By Kyle Combs
Smackdown comes to us from the WWE performance center and tonight had the final MITB qualifying matches. Tonight's episode was very serious, Sonya is on another level with her character development, is Dolph entertained by it? How will this story unfold? Who will end up going to MITB? The field is finalized in tonight’s episode of Smackdown. Who the crap is the hacker? I like when the blue brand takes a serious and dark approach to story telling, and that’s what happened tonight.
Daniel Bryan opened the show with an absolute burner of an opening promo. This was about as fiery of a Daniel Bryan as we’ve seen in a long time, yes he’s been back and he’s been awesome since his feud with Bray but this promo was something else. The main topic was of course, the MITB match at the WWE corporate complex. “Fighting for my dreams means my dreams will fight for me.” That quote stuck with me long after the promo. He shifted to Drew Gulak and how he wished he had the opportunity that he’s had, Daniel called King Corbin out right after that.
King Corbin stood at the top of the stage, scepter in hand. Out of 23 MITB winners, Corbin is one of four who have not been successful with a cash in. King Corbin said he’s stronger and smarter than he was after his first MITB victory.
Daniel Bryan vs King Baron Corbin
For the first time ever, these two threw down in a one on one match. This match told a story, there’s heat here especially from last week, Corbin kept up the banter and the trash talk, Bryan was focused and worked on wrestling and grappling with Corbin since the golden glove winner is not one to strike with, Bryan had a mindset to isolate the king and keep him off his feet. The strategy was solid when it worked, the king would get on his feet and take control with his striking. Corbin got personal with the banter as he battered Bryan in the middle of the ring, saying he was washed up and would send him back to his show, Total Divas, it got in Bryan’s head who had a small burst of offense but it was short lived, Corbin back in control.
Corbin stayed in control and had Bryan completely worn down after the commercial break. The speed of Corbin’s offense did not falter and neither did the trash talk. Call me crazy but I love the empty arena shows, it’ll be weird when the arenas fill up again. Bryan had a hard time getting anything going as the constant offense and strikes allowed Corbin to start grappling with Bryan, one of the best grapplers in WWE. Bryan reversed and Corbin ended up outside and he cut off Corbin’s ability to quickly maneuver around the ring post and end up inside the ring and he flew outside, he started to rally.
Bryan’s burst of offense stayed around this time and he went back on the offense hard. Yes kicks and an ankle lock started wearing the king down. He stayed on the attack after three pinfall attempts in rapid succession, the only thing to stop Bryan was a deep six and that slowed him down but somehow he kicked out. Bryan rolled through a ground and pound and went for a half crab, Corbin grabbed the bottom rope, Bryan back on offense. This match became utter chaos as it went outside again, Corbin had to get Bryan off him somehow and threw a ladder into his face. This resulted in a DQ win for Bryan. The wrestling in this match was well done, both guys stuck to their strengths whenever they could, well done, great promo and a solid match kicked off Smackdown.
After the match Corbin threw a ladder in the ring and put Bryan back in. Bryan got Corbin into a yes lock right on top of the ladder, Shinsuke and Cesaro came to the aid of the king and broke that up.
Braun Strowman - Universal Champion
Braun was interrupted rather quickly by Bray in the Firefly Fun House. Bray shared a story for story time, how sweet, called “The Black Sheep” and it was as demented as you’d expect. This story had government conspiracies, reptilians, everything. It was quite riveting, the most riveting story about a shepherd and a sheep. Braun said he was done with the Fun House and said if Bray had something to say, then say it to his face. Bray simply waved and the segment ended.
Sheamus vs Leon Ruff
Sheamus still has beef with Cole, not sure why but he sure does. Leon Ruff looked to be about 125 pounds and an excited young buck. He ate a back breaker and another back breaker and another back breaker. Sheamus tossed Mr. Ruff outside the ring like Otis smashes a ham he then picked him back up, violently without leaving the ring. After battering the chest of Leon Ruff and turning his insides to liquid he delivered a brogue kick to the face of Leon Ruff. Another weird match involving Sheamus. I don’t know who Leon Ruff is but WWE may be hiring camera operators in the coming months, he could give that a try.
Sheamus then continued messing with Cole which should be a hate crime at this point, and it lead into another Jeff Hardy segment, the comeback.
Kayla Braxton with Otis and Mandy
Good segment with these two, Mandy is looking forward, she doesn’t want to look back. Otis guaranteed a win against Dolph, and Mandy promised a win over Carmella. The segment ended with a kiss from the peach to the man, Otis as she prepared for her match.
Carmella vs Mandy Rose - MITB qualifying match
Both had smooth moves, Carmella was impressed with Mandy’s moves. After some back and forth Carmella landed a solid side kick to the face of a downed Rose. Mandy went back to grappling after kicking out. Sonya interrupted this match quick, she stood at the top of the ramp and said she was supporting Sonya, to keep wrestling, keep doing her thing. Sonya reminisced about her and Mandy’s past. This mind game is pretty deep, reminding her of all of the times she’s let Mandy skate by on her hard work.
