WWE SMACKDOWN REVIEW 8/25/23

25 August 2023

 

Friday Night Smackdown from Louisville, Kentucky and the home of Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)

 

With the passing of WWE Legend and Hall of Famer Terry Funk (79), August 23 followed by the untimely passing of Windham Rotunda (36), August 24 rumors began to swirl that WWE was scrapping their scheduled Friday Night Smackdown to host a tribute Show to honor both the Hardcore Legend, Terry Funk and the one of the most creative minds to grace the WWE, Windham Rotunda.

 

Smackdown opens with In Memory of Terry Funk and Windham Rotunda on the screen fading away to the Smackdown locker room on the stage area to honor the lives of Terry Funk and Windham Rotunda. Michael Cole announces the WWE will honor them with the honorary ten bell salute. Following the ten bell salute the camera cuts to the "Fireflies" and a eerie rendition of "He's got the Whole World in His Hands" begins to play as well as a video package for Windham.

 

Some notable stars to point out on the ramp are Erik Rowan (Erik Red Beard), Braun Strowman (recovering from neck surgery) and Cody Rhodes has flown is to honor Terry Funk.

 

Crowd erupts in a "Thank you, Bray" chants followed by the crowd singing "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands" and screen cuts to Bray's Rocking Chair illuminated.

 

Terry Funk Video Package plays coming back from the commercial break.

 

If you watched Smackdown you probably noticed the QR codes on all the video packages and if you scanned it, it took you to YouTube where you could watch the video package in its entirety.

 

On tonights edition of Smackdown we have Corey Graves, Kevin Patrick and the future Hall of Famer, Michael Cole on commentary.

 

Match 1 

 

HOF Rey Mysterio vs Grayson Waller

 

Rey came out with TF and BW on his arm band to honor Terry and Bray. 

 

This was a great back and forth match and both competitors hitting their spots. Mysterio sets Waller up for a 619 and Austin Theory's music hits and gives Grayson a chance to recover and get the upper hand. Escobar makes his way to the ring and attacks Theory. This distraction gives Rey the chance to recover and set Grayson up for a big 619 and a splash over the top rope for the 1, 2 and 3. Escobar and Rey celebrate.

 

The Wyatt Family video package plays. 

 

Smackdown is heavily advertising John Cena's return next week in Hershey, PA and his appearence in India coming up.

 

Coming back from another break and WWE plays another video package of tweets from fellow superstars mourning the loss of Windham.

 

Following a video package showing Zelina Vega beating Iyo Sky in their last two outings they cut to a backstage interview with Damage Ctrl and Kayla Braxton. 

 

Match 2

 

Smackdown Womens Champion Iyo Sky vs Zelina Vega

 

Zelina makes her way out to the ring in her Puerto Rico ring gear and carrying a "chonkla". Some lucky or unlucky kid depends if he is a good kid took home the "chonkla" from Zelina. She also tossed out a LWO shirt in Puerto Rico colors.

 

Bray Wyatt "Fiend" Video Package plays

 

Iyo Sky makes her way out to the ring with Damage Ctrl.

 

This is a womens championship match and the action matched that big match feel.  This was a good back and forth and we seen big spots from both superstars. Zelina landed a code red and Iyo rolls out of the ring. Damage Ctrl cause interference and Iyo takes advantage and throws Zelina into the stairs, marking the beginning to the end of the match. Iyo rolls Zelina into the ring against the corner and Iyo hits a double knee followed by a over the moon sault for the 1, 2, and 3!

 

WWE cuts to the back with Cody Rhodes walking backstage to make his way to the ring and another video package plays with more superstar reactions to the sudden passing of Bray Wyatt.

 

Cody's music hits and we get quite possibly the biggest "POP" of the night as he makes his way to the ring.  Cody knows what he wants to talk about and tells a story of being at the airport with his dad and grandma when from across the terminal someone yells the most peculiar insult, "You're an Egg sucking Dog" at Dusty and little Cody thought he was going to be involved in a domestic incident. Cody says he looks up and its the "Proprieter of the Double Cross Ranch" Terry Funk. He went on to tell how very few get called "Cowboy" and a Terry Funk video package plays. Coming back from the video, Cody announces the next match is a "Terry Funk Hardcore Tag Team Match".

 

Match 3

 

"Terry Funk Hardcore Tag Team Match"

 

Brawling Brutes vs Street Profits

 

Coming back from the break another video package plays of "The Era of Wyatt"

 

This was a good tag team match-up but calling it "hardcore" is something it should have been called. We did get some good spots out of this match with Ridge Holland using Butch as a weapon in a homage to how Terry Funk swung the ladder. When the Street Profits looked beat, Bobby Lashley's music hit and he makes his way to the ring to provide some motivation to the Profits. While Lashley was outside the ring, Butch accidently bumped into Lashley while dragging a ladder out from under the ring. Once, the table is set-up the action continues and the Profits gain the upper hand and Butch being tossed outside of the ring where Lashley spears him in half and the Profits hit "Revelation" through the table for the win.

 

Immediately following the match we see a video package of of the "Firefly Funhouse".

 

LA Knight makes his way to the ring and coming back from another break we get a video package showcasing the feud between LA Knight and The Miz.

 

We also see a TMZ video package with them questioning The Miz on LA Knight and The Miz downplaying LA Knight.

 

LA Knight's music hits and we get the largest "pop" of the night. 

 

LA grabs the mic and cuts a line blurring promo and says "Your greatest foes can be your greatest helper" and the feud with Bray was getting him ready for anything. He also mentions the fireflies and feeling the spirit of Bray in the building and it was the same spirit that allows him to stand here in the ring and then LA Knight proceeded to cut a scathing promo on the Miz.

 

He mentions that he didnt even have the spotlight when he had a stunt double and was always in the background to The Rock and John Cena.

 

LA Knight says a wise man once told me the next time you see me, "RUN". 

 

Match 4 Main Event

 

LA Knight (Brays last opponent) vs Finn Balor (Brays first opponent)

 

Video package plays before the match begins of "Brays Extreme Return"

 

Commentators announce it will be LA Knight vs The Miz at Payback.

 

"Heartfelt" video package plays

 

This was a great back and forth match with no outside interference allowing both athletes to hit the big spots and showcase their move sets. LA Knight picks up the win with a Blunt Force Trama (BFT) and picks up his biggest main roster win since moving up to the blue brand. Where does Finn go from here with taking a clean loss to LA Knight?

 

Smackdown goes off the air with Brays lantern in the ring with smoke coming from around the ring and one of his final images on the titantron. All the Fireflies are up in the air and the emotional crowd chanting "Thank you".