SMACKDOWN 9/29/23

On this edition of Smackdown, live from the sold out Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento, California, we got a heavy Bloodline centered show (again) and late to the game, John Cena. We also find out who will be John Cena’s partner will be for Fastlane.

​

Smackdown opens up with the Bloodline (Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa with/ Paul Heyman) and the Sacramento crowd wasn’t feeling the Bloodline and they got the Dom Mysterio treatment. They acknowledged their absentee Tribal Chief, and say it was in his honor that they gave John Cena a beat
down last week like he hadn’t experienced in over a decade. Paul mentions that John is having some transportation issues tonight and as of this moment John isn’t here. AJ Styles isn’t here because he's laying in a hospital bed this evening. Jay snatches the mic from Paul, and announces, The bloodline is in your city". Jimmy says, "John is scared and that’s why he isn’t here and to stay far, far away from the bloodline." Karl Anderson attacks the Bloodline from behind, screaming about he told AJ to stay away from the Bloodline and now the Bloodline is the OC business.Paul whispers to Solo and Solo yells at Jimmy to handle his business.

Match 1

Karl Anderson vs. Jimmy Uso
This was a short match that saw some good back and forth in the earlygoings. The Bloodline did their usual tactics and Solo provided the distraction while Jimmy raked the eyes of Karl Anderson and then hitting a big superkick leading to a USO splash to close out the match. Karl attacks Jimmy after the match and Solo comes in and finishes off Karl. Mi-Chin comes out after the match to check on Karl and on the way to the ring slaps the taste out of Jimmy’s mouth.

​

Back Stage Segment
We see interview with Santos Escobar discussing his upcoming match with Rey Mysterio. Santos is focused but has butterflies in his stomach. This is his dream to fight Rey with the belt on the line.

 

Back from the break, we see the Bloodline walking backstage with Jimmy asking the crew if they saw what happened out there. Jimmy then pushes what looks to be a stage hand. Paul Heyman after telling the stage hand to relax, speaks into his phone, to call Roman Reigns.

 

Grayson Waller Effect w/ Bobby Lashley
Grayson opens with jokes about John being the GOAT but not the Greatest of being on time and Grayson is here to save the show. Grayson introducesBobby and says he's done it all in the ring but not so much as a talent scoutbut he's getting the Waller rub tonight. Bobby says he made a mistake with the Street Profits and its back to the drawing board. Grayson then pitches his team A Town Down under and Bobby mentioned he doesn’t have interest in Austin Theory.

 

Street Profits music hits and out come the Street Profits and they go to speak to Bobby and he cuts them off and says, "If you want something out of me then to prove it." Bobby then leaves out of the ring with the Profits following and Bobby keeps telling them to prove and lets see what you got. As Bobby walks off, Grayson brings out Austin theory calling Theory the 150 million view hit man.

 

After the segment, hey roll a Dragon Lee video package, then cut to Dragon Lee being in attendance tonight.

​

Match 2
Austin Theory vs. Cameron Grimes
Bell rings and Cameron comes out the gate hot with a kick in the face. Greatback and forth match with quick pins and both competitors are superathletic and hitting big spots. In the end, Grayson is the difference factorand gives the distraction for Austin to get the upper hand and its A Town Down for the finish. After the match Austin Theory gets in the face ofDragon Lee so we'll see where that leads to.

​

Backstage Segment
Kayla Braxton interviews Rey Mysterio who says he grew up watching Santos' dad wrestle and that tonight Santos is in for the fight of his life.

 

Next up, we see Jimmy Uso beating Ashanti “Thee” Adonis with B-Fab yelling for him to stop it. Finally, producers show upand stop Jimmy and then Solo grabs Ashanti and puts him through a tableand you hear Jimmy say, “Ashanti will not be John Cena's partner.”

​

Match 3
Rey Mysterio (United States Championship) vs. Santos Escobar

Zelina Vega is ringside to support her LWO stable mates. This is a championship match, and starts with a collar and elbow tie up and then quickly becomes a BJJ grappling match with both superstars jockeying for position. This match didn’t play out like the big lucha libre match, I expected it to. Both men hitting their classics, WWE cuts to the back stage area and Solo and Jimmy are still attacking the staff. Escobar lands a big superkick and Rey falls out the ring and Santos hits a moonsault off the barricade to Rey on the outside. Escobar hits 2 big knees in the corner and takes Rey to the top rope and Rey fights back. Escobar comes back with some big top rope offense and Escobar with a big splash from the outside to the inside of the ring. Santos is taking in to Rey and and hitting big moves on Rey. Santos goes for a big splash and Rey slides out of the way. Santos big tilt a whirl back breaker and then gets Rey in a modified torture rack.
Quick pin and Rey kicks out. Rey hits a 619 and goes for a frog splash and Escobar rolls out the way. Escobar goes for phantom driver and Rey counters with a roll up and gets the win.

​

The Street Profits hit the ring while Rey and Escobar are talking and theStreet Profits hit the two superstars hard. The rest of the LWO comes out and Street Profits and Bobby make short work of them as well. Street
Profits heel turn is complete!

​

Backstage segment
We see Kayla Braxton walk into medical where LWO are getting medical attention after the malicious beat down by the Street Profits. LWO challenges the Street Profits with Bobby Lashley at Fastlane.

 

Jade Cargill video package is played and Michael Cole talks her up and everyone is looking forward to her making her debut.

 

John Cena pulls up squealing tires in a Mustang and has the contract in his hands.

 

Next up, a Pretty Deadly video package with Elton Prince going through Rehab while still in his wheelchair for the shoulder injury. Yes Boys! Brawling Brutes after the video package are wishing they'd broke his legs and maybe some fingers.

 

Match 4
Charlotte Flair vs. Bailey of Damage Ctrl

Charlotte grabs the mic and asks what happened to Bailey, she used to be a 4 Horse Women and now she’s on the sideline and a stepping stone. This was a classic Bailey and Charlotte match. They both hit their highlights and classic moves. When it looks like Bailey is going to put it away charlotte hits a spear for a 1, 2 and 3. Bailey grabs a mic after the match and says Charlotte your not cutting the line and Damage Ctrl is going to put an end to you. Just before they hit the ring Asuka makes a appearance for the save on Charlotte and Asuka grabs the mic and goes off on them in Japanese. Iguess, Bailey took that interpretation as Asuka wants Charlotte and Iyo Sky in a triple threat match at Fast Lane and Iyo looks shocked that Bailey said that.

​

Takeaways - 

- Dragon Lee vs Austin Theory possibility?
- Street Profits Heel turn is completed.
-vTriple Threat match at Fastlane for the Women’s Championship
- LA Knight is Cena’s partner for FastLane...YEAH!