Mandy did a good job wrestling with Sonya doing her thing. Sonya finally did head down to the ring which allowed Carmella to land another kick and get the three count victory. Sonya is holding the cards in this rivalry, especially after that fire promo she dropped last week.
Sonya rushed Mandy after the match, “You will never be better than me.” this is a hot rivalry and Sonya is playing her role perfectly, I’m impressed. She dismantled Mandy outside the ring, she kicked Mandy in the back forcing her to go face first into the ring steps. Sonya is kicked out of ring side by WWE refs and staff. Sonya did serious damage, she has fired all the rounds in this rivalry so far and this was a howitzer. Sonya promised to ruin her life. I don’t know where this one goes but it should end up in a cage.
Mandy backstage with Otis seeking medical attention. She got roughed up, Otis left the area distraught and ran into Dolph who asked if Mandy was okay.
The New Day vs The Forgotten Sons
Miz and Morrison decided to come out and join Graves and Cole, because we can’t get enough of them right? Big E and Cutler started the match off, Big E tagged Kofi in early after getting the upper hand on Cutler. It didn’t take long for the sons to take control and rough up Kofi a little bit. Cutler and Blake tagged in back and forth. Finally Kofi was able to tag Big E in and he just demolished everyone in his way, eventually landed a belly to belly on the legal man, Blake.
The new day stayed on the gas pedal with great teamwork. Cutler tagged Blake in and he was fresh and ready to crank up an ass whoopin, he took control over Big E. Big E fought back and held his own against the quick tags and team work from the sons. Kofi and Cutler were tagged in at the same time, Kofi was the fresher guy and came out on fire. Miz and Morrison were not impressed with anything they saw, but they spent most of their time talking about the new day, I don’t think they want a piece of the sons.
Cutler bounced Kofi with a nice back breaker but Kofi kicked out. Cutler laid into Kofi but he took too much time. Kofi got back in control but it didn’t last long. Kofi kicked out after Blake was tagged in and a backstabber by Cutler leading to a flying elbow by Blake, wow that was a crazy spot. The sons teamwork cranked up to 11, Kofi saw it coming though and flipped the sons outside, it was time for the new day to use some teamwork. Kofi launched over the top rope and took out the sons. Big E was a wrecking ball but got outsmarted by the sons, the big man went for a spear, missed and ended up outside and took a shot from Ryker on the outside. The chaos of this match continued like a train wreck and ended in a snap. Another back stabber into teamwork lead to a sons victory via Blake three count pinfall.
Kayla Braxton with Tamina
Tamina has been on a tear since her return, she said she won't be intimidated by a bunch of mean girls. Sasha came to Tamina and reminded her how she made her debut at her side. Sasha set up a perfect smoke screen, right before Tmina could respond Bayley came out of nowhere and attacked Tamina and all hell broke loose. Out of nowhere Lacey showed up, all four of these ladies pounded on each other.
Sonya and Dolph backstage
These two are pure evil and I love everything about it. There was a moment where Dolph showed up and asked about Mandy, you would’ve thought it was sincere but it was not. Sonya wishes she could’ve seen Otis’ face. Dolph is fired up, these two are playing this masterfully. “After you’re dont hurting Mandy, I will slide up next to her as the new champ, and make her feel better.” Wow, where’s the hacker when you need him?
Otis vs Dolph Ziggler - MITB qualifying match
Early on, Otis was mad as hell and it showed. Dolph wanted to use that against him. Otis stayed on it, his power and anger fueled him to do damage early. Dolph had about three seconds of offense, Otis had an answer, he was angry but his focus was on point. Also, nobody sells moves like Dolph does, dude’s a master. Otis continued the power game, slam after slam, suplex after suplex.
Otis had a full steam and ran at Dolph in the corner, Dolph got out of the way, this match went outside and Dolph made sure Otis met the barricade. Otis beat the ten count during the commercial to meet the former champ, Dolph back in the ring and Dolph was in control. Dolph has a plan to get Mandy back and the first step of that is to become the world champion again.
Dolph had finally gotten in control and maintained it, he started to wear Otis down. Otis got back up to his feet and landed a few strikes, Dolph landed a sleeper hold but Otis tossed him out like old garbage. Dolph landed a kick to the belly but we know what happens when you wake up the belly. Otis landed clotheslines and went for another charge to the corner again, Dolph landed an elbow this time but all it did was make Otis mad. Otis attempted a caterpillar, Dolph rolled out of the way.
Dolph reversed on the ropes and dropped Otis on a rope, Dolph raked the eyes of Otis and landed a zigzag. This looked to be the end but Otis kicked out at two, Dolph was in disbelief. He maintained his focus, he wanted a superkick to land. Otis caught Dolph, mid superkick and tossed Otis over his shoulder, Otis landed the caterpillar and got the pinfall victory! Wow, these two are great in the ring together. Fun main event on Smackdown, this story has heated up to a boiling point.