushes her into the edge of the ring.

 

Back from the commercial break, Bayley has upper hand with Asuka in a neck crank, Asuka fights out and hits a chin breaker, Bayley hits some offense and goes for a quick pin. Michael Cole mention that Iyo and Asuka were apart of a tag team in Japan called Triple Tails. That’s a awesome call back we have been waiting for them to make. Asuka counters sunset flip with a arm bar, and Asuka is fighting back and hits a big german suplex. Dakota looks concerned for Bayley. Asuka hits a hard kick and splash to the corner and a big knee to the role model and a quick pin to Bayley. Bayley counters and Asuka counter with a ankle lock. Bayley rolls and Asuka hits a meterora and rolls Bayley into a armbar. Bayley rolls out of
the ring and pushes Asuka face first into the ring. Bayley throws Asuka into the baracade and rips apart announce table. Shotzi appears and Bayley runs into the ring and Asuka follows scores a
back slide pin fall. Shotzi chases out Bayley and Shotzi runs back into ring and dabs it with Asuka.

 

Grayson Waller effect with John Cena
Grayson talks up all guests he's had on that claim their the goat but his next guest is the only one that fits the goat moniker. However, his star is fading faster than his hairline. Grayson says his rise back to the top starts tonight courtesy of the Grayson Waller rub. The Ball arena is absolutely going to need a new roof after tonight's Smackdown. The crowd is deafening once again for John Cena. Grayson says it must be an honor for Cena to be on the Grayson Waller Effect, and then takes a shot at Colorado States coach about Deion Sanders needing to take off his hat when talking to grownups like his momma taught
him. Grayson mentions Payback, and says he needs some help "kid", that he's stealing the spotlight and he needs to be more like Grayson and just sit back and watch the stars shine. Cena goes to talk and Grayson immediately interrupts him saying, "You couldn’t help yourself, could you?" and how John had to make it all about himself. Grayson brings up Payback, and how John got into the ring onemore time not to compete but as a special referee. John once again goes to say something and Grayson interrupts him.
Grayson said he then had the audacity to come out here and lie to these people, and the truth is John doesn't want to be a in-ring competitor anymore. Tells the people the truth hurts right? John looks really confused and pissed off like in disbelief that Grayson is talking this much trash. Then reminds John that there is no doubt you are the greatest of all time. Grayson says there is also no doubt that John is not even the closest to being the greatest right now, lad? He says, John hasn’t been the same since Wrestlmania when His boy, Austin Theory who just "beat" The Rock beat you. John stands up takes off his hat and shirt and looks like he's about to toss this lad a beating. Grayson reminds John its a talk show and it’s his time to speak. John once again gets ready to speak and Jimmy Uso's music hits. Jimmy comes to the ring and, John says Grayson set him up. John goes to address Jimmy, and Jimmy takes the mic from him and say
Kangaroo Jack has a point my dude. Jimmy says no one wants you here John and he told John 2 weeks ago that everyone came to see him. Crowd erupts into "Cena" chants. Jimmy says if you aren’t going to do anything then get the hell out of the ring. John steps to Jimmy and SoloSikoa's music hits and Solo comes out with Paul Heyman. Jimmy looks confused why Solo is out there and Solo gets in John's face.
Jimmy talks trash and Solo grabs Jimmy like he's going to hit him. Hehits a massive super kick on Cena. Jimmy and Solo put some boots on John and AJ Styles comes out to help John. AJ hits Jimmy and John delivers a 5 knuckle shuffle and Paul yells for Solo to save Jimmy from a AA. Smackdown goes off air as Solo saves Jimmy from the AA